Merc - Wtf? - Page 17

Big Sarge · 12-12-2012, 06:57 AM

Well, I'm not the best at expressing my thoughts. I still stand behind Merc because he was good to me and I don't forget a kindness. Also, I have great respect for his military career and now his civilian.

Ibby, I came down hard on you and I want you to know I apologize. Your comment about me wrapping myself in the flag made me realize that we are both very passionate about our core beliefs. I need to be more tolerant of others who aren't as "patriotic". Thanks for opening my eyes

Ibby · 12-12-2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

Ibby, I came down hard on you and I want you to know I apologize. Your comment about me wrapping myself in the flag made me realize that we are both very passionate about our core beliefs. I need to be more tolerant of others who aren't as "patriotic". Thanks for opening my eyes

Thanks, Sarge. You're actually one of the dwellars I'm most okay about disagreeing with, because I don't doubt that you and I have similar theoretical (if not political) aims for our nation as a place of justice and equity, even if we disagree on most of how to do that and what it should look like. With an Air Force father it's not hard for me to be sympathetic to most of our current and former servicemembers. Even though we diverge deeply in how we approach that ideal, I think it's one that has common ground to find, even though I am deeply critical of most visions of patriotism.
Clearly the cellar is not a safe and receptive place for me to voice my progressive and anti-oppressive views, and so i might not be around much for a while, but if you or any other dwellars want to discuss, earnestly and un-antagonistically or defensively, how I think generations of oppressive narratives and positions have hurt our nation, how I can't feel comfortable identifying as someone who is "patriotic" in supporting the country I want to serve as a career (as someone who plans to serve in the state dep't as an FSO), why I believe the "I'll say what I want, I know better than oppressed people how to fix oppression, your political-correctness-run-amok-worldview-makes-things-worse" culture only perpetuates problems...
If you or any other dwellar really wants to know why I find that argument hurtful to all marginalized Americans, and wants to understand why I am very passionate about my slightly-revolutionary, controversial "core beliefs" about privilege and oppression, please PM me for a contact link.
At any rate, sarge, I deeply respect that you can come forward and say your eyes've been opened and shit. I hope we can engage more in the future on this respectful level about how identities and oppressions matter.

Big Sarge · 12-12-2012, 09:16 AM

I found out if we just listen, we can all learn something from each other. I know it's a corny old saying

footfootfoot · 12-12-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexobon

TheMercenary might come back if a certain someone nominates him to be a moderator.

That made me laugh out loud. for real. I'm a shit stirrer though.

Aliantha · 12-12-2012, 10:48 PM

Ibs, I think it's just that in general, your sexuality is the only thing we seem to hear about from you lately, and most of us understand that you're in total immersion, and are quite happy for you to do your thing, but speaking for myself, I feel like you're preaching to me, and to be honest, I have and have had my own issues with oppression and you may find that other, older members here have too. Maybe that's the point. Those older posters among us have tried to give you the benefit of their experiences but you can't understand yet that there is benefit to their words. Maybe because the wounds caused by your current journey are still too raw, you fail to have any empathy for the scars of others?...

Just a thought. I could be wrong, but I have tried hard to word this in such a way as to not cause offence. I hope none has been taken.

DanaC · 12-13-2012, 04:33 AM

Nicely put, Ali.

Aliantha · 12-13-2012, 06:50 AM

Thanks Dana, I thought about it for half a day before finally posting.

That just goes to show how much I've changed.

Griff · 12-13-2012, 06:57 AM

Well put, Ali.

Trilby · 12-13-2012, 08:14 AM

quote Ali: Maybe because the wounds caused by your current journey are still too raw, you fail to have any empathy for the scars of others?...

very nicely put, Ali. And true, so true.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-13-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Thanks Dana, I thought about it for half a day before finally posting.

That just goes to show how much I've changed.

What? Foul, red card! Don't you know thinking before posting is, is, well, just not done.

Big Sarge · 12-13-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

What? Foul, red card! Don't you know thinking before posting is, is, well, just not done.

I sure wish I did more thinking before posting. I can really screw up

orthodoc · 12-13-2012, 05:58 PM

You put things very well, Ali. I saw your post last night and would've liked to add a little, but I'm not feeling up to it right now. I think I'll leave your thoughtful comments unsullied by any additions of mine ... thank you for taking the time and energy.

Aliantha · 12-13-2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

What? Foul, red card! Don't you know thinking before posting is, is, well, just not done.

haha...well it's just this new thing I'm trying. Seems to be working so far. I haven't had a shit fight for ages. lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

I sure wish I did more thinking before posting. I can really screw up

Believe me Sarge, we all have, especially me. I have been known to rush in where angels fear to tread on many occasions. Not a great idea usually. That's why the angels stay away.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-13-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

I sure wish I did more thinking before posting. I can really screw up

Not necessarily, if you shoot from the hip and write what you're thinking/feeling at the time, it's more likely to be your true self.
If you read it the next day and think that's not what I was trying to say, OK.
But if you read it the next day and say, damn, where did that come from, then you might want to reexamine how you really feel about stuff.
Some people are surprised to find out they aren't who they think they are.

DanaC · 12-13-2012, 06:20 PM

Yeah. Surprised the fuck out of me to discover I am in fact a 57 year old Jamaican man.

12-12-2012, 06:57 AM	#241
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	Well, I'm not the best at expressing my thoughts. I still stand behind Merc because he was good to me and I don't forget a kindness. Also, I have great respect for his military career and now his civilian. Ibby, I came down hard on you and I want you to know I apologize. Your comment about me wrapping myself in the flag made me realize that we are both very passionate about our core beliefs. I need to be more tolerant of others who aren't as "patriotic". Thanks for opening my eyes __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

12-12-2012, 09:16 AM	#243
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	I found out if we just listen, we can all learn something from each other. I know it's a corny old saying __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

12-12-2012, 10:48 PM	#245
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Ibs, I think it's just that in general, your sexuality is the only thing we seem to hear about from you lately, and most of us understand that you're in total immersion, and are quite happy for you to do your thing, but speaking for myself, I feel like you're preaching to me, and to be honest, I have and have had my own issues with oppression and you may find that other, older members here have too. Maybe that's the point. Those older posters among us have tried to give you the benefit of their experiences but you can't understand yet that there is benefit to their words. Maybe because the wounds caused by your current journey are still too raw, you fail to have any empathy for the scars of others?... Just a thought. I could be wrong, but I have tried hard to word this in such a way as to not cause offence. I hope none has been taken. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-13-2012, 06:50 AM	#247
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Thanks Dana, I thought about it for half a day before finally posting. That just goes to show how much I've changed. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-13-2012, 06:57 AM	#248
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Well put, Ali. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-13-2012, 08:14 AM	#249
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	quote Ali: Maybe because the wounds caused by your current journey are still too raw, you fail to have any empathy for the scars of others?... very nicely put, Ali. And true, so true. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-13-2012, 05:58 PM	#252
orthodoc Not Suspicious, Merely Canadian Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,774	You put things very well, Ali. I saw your post last night and would've liked to add a little, but I'm not feeling up to it right now. I think I'll leave your thoughtful comments unsullied by any additions of mine ... thank you for taking the time and energy. __________________ The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. - Ghandi

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