If there was one subject you could learn more of ...

VikingSaint · 07-02-2006, 05:47 PM

What would it be ??? Mine would have to be politics. I'm not as well learned on the intricacies of the political outlook of our country. I do know that the current Republican presidency has been disasterous. What's the best way to become more familiar with this subject matter to be able to effectively discuss it better than I do ???

Tobias-Reiper · 07-02-2006, 07:04 PM

... well, the way I see it, the first thing you need to do, is stop listening to either Republicans or Democrats, either the politicians or the talk radio show hosts. All politicians have the same goal in mind: they want to convince you that what they say is true, and what they do is for your benefit, regardless of what they actually end up doing.

Unfortunately, it is becoming harder and harder to find non-biased information in the U.S. to help the average citizen make, well, informed decisions on the different issues that hit us every day.

Everyone has an angle, everyone has a spin, everyone wants to convince you they are right. Even the freaking news networks. And we no longer have direct, honest language. If you ever heard the euphemisms bit by George Carlin, you'd know what I'm talking about. And when someone happens to use direct language, is usually to either scare you or guilt-trip you into believing what they are saying is true.

TallySaint · 07-03-2006, 11:34 AM

... well, the way I see it, the first thing you need to do, is stop listening to either Republicans or Democrats, either the politicians or the talk radio show hosts. All politicians have the same goal in mind: they want to convince you that what they say is true, and what they do is for your benefit, regardless of what they actually end up doing.

Hmm... Me thinks it's necessary to listen to the above to understand the politics of our country. How could one possibly begin to understand politics without hearing stances and rhetoric of the two major parties and comments of news organizations reporting on such?

My 2 cents.

8)

BJSim · 07-03-2006, 02:13 PM

Viking, First choose a side. Not a political party, a side. Are you for or against abortion, higher taxes, more public programs, welfare, etc.. Once you know where you're coming from, THEN research where the parties are. And more importantly, you LOCAL politicians. You'll probably find yourself a moderate of some form, as are most people (except election years).

The biggest thing is to do your own research. Pundits and Politicians are great for rhetoric, but not so good for facts. You'll be surpised by the number of Democrats against something that's considered "on" thier platform. And likewise for Republicans.

TallySaint · 07-03-2006, 02:26 PM

I thought VS's was asking about politics. Perhaps I misunderstood the question.

8)

VikingSaint · 07-05-2006, 12:05 AM

Actually, I find myself to be a moderate individual. What I find difficult getting around is the rhetoric we hear so much of as to what the facts really are. This is why politics are such a difficult area - because the facts are hard to sometimes distinguish from the rhetoric ...

Tobias-Reiper · 07-06-2006, 09:57 AM

If you want to get through the rhetoric, I think that the most important thing one needs to do is take the emotion out of any subject. Emotions usually cloud or thought process and doesn't let one see the facts as they are. Granted, everyone will see any given fact in a different light, depending on personal experience (upbringing, environment, etc), and different people will have different opinions on any given fact. Nevertheless, I think it'll help you form a better opinion.

Take any subject, say, steriods. . Do you think players who use steroids are cheating? We've had Congressional hearings on steroid usage in baseball. You've heard Senators and House Reps call these players "cheaters". Ok. Have these Senators and House Reps told you how steriods actually work? Have they told you how exactly are these players cheating? Nope. They just get behind a mike and sound all appalled and authoritative about a subject they really don't know much about.

So here's where you have to do your homework.
Learn about steroids. How they actually work. Why is it that their usage is frawned upon -hint, 1976 Olympics, Easter Bloc -.

At the end of the day, you may still think these players are cheaters, or you may come to the conclusion that they have a valid reason to use them. But it will be truly an informed decision.

VikingSaint · 07-06-2006, 06:18 PM

Good points Tobias. I see your mindset. It's better to be informed than to formulate a one-sided opinion based on your emotional responses to a subject - which makes beaucoup sense. I see myself politically as a moderate person. I am trying to become a more informed individual these days, rather than basing my discussions on my personal feelings about things & trying to understand both sides of an issue/issues. One of the biggest problems I have with politicians are those who choose not to discern where they stand and flip-flop to & fro.

07-02-2006, 05:47 PM	#1
VikingSaint Registered Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houma Posts: 76	If there was one subject you could learn more of ... What would it be ??? Mine would have to be politics. I'm not as well learned on the intricacies of the political outlook of our country. I do know that the current Republican presidency has been disasterous. What's the best way to become more familiar with this subject matter to be able to effectively discuss it better than I do ???

07-02-2006, 07:04 PM	#2
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	RE: If there was one subject you could learn more of ... ... well, the way I see it, the first thing you need to do, is stop listening to either Republicans or Democrats, either the politicians or the talk radio show hosts. All politicians have the same goal in mind: they want to convince you that what they say is true, and what they do is for your benefit, regardless of what they actually end up doing. Unfortunately, it is becoming harder and harder to find non-biased information in the U.S. to help the average citizen make, well, informed decisions on the different issues that hit us every day. Everyone has an angle, everyone has a spin, everyone wants to convince you they are right. Even the freaking news networks. And we no longer have direct, honest language. If you ever heard the euphemisms bit by George Carlin, you'd know what I'm talking about. And when someone happens to use direct language, is usually to either scare you or guilt-trip you into believing what they are saying is true.
	'Cause the simple man pays the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill

07-06-2006, 09:57 AM	#7
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	If you want to get through the rhetoric, I think that the most important thing one needs to do is take the emotion out of any subject. Emotions usually cloud or thought process and doesn't let one see the facts as they are. Granted, everyone will see any given fact in a different light, depending on personal experience (upbringing, environment, etc), and different people will have different opinions on any given fact. Nevertheless, I think it'll help you form a better opinion. Take any subject, say, steriods. . Do you think players who use steroids are cheating? We've had Congressional hearings on steroid usage in baseball. You've heard Senators and House Reps call these players "cheaters". Ok. Have these Senators and House Reps told you how steriods actually work? Have they told you how exactly are these players cheating? Nope. They just get behind a mike and sound all appalled and authoritative about a subject they really don't know much about. So here's where you have to do your homework. Learn about steroids. How they actually work. Why is it that their usage is frawned upon -hint, 1976 Olympics, Easter Bloc -. At the end of the day, you may still think these players are cheaters, or you may come to the conclusion that they have a valid reason to use them. But it will be truly an informed decision.
	'Cause the simple man pays the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill

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07-03-2006, 11:34 AM	#3
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	... well, the way I see it, the first thing you need to do, is stop listening to either Republicans or Democrats, either the politicians or the talk radio show hosts. All politicians have the same goal in mind: they want to convince you that what they say is true, and what they do is for your benefit, regardless of what they actually end up doing. Hmm... Me thinks it's necessary to listen to the above to understand the politics of our country. How could one possibly begin to understand politics without hearing stances and rhetoric of the two major parties and comments of news organizations reporting on such? My 2 cents. 8)

07-03-2006, 02:13 PM	#4
BJSim 500+ posts Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Centreville, VA Posts: 577	Viking, First choose a side. Not a political party, a side. Are you for or against abortion, higher taxes, more public programs, welfare, etc.. Once you know where you're coming from, THEN research where the parties are. And more importantly, you LOCAL politicians. You'll probably find yourself a moderate of some form, as are most people (except election years). The biggest thing is to do your own research. Pundits and Politicians are great for rhetoric, but not so good for facts. You'll be surpised by the number of Democrats against something that's considered "on" thier platform. And likewise for Republicans.

07-03-2006, 02:26 PM	#5
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	I thought VS's was asking about politics. Perhaps I misunderstood the question. 8)

07-05-2006, 12:05 AM	#6
VikingSaint Registered Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houma Posts: 76	Actually, I find myself to be a moderate individual. What I find difficult getting around is the rhetoric we hear so much of as to what the facts really are. This is why politics are such a difficult area - because the facts are hard to sometimes distinguish from the rhetoric ...

07-06-2006, 06:18 PM	#8
VikingSaint Registered Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houma Posts: 76	Good points Tobias. I see your mindset. It's better to be informed than to formulate a one-sided opinion based on your emotional responses to a subject - which makes beaucoup sense. I see myself politically as a moderate person. I am trying to become a more informed individual these days, rather than basing my discussions on my personal feelings about things & trying to understand both sides of an issue/issues. One of the biggest problems I have with politicians are those who choose not to discern where they stand and flip-flop to & fro.