Ignore lists and olive branches

The trouble with banning political discourse is that so many ideas fit under that umbrella. We're not talking about some sports rivalry, or taste in movies. Its huge! Truth, Justic, our future well being and the future of the planet are all tied up in Politics. I try to stay away from divisive threads, because I find them stressful, and I'm sometimes dissapointed by what I see. But at a certain level I recognize that I have a duty, we all have a duty to stand up for what's right in the face of lies, ignorance, and hatred. I believe that this is true regardless of were the conversation is taking place.
 
I do see your point Quince, What your saying basically is... It's a slippery slope, and I agree 100%...but I honestly have not seen that the case in years on my site. Most guys know what the non political/religion means and it seems to work well. On my site it's fine to talk diverse things, just when it gets to real political things, thats where the line is draw. And most members know where that line is whether they want to admit it or not lol
 
Smoke said:
I have put this entire thread on ignore.
Click to expand...

Don't make me put this thread on Igore too...Trust me I'll do it!

.
.
CYBLPi.jpg

mRAVfc.jpg
 
I am all for Political and Religious threads here on BN, they add a very real, revealing and interesting aspect to the BN posters and if one does not want to participate just walk on by...
I believe the Teahouse Threads show a revealing side to Bonsai Nutter's and usually highlights their sometimes Bizzare Behavior, Be what it may...
 
You won't find me arguing politics or religion on any thread here. Mostly because I think it's just a stupid waste of time. I care as much about your beliefs as you do mine (which is not at all), and we aren't changing anyone's mind, or enlightening anyone by arguing about it on a bonsai forum. I've got better things to do. In fact, this post is a waste of time too. But if you enjoy it then carry on.
 
Bolero said:
I am all for Political and Religious threads here on BN, they add a very real, revealing and interesting aspect to the BN posters and if one does not want to participate just walk on by...
I believe the Teahouse Threads show a revealing side to Bonsai Nutter's and usually highlights their sometimes Bizzare Behavior, Be what it may...
Click to expand...
VAFisher said:
You won't find me arguing politics or religion on any thread here. Mostly because I think it's just a stupid waste of time. I care as much about your beliefs as you do mine (which is not at all), and we aren't changing anyone's mind, or enlightening anyone by arguing about it on a bonsai forum. I've got better things to do. In fact, this post is a waste of time too. But if you enjoy it then carry on.
Click to expand...
It certainly is a double edged sword, I'd say....
But it's better to stay away from that here I think.
I've been one of the worst perpetrators, I know....it's just tough not to speak my mind sometimes.

I'm trying for real though..... Wanna keep it to trees now...
 
just.wing.it said:
It certainly is a double edged sword, I'd say....
But it's better to stay away from that here I think.
I've been one of the worst perpetrators, I know....it's just tough not to speak my mind sometimes.

I'm trying for real though..... Wanna keep it to trees now...
Click to expand...


yeh keep those venomous tirades to yourself man

everybody argues about politics - but what about the arguing about soils, japanese vs western style, techniques etc - some people would just argue with the wall
 
watchndsky said:
yeh keep those venomous tirades to yourself man

everybody argues about politics - but what about the arguing about soils, japanese vs western style, techniques etc - some people would just argue with the wall
Click to expand...
Lol!

I'm also of the belief that if more people simply said what they are thinking on a regular basis, we wouldn't all be so different minded.....in other words, when an undeniable truth of life slaps you in the face, it's best to make people aware, rather than look the other way and say nothing...

But the other side of the coin is, this is a bonsai forum, and I agree that it should be a place of peace.
I can call my brother and his wife if I want to tell off a liberal.
 
Last edited:
I find this conversation rather comical and full of irony. Bonsai as a whole is probably the most politically charged activity I have ever done. Maybe not on a Trump vs Hillary basis, but politics none the less. At the club level it has been the worst. Think there isn't politics in your club? Take on being show chairman for a year or two. You may decide to leave the club when it's all over. Politics is nothing more than the art of give and take. When the taking overshadows the giving then that's what makes any group uncomfortable.
 
Smoke said:
I find this conversation rather comical and full of irony. Bonsai as a whole is probably the most politically charged activity I have ever done. Maybe not on a Trump vs Hillary basis, but politics none the less. At the club level it has been the worst. Think there isn't politics in your club? Take on being show chairman for a year or two. You may decide to leave the club when it's all over. Politics is nothing more than the art of give and take. When the taking overshadows the giving then that's what makes any group uncomfortable.
Click to expand...
I get what you're saying...
I am not a member of any clubs...
I only have one other person in my life who is even somewhat interested in growing trees....and he's a goofball, but he might get serious about it some day.
If I ever do join a club, it'll be later in my life, when I have more time....hopefully.
I don't even know if I could deal with bonsai related stress that would inevitably come from being a club president...I don't want bonsai related stress...that's the opposite of what I do bonsai for.
 
just.wing.it said:
I get what you're saying...
I am not a member of any clubs...
I only have one other person in my life who is even somewhat interested in growing trees....and he's a goofball, but he might get serious about it some day.
If I ever do join a club, it'll be later in my life, when I have more time....hopefully.
I don't even know if I could deal with bonsai related stress that would inevitably come from being a club president...I don't want bonsai related stress...that's the opposite of what I do bonsai for.
Click to expand...
Well if you don't want bonsai stress, then your not doing bonsai to its full potential. I always tell people that tell me they do bonsai for relaxation... your doing it wrong!
 
Smoke said:
Well if you don't want bonsai stress, then your not doing bonsai to its full potential. I always tell people that tell me they do bonsai for relaxation... your doing it wrong!
Click to expand...
Haha!.....well as long as its related to my trees and not some a-hole at the imaginary club...I'm OK with that, and do understand.
 
watchndsky said:
unfortunately politics are spreading through every part of our lives and its a shame - tv, nfl, social media and even bonsai forums - its hard to get away from the political topics anymore.

you're right - we should focus on what brings us together and not how we differ.
Click to expand...

I have become more and more disgusted with our national media... and politics... and so I find myself opting out more and more. No newspaper (stopped reading them years ago) no television news, and I get all my news from the Economist, which, being a UK publication, tends to shy away from some of the most biased US political reporting.

I definitely avoid the septic pool that is called "Twitter".
 
Bolero said:
I am all for Political and Religious threads here on BN, they add a very real, revealing and interesting aspect to the BN posters and if one does not want to participate just walk on by...
I believe the Teahouse Threads show a revealing side to Bonsai Nutter's and usually highlights their sometimes Bizzare Behavior, Be what it may...
Click to expand...

Interesting in that it makes people hate each other and put each other on ignore?

You have already asked Mike to put you on ignore so you wouldnt have to put up with his "liveral views". Is that the kind of bonsai community that you want, where we all have most of the other members on ignore because we cant stand their political beliefs?

You werent here when the Karaoke Bar was in place. The religious and political fights spilled over into the bonsai boards and cause alot of people that were once friends to not be any more. It got really ugly and I dont want to see it happen again. I already have one person that I cant stand to see them post anything on this forum because of the venom they spew in political threads.
 
I like to argue... but I won't ever put anyone on ignore. If I agree with everyone I talk to... how much am I learning? Maybe it's because I'm from a big family where we generally didn't agree on much... so we were always arguing... but we still loved each other at the end of the day. Though I may never be convinced about someone's different point of view, I really really try to understand it - and where it comes from.

Part of me likes to think that even if I argue with you about politics, I could still see you at a bonsai convention, buy you a beer, and have fun talking about bonsai!
 
Paradox said:
Interesting in that it makes people hate each other and put each other on ignore?

You have already asked Mike to put you on ignore so you wouldnt have to put up with his "liveral views". Is that the kind of bonsai community that you want, where we all have most of the other members on ignore because we cant stand their political beliefs?

You werent here when the Karaoke Bar was in place. The religious and political fights spilled over into the bonsai boards and cause alot of people that were once friends to not be any more. It got really ugly and I dont want to see it happen again. I already have one person that I cant stand to see them post anything on this forum because of the venom they spew in political threads.
Click to expand...


Sandy you are way overboard here...I don't believe the Tea House is Detrimental at all, it just offers the Forum members another Venue for discussion, if someone wants to put a person on ignore for whatever reason that is their Perogative...
My comments to Mike are in Fun, Humor and just plain Silly sometimes...
I feel you are being Oversensitive and need to Lighten up, this is just another Internet Forum Venue ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom