# The unassailable opinions of Gobear **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 15, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417 "2003-08-15T17:09:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/21 "2003-08-15T19:11:35Z")
1. Thanks for the correction. 2. I bring cites to my posts and while my opinions are forceful, I don’t beleive they are unfounded. 3. Well, I try to see other people’s perspectives because if I am wrong or or too forceful I will certainly admit my error, but some viewpoints are ill-based and it would be less than honest not to say so. And **'punha** , you can tell me anything because you know I’m going to listen to you. If you or **Polycarp** or any other poster with a strong track record that commands respect scolds me, I’m going to give you a serious listen. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/22 "2003-08-15T19:17:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MGibson \* > \*\* I find it highly annoying when people try to qualify their statements about right and wrong with “that’s just my opinion.” If … anyone … holds to a particular viewpoint it seems reasonable to me that they’d believe themselves correct and everyone else incorrect. > > Marc \*\* This is the stupidest thing I have ever read on these boards. But that is just my opinion. By the way, that attack by certain individuals on Pearl was the year before. **Waverly** , you need a hobby. * * * A Gay Bishop? Can’t beat that! ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/23 "2003-08-15T19:18:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*Now, see, I’ve got to disagree with you there, MGibson. My opinion is just that, my opinion. It is my take on a situation. Others are entitled to their take and I don’t necessarily think their take is wrong. Ill-informed, asinine and laughable, perhaps, but not wrong. \*\* How could you possibly call someone elses opinion ill informed, asinine, or laughable but at the same time think that it is correct? That’s just silly. Marc ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/24 "2003-08-15T19:18:17Z")
> [@](#): > > So in the very same paragraph you said the the unthinking Xtians are a “large segment”, that there are many intelligent, thinking Xtians, but that they are a minority. > > Sounds maybe a bit conflicting. Maybe it’s just adjective abuse? Presuming a billion christians in the world, even 10% (a hundred milllion) being critical thinkers would be “many” christians, and a large segment of them. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/25 "2003-08-15T19:19:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*And **'punha** , you can tell me anything because you know I’m going to listen to you. If you or **Polycarp** or any other poster with a strong track record that commands respect scolds me, I’m going to give you a serious listen. \*\* I would definitely put **Waverly** on any list of posters with strong track records that commands respect. And perhaps, you should give a serious listen to the ideas rather than who is raising them. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/26 "2003-08-15T19:19:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > \*\*This is the stupidest thing I have ever read on these boards. But that is just my opinion. > > \*\* Just so long as it isn’t incorrect. 🙂 Marc ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/27 "2003-08-15T19:20:18Z")
Though I often disagree with him, and sometimes I think he gets a little too bitter, I like **gobear**. He’s pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/28 "2003-08-15T19:22:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > As for **Autz** ’s asinine post, there is a difference between stereotyping (bad) and generalization (not always accurate but often useful). OK, let take one of your quotes, “all Iraqis hate Israel and Jews” Is this a stereotype or a generalization? Stereotype: to categorize individuals or groups according to an oversimplified standardized image or idea. [(cite)](http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861714946). Generalization: a statement presented as a general truth but based on limited or incomplete evidence [(cite)](http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861674810). Looks like it is both. Tell me again why one is bad and the other is good. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/29 "2003-08-15T19:23:32Z")
> [@](#): > > Gobear, you’ve made a few more incorrect assumptions. I’m neither female nor do I like you. But hey, why fuck up your batting average now? The “you love me, you really love me” line is a quote from Sally Fields’s Oscar speech in 1984 and was meant as irony, but I’m not surprised you didn’t understand that. You should have watched last Sunday’s **Futurama**. As for the rest of your nonsense, \. Here, I can do it again \ And yeah, “minority”/“large segment” and so what? I have a low opinion of religion and I feel no compunction to honey my words to avoid offending the credulous. One more time. . . \ ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/30 "2003-08-15T19:36:22Z")
I must say I find **gobear** to be a bit grating. I am a conservative type who voted for more libertarians than any other political pary in the last election. You would think we would get along fine. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/31 "2003-08-15T19:42:23Z")
I’ll give you a prime example, MGibson. I hated the movie _Braveheart_. My husband not only liked it, he thinks it’s a great movie. He’s not wrong. His opinion is ill-informed, asinine and laughable, but not incorrect. When gobear relays his opinions in a way that seems deliberately insulting at worst and apathetic to people’s sensitivities at best, it’s a little off-putting. I think it’s because I expect people of a minority group to be a little more sensitive to others’ feelings. I’d even go so far as to say it’s one of the side affects of being a member of a statistical minority. As I live and learn, though, I’m beginning to realize that’s an unrealistic expectation and that some are immune to this side affect. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/32 "2003-08-15T19:42:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > **Waverly** , you need a hobby. I really don’t need another hobby, thanks. If you are implying it took me a long time to find examples, it didn’t. Most of this was cut and paste from a single search. But really now, do you have any factual objections to what I’ve said, or is this just a drive by? > [@](#): > > _Gobear_: > \ I’ll assume you don’t have the cites I asked for then? > [@](#): > > And yeah, “minority”/“large segment” and so what? I have a low opinion of religion and I feel no compunction to honey my words to avoid offending the credulous. So you were incorrect, but it’s ok because you have a low opinion of believers… nice. I’m not a big fan of religion either, but I try to respect people and their beliefs. Actually, it’s tough to respect the people without a modicum of respect for what they hold dear. 'punha and Hamlet: you both make good points, and more diplomatically than I would have. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/33 "2003-08-15T19:43:54Z")
> [@](#): > > By the way, that attack by certain individuals on Pearl was the year before You’re right, of course. D’oh! [quote] Hey, **Autz**. The MENA region in general, including Iraq, opposes Israel and hates Jews. There are a ton of cites in GD, look 'em up. Interestingly, the Iraqis don’t like the Palestinians much–they resented the largesse Saddam bestowed on the Palestinians in Iraq-- and have been chasing them from their homes across the country. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/34 "2003-08-15T19:53:41Z")
**gobear** and I haven’t crossed paths much (except for that SBC pit thread a while back), but I don’t find him to be all that bad. On the other hand, I do think it’s kind of shitty to respond to a request for cites with a “go look 'em up yourself.” ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/35 "2003-08-15T19:55:13Z")
So, you’re not even going to **attempt** to explain why it’s ok for you to ‘generalize,’ but not for others to ‘stereotype,’ even though they are essentially the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/36 "2003-08-15T19:55:38Z")
In general != all. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/37 "2003-08-15T20:18:43Z")
> [@](#): > > On the other hand, I do think it’s kind of shitty to respond to a request for cites with a “go look 'em up yourself.” In general circumstances, you’d be right, but when a handful of old posts are dredged up and I am challenged to find cites to defend them, I see no reason why I should. I’m not interested in defending my posts. I am not interested in persuading you, **Waverly** , or anybody else. I’m not going to play. I stand by everything I’ve said, and I retract not one thing. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/38 "2003-08-15T20:32:02Z")
Given **gobear’s** response, “Unassailable” was a very apropos choice of words for the title. Not that you care, but I lost some respect for you **gobear**. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/39 "2003-08-15T20:38:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*In general circumstances, you’d be right, but when a handful of old posts are dredged up and I am challenged to find cites to defend them, I see no reason why I should. I’m not interested in defending my posts. I am not interested in persuading you, **Waverly** , or anybody else. I’m not going to play. I stand by everything I’ve said, and I retract not one thing. \*\* sheesh. You use hyperbolic language ("All blank do/feel/are blank), get called on it, first say “the cites are over there, look 'em up” then when called on it again do the MB equivalent of “I’m taking my bat and ball and going home”, but then toss in “I stand by everything I’ve said and retract not one thing”? sorry - doesn’t play. If you stand by it, you prove it once asked. Or admit that you engaged in a rhetorical device. But this last post really lowers my opinion of you. Yea, I know, that’ll devestate you. You wouldn’t allow an opponent get away w/that bullshit attitude, I’d suggest you not attempt it here. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417/40 "2003-08-15T20:39:17Z")
I like **gobear**. Don’t always agree with him, and sometimes I’ve banged my head on the keyboard in frustration with him. But he’s a cool guy, and one of the few posters I’ll almost always read when I see his name on a thread title or in the “last post” notation. I have seen him change his opinion on some matters, or at least alter it after some thought. Which, frankly, other posters on this board would do well to attempt (myself included; I can be extremely bullheaded about stuff). But he doesn’t do it easily. I dunno. Storm in a teapot, and all that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unassailable-opinions-of-gobear/195417.md?page=3)