Posted by Dinah on November 10, 2011, at 14:47:47
In reply to Re: Chris Hedges' column today » Dinah, posted by floatingbridge on November 10, 2011, at 13:56:06
Is it nice? I don't really feel welcome here, as a moderate. It doesn't seem to me that there is a lot of balance on this board. A lot of negative things get posted about Republicans and Conservatives. And there isn't a lot of rebuttal because people don't really come here to have flame wars. Politics is not the main focus of this site. And it's difficult to maintain the focus on mental health support and education if there are a lot of angry feelings from politics. I occasionally come here, but rarely feel comfortable posting.
For the record, I'd be just as uncomfortable if this site was weighted in the other direction, and things similar to what are posted about conservatives and Republicans were posted about liberals and Democrats. These are huge groups of people. I refuse to assume that they have bad intent.
I believe strongly that Republicans and Democrats alike have the best interests of the country at heart. They may disagree on the methods to achieve common goals, and may disagree with some of the goals themselves. But there's room for respect for the opponent in a political dialogue.
I'm relatively tolerant of most political slants, although I may disagree. Where I need to work on my tolerance is with regard to intolerance. Which at least generally makes me laugh at myself.
As far as personality disorders of candidates, it seems to me that among those who feel strongly enough about being president to run the gauntlet of public and media scrutiny and the disruption to personal life that comes from a presidential campaign, there might be a loose correlation with traits that might also be associated with narcissists. Which doesn't mean they fit the diagnostic category. I feel uncomfortable making broad negative assumptions about them. Although I'd likely feel more comfortable to discussing particular traits. Volatility, will, stubbornness. These things have both good and bad aspects.
poster:Dinah
thread:1001838
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20110926/msgs/1002180.html