Debate about Gun Control

[Bob Butler 54]

(07-05-2016, 12:52 AM)taramarie Wrote: Before the hounds of hell descend upon me let me address from my observation Americans give a smear to groups. Reds, blues, etc and act as if ALL people who identify with one or the other will be as bad as the EXTREMISTS and stereotypes of that cohort. America is very tribal from what i can gather. Rather than going by judgement, best to start listening and seeing the reasons behind beliefs and also seeing that not everyone fits the mold. But listening and putting evidence first would be a start. Should I get my hopes up that America will listen to that though? I doubt it. Too much polarization colouring views of life to start changing colours now. I can only have hope for future generations thinking older folks are frigging morons for letting blind idealism stand in the way of seeing one another and coming together to fix old issues.

I'm not saying the above is unjustified or shouldn't be said, but kindly don't assume that the frequent contributors here are representative of the US population in general.  Political forums attract those with intense values.  We're unusual in centering on S&H, a political perspective that encourages the notion that profound social and political change are possible or perhaps inevitable.  Thus we have a more varied collection of somewhat extreme perspectives being presented than you'll find at a forum centered on one side of an issue or on a political party, let alone at virtual or real places not dedicated to politics.

I also lurk at a forum dedicated to the local football team, and get together with role playing game fanatics.  Members of these other groups know as little of my political slants as I suspect people here are aware of my preferences in sports and role playing.  I feel safe in saying that the conversation here does not at all resemble what is encountered in the real world.