I am opinionated, Apology
Apparently, I am too OPINIONATED for some tastes. I write blogs and usually people ignore me or make insightful comments or comments which expand the topic. I usually get along with everybody in the chat room. So this is not about blogs. I was TOO OPINIONATED in a chat room discussion. Recently I was told, Do NOT JAM YOUR opinions down someone’s throat”. That is pretty hard to do in a cyberspace chatroom but I must have managed in a few moments. I don’ think I made more than 3 or 4 remarks. What would one have to do to actually be guilty of “JAMMING OPINIONS DOWN THROATS”?
Someone brought up the subject of politics: not me, NO NOT ME. I stated my opinions. I think others could do the same. I frankly think that politics are very important so they need to be discussed.
I would usually just consider the source, but since the person who said it was a monitor, a new monitor and definitely inexperienced. I left immediately and probably won’t go back if that monitor is in the chat room. I take full responsibility. I am opinionated and I hope you are also. I like opinionated people, else how do you have a discussion. Most of my opinions are well founded, and I hope other people’s are also and I can learn something more. I may have opinions that are just plain stupid, and I don’t want to be called stupid, but I would like you to give me some facts on the subject and I hope I will then be wiser and less stupid. I did nothing but state MY OPINIONS.
So. I APOLOGIZE, and I hope I can get a nudge not stomped on if I dare state my opinions too vociferously, or without the proper deference. I have never name called, or attacked a person instead of their position. In this case, I only stated my opinion, and don’t understand why that Is “JAMMING MY OPINION DOWN SOMEONE’S THROAT”.
I don’t need to talk on a subject, any subject if no one has a contrary opinion. I hope we can have a different opinion without being considered CONTRARY. CONTRARY as ” Mary, Mary, Quite CONTRARY”.
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Opinionated? Surely we are all are guilty of that, depending on the subject being discussed?
I freely admit to, and in fact on occasion am quite proud, to being opinionated.
As far as forcing things down throats in cyberspace…….well……er…….can’t see how that’s possible. Perhaps if they ever get touch screens to be truly touch then you could, but until then? No!
Charles, I agree with the last part of everything you said, but IF you were NOT there, how and why are you saying anything. If I were so intolerant, how was it manifested? I stated MY opinion only. I don’t speak for others.
Rose…in replying to Charles I think you should check your answer. According to him he WAS there and I think he was saying your opinion appeared to be the only one that mattered in your eyes. The Monitor was there in the hope that any argument or disagreement can be diffused which is probably what she was tryng to do despite Politics being a subject that is not recommended.
Faye, I am on a mop mobile phone so this Wil be short. I misread Charles. And I don’t remember his being in the bathroom, but one witness does not make a case
I am not a swift typist so other people can comment as often as I can. On the day of the chat.I was not well focused because I was chatting when I needed to be packing. I don’t know how difficult it is to review the log.but I would appreciate your comments after you read the log
I did state my facts and opinions .only and a bit assertive ly maybe.
No problem Rose. I did want to make sure that you knew Charles had his own thoughts with having been in the room.
I meant chat room not bathroom.
Way. thanks for your vote of confidence.
To be fair Rose it was not your opinions that created the situation but the fact that you exercised little tolerance of other member’s views. As I was not involved, but there, I can express how it appeared fairly. Monitors do not hold grudges therefore you should be perfectly comfortable being in the Room with any and all of them. A member’s opinions have no greater or lesser value than any other member’s. We are here to enjoy and how that is expressed certainly adds to the colour of the Site.
Charles. I made a mistake and you we3rd in the room. After some thought, I remember that it was facts that I was stating that gave the impression that I am not tolerant. This is a fact, Hillary Clinton is for women’s rights. I have checked her voting record and she advocates for women. I also thi,k you are not an impartial witness.
Hi Rose, well anyone with a grain of sense has an opinion….opinionated… definition…….. assertive and dogmatic……..well I wasn’t there, but some people are straighter talking than others…….call a spade a spade as it were, some people are more diplomatic in how they put things over, easy for misinterpretation when there are no voice sounds and facial expressions to use as a guide….and of course different words used in different countries can be lost in translation…….well there are a few topics that can get people wound up, and I find politics one of them, I leave that one alone, because in my opinion it is one thing people are never going to change their views on……….but it does give us something to moan about…….. the cock ups that the politicians make…..
Statlette, you are correct. In this case.I think the person was just uncomfortable with what I said
Speaking out is important.
Star. I agree. It was Politics and both of us USA and I would wager on different sides of the fence. This is a new monitor and if I were guilty she won’t get the diplomacy award either. I thought she was very harsh. I like all the monitors and never have had an incident. I did not start the convo on Politics, but the Freedom of speech is maybe too well regarded here.
Dear Bloom ,you are a dear friend , but i feel after reading your Blog, that the discussion of which I was not present and didn’t see what the cefuffle was about ,perhaps it ‘s the time to recall that Politics is a no no subject chosen by Rob as (not to be discussed) as one of the subjects that is banned ,mainly for this reason …I. know most of your opinions are greatly valued…. xxx
Lani, you are right and I appreciate your comments, but I interpret the rules differently than you do. We are to avoid comments that are likely to provoke. I do agree, evidently comments contrary to another’s opinion will provoke, but we do have experienced monitors who can steer a conversation more appropriately than was done on this case. The monitor is quite new.
Lani, After this incident, I may not be inclined to chat at all. Time will tell.
Bloom, I sure hope you keep chatting. I must admit that I have not been chatting myself as much as I used to (due to some personal circumstances), but when I have seen you online I have always felt you made it a better place. You contribute a lot and in many ways. You are spirited, I will give you that. For me, though, spirited is not threatening but charming — it is a beautiful thing. Just as people have varying opinions, so people have varying degrees of “enthusiasm” while expressing their views. I don’t agree with people being mean spirited or hurtful, but you are neither! So I hope you continue to chat, and continue to express your opinions — even if they are wrong!
Patrick, thank you
I have missed you
You add a lot to any chat.your support means a lot
I sincerely hope you do Bloom I do enjoy your sensible blogs .xxx
Rose, I was one of the other monitors in the room. First, I have to say, I interpret rule #1 as..No racial inflammatory language, no religious inflammatory language, no political inflammatory language, and no sexual inflammatory language. No way do I interpret rule #1 to mean no political discussion. That being said, a difference of opinion on politics is not inflammatory. Had someone said..for example your political view is stupid, idiotic or something like that, it would not be allowed. I don’t remember anyone saying that you or anyone else said ” stop jamming opinions down throats.” I could have missed it. I miss many things. Life gets involved sometimes. I don’t think you jammed your opinion down anyones throat, nor do I think anyone else was jamming their opinion down your throat. I think there was a difference of opinions on issues. I think a difference of opinion on issues is good. I think they should be shared and discussed as adults without insulting anyone. It’s how we learn from another perspective.
I agree with everything you said and appreciate the clarification, but the remark of “jamming down throats WAS said, and I think you guys keep a log of conversations. It was a brief moment and easily to go right past someone and that is a reason to believe that nothing was said to justify the remark.
I have seen many differences of opinion in the chat room,I think as adults we have to be able to express and listen to those differences,especially if we use chat rooms.I was not in the room Bloom when your incident happened so I’ll not comment on it,but I have seen people say things and others reply And I have thought that there was no need for the reply that was given.we just have to move on I think ,forgive and forget my moto.
Mac. Ty and I believe I, resolving issues then forgetting and or forgiving may be considered.
not sure about no political discussion because after that you would have to stop any other discussions in case they are misinterpreted wrong no matter what the subject.
I disagree on a lot of things in a chat room but i either keep my big mouth shout or make a comment depending what mood i am in lol But i thought monitors and admin were there for this very reason or why bother having them at all.
We all have different views especially if wales play england lol but are we to ban patriotism in case it offends someone??
I dont want it shoved down my throat and i will politely say shut your big gob or words to that effect or see if there is anyone in the room like mod or admin who can lower the tones. If not i leave which in the last resort is something we can all do.
Quite a few people on this site I cant stand the site of and wouldn,t be bothered to say hello if they were in the room but i see no point in going into the room and then spend all my time slagging them off or being sarcastic all the time because they have as much right as me to speak
that me annual comment so take care folk
Hi Rose,I wasnt present on this occasion when you obviously expressed your view,I hope your not discouraged from continuing to do so.I enjoy your blogs and I always read them,I seldom agree or find the subject matter interesting however we are all entitled to our opinion and I like to think it broadens ones thinking space.Please continue to express your opinions and if anyone objects just tellem to loosen their tie and take a deep breath.looks forward to your next blog Rose,take care.
Sylvester, you don’t find my blogs interesting or you don’t agree with them. I need to hear your comments. A blog needs a discussion.
OK
Hi Rose, there are few things that I admire more in people than when they have the guts to passionately express their views in the face of a stronger, or more numerous opposition. At the time it was Galileo, then Darwin, then Dawkins who were “jamming their opinions” down good folks’ throat, which translates into them going against the grain. 🙂 Arguably, the dissidents tend to be right. Hats off to someone who can see for herself and shout “Look, the Emperor isn’t wearing anything at all! ” I wasn’t there, but I wish I could come to other discussions when you are present. 🙂 My best regards.
catalpa, you are right and thank you for putting a grand perspective on the subject. There is propaganda all around and people need to speak and to discuss. else we are just sheep to be herded.
Hello Rose,
first I have to say; I like your blogs. Second I would follow Star’s words unrestricted and third; we have some many topics of the day which could be discussed, but not here with the SC.
You see, only few words can lead to misinterpretation in just a simple chat. Can you imagine how a political discussion could go. No I think it is good as it is.
Michael
No wonder the chat room is so empty lately…not that I am privvy to that room any more…people getting banned for stating their opinions and just being who they are…the whole thing about not being able to talk about religion or politics and whatever else does not make for a chat room….lots of people may want to discuss their views about those things…doesnt mean that everyone has to like it or get involved in it…if you dont like what is being said, dont reply to it…easy…anyway…chat used to be a room to go to and have a lot of fun chatting with people…where have they all gone??? I really miss a lot of the people that were around…we are not children,..we are over 50s…shouldnt be told what to discuss…and Ive had my whinge…again…not that anyone cares…lol
i agree with you for the most part. The chatting rules need to be reconsidered. If people get provoked, then they can leave, If politics and religion cannot be discussed, there is ittle else that matters. We are on an international site to learn about those very things. We are adults. We should be civilised but how much censoring do we need?
Rose as a site for making friends isnt it better to leave politics and religion out of it due to differing opinions in different countries. Many wont be interested in politics in another country and why should they…they are here for friendship not heated discussions. Such things could be kept for private chatting or messages or even a site specifically for such subjects…Im sure there are many around. Okay, maybe such things could be spoken of in the chatroom and people can leave if they dont like it and what could happen….yes, the person intent on talking politics or religion could be left alone in the chatroom. We have had instances of something others didnt like being spoken of in the chatroom (Community Room) and the majority of folk have gone into another room to avoid it only to be followed by the instigator of that subject who wanted to continue. That action does not make for pleasant enjoyment of a chat session. The solution to this is to make your own room if you would like to chat of such things and invite others to go to that room. That way anyone not interested in the subject does not have to read of it.
Just to quote you on one thing…..”We are on an international site to learn about those very things.”
Do you really think we are here to learn rather than to chat?….no matter what the subject matter.
Faye,some speak of being bored. With the chat room. The subject was not of my choosing. I just joined in. I think a wide range of topics is necessary and some freedom to be controversial. I did not say anythi,g that was offensive to anyo,e that can tolerate a different opinion.
Tolerance is essential for all who chat on a website.
Tolerance is necessary. I thi,i,k you may need to say that also
We know making rooms and more rooms Did not work so we all need to be more tolerant
Some people will always be bored or offended.
The point I was making Rose was about removing the ruling on politics and religion being discussed. Of course it will be touched on during the course of conversation but a full blown war could eventuate in the chatroom if it become a big discussion on it which is why the ruling is there. Hence the suggestion that anyone who wants to discuss such a thing should use another room. And no it didnt work before because it become a room for one…unless there is an audience chatters dont really want to get into controversial stuff and if there is an audience sides end up being taken and that is when problems begin…..so the solution is to avoid such topics. Overall it has worked all this time and the majority of chatters just enjoy the regular chit chat.
Rose never apologize for speaking your opinion. You just keep being you and don’t pay no mind to those that are too narrow minded to understand your point.
Ty Suzan. I usually steer clear of controversy. I do appreciate your support. I try to welcome others opinion, but sometimes I may fail
All I can say after skimming through all those comments and opinions is….no wonder people dont want to state their opinions in the chat room!
Ozzie, I think Starlette nailed one issue; some people are straighter talkers than others. How straight should we be. You can try to please all and stand for nothing. It is a decision that we all have to wrestle.