Cheers, we are likeminded [/quote]

Thanks. Must have deleted it when I deleted your response to Reino.

Seems we are likeminded. Having been reading your posts since I got here, though, I kinda figured that.

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"artists use lies to tell the truth while politicians use them to cover the truth up" "V" in V for Vendetta

672 days to go.
http://www.backwardsbush.com/?gclid=...FRQxSgodT0dCxw

I'm glad you're here backstreet girl. Don't let the bullies around here get you down, just ignore their ignorance. It's a sign that they have no good argument left when they start dissing us.

Racially, aren't all "Arabs" caucasians? Anyway, I consider Iran/Persia part of the Arab world, even if it's not technically correct.

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Is our children learning? -George W. Bush

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"—Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004

Nope, but that's really details, and doesn't have anything to do with the thread subject. Roughly Iranians are shias, and arabs are sunnis...

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To fill a world with ... religions of the Abrahamic kind, is like littering the streets with loaded guns. Do not be surprised if they are used. - Richard Dawkins

Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned

MY CAPSLOCK KEY IS BROKEN LOL - Will be stumbled upon several times on the web.

Clash

There's only three basic races, Caucoid, Negroid, and Mongoid. and it has to do with stature and construction rather than color. (and they have to be something) Heh Heh.

My political ideology has not changed significantly, however message boards like this have expanded my understanding of the other sides of the issues which has allowed me to better articulate my own beliefs. I have strengthened my own understanding by looking into the mindsets of those I don't agree with.

By virtue of the fact that so many people seem incapable of admitting when they are wrong I have learned that taking the time to research and type out well reasoned responses is usually a waste of time. I used to disagree with the notion that most people are too partisan to have their minds changed when presented with truth. I thought people would listen to "the other side" and think objectively about what they are hearing. But now I know that most people are incapable of listening and reasoning objectively.

I've actually had my mind changed on one thing since I've been on this board. And as prousa has said, I too have had my mind broadened on many other areas of thought.

But I think most people truly are so entrenched in their ideology & hatred for anything not in keeping with their worldview that they never even think to consider a position even slightly different from their own. These "closed-minds" are good for nothing except ridicule.

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"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

QFE



I haven't changed my views, but I do enjoy exchanging ideas with the (few) rational and polite ones on the other side. I've learned some things, and I've refined some of my views with the new information that I've received.

IMHO, if you're so entrenched in your belief system that you can't even read the other side's perspective without getting pissed off (much less actually understanding it) you really shouldn't be here in the first place.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Mare Tranquility has given me a new understanding of transsexuals.

Kinetic has given me whole new definitions of science, history, and math.

Non Seqitor's responses to Mare have reassured me that there are still some thoughful, compassionate Christians on Earth.

I have enjoyed the humor of many people on this site. Especially Mark Twain.

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Fanaticism is redoubling your efforts after you have forgotten your goal.

Thanks, Samantha. I'm glad to be here and it's good to have some like-minded folk around. There are some good opponents here too.

As for the troll-types, isn't it fun, though, to know that your argument made them sputter?

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"artists use lies to tell the truth while politicians use them to cover the truth up" "V" in V for Vendetta

672 days to go.
http://www.backwardsbush.com/?gclid=...FRQxSgodT0dCxw

Sputter?

Sometimes I hope to make an artery in their head burst.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

That almost made me spit out my drink. LOL!

__________________
"artists use lies to tell the truth while politicians use them to cover the truth up" "V" in V for Vendetta

672 days to go.
http://www.backwardsbush.com/?gclid=...FRQxSgodT0dCxw

Anti Americanism on this site has revolted me, and convinced me to become a facist. when i first came on i had very few solid well formed opinions in my head, i was rather indifferent to everything. thank you leftist anti americans for forcing me to do research on many many topics. so i would not say any person has actually changed my mind.. my disgust forced me to find my own opinions.

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www.myspace.com/crusade7

Yeah, I love a lot of the people on this site. There are lots of smart funny people here. MarkTwain, what was the one thing you've changed your mind about? Western Otto, I agree with you about Mare and Non. But I never really could bring myself to read much of Kinetic...(I know you were using sarcasm, I did read enough to know that ) pramjockey, I think I've made a few arteries burst. Traveler for sure, his head exploded a long time ago, and MattLarson can blame some headaches on me, I'm certain. But thanks to Matt, I have more respect for the 2nd amendment.