I am sorry if I went over the top on that gun thread. Applegrove.

[applegrove]

My bad. :blush: Must stay away from gun/crime posts.

[billbuckhead]

1. Hell, today I was told to leave the country if I didn't like it

Our Right to Keep Bullying America with guns "friends" bring out hard feelings.

[applegrove]

2. Yup. I know better. I should have said my piece and then moved on.

[billbuckhead]

3. Speak truth to power

Even at gunpoint

[applegrove]

4. Wow - I'm not that brave. Never have been, never will be. n/t

[Michael_Bush]

5. Standing up to bullies is important

Standing up to bullies is what Democrats are all about. Of course it is much easier to do online than in real life.

Perhaps that is why freepers and neocons get such a thrill out of attacking people and shutting down debate online? Powerless in real life, they haunt the internet instead, the one place they can feel manly. Don't you think that must be a really horrid existence?

I for one believe that we, as Democrats, have one uniting goal, to protect the weak from those who would oppress them. We may disagree in the details but all things boiled away, that is our core and we can all agree on that.

Michael

[applegrove]

6. I agree the weak should not be oppressed. That is why I am here.

I will continue to point out propaganda techniques. That is part in parcel of standing up for DUers ... and making sure an open discussion takes place. Instead of one that starts out with so many rules and games..that the people responding are automatically dis-abled. Questions and topics of debate should be 'enabling' the discussion. I've seen that too many times from freepers & neocons on other sites (NRA types especially use the questionnaire on obscure gun detail..to start a debate) that I know the technique well. I will never stand for it.

The clue is to state that, point out the propaganda and then not get lured into battle.

[Michael_Bush]

7. Interesting take on discussion

Since when is discussing facts a battle? I was always thought that having ones beliefs challenged was a good thing not a bad thing. I know I was certainly offended when the neocons labeled anyone who challenged their assumptions a traitor to the cause. I am so glad that nobody here would do something so low.

I guess to some, like the neocons, shouting someone down to ensure their "evil" message is never heard qualifies as debate, but there are those of us who prefer to hear others out just in case they have something to add to the discussion.

I have always found the best way to build common ground is to listen to the other parties concerns earnestly and honestly and allow them to finish before I interject with my response. It is one of the listening skills that is so hard for some to learn.

[applegrove]

8. You seem such an innocent. Parroting NRA techniques

is not so innocent.

Do you want me to find the posts where the questionnaire on 'detailed gun knowledge' is the 'basis' of a gun debate?

You must have come across them before. No? I find them to be a very common way anti-gun law is debated. Thing is 'expert gun knowledge' has nothing to do with gun policy.

Tell me..you've never ever seen this before?