# Do I have to restrain myself? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 14, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212 "2004-10-14T16:24:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/81 "2004-10-15T00:43:16Z")
**Sensuallips** , from a girl, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Relax, vote Kerry, and pass those cookies. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/82 "2004-10-15T00:44:34Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > You’re saying generally oblivious/uneducated/stupid/ignorant people are _good_ at picking out the subtle and not so subtle nuances in the spin they’re bombarded with? > > Well dude, I hope that works out for you. And you’re saying that most Republicans are this? If I want Bush re-elected that I must be the things you said? Swell, works for me. Denigrating your opponents is usually a sign of fright or weakness. Take your pick. Hope it works out for you. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/83 "2004-10-15T00:49:00Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > “Today the President severed diplomatic ties with Canada. When the Canadian prime minister asked her why she had dones this, the President responded ‘If you really cared about me, you’d know.’ In other news, the bill subsidizing free chocolate for all US citizens remains tied up in commitee.” The free chocolate bill would never get tied up in committee. It’d pass lightning-quick (well, lightning-quick for that sort of thing). And the President would say something like, “Maybe if you called once in a while, you would know how I felt.” All in fun. Right? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/84 "2004-10-15T01:01:20Z")
> [@Uncommon Sense](#): > > And you’re saying that most Republicans are this? If I want Bush re-elected that I must be the things you said? Swell, works for me. Where did I mention a republican in that quote? > [@](#): > > You’re saying generally oblivious/uneducated/stupid/ignorant people are good at picking out the subtle and not so subtle nuances in the spin they’re bombarded with? What, specifically, is untrue here? > [@](#): > > Denigrating your opponents is usually a sign of fright or weakness. Take your pick. Hope it works out for you. Well I am the defender of ignorance right? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Sensualips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7c8e57/32.png) [@Sensualips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sensualips)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/85 "2004-10-15T02:11:28Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > **Sensuallips** , from a girl, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Relax, vote Kerry, and pass those cookies. Thank you 🙂 Chocolate chip? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/86 "2004-10-15T02:32:53Z")
**Sensualips** , have you reconsidered your plan to “humiliate” your neighbors, whom you don’t know but despise for their opinions? ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/87 "2004-10-15T05:51:51Z")
> [@KSO](#): > > My favorite is Mr. Garrison: “I’m sorry, Wendy, I just don’t trust something that bleeds for five days and doesn’t die.” I’d just like to say that is one of my all-time favorite quotes. And **Sensualips** , can you honestly say that you’ve spent 10 months on this board and didn’t realize that posting such an intolerant, ignorant, prejudiced post would get you nothing but a thread full ‘o whoop ass? Comon’. Now, I’ll admit that I’ve heard myself mumble “figures!” a few times after being cut off by someone with a Bush/Cheney bumpersticker on their car. Thing is, I usually immediately realize how idiotic my comment was. I don’t brag about it on a public message board. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/88 "2004-10-15T06:08:53Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > If you think the Pit is the forum where you’ll get leniency if you post something stupid, you are dumber than a turd who didn’t go to school. Seriously, you should hit yourself in the forehead with your shoe to try to kick start your brain back into operation. If it doesn’t work, keep hitting. Eventually it will fix the problem, one way or another. **Giraffe** , may I adopt this as a sig? It’s classic. Although I think it may be longer than rules allow… Also, I forgot to mention in my last post, **The King of Soup** , that was truly a wonderful post. I’d like to cut and paste it into an email to a few people who I believe could benefit from your eloquent words, if you’d allow me to. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/89 "2004-10-15T06:36:09Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > Damn, I had to check this was still the SDMB. **Sensualips** posts an anti-Bush sheeple thread expecting the usual response, but then gets a pile-on! I am dazed and confused. **Sensualips** committed a number of cardinal errors: 1. She tried too hard to get “in” with the hip crowd. 2. She’s a relative newbie who hasn’t built up sufficient cred. 3. She put something in the Pit that offered smart, witty, knowledgeable posters only two options: a) agree b) pile on. 4. She didn’t realise that 3b) is much more fun and provides many more chances for strutting and display, and marking out territory by alpha males. 5. She backed down rather than getting right back at 'em. There we are, **Sensualips**. That should be enough to get the pack off you. They have another target now! ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/90 "2004-10-15T06:58:19Z")
Had I thought anyone might ask to quote me I’d ha’ paid better attention to grammar and spelling and suchlike. Yes, **lezlers** , you or anyone may use anything I posted in this thread with or without attribution. In my opinion, though, when it comes to persuasion, sincerity always trumps eloquence, and your own words are likely to be much more effective than mine. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/91 "2004-10-15T07:22:29Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > I’m appalled by Dubya’s track record and cannort wait to vote for Kerry, but really, I don’t want you on my team. That sort of “my political view makes me enlightened and anyone who disagrees with me does so out of ignorance” attitude isn’t pretty from either side of the political aisle. Thank YOU!!! The attitude you describe above has had me seeing for nearly this entire campaign. My very own MOM did this, and I gently set her straight each and every time. The other side has a different OPINION and is interested in other issues than you are, it does NOT make them stupid, foolish, bad, evil or whatever. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/92 "2004-10-15T07:31:08Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > “Today the President severed diplomatic ties with Canada. When the Canadian prime minister asked her why she had dones this, the President responded ‘If you really cared about me, you’d know.’ In other news, the bill subsidizing free chocolate for all US citizens remains tied up in commitee.” Now THAT is humor…damn you, I have a cold, my throat hurts and you made me giggle. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/93 "2004-10-15T07:47:21Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > Shut the fuck up and think before you post this kind of shit. **Why the fuck do you think women aren’t running the fucking country?** Because of this sort of bullshit opinion from assholes like you. I don’t think this is funny. I think you’re an inconsiderate ass. Obviously because instead of one war, you think a new one every 28 days would be a good thing? PMS isn’t conducive to diplomatic talks. Ask any guy. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/94 "2004-10-15T07:47:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Or maybe…the Bush supporters _that you have personally interacted with, or seen on TV_, **seem** to be that way. Your blanket condemnation of all of us is a bit…arrogant, to say the least. I happen to think that Iraq was a mistake, and I am very up on current events, and I wouldn’t vote for Kerry if he was the only person running. And some of us hate bush, and are voting for him anyway, NOT because we support the “nuking of towelheads (sheesh, could we be more insulting ?)”, but in a resigned “lesser of two evils” way, and/or because of some of the issues we support are ones that republicans are more likely to get passed than are the democrats (such as ANWR, get Kerry in there and it’ll stay closed forever). And FTR I’m non partisan, I’ve voted for just as many democrats as republicans, I just don’t like the direction they seem to be going this time around. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/95 "2004-10-15T08:08:51Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > And pray tell, how the hell does a stable gov in Iraq (stable perhap, pro west? not in our lifetimes) _dramatically_ reduce terrorism? My take on the answer to this would be human nature/psychology. If a couple have rotten spoiled kids, and then they decide to crack down on those kids and get very strict and curtain their “bad kid activities” so to speak, with taking away privileges, grounding them, keeping an eye on them, all that sort of stuff… Well those kids don’t start toeing the line at the outset of the new regime in the household…OH Nooooo, they become uncontrollable terrors, they up the ante, being even worse, it takes time before they realize that It IS SERIOUS this time. IMHO and based on human relations and psycnology, NOT military strategy, of which I know very little, this is what is happening in Iraq. Lots of escalation, the “getting worse before it gets better”. Once the new gov’t has been in place and is stable and the iraqis are solidly running their own country, it’s my belief that the escalation that we’ve seen in terrorism will gradually subside. ---
**Author:** ![Sensualips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7c8e57/32.png) [@Sensualips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sensualips)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/96 "2004-10-15T10:30:30Z")
I don’t hate my neighbors. I never did. I said so in my OP. I even told you I knew they had the right to their opinion and I should not do the things I had the “urge” to do. I am taking names on whose opinion _I feel_ is worth listening to, those whose posts are based on fighting ignorance and those whose posts are based on self gratification. At first I took it personally. Then I remembered another post I read that will forever stick in my memory “Do you realize you might be arguing with a 12 year old?”. So I let you all rant. Then this morning I saw that my post actually stirred up 95 posts!!! Hey, not for nothing, at least you all had something to do! This is a much better place for all you testosterone overloaded, self righteous, anger repressed fools to vent than at home with your SO and children. There were some very kind people on here that I will remember actually had something constructive, intelligent, and understanding comments. To those I say thank you. I am putting a vote for Kerry sign on my lawn facing his today (And the next time he holds a party with all the drunks spilling onto my front lawn I am calling the police…not baking cookies for him). I can’t guarantee I won’t make this mistake again. Or some fabulously idiotic new ones. But I can guarantee you it will never be out of malice. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/97 "2004-10-15T11:03:27Z")
See? We all learned a little something here. **Sensualips** isn’t quite the monster some of you made her out to be, and she learned a little bit about how others react to intolerence. ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/98 "2004-10-15T11:18:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Once the new gov’t has been in place and is stable and the iraqis are solidly running their own country, it’s my belief that the escalation that we’ve seen in terrorism will gradually subside. Sounds nice. Reminds me of this, from 1996: “the United States sees the Taliban, with its Islamic conservatism, as the best, and perhaps the only, chance that Afghanistan will halt the poppy growing and opium production that have made Afghanistan, with an estimated 2,500 tons of raw opium a year, the world’s biggest single-country source of the narcotic. A similar argument is made on the issue of the network of international terrorists, many of them Arabs, who have set up bases inside Afghanistan.” Yep. As soon as that Taliban group gets in power, everything will settle down. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/99 "2004-10-15T16:08:32Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > My take on the answer to this would be human nature/psychology. If a couple have rotten spoiled kids, and then they decide to crack down on those kids and get very strict and curtain their “bad kid activities” so to speak, with taking away privileges, grounding them, keeping an eye on them, all that sort of stuff… Funny you should mention psychology, that’s what I’m studying at the moment. As far encouraging bad behavior, one of the _absolute worst_ things you can do is be tough 95% of the time and then give in 5% of the time. Hmmmmm, sort of how they’re treating that Al Sadr guy. Say, isn’t he still walking aroud free these days? > [@](#): > > OH Nooooo, they become uncontrollable terrors, they up the ante, being even worse, it takes time before they realize that It IS SERIOUS this time. Worked well in Vietnam, I’m sure it will have the same result in Iraq. > [@](#): > > IMHO and based on human relations and psycnology, NOT military strategy, of which I know very little, this is what is happening in Iraq. Lots of escalation, the “getting worse before it gets better”. No, it’s getting worse before it gets worse. You think elections are going to fix everything? > [@](#): > > Once the new gov’t has been in place and is stable and the iraqis are solidly running their own country, it’s my belief that the escalation that we’ve seen in terrorism will gradually subside. Riiiiiight. I’m sure the Kurds will be down with the new Gov. I’m sure half the population won’t even recognize the “US installed” gov. Finally the fucking dudes that blew us up (AQ not iraqis) were never in Iraq, nor did they receive logistical or monetary support from Iraq. I fail to see how the threat to this country has been affected one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212/100 "2004-10-15T17:27:53Z")
> [@Sensualips](#): > > There were some very kind people on here that I will remember actually had something constructive, intelligent, and understanding comments. To those I say thank you. I am putting a vote for Kerry sign on my lawn facing his today (And the next time he holds a party with all the drunks spilling onto my front lawn I am calling the police…not baking cookies for him). Getting along with your neighbors, and looking out for each other (regardless of political background) is a far better asset than waging (win or lose) a sign war. You two will still vote the same, but at least you will be more able to respect each other and not foster a growing animosity towards each other. That can (and usually does) be worse than anything that is going on now between you and your neighbor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-restrain-myself/269212.md?page=6)