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Originally posted by richfed

Originally posted by Adele [excerpted] in another thread:

It is way too easy to read what we want to read and allow our initial emotional reaction to dictate our response. That is the problem. If I had a penny for every time I have had to bite my tongue, delete my original response, or wait 24 hours before making a response...I would be a very happy woman right now! I actually agree with Ilse to a certain extent, and it has nothing to do with being European, or not understanding the US reaction to 9/11 (although the points are well-taken Scott), it has simply to do with the basic rules of debate. One's argument or position on an issue is considerably weakened when passion or emotion is allowed to take over, because the facts, logic and reason of your debate are lost under the expression of feeling. It can intimidate or alienate other debaters, which does not make for a very positive discussion arena. 'Take the worthless raghead out and shoot him' or sentiments like it, are not really useful or informative comments, in my opinion. However, a response starting with 'He should have a military tribunal because....' would make worthy reading I think.

Emotion and passion have a place for all of us, they are the driving force to fight for what we believe is right, but they really need to be kept in hand when debating one's cause. Everytime there is an emotional outburst of this type here, the chances decrease of having other board regulars join in a discussion, and that is so sad. People have stated that they don't join in because it is too stressful, or because they are afraid they will be made to look foolish. And I can understand that, because some of the debates here become so aggressive. They key to making your point well, is not how forcefully it is expressed, but how calmly and rationally you respond, how provocative are your questions, how well do you use facts ...

This forum will never be the enriching, enlightening exchange of viewpoints that it can be unless Adele's advice is heeded. Making bombastic posts that ridicule a specific poster and/or general point of view do nothing to induce conversation. It only serves to further the agenda of the poster. Most folks will shy away from such material, rather than join in a battleground where they stand to be mocked.

Please, think before you post! Help make this particular forum a learning place, rather than an isolated outpost where posters fear to tread.

Thanks!

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historical events that happened over... say 25 years ago... could be allowed, if kept civil.

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Originally posted by Chris

Hi Adele,

I have never met you, and I don't go into the Lion's Den, so I am unaware of the controversy there. However, I know that you are well-loved, and I hope you will remain a member of Mohicanland. In my many years here, I have realized that I have enough things in my personal life to keep my blood pressure plenty high, and I don't need to go visiting the Lion's Den to keep it up. Try my philosophy awhile. Visit the other forums for friendship and entertainment, and maybe sometime you might want to peek in the door of the Lion's Den to see if you would be comfortable there again. If not, close the door and don't look back. You are valued here and I would hate to see the rest of us lose your company.

Chris

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