Little Nemo is correct here, gonzo, If you had paid attention to many of the posters here you would realize that many of the ones posting here do not have bad ideas.
So even if I’m not a conservative, I do appreciate and take into account evidence that conservative posters wring to discussions. For example, it was thanks to good evidence that I modified my views with the gun control issue.
So, no, they are not weak, selfish and wrong by default. One has to see first where they are coming from, if it is just reheated un-sourced points from right wing sources, one then knows what to do. However, I have seen many conservative posters here that are not like the ones that reside at the crazy right wing sites.
Ok, my bad. If those are the criteria though, I only see one where there MIGHT be something like parity on this board wrt the posters…that being the gun ownership debate. Other than that, I think that a clear majority of posters would be pretty much in line with your own stance. So…that one issue makes the board ‘conservative’?
But you seem to be equating the attitudes of most Americans with the majority of posters here on the SDMB. Surly you realize that this board does NOT reflect the mainstream views of Americans…right?
Again, I’m responding to the assertion that THIS MESSAGE board is, in general, to the ‘right’ or ‘conservative’ compared to your own (and other non-American 'dopers) viewpoints. That would mean that you feel that you are in the minority on this board, that your views on this board are noticeably more ‘left’ leaning or ‘liberal’ compared to the majority of the other posters…and, frankly, even on the gun control question I’d say that it’s a pretty even split, which would mean that ON THIS ONE ISSUE you are either in the slight minority or perhaps the slight majority (I’m not sure on this issue, to be honest).
No…I was making a joke. I’ve been to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and I have a number of friends in Southern England, so I KNOW that those in the UK aren’t sheep-like at all in their attitudes, or opinions. I also know that many of those debates are far from settled in your country, and that there are issues where you guys would be considered much more ‘conservative’ than folks on this message board, or even by a majority of Americans.
No, I’m not calling you a liar…I apologize for the confusion. I didn’t realize that those were what you were asserting as your criteria for this board being ‘right’ leaning or ‘conservative’, by your standards. Again, though, and with one (possible) exception, it seems to me that your assertion that this board is ‘conservative’ or leans to the ‘right’ is in error. Unless you feel that on one issue where there is POSSIBLY a slim majority of posters who disagree with you is significant, and outweighs all the others?
(I also want to apologize for my hostile tone earlier. I didn’t mean to be hostile, but when I’m drinking I tend to lose touch sometimes with what I’m saying or how I come across)
No, were that the only issue, then it would not make the board conservative. I disagree with you that a majority of posters would be in line with the general UK stance, nor do I agree that that majority takes the same form or is of the same amount.
Please see the difference between my claims being based on what I believe and my claims being based on what you believe. You’re assuming that I agree with you, and that my claims are based on being in accord with your own views - they aren’t. It’s the equivalent of me saying that your claim is that the vast differences between the board and the UK mean that they are incredibly similar; to say that I would be assuming my own views onto you and then applying your conclusion to it. It’s silly.
Certainly, I realise that. I apologise for giving you that impression. Let me be clearer; Most Americans, in general, are to the considerable right of the UK (or the UK is to the considerable left of America, whichever you prefer). My claim is that the SDMB is not in line with the UK - but that it’s also not in line with the US. Those aren’t the only two options; that i’m saying it’s not like the UK doesn’t mean i’m therefore claiming equality with the US. I’d say it’s somewhere in between.
Yes, i’d say that that would be a fair position; I do feel that, in general on those issues, I am noticeably more “left” leaning or “liberal” compared to the majority of the other posters. I’d also claim that, even when I am seemingly in concordance with the majority, oftentimes I am more to a left extreme even within that majority, and that as compared to the UK, that majority is a smaller one than you might expect, and focused on debating different issues on a subject, and more to the right along the line of an issue.
Certainly. Off the top of my head, we don’t have seperation of church and state; the monarch (oh, yeah, we have a monarch, of course ;)) is the Defender of the Faith and all, and that tends not to be a huge election-making subject.
I stand by my position, though. Where those debates exist, they’re still to the left of their equivalents in the U.S. and these boards, and their support/against rates are likewise different. Essentially, I suppose if this is what you’re basing part of your objection on, then it’s your word against mine, so I don’t really have any interest in trying to persuade you to take mine over yours.
The poll should have had another option: #5 Pretending that one is part of a persecuted political minority is a good way to score debate points when one lacks forceful ideas.
Me too. I have to deal with a lot of opinionated and pushy liberals in real life. Some are family and they know I’m conservative. Some contribute very nicely to my standard of living, and most of them have no idea. This board is extremely helpful as a tune-up to what could be some ugly get togethers.