A message to my new NotCigs friends, whom I love.

[mistinthewoods]

Since I've started spending time here on these sub forums I have grow quite fond of many of you regulars. There's a lot of good people in this group and I love the way we strive to keep things congenial around here. There is one thing that has ruffled my feather just a bit lately though and in light of events in the news the last couple days and the political climate in general these days I feel compelled to speak up. There have been a couple of posts in here lately that have used the word "Liberal" as if it's a bad word or an insult. Well, my friends, I just want you all to know that when you say "liberal" you are talking about me. There is no shame in this tag that I have proudly affixed to myself and I sure as hell won't hide from it. It describes my beliefs. Beliefs that I have thoughtfully developed over the course of my 53 years here and through the observations I have made in viewing the world around me. I am as steadfast in my convictions as all of you are in yours.
I promise to show all of my friends here the respect that they deserve as good, thoughtful people and only ask the same for myself. This is the last time I will mention my political views here. This is not the place for it. Please know that I am very fond of many of you and have plenty of love for left, right and center here amongst us.
I guess that's all I have to say on the subject and now that I have said my piece I feel much better.
Much love and respect,
Mark

 

[son et lumiere]

Good thoughts. I would have never painted you as a liberal but I find your posts to be very pleasant and of high moral fiber. Evereyone has a diffenert point of view. Let's respect that.

 

[mistinthewoods]

Agreed. By the way, it is my morality that forms my views. Kinda like Thomas Jefferson.
I know of another historic liberal who fed the poor, healed the sick (for free) and threw money changers from the temple. My kinda guy.
I think that label has been turned into something that it doesn't mean at all. I'm reclaiming it.

 

[Sorrid]

That may have been aimed at me as I used the term liberals in the word association thread after the word Vermin. Mist if that offended you I am truly very sorry. I went back to edit it but it won't let me now. I myself am not politically oriented I just want our politicians to do what is right be they republican or democrat, conservative or liberal.

I really want you to believe me when I say that I honestly have no feelings towards either side of the fence. Liberals just popped into my head and I could have just as easily put conservative in its place.

We run into each other quite a bit here on the forums and I enjoy it when we do, so please don't let my using that term keep us from being friends. Their really was no malice in it all.

Whoever has the power please go and delete post #299 in the word association thread as I really don't want or mean to anger anyone.

Again I am sorry Mist and I hope you can forgive me. This is what I get for even sticking a toe into the political/religion waters which is something I never never do on forums or in real life as it can be quite hazardous.

Neil

 

[mistinthewoods]

It's cool Sorrid. I'm not hurt or angry at anyone. I just feel that most people on my side of the fence don't stand up for themselves enough and that was my small way of doing that. I don't think ANYONE should be vilified for their views. It's a big country with room for everybody. I firmly believe that without debate we grow lazy and arrive at no solutions. Life is a balance.
I hate the way the term "liberal has come to mean something negative in our culture though. It's such a positive word.
We're all good buddy

 

[Sorrid]

I agree that the liberal tag is usually only brought to light when the news is dealing with some extreme issue and never seems to understand what a true liberal actually stands for. People could learn a lot by taking the time to find out for themselves instead of taking what is thrown at them on the television or internet as gospel.

Excellent!! Now where were we?

 

[VaporChef]

Try calling yourself a "radical" and see what reactions THAT gets... LOL.

I consider myself a conservative liberal radical... something for everyone!

 

[Bovinia]

Mist I'm glad you spoke up. Not because anyone has ever offended me, but because you understand that no one is a mind reader and in order to understand each other we need to speak I'm like you in that I let my morals be my guide. I don't know what label that puts on me and I really don't care. Respect, consideration, compassion, and honesty are what matter to me.

We have collectively made this a caring community and with Mike's blessing I have no doubt that we can continue to keep it that way.

 

[5cardstud]

When I used the word lefty liberal it wasn't to describe you it was to describe the people I argue with in the outside threads that I don't go into any more , at least not very often. I take people for who they are. I have friends from all faiths, color, political beliefs etc. and to me your political beliefs are your private business not mine so please don't take offense if I use the word liberal.
To set the record straight. I voted Democrat all my life untill last election when I found myself without a party to vote for because they are both wrong.

 

[FranC]

The word liberal seems to be used for name calling now-a-days. Mist I don't care if you're from the left,right or middle. Your my friend.

 

[mistinthewoods]

I've voted democratic since 2,000 (third parties before that) but it is also by default I'm not registered as a democrat. I think both parties in their current form are full of crap. I know you weren't directing your comments toward me 5C but I identify myself as a liberal and I just felt it was necessary for me to point out that that word should not be considered an insult. I don't harbor any grudges and I like you a lot John. I think we have quite a bit in common. I just felt like speaking up about it so I did. There's a lot of rhetoric lately about "he's a lib" or "she's a tea bagger" etc., etc. Like we all have to pick a damn team or something. I think all of this side choosing is destabilizing our country. When this stuff is taken to extremes we have things like what happened in Tucson the other day.
I just wanted to humanize that word. That was my point, that I hold liberal views but I'm ME and I think most of you have a fairly decent opinion of me (at least I hope so) as I do of you. I didn't mean to come off all whiney or petulant or anything. Just making a point that I thought was in order.
I like your signature line 5C. I feel the same way. I like you guys and I want you to know who I am.

 

[mistinthewoods]

The word liberal seems to be used for name calling now-a-days. Mist I don't care if you're from the left,right or middle. Your my friend.

You're a sweetheart Fran. I feel the same way.

 

[BuzzKill]

" Can't we all just get along " In the words of Rodney King !

Glad you all are getting along !

 

[medicate]

Very well said Mark. I'm proud to be a part of the Buzz family. There are so many wonderful people here.

 

[Sorrid]

I definitely agree that the bipartisan lines in our government causes more problems than it solves. That said, I've noticed how lively the Notcigs crowd is and I think everyone here is great. I've only been hanging out here in Mikes sub forum for a little while but I've come to enjoy everyone here.

 

[5cardstud]

I've voted democratic since 2,000 (third parties before that) but it is also by default I'm not registered as a democrat. I think both parties in their current form are full of crap. I know you weren't directing your comments toward me 5C but I identify myself as a liberal and I just felt it was necessary for me to point out that that word should not be considered an insult. I don't harbor any grudges and I like you a lot John. I think we have quite a bit in common. I just felt like speaking up about it so I did. There's a lot of rhetoric lately about "he's a lib" or "she's a tea bagger" etc., etc. Like we all have to pick a damn team or something. I think all of this side choosing is destabilizing our country. When this stuff is taken to extremes we have things like what happened in Tucson the other day.
I just wanted to humanize that word. That was my point, that I hold liberal views but I'm ME and I think most of you have a fairly decent opinion of me (at least I hope so) as I do of you. I didn't mean to come off all whiney or petulant or anything. Just making a point that I thought was in order.
I like your signature line 5C. I feel the same way. I like you guys and I want you to know who I am.

That's why we get along so good. We speak our mind when we have something to say. There is only one member that I really think is just too far out there politically speaking and that member doesn't post in this forum. Me and Bones go at it allot, or used to, and even though it's very odd for us to agree on anything I still really like and respect the guy very much. I also think your right in being able to have your own thoughts and ideals without haveing someone put you down for those ideals. They would have to answer to me too. I consider you one of my best friends on ECF and I don't care about your color, faith, political affiliations or anything. I like you cause your you.

 

[5cardstud]

" Can't we all just get along " In the words of Rodney King !

Glad you all are getting along !

Who in the h e double toothpicks is Rodney King? Just kidding Mike I know who he is.

 

[BuzzKill]

Ya for some reason that just popped into my head ! I lived in LA at that time , then I moved ( after a divorce , fires , earthquake and riots ) then I found central coast Cali and HATE going back to LA !

 

[5cardstud]

Ya for some reason that just popped into my head ! I lived in LA at that time , then I moved ( after a divorce , fires , earthquake and riots ) then I found central coast Cali and HATE going back to LA !

I remember watching that beating he got. They should have put them cops in general population at Pelican Bay and see how they liked it. I lived in San Jose for awhile when I was around 19 and the boardwalk in Santa Cruz was as far south as I made it. My Brother likes LA and I had a friend that lived in Compton but he said theyed kill a white guy in his neighborhood so I never went there.

 

[mistinthewoods]

That's why we get along so good. We speak our mind when we have something to say. There is only one member that I really think is just too far out there politically speaking and that member doesn't post in this forum. Me and Bones go at it allot, or used to, and even though it's very odd for us to agree on anything I still really like and respect the guy very much. I also think your right in being able to have your own thoughts and ideals without haveing someone put you down for those ideals. They would have to answer to me too. I consider you one of my best friends on ECF and I don't care about your color, faith, political affiliations or anything. I like you cause your you.

Glad to hear you say that buddy 'cause, actually.......... I'm purple. There, it's out there, I'm a purple American.