
Originally Posted by
Rita

Originally Posted by
John Galt
Rita, I believe the problem you may have experienced on other forums is a consequence of the certainty you assign to your assertions. Let me take a single example.
You say this: " That changed when the Eisenhower administration established the Military Industrial Complex."
Intersting, but from my point of view arrant nonsense. Eisenhower warned about the danger of vesting powers in the Military Industrial Complex. He did not, in my understanding, establish it. If you had stated "It is my view that the Eisenhower administration was key in establishing the MIC and I shall provide evidence to support this assertion", then I can't imagine anyone reasonably objecting. They would, or at least should, wait to see the evidence.
I think if you continue to make bland assertions without recognising the possibility you are mistaken, or at least recognising up front that you are arguing an unusual position, then you will be attacked. You will then conclude that the members of this forum are not as intelligent as currently suspect they are. And you would probably be wrong. I hope you will consider this as well intended advice.
Edit: I see the duck has also picked up on the MIC while I was composing my post, thus confirming that your view - while it may be correct - is not current consensus thinking. In which case you need to justify the assertion.
I like this saying "Do not argue with ignorance". You are not only ignorant but also very disrespectful. Exactly what I want to avoid.
Rita, with all do respect, you seem to be jumping to a conclusion as I also did in my first few days on this forum. I had recently been banned from another forum where a mod had a personal vendetta against my husband, also a member here (and was there as well) and she took it out on me. She was and is psychotic. When a mod on this forum responded to me using similar verbiage as the other mod in the other forum, not to mention they were both of the same gender and located in the same country, possibly even city, I thought I had met the same mod under a new nickname. But the reason for the same verbiage is that they both speak English are are from the same culture, same economic strata. I lashed out at the mod on this forum almost instantly. Luckily she was patient and did not react to me as the other mod would have. That in itself was a clue that I had made a mistake. The mod i speak of on this forum, happens to be one of the most understanding and patient mods I have ever encountered. And she is so without compromising integrity or coddling those who need a firm hand. She is insightful and intelligent. She knows when to be stern, she knows when to be gentle, and she knows when to take off all kid gloves and get nasty.
The mods on this forum, like any one of the other members, are merely human and as Neverfly pointed out, susceptible to emotional compromise of their judgement from time to time. But I have not seen anything here like what was the norm at the other forum that I and my husband were ousted from. Neither of us miss that place. I was recently banned from this forum when I had an emotional outburst and using my skill at psychological manipulation, took a few people to the brink of sanity with me. It was not nice of me. and during my ban I missed this place. Something I never experienced having been removed from the others.
John Galt is a mod that sometimes I adore and others I loath. I am sure it is probably mutual. That's life. But I think you are misjudging his intentions here. He was merely trying to explain to you how to better present your ideas. This was a very kind gesture on his part and it shows patience as well. it isn't often that people will go out of their way to help you understand how to reach out on a forum. Usually, they will just say, something like "you're a grown up, deal with it and get over it". You have to understand your audience before you know how to present your ideas effectively. There are certain trigger words in any culture that will cause psychological walls to be thrown up, red flags so to speak. Things that will cause people to not trust you and see you as a potential threat. In this case, not a threat to intelligence or a threat to appearance of power. I mean that just like I misjudged the mod I first met here because she used similar language to one who had abused her power. I assumed that she also would abuse hers. So now John Galt is pointing out to you that you used similar language to those who this forum has had bad experiences with. It sets a tone. Give the forum a chance. They are being far more polite than you would likely receive on other forums and from what you have stated here, it seems you have already been rejected viciously elsewhere.
Now I haven't exactly read their posts intently. I haven't had a chance to read through the entire thread without interruption. But being willing to hear you out and be respectful, does not necessarily mean that we will all agree with you. I likely will never agree or disagree with you. I don't have the background to make an informed decision about anything you have posted. But there are many who have put as much effort into learning about the same topics you wish to discuss as you have. But they may have been presented the information from a different perspective and so reached a different conclusion.
A fruitful discussion does not always result in agreement. But a willfulness to consider the other person's point of view. As much as you want them to hear you out, you must be willing to hear them out as well.
I assure you John Galt was not being ignorant. He was trying to be helpful to you.
edit: sorry for being confusing. I had read a post Neverfly made in the "censorship" thread and got it confused with this thread. Perhaps you can check that thread and see what Neverfly said there. it is relevant to what you are feeling now.