posted
I'd like to point out that although Dagonee and I are often sparring partners, that I'm actually pretty encouraged, because despite the fact that we have certain diametrically opposed mindets, we are still attempting to understand each other.
I think that's important.
I think that for too many people, refusing to even address people with different opinions from our own is damaging. For example, people who only listen to conservative talk radio, or only get their news from reliably liberal sources, aren't really open minded or emotionally secure enough to put their opinions on the line, and allow them to be examined.
I recently accused Dagonee of failing to examine his own prejudices. I guess that's unfair, because examining your own prejudices is probably the hardest thing in the world to do, and yet here he is putting his opinions on the line where he knows he will be criticised.
Communication is not easy. Dag has accused me of not achieving the clarity of expression that I intend. That should be no surprise. Language is limited, and that limitation is even greater when the perspective of the listener is different from that of the speaker.
In one of our disagreements recently, other readers of the thread called our argument "petty." I disagree. Trying to get to a level of detail where we can understand someone with a different view from our own, while fighting off emotional responses at the same time is hard work. It's not trivial.
And I think it's valuable. Ultimately, the most important tool we have for getting along with other people is the ability to understand each other. It may not seem like it sometimes, but the willingness to stick out an argument and try to come to terms shows that we respect each other enough to make the effort.
I figured it might be worthwhile to take the time to point it out.
Posts: 3735 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
You do know that if he gets too uppity, you can just quote scripture at him and flash a cross, and he has to flee, right?
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
Fresh garlic might be useful as a distraction, especially if there's a stove, utensils and some ingredients to cook with. Sometimes distracting an opponent is the best tactic.
And the shoelace thing won't work on Dag.
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Glenn, just send him an Asian porn site or two. That will distract him, then go in for the kill.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Only in the way that vampire hunters have lots of information on vampires. My collection of Asian porn sites is there to teach me how to exorcize Dag of his AP hallucinations.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Trevor, is there something you are trying to hide by instigating this little match? I feel that you may have some AP issues. Have you been seeing links to AP at the bottom of the screen? It starts there.
posted
Now for the serious response - even though it's always easier to toss out a joke.
I agree that it's important to both hear other viewpoints and to attempt to explain your own viewpoints to those who disagree. And to keep doing that even when the attempt gets derailed a little by personal feelings.
quote: Apparently his undead masters don't suck all his life out until he gets his JD or something.
No virgins are sacrificed until after he takes the bar exam. He's officially undead after he gets sworn in and drinks the blood of thirteen slip and fall plaintiffs while chanting the bill of rights backwards.
The trick is not getting any on your suit.
Posts: 516 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I am using slip and fall plaintiffs on the punt thread!
Seriosly, though:
Glenn, I have read and learned from many opposing viewpoints on this forum, and I really appreciate that.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
I thought this was going to be a thread about how you are a talking mouse that lives in Dagonee's hat and are actually behind all his brilliant contributions to humanity, such as bifocals, electricity, and the Constitution.
(Sure, I could delete this post and repost, simultaneously covering my verb agreement error and padding my post count.)
posted
On the subject of marriage and dating, I vote Bush too.
-Trevor
Edit: Sorry, this was a crude sexual joke and not an indickation of any political or social preference on my part.
Posts: 5413 | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
Is it legal to have six kids housed in a three bedroom house? Were all the sons from the dad and all the girls from the mom? I realized I have no idea. Duh, the theme song explains it all.