Apologies to All

[Kishkumen]

Hey, everyone:

I want to apologize for bringing down the discussion with my heated responses to various posters. I know it is a weakness of mine. I give into it, and then I regret it. All I can say is that I will try to do better. We talk about the big taboo subjects of religion and politics here, which I know is a risky thing to do, and still that is not an excuse for attacking others or treating them poorly.

I apologize especially to Binger, drumdude, ajax18, ceeboo, and Dr. Shades. If I have left anyone out, I apologize for that, too.

[canpakes]

Kish, for what it's worth your input here makes for some of my favorite reading, even when you think that you’re being snarky or cranky.

Disclaimer: I say that as someone who employs and enjoys a fair bit of snark myself. : D

[Some Schmo]

I can relate to this Kish, although my regrets aren't what I said, but that I said them at all. Just because I think what I've said was true doesn't mean those things had to be said (although they always feel like they should be said in the moment).

[ceeboo]

Hey, everyone:

I want to apologize for bringing down the discussion with my heated responses to various posters. I know it is a weakness of mine. I give into it, and then I regret it. All I can say is that I will try to do better. We talk about the big taboo subjects of religion and politics here, which I know is a risky thing to do, and still that is not an excuse for attacking others or treating them poorly.

I apologize especially to Binger, drumdude, ajax18, ceeboo, and Dr. Shades. If I have left anyone out, I apologize for that, too.

Apology accepted - I apologize to you as well.

Side note: In my opinion - One of the reasons we live in such a divided country (parallel universes) is heavily rooted in mainstream media, social media, and the political rhetoric that flows like a gushing river. One example of this is a report I looked at that said 98% of people who watch MSNBC are democrats and 95% of people that watch Fox-news are republican. The 24/7 availability of people consuming these competing narratives is very bad for the country. Hate selling is a thing and it is profitable - So, it will not stop, it will continue, and the result will continue to be detrimental for our country.

[Dr. Shades]

I apologize especially to Binger, drumdude, ajax18, ceeboo, and Dr. Shades.

I forgive you.

[drumdude]

I think it was out of character, you're generally a very even-headed and obviously an extremely valued poster.

Your apology means a lot, and is absolutely in character for you. Thank you.

[Kishkumen]

Kish, for what it's worth your input here makes for some of my favorite reading, even when you think that you’re being snarky or cranky.

Disclaimer: I say that as someone who employs and enjoys a fair bit of snark myself. : D

Thanks, canpakes. I love to write, but I don't always exercise judicious restraint in my writing. I hate to say the following, although I think it is true. Some of my best writing comes out of my anger. That makes it really tempting to give free rein to my angry writing. At the same time, I usually regret letting go with it.

I think we all get a lot of good practice snarking through our posts, and I enjoy reading the snark of others, too. You are one of my favorite posters here.

[Kishkumen]

I can relate to this Kish, although my regrets aren't what I said, but that I said them at all. Just because I think what I've said was true doesn't mean those things had to be said (although they always feel like they should be said in the moment).

Yeah. I am not sure whether everything I choose to post is wise to spend my time posting. Life has finite time that will be spent on one thing or another. But I hate being one of the people who contributes to collective insanity. Choosing not to post some things would at least result in less fuel to the fires of madness.

[Kishkumen]

Apology accepted - I apologize to you as well.

Side note: In my opinion - One of the reasons we live in such a divided country (parallel universes) is heavily rooted in mainstream media, social media, and the political rhetoric that flows like a gushing river. One example of this is a report I looked at that said 98% of people who watch MSNBC are democrats and 95% of people that watch Fox-news are republican. The 24/7 availability of people consuming these competing narratives is very bad for the country. Hate selling is a thing and it is profitable - So, it will not stop, it will continue, and the result will continue to be detrimental for our country.

I have never felt like you did me wrong, ceeboo. Quite the contrary. In any case, I receive your apology as the salutary gesture it is meant to be.

You are right about our media. The divide is stark. The narratives handed to us like weapons to use in a rhetorical war with high stakes. Maybe we should beat them into ploughshares.

[Kishkumen]

I apologize especially to Binger, drumdude, ajax18, ceeboo, and Dr. Shades.

I forgive you.

Thanks, Shades. It is not for me to tell you what to do with your vote, but you knew that already.