What I've learned on "This Moving Train"

dancepartner

To Cosmo; having a bad day? I'm fairly new here. I guess I don't know how hostile this place can be. However, this thread stemmed from the one about reaching across the isle. Hope you'll consider.

Though this thread has to do finding some unity, it also posed a question at the end; what would you like to see happen on AMT? Besides of course, people posting only intelligent, well-researched things?

dancepartner

Oops. Forgot to post what I had wanted to say. It was the first snowfall of the day but it was warm with no wind. I worked outside until dark and even then, I stood out in it and had a beer. Of course by spring I'll be sick of the damn stuff but today — it was beautiful.
I'm off to pour myself a port and take a hot shower. Yep. Port. If you work at it long enough — you can aquire a taste! Besides, it's cheap. And, it doesn't wake me up at 2am like any good cab will.
Anyway, if I don't meander out, I'd love to engage a bit for my Friday night entertainment. Guess that gives it away — I'm not a young duck anymore...

brianlux

Cosmo, your thoughts about using our minds remind me that the other day I watched "Idiocracy". It's an incredible dumb movie that makes a good point (although a much shorter version would have worked for me- maybe 10 minutes ). But yeah, it's just too easy to grab a sound bite, Google a few "facts", stick them in the micro wave and , voila, an opinion.

Dancepartner- yeah, it's easy to jaded or even bitter at times and we all do that here but hopefully we're learning and it's good to have a fresh voice here such as yours. And a good well-aged port on a cold day- oh yeah!

Cosmo

dancepartner wrote:

To Cosmo; having a bad day? I'm fairly new here. I guess I don't know how hostile this place can be. However, this thread stemmed from the one about reaching across the isle. Hope you'll consider.

Though this thread has to do finding some unity, it also posed a question at the end; what would you like to see happen on AMT? Besides of course, people posting only intelligent, well-researched things?

...
No. This is just in general terms.
It is really a sad statement about our nation when people will automatically assume that what they see on T.V. or hear on the radio or read on the internet is true. Especially, when it is so easy to fact check.
It just shows how easily we are divided. How easily we can be swayed.
I personally, don't care is a person leans to the left or the right... just do so based on opinions based in fact. Read both sides of an arguement and have an informed viewpoint, not your opinion pre-packaged and handed to you by a political pundit/celebrity on the television.
Until we can drop this sports like competition... Red Team vs. Blue Team thing... we will remain divided. People need to realize, the person you have a diametrically opposite viewpoint is not evil... does not hate America... does not want to destroy America. He is just an American with a different point of view. It's when the opinion of the individual is just a piece of a greater machine... by instilling political agendas and creating political partisanship... that, i believe, we lose our identity as Americans.

Gary Carter

JonnyPistachio wrote:

This thread is the closest thing to a giant digital group hug I've ever seen. We needed this after the last few weeks.

this thread is the closet thing to a AMT thread being normal in years. as someone who was AMT many years ago, i feel the last few days are very refreshing to see. now all we need is abookamongstthemany and the other old timers to come outta the woodwork.

Cosmo

brianlux wrote:

Cosmo, your thoughts about using our minds remind me that the other day I watched "Idiocracy". It's an incredible dumb movie that makes a good point (although a much shorter version would have worked for me- maybe 10 minutes ). But yeah, it's just too easy to grab a sound bite, Google a few "facts", stick them in the micro wave and , voila, an opinion.

Dancepartner- yeah, it's easy to jaded or even bitter at times and we all do that here but hopefully we're learning and it's good to have a fresh voice here such as yours. And a good well-aged port on a cold day- oh yeah!

...
That is the direction we are heading. I think we need to understand how government works so we know how we can change it.
Example, we always talk about Term Limits. We HAVE Term Limits... it's called voting the incumbants out. Our problem is, we view 'our side' (Republican or Democrat) as the ones who need to stay and 'their side' as the ones that need to go. That is exactly what politicians want. And, like idiots, we give them exactly what they ask.
For a short period there, the Tea Party had it right... 'Oust ALL incumbants'. Then, they got hi-jacked by the Republicans and their voice box, FOX News and became nothing more than the militant wing of the Republican Party. I actually supported the Tea Party at the first inception. but, once it became a Republican offshoot... I bailed.
Anyway... that's my take on Term Limits. We don't need restrictions on our votes... we need to use our vote for the good of our country... not the good of a fucking political party.

SatansFuton

Here's something I learned about AMT a long time ago.... it's all fucking bullshit. There's no locomotive, no caboose, no conductor. Not even a damn whistle.

I came here to look at pictures of choo choo's and next thing I know I have somebody in my ear screaming about the defense budget.

brianlux

SatansFuton wrote:

Here's something I learned about AMT a long time ago.... it's all fucking bullshit. There's no locomotive, no caboose, no conductor. Not even a damn whistle.

I came here to look at pictures of choo choo's and next thing I know I have somebody in my ear screaming about the defense budget.

The only consolation, SatansFuton- there is a lounge car!

dancepartner

To Brian; glad you like port! And, thanks for the lounge car. If we must be here on a damn Friday night, we should enjoy ourselves!

To Cosmo; Term limits is one Excellent idea! I've been thinking about posting an experiment (not something for Frid night) but I was thinking of 3 things we (blue & red) could all agree needs our united attention. Term limits would DEFINATELY BE ONE! thanks!

To Gary Carter; you mean someone here is older than brianlux and me? goodie! bring 'em outta the woodwork. Ps. nice to hear the word refreshing.

To satansfuton; Glad to see I wasn't the only one confused about this train! If there were a choo choo, what drives it? We do know the lounge car is something we can look forward to.

I'm off to dinner. Back later.

hedonist

This kinda fits, at least from here, in the now (in my now). Just feels so clean, much needed...like a shower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaNoeoyc ... re=related

(so what if I'm pleasantly buzzed? The lesson, still applied )

pandora

dancepartner wrote:

Oops. Forgot to post what I had wanted to say. It was the first snowfall of the day but it was warm with no wind. I worked outside until dark and even then, I stood out in it and had a beer. Of course by spring I'll be sick of the damn stuff but today — it was beautiful.
I'm off to pour myself a port and take a hot shower. Yep. Port. If you work at it long enough — you can aquire a taste! Besides, it's cheap. And, it doesn't wake me up at 2am like any good cab will.
Anyway, if I don't meander out, I'd love to engage a bit for my Friday night entertainment. Guess that gives it away — I'm not a young duck anymore...

What I've learned and most enjoyed about not only AMT but all the forums is heard
right here in this post.

I was able to be right there in the snow with you for only a moment
and I cried. The picture you painted is beautiful. Nice way to start my day with my own
memories of first snowfalls.

I really miss shoveling in the dark, it's never really dark in the snow.

dancepartner

Morning all!
Snow is a foot deep but it's still warm out.

To hedonist; We all walk the long road. Yeah. EV is young in this video! I don't know if you meant this song 'kinda fits here' in the groove of this thread, but when the lines "all the friends & family, all the memories goin' round" makes me think that's what you are relating to. Seems many of you here have a rich history of memories. Not just in this forum, but you meet at shows and that's got to include lots of great memories.

To Pandora; Speaking of memories — I'm so glad my visual of this first snow returned to you some fine memories. Thanks for sharing that.
You had posted earlier — you want to feel life. Me to. I've had my fill of politically correct stuffy folks who seem to distance themselves from feeling their way thru this thing we call life. We do indeed walk the long road and I think for the ones who don't walk it hand-in-hand with their very being to guide them, that is to say — to feel their way down this road, then they've gravely short-changed themselves.

Jeanwah

dancepartner wrote:

Though this thread has to do finding some unity, it also posed a question at the end; what would you like to see happen on AMT? Besides of course, people posting only intelligent, well-researched things?

Tolerance. Respect. Not taking a post personally (self - control and detachment). The absence of trolls. Open-mindedness. And above all, critical thinking. This is supposed to be an intelligent forum, and while many here offer intelligent thought, it's nothing like the old pit days. The level of intelligent, thoughtful and respectful debate of the past when these forums were free is in no comparison of what it's become. It's embarrassing to compare the two, really.

I really respect your wish to bring us together dancepartner, perhaps the energy of a newbie is the only way we can actually make a difference to this place. I sincerely hope it works.

brianlux

Jeanwah wrote:

dancepartner wrote:

Though this thread has to do finding some unity, it also posed a question at the end; what would you like to see happen on AMT? Besides of course, people posting only intelligent, well-researched things?

Tolerance. Respect. Not taking a post personally (self - control and detachment). The absence of trolls. Open-mindedness. And above all, critical thinking. This is supposed to be an intelligent forum, and while many here offer intelligent thought, it's nothing like the old pit days. The level of intelligent, thoughtful and respectful debate of the past when these forums were free is in no comparison of what it's become. It's embarrassing to compare the two, really.

I really respect your wish to bring us together dancepartner, perhaps the energy of a newbie is the only way we can actually make a difference to this place. I sincerely hope it works.

This is an excellent set of goals Jeanwah. I think it's safe to say no one here has been consistent in following all of these and it very much seems worth the time to think about each one of them. There are at least a few on your list that hit me where it hurts a bit. A few I should thumb tack to my forehead.

riotgrl

I finally had time to read through this thread and thought I'd chime in with a couple of thoughts.

First, I like my anonymity on here but this is who I am in real life so I feel my posts mostly reflect my off line personality. I think it should be focus on the message not the messenger. I liked someone's earlier comment about The Federalist Papers and how Jay, Madison and Hamilton never felt the need to reveal their authorship of these important essays. Historians have had to guess about who wrote all 85 essays but authorship doesn't change how important their message was and still is today (we just read Federalist #10 this week, how's that for timing?). I've revealed some real things about myself on here to facilitate understanding of my thought process and why I feel/think the way I do about things. I like coming here because I like discussing current events and thought PJ peeps would be like minded. By that I don't mean that we would all be the same political affiliations but that we would mostly be critical thinkers.

Second, I think I've been somewhat disappointed by the lack of critical thinking I've seen from some. I choose to not post in some topics because I'm not very knowledgeable and don't feel like chiming in if I don't have something intelligent to add. Someone earlier said we don't know our history and civics and I completely agree. I am annoyed with people who state that its their opinion and that's all they have to say. Whatever happened to supporting your opinion with facts and research? Voltaire should be amended to say "I do not agree with what you have to say but I will defend to the death your right to say it BUT only if you have a well informed and critical analysis to support your position

I have met some great people on here whom I would love to meet in real life because so many of you have had wonderful, thoughtful posts that have really made me think. In part, I came here because I teach high school kids and when we speak of American history or current events I cannot give my own opinion but have to play devil's advocate and AMT gives me the opportunity to explore my own views for my own sake but also gives me another perspective to present to my students.

pandora

What I've learned is if one supports their opinion with statistics and facts
they can then be shot down because the poster of the opposing opinion
doesn't like the source, content or comes back with "statistics can be twisted" to fit.
hmmm...

There are some really bright people here and those brightest stars do not
put others down for being themselves.
They don't have to to feel better about themselves. They know how good they are
and this includes their heart. Something AMT could use more lessons in.

I've also learned that the rudest and meanest seem to be the most unhappy
and negative which with kindness and understanding from all
this could possibly help.

When I first came here and began reading silently I was appalled at how religious people
were beat up here. To the point they did not want to speak :wtf:
I'm glad to see some are proud to share their beliefs as I am and are not
met with as much rudeness as in the past. So I guess if some can learn to ignore
we can have a respectful AMT, that would be very 8-)

pandora

dancepartner wrote:

Morning all!
Snow is a foot deep but it's still warm out.

To hedonist; We all walk the long road. Yeah. EV is young in this video! I don't know if you meant this song 'kinda fits here' in the groove of this thread, but when the lines "all the friends & family, all the memories goin' round" makes me think that's what you are relating to. Seems many of you here have a rich history of memories. Not just in this forum, but you meet at shows and that's got to include lots of great memories.

To Pandora; Speaking of memories — I'm so glad my visual of this first snow returned to you some fine memories. Thanks for sharing that.
You had posted earlier — you want to feel life. Me to. I've had my fill of politically correct stuffy folks who seem to distance themselves from feeling their way thru this thing we call life. We do indeed walk the long road and I think for the ones who don't walk it hand-in-hand with their very being to guide them, that is to say — to feel their way down this road, then they've gravely short-changed themselves.

dancepartner I have been accused of feeling too much...
basing opinions on just that.
I do not deny it nor could I or would I change it.
I must stay true to heart. We are all connected our paths intertwined in each moment.
Just as your words your experience brought my memories and emotion...
action and reaction learning along the way.

dancepartner

Still learning.
Jeanwah; your post, and others, keep reminding me how little I know about AMT. Maybe this is good. Though there seems to be many good, shared memories everyone has from this AMT experience, there seems to be plenty of unwelcome baggage. Maybe it's simply time to move on so thanks for the vote of confidence, if this standing forum is willing, this newbie would like to bring forward moving energy to AMT.

Brain; you get the lesson in humility star. Change does come, first, from within.

riotgirl; A teacher! Hats off to you. I'd bet every one of us has a teacher's wisdom residing, recessed in our memories, as one of but a few adults who helped us understand the value of believing in ourselves. Thank you for not only putting up with our youth, but seeing their individual values. Speaking of kids and thanks, since Brian served up a dish of humility and it's Veterans Day, I need to call my son and thank him too.
As for the Federalist Papers, and the timing, synchronicity reminds me to stand in awe of how truly connected we really are.

Pandora; I surely can relate to being afraid to speak here. Still am. My very first posts hit that snag so I pouted and I checked out for a time. Gary Carters post, I think, was referring to this as well.
P.s. about feeling our way thru life; techno inanimate its are here to show us what it's like to exist without emotion. Mr. Roboto comes to mind.

Jeanwah

brianlux wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

dancepartner wrote:

Though this thread has to do finding some unity, it also posed a question at the end; what would you like to see happen on AMT? Besides of course, people posting only intelligent, well-researched things?

Tolerance. Respect. Not taking a post personally (self - control and detachment). The absence of trolls. Open-mindedness. And above all, critical thinking. This is supposed to be an intelligent forum, and while many here offer intelligent thought, it's nothing like the old pit days. The level of intelligent, thoughtful and respectful debate of the past when these forums were free is in no comparison of what it's become. It's embarrassing to compare the two, really.

I really respect your wish to bring us together dancepartner, perhaps the energy of a newbie is the only way we can actually make a difference to this place. I sincerely hope it works.

This is an excellent set of goals Jeanwah. I think it's safe to say no one here has been consistent in following all of these and it very much seems worth the time to think about each one of them. There are at least a few on your list that hit me where it hurts a bit. A few I should thumb tack to my forehead.

And I'm not perfect Brian, some of those traits I know I can improve as well. Sometimes we can't help but show our bad sides when we're not feeling so great or if we feel we're on the defense, but maybe unplugging is the best idea in that case. Advice for myself and everyone really.

brianlux

Jeanwah wrote:

And I'm not perfect Brian, some of those traits I know I can improve as well. Sometimes we can't help but show our bad sides when we're not feeling so great or if we feel we're on the defense, but maybe unplugging is the best idea in that case. Advice for myself and everyone really.

And I really do appreciate that advice, Jeanwah. It's a good reminder that we can be better. No one can ever be too good.