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Time To Re-Introduce Myself.

I've been a member of this Forum now for a little over 4 years. Back in 2013 I posted the following in a "Hi, I'm New" statement.

I repost this to help both old and new members who question my motives based on my recent responses both in support of the current administration, and other political issue threads.

Below are some of my positions on Major Issues. The list is not exhaustive.

If you feel in agreement on enough and can accept that we agree to disagree on the rest (leaving us both able to engage in freindly debate) please feel free to friend request me.

Constitutional Issues:
1. First Amendment protection of Speech includes all forms of expression (as long as all participants are of legal age and voluntarily involved); and should not be abridged unless there is a clear and present danger of harm (piss on the Courts more liberal and un-constitutional interpretation). If you don’t like it, you can move on (or ask the person to move off your property).
2. The Second Amendment’s primary purpose is to protect the ability of common citizens to revolt against their own government, or rise in support of it against foreign invasion. Therefore, it authorizes citizens to be armed with the same individual firearms that any common soldier in either the U.S. Army or the army of any foreign power is likely to carry into combat.
3. The Fourth Amendment right to privacy, while not absolute, still requires due process of law in the form of a duly issued warrant from a court exercising jurisdiction containing absolute specificity before ANY invasion of privacy is allowed.
4. Fifth Amendment right to silence must be clearly invoked because otherwise your silence IS a form of free speech expression and can be used against you. That the prohibition against deprivation of liberty without due process requires cause for arrest, and speedy charges in order to be held for trial
5. Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial negates secret imprisonment without trial.
6. The Tenth Amendment means we have rights even if the Constitution does not list them, including life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and revolt. States still have the right to secede from the Union.

That all of these rights pertain to the states, and are held by all citizens, regardless of incorporation, as they are basic liberties the drafters of this Bill felt were ever present and inherent but needing protection from an overweening Federal authority.

Four Points on Foreign Affairs:
1. I do not believe The United States is morally responsible for taking "some action" outside of our own national borders. We don't have the right nor duty to act as the "World's Policeman." I support humanitarian aid; and use of political influence to keep other nations out of foreign internal struggles.
2. Each nation is responsible for its own internal politics, no one should interfere.
The people of each society must work things out on their own for there to be any chance of long-term stability. External interference typically serves to undermine the legitimacy of whichever factions wins, creating an unstable political environment ripe for further trouble.
3. It does not matter the form of political ideology that ends up in control without outside influence or interference. If it has a negative effect on the society it governs, history has shown that as long as examples of other more positive options exist outside that State, it will either collapse on it's own or it's people will eventually overthrow and replace it.
4. I firmly believe that nations should seek strong alliances with other nations sharing similar goals and ideals, and be willing to honor such alliances in defense against aggressors.

War on Drugs:
1. The war on Drugs should end, all drugs should be legal and drug use decriminalized.
2. All persons currently in prison for use or small level sales (no violence) should be immediately released.
3. All persons with a criminal record for use or small level sales shall have their records expunged.
4. Criminal acts shall not be excused because one was under the influence of drugs.
5. Taxes from legal sales will be used for education and treatment programs.
6. Employers may require drug testing for workers who appear under the influence at work, and may used confirmed results to discharge a worker.
7. Minors may not be sold drugs, but:
a. parents may issue and allow use within the home, or
b. grant documented permission for use under parental supervision at a party or gathering in another location.
c. Liability still ensues for criminal or civil violation while under the influence.
8. Drug laws involving the above shall be repealed, and Asset Forfeiture will be stopped.

Sex and Sexuality:
Abortion:
1. Women aged 16 and older shall have the absolute right of choice in abortion up to the point a fetus is determined to be viable outside the womb
2. At that point, abortions may be prohibited by law unless there is risk to the mother’s life or health.
Sexual Orientation:
1. Sexual Orientation is not a choice.
2. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation must cease.
3. Same-sex marriage should be allowed with full rights and benefits.

As you can see I have remained true to this list of ideals throughout my membership to date. I've also expanded on them to clarify as examples arise of new issues not listed.

I also adhere to my tagline, I stop responding for the following three reasons.:

1. I believe that I've made my point already and really don't feel like repeating it.

2. The post is fallacious in some way (emotional appeal, ad hominin, red herring, straw man, false dilemma, etc.) therefore trolling and I simply chose not to respond.

3. There is no real issue to respond to, it's just an opinion or an assertion I have no interest in.


Link to old post:
Hi folks! I've been posting on the website for few days now. Made some mistakes, learned a few lessons, and am starting to feel comfortable speaking my piece. I actually got one friend request a coupla days ago and wouldn't mind more.
 
I'm pro life and I don't agree with legalizing drugs so I far from agree with you on everything but I find you to be a reasonable poster that doesn't resort to insults (an area I have had my struggles with) and I can respect that.
 
X Factor;bt4140 said:
I'm pro life and I don't agree with legalizing drugs so I far from agree with you on everything but I find you to be a reasonable poster that doesn't resort to insults (an area I have had my struggles with) and I can respect that.

People seldom agree on everything. But the fact we can agree on some things and agree to disagree on others allow for coexistence and cooperation.

Thanks for the comment and the friend request. :)
 
A man with enlightened standards is like a man in a crisp uniform.

I believe I have made my point.
 
Hawkeye10;bt4142 said:
A man with enlightened standards is like a man in a crisp uniform.

I believe I have made my point.

Okay. I'll take that as a positive comment. Thanks. :)
 
Your principled demeanor shines like a Bright Star! Bravo, good man, bravo! Thank you for adding significant value to DP.
May we endeavor to live with more Grace, more Honor, more Humor and more Love.

Pivoting briefly to a previous topic of yours.... school-related debt- your posts brought awareness that maybe I could appreciate that my oldest child, a 27 year old daughter, already paid off all of her college debt without a penny from me. Under-graduate and Graduate Civil Engineering degrees, Highest Honors, Georgia Tech.
She demonstrated resourcefulness very early on: The 63 kids at her high school that graduated IB racked in $3mil in scholarships. One of her grants, 12K/year, came from a Hispanic Heritage Foundation. In spite of her red hair, freckles, fair skin and limited immersion in Spanish Culture, she qualified because of 25% verifiable Puerto Rican heritage from my late mother. Successful people have a knack at finding paths to success.

Peace to you and yours! May you pay off all your student-related debt sooner than later.
 
Thank you. I appreciate the sentiments. :)

Kudos and congratulations to your daughter, for both accomplishments (achieving her educational goals in such a stellar fashion, and taking full responsibility for her financial obligations.)

That leaf didn't fall far from the tree. :good_job:
 
Captain Adverse;bt4139 said:
Posted for public consumption.

This is a pretty good overview. I do respect that you're pretty consistent throughout your beliefs, that's a rarity these days.

X Factor;bt4140 said:
I'm pro life and I don't agree with legalizing drugs so I far from agree with you on everything but I find you to be a reasonable poster that doesn't resort to insults (an area I have had my struggles with) and I can respect that.

In other words a big government conservative that wants the nanny state to micromanage our lives.
 
RabidAlpaca;bt4150 said:
This is a pretty good overview. I do respect that you're pretty consistent throughout your beliefs, that's a rarity these days.

Thank you. I also respect consistency and appreciate your willingness to disagree without rancor allowing us to agree in other areas.
 
Like others have said, I definitely respect your consistency here, and I can't think of a time you've said anything that goes against your stated positions here. Interestingly, even though I know we differ on how we see some things, like our President, I find myself agreeing with a strong majority of what you've posted here. Maybe the difference comes from economic issues or elsewhere.
 
Why am I always fighting with you...I agree with almost everything you've said here. Maybe it's American 1st amendment definition vs. Canadian Freedom of Speech definition. Or maybe it's that damn coffee drinking emoticon...I always feel like you're telling me to f-off with it. :p

Regardless, I'm reading this and feeling like we'd be on the same team for most of it....which has left me uneasy. See ya around...
 
I agree with you on most points, especially the futility of the war on drugs.

But I can't imagine why you would support Trump if you hold these views. (Do you?)
Whatever nonsense Trump says he's an interventionist. You don't pick a guy named "mad dog" and focus on increased military spending if you don't want to intervene. He's already intervened in Syria more so than Obama and he has committed us to an endless occupation of Afghanistan.

I don't understand your 2nd Amendment position. If the constitution allows us the same arms as soldiers, why can't I buy hand grenades, shoulder mounted rocket launchers or tanks? If you agree that these pose safety concerns then you agree on limits to the 2nd Amendment for public safety, right?

Oh, and you left out the most important political position. Economics. I'm guessing you're one of those irrationally impractical libertarians.
 
Anagram;bt4152 said:
Like others have said, I definitely respect your consistency here, and I can't think of a time you've said anything that goes against your stated positions here. Interestingly, even though I know we differ on how we see some things, like our President, I find myself agreeing with a strong majority of what you've posted here. Maybe the difference comes from economic issues or elsewhere.

Thank you.

Everyone is different. People develop their opinions and political positions over time, picking up via personal experiences and then keeping or discarding them via personal preferences.

But I find that people usually have more in common with each other than they think. Recognition of this allows us to agree and disagree while hopefully still being able to tolerate each other. ;)
 
OlNate;bt4153 said:
Why am I always fighting with you...I agree with almost everything you've said here. Maybe it's American 1st amendment definition vs. Canadian Freedom of Speech definition. Or maybe it's that damn coffee drinking emoticon...I always feel like you're telling me to f-off with it. :p

Regardless, I'm reading this and feeling like we'd be on the same team for most of it....which has left me uneasy. See ya around...

It's the "damn coffee drinking emoticon!" ;)

As I've said to other's people, we actually have more in common with each other than preferences and prejudices make us think.

I've lived all over this country (USA) and also overseas, and I have found common cause with many people who thought differently.

I can strongly disagree on some things, but I've also learned over time not to allow that to close my mind or blind it with hate.

So, agree to disagree and engage in friendly debate and it's all good. :)
 
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SonOfDaedalus;bt4154 said:
I agree with you on most points, especially the futility of the war on drugs.

But I can't imagine why you would support Trump if you hold these views. (Do you?)
Whatever nonsense Trump says he's an interventionist. You don't pick a guy named "mad dog" and focus on increased military spending if you don't want to intervene. He's already intervened in Syria more so than Obama and he has committed us to an endless occupation of Afghanistan.

I don't understand your 2nd Amendment position. If the constitution allows us the same arms as soldiers, why can't I buy hand grenades, shoulder mounted rocket launchers or tanks? If you agree that these pose safety concerns then you agree on limits to the 2nd Amendment for public safety, right?

Oh, and you left out the most important political position. Economics. I'm guessing you're one of those irrationally impractical libertarians.

I left out a lot of things, since I was actually citing my "Hi, I'm new" post back in 2013 shortly after I became a member. You only get 5,000 total characters. :)

People seldom agree on everything. Some people believe more strongly than others on certain issues, while agreeing with or sharing a complete disinterest on other issues.

IMO making a conscious effort to separate and isolate those things we disagree on from the rest, and not letting them totally color our perspective gives people the opportunity to cooperate and co-exist.

As for my support of Trump? There are things about his Administration I don't agree with, but there are other things I do agree with. I voted for him with a solid knowledge of who he was (I lived in NYC for 1/4 of my life) and who his opponent was. I support him because in my honest opinion the vicious and dishonest tactics used to discredit him during the campaign period are directly responsible for creating this post-election social nightmare we are seeing played out in the media.

Not him. :no:

That at no time was he given the fair chance to do his job, and succeed or fail on actual issues. Impeachment by any means necessary was the cry from day one, and has not let up to this date.

I have an innate sense of fair play, and I don't believe certain people have been playing fair on this issue at all.

Most of all, I feel this kind of banana republic politicking is a dangerous threat to our society and so I will support the system that elected him because I believe in it's value and don't want to see our nation torn apart.
 
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I read your list a few times. I have about 2 pretty minor quibbles with your positions, but it otherwise reads a lot like something I could have written myself.

I obviously disagree with you regarding the Trump administration, but I am completely opposed to moves to impeach Trump at this point in time. That's in spite of the fact that I think Trump is dangerous and I oppose much of what he has done and most of those he's chosen to bring into his administration. If he commits some offense that warrants impeachment, then and only then should that happen. Trump was duly elected via our electoral system. :peace
 
<alt>doxygen;bt4160 said:
I read your list a few times. I have about 2 pretty minor quibbles with your positions, but it otherwise reads a lot like something I could have written myself.

I obviously disagree with you regarding the Trump administration, but I am completely opposed to moves to impeach Trump at this point in time. That's in spite of the fact that I think Trump is dangerous and I oppose much of what he has done and most of those he's chosen to bring into his administration. If he commits some offense that warrants impeachment, then and only then should that happen. Trump was duly elected via our electoral system. :peace

Thanks for the comment. :)

If Trump is found to have committed "high crimes and misdemeanors" in the performance of his office, then impeachment is justifiable and I would have no problem with it either.

However, I do not support witch hunts based on an irrational and emotional response on the part of those whose side lost an election. They were calling for impeachment from day one after the election in November.

I voted for Al Gore and thought Bush Jr. could have lost due to some chicanery in Florida...but when SCOTUS shut that down? It was good enough for me.

I still didn't like Bush Jr. as President since I considered him a puppet of Dick Cheney and the oil interests, and I opposed the Patriot Act and the war in Afghaniztan and Iraq.

Even so, he was still the President of the USA and that meant MY President for good or ill while he held office.
 
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You are a "live and let live" sort of person like myself.

I agree with most of your opinions.

I almost wish we had Bill Clinton back again, because the past 3 have been shipwrecks. ;)
 
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