Are the angry responses to RP questions and post indicative of PTS, anger issues or just bad decorum?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:44:05 -0400

I attended a party and milled about from group to group. Some conversations I agreed with, others not so much. But I never saw people who disagreed with others in a hostile manner. How do you handle RP members who respond overly aggressive?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 30 at 2016 1:48 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:48:07 -0400

Combination of and ignore and inform

Trying to refocus the angry person on addressing the issue not the poster

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 30 at 2016 1:53 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:53:06 -0400

It's been my experience that a lot of people talk tough behind their keyboard, but not so much in real life.

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 30 at 2016 1:55 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 13:55:11 -0400

I tend to ignore them because there is no getting through to them.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Jun 30 at 2016 2:02 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:02:59 -0400

I just normally say, "not sure what I did or said to deserve such hostility, but um...ok"...other times I ignore them but sometimes i give them a thumbs up, a "thanks" or an "ok"...I normally try not to reward bad behavior.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jun 30 at 2016 2:42 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:42:39 -0400

Ignore, possibly block. There are people out there I just don't want in my feed.

Response by Nathan Weiss made Jun 30 at 2016 2:58 PM

Nathan Weiss — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:58:00 -0400

Anger issues.

Response by SSgt James Atkinson made Jun 30 at 2016 3:43 PM

SSgt James Atkinson — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:43:31 -0400

Overly aggressive, or over-polarized expressions of opinion, politics, or faith is normally regarded as an anti-social action or reaction, whereas the offending person is trying merely to manipulate other people and to attract power and attention they are unworthy of receiving due to their actual or self-perceived inferiority to the group as a whole. They are what are called "outliers" as their behavior is well outside the scope of "normal behavior," and if you listen very carefully to what they say and do, you will pick up on the subtleties of the manipulation they are attempting. The ultimate counter-measure to their dramatics is to not give them the attention that seek, and to merely ignore then, utterly and completely.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jun 30 at 2016 4:31 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:31:49 -0400

It depends upon the situation. In one case I had to block the person, that person did not stay on RP very long after that. If I am interested in the conversation/subject, I will try and reason with them. Otherwise I will try to Ignore them. And yes there have been a few instances when I have responded to anger with anger, especially when they have blocked me, where I am not able to make what I would consider a reasonable response.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 30 at 2016 4:42 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:42:27 -0400

Some of the morons don't know what they don't know.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jun 30 at 2016 4:49 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 16:49:42 -0400

I just say my piece, agree to disagree and i move on. If it's an outright personal attack, then i would bring to the Admin's attention.

Thankfully i haven't had any issues with anyone.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 30 at 2016 5:02 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:02:59 -0400

I don't run into many of the foam-at-the-mouth types on here, but then again, I don't go looking for them in most of my posts. I do occasionally run into those who take artistic license with my words into order make their point or perhaps more accurately, cast what I said into a light more favorable for them to rebut.

I'll call them on it and ask they quote or clarify where they got the alleged interpretation, and either they do or they don't, but I don't continue the issue for very long. So far, I haven't had to block anyone and I hope to not have to.

I've said mine; they've said theirs. Moving on.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jun 30 at 2016 7:26 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 19:26:03 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Have not noticed too much of that behavior on RP. Typically I just move on, ignore, vote down(with reason), or block if too bad. I believe there is also an option to report such to Admin.

Response by PO2 Mike Vignapiano made Jun 30 at 2016 8:49 PM

PO2 Mike Vignapiano — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 20:49:08 -0400

People tend to be a bit more hostile when they aren't face-to-face.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 30 at 2016 10:15 PM

1LT William Clardy — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:15:05 -0400

My own personal theory is that much of the anger is rooted in frustration rather than hostility. For many of us, we joined the service to protect and preserve a nation and a culture. How can you not be frustrated when you see that nation apparently tearing itself apart and the culture you valued rapidly vanishing -- and nobody will listen to your warnings?

By reasoning with a person, and hearing them out, you may learn something, you may find common ground, but at the very least you can make them aware that somebody does care enough to actually listen to their opinion.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 1 at 2016 1:49 AM

SPC Kirk Gilles — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 01:49:18 -0400

Seems like it should never happen (hostility). The point to RP is a professional military environment yes?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2016 2:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 02:07:39 -0400

Why do they do it on RP? Same reason they do everywhere. Bad decorum. It is easy to hide behind a keyboard and talk some smack, not so much in the presence of others.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2016 8:26 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:26:10 -0400

Just had to pick the 1st.... lol

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 4 at 2016 8:33 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:33:40 -0400

Sometimes they're honest anger incited by outrageous behavior. For example, I posted a link to the Netanyahu's response to the story about a 13 year old American girl hacked to death in her bed in Israel. A member on RP chose to use it as an opportunity to vent his antisemitic venom against Israel. No, I don't have PTS. You may condemn my behavior as "bad decorum". I simply won't let people get away with reprehensible behavior. Sadly, I can't reach across the Internet and smack him up alongside the head to see if he has a gear loose or anything. All I can do is plead with him to shut up and when he fails to take advantage of the suggestion, draw attention to his character flaws. Should I block him? Why? Why should I deny others the opportunity to discover there's an idiot in our midst? Don't worry. I'm past it now. However, I know he's out there lurking and will strike again. Hopefully, if others treat him as he deserves rather than running and hiding, he'll eventually get the idea.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 4 at 2016 8:57 PM

MSG Pat Colby — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:57:31 -0400

Some people are OCD and cannot be reasoned with. I just realized today that another person had blocked me. He replied to a Hawaii thread and TOTALLY messed up the spelling and meaning of words. It wasn't even close. When I attempted to correct the guy, I couldn't. Then I remembered the guys name from another thread where I called him out on bullshit. It's been my experience here and on other Boards, it's the Left-leaning people that will NOT listen to opposing viewpoints. So much for tolerance....

A factor is some Veterans tend to cling to their perceptions. Sure, they did their 3-4 years (15-30 years ago) but they cannot grasp the concept that shit changes. "Foot locker counseling" is a thing of the past. You simply cannot beat someone into submission. Well not any more....

Another aspect is the "tolerance". If I disagree with someone, that means I am a bigot, sexist, racist, homophobe, anti-whatever. It's the same Leftists...

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jul 4 at 2016 9:40 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 21:40:06 -0400

It depends on the circumstances i.e. I have responded to anger with anger, tried to reason and ignored bad decorum. I nave never blocked anyone or given a down vote & when blocked I could care less and have better things to do than be concerned about that.

Even tried humor on a few occasions when I was told. "You should leave this country & move to North Korea where you will be welcomed with open arms." I replied "You have me mixed up with Dennis Rodman who is much taller than I am.

But insults, put down, down votes, slurs and demeaning comments don't bother me in the least but I do worry others don't like to see that nonsense. And often leave discussions or quit RP when they get out of control.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Jul 4 at 2016 9:50 PM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 21:50:29 -0400

Bully is simply a marginalized individual empowered to say stupid things because they miss human interaction. Sadly true.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2016 1:03 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 01:03:15 -0400

In my opinion, it could be a combination of both or some unknown reasons however, it is mostly from having various different sources to get informed and having prospectives.