Help Me With Sharing Liberal/Moderate Viewpoints!!

[election_2004]

I didn't know what was the proper forum to bring this up, so I decided to put it in the regular "General Discussion."

Democratic Underground is great, as far as like-minded people getting to have serious leftist/progressive political discussions.

However, I post at another messageboard where we debate political topics...it's called the Philosophy Sphere, and was founded by Eugene W. Roddenberry Jr. (the son of Star Treak creator Gene Roddenberry) in 1997.

http://forums.philosophysphere.com

There is a section called "The Point of View" at the Philosophy Sphere where we have an eclectic group of people who post thoughts and perspectives on hot political issues. The people who post there range from liberals to moderates to conservatives. Overall, most of the folks there (even the conservatives!) are pretty nice people (with the exception of a small, shrill minority of individuals), who are willing to discuss political topics civilly.

However, those of us on the Sphere who are more liberal tend not to be as assertive as we could be (especially compared to many of the folks here on DU). We need more progressive voices at the Philosophy Sphere, to round out the debates that go on over there.

This is NOT a HQ for NeoCons or Freepers. Eugene Roddenberry (who doesn't actually post there very often, due to his work in Canada) is extremely liberal, as is the head moderator ("Kestra") of the forum. However, the forum is also fairly uncensored and unrestricted. Which basically means that people can (and do) say whatever they want to the people who they disagree with (although certain swear words are programmed to be blocked), for the most part.

I would like to invite any of you who would like a challenge in political debate to come to the Philosophy Sphere, and join me in expressing alternatives that aren't heard quite often enough at the PS messageboard.

Click here to register at the Philosophy Sphere:
http://forums.philosophysphere.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=agree

[mdmc]

1. thanks for the invite

maybe I'll check it out. :~)

[election_2004]

2. Feel free to lurk too

If you want to get an idea about some of the members' personalities before you post.

[donco6]

3. Liberals have an inherent disadvantage .. .

. . . in that we're usually a little more likely to admit that we MIGHT be wrong about something, which makes it more difficult to hold to a debate point than say, a typical Freeper, who is ALWAYS right about EVERYTHING.

[Jane Austin]

4. Moderate viewpoints

One thing I've learned on non-political boards (and there's
always a political angle to anything) is this:  after you've
written your post, go back and take out most of the adverbs
and adjectives, especially the hot ones.

Once you get rid of "extremely", "mean", 
"stupidly", "reckless" etc, you'll find
that your post sounds more reasonable and your readers may
stick with you.

Likewise, watch out for sweeping statements such as
"Republicans always yadadada" or "if this
passes it will whatever".  Instead, saying
"Republicans tend to yadadada" or "if this
passes it could or it may whatever"  give your opponents
fewer hooks to grab your statement for argument.

What you want is for people to read your post and think about
what you've said.  If you sound reasonable and don't use
"hot" words, you may have a better chance to hold
and persuade your readers.

Best of luck in your endeavor.

[donco6]

6. Who asked you?

If you don't like it, don't read it.

[Jane Austin]

8. Who asked me?

Sorry. Didn't realize I had to be asked.

[BigDaddyLove]

9. You don't need to be asked...........

and your original post contained very good points.



Welcome to DU. :hi:

[election_2004]

5. may be true...

Although many of the conservatives at the Philosophy Sphere are more level-headed than the "typical Freeper."

[donco6]

7. It appears that way.

From what I've read so far, anyway. They certainly seem more civil with each other than we can be. I haven't gotten to any flamewars yet.