Can We Find Some Common Ground?

First, I hate getting involved in political or religious discussions no matter where it is - on or offline.  And, I get kind of annoyed when people do it, so thanks for bringing it to everyone's attenrion.

Second, this completely reminds me of South Pacific - the song "You've got to carefully taught."  The lines leading up to the song are something like, you aren't born like that...someone needs to teach it to you.  That was a very controversial song, esp in that age and it almost caused the whole show to be banned from Broadway, but the writers stuck to their guns on this which I think is great.

On a side note, thx for your comment on today's post.  Excellent ideas!  A few of them I did already before we crossed each others' paths, but most of them are fresh ideas, so thank you so much for filling the pipeline.  I'm going to see if I can do a quick flooring one later today, jusr to stick to my personal goal (even though I know I don't need to for th 30 in 30.)

Bill -- your going to need my 7 step program and best selling (in my own mind) book "I'll Fix Them," a creative handbook to conflict resolution with guest tips from reknown martial artists and hitmen. 

You'd be amazed at just how easily people will become putty in your hands after a quick arm bar torques their face near a hot stove. 

Change isn't as hard as many people have thought, and we share just how to manipulate change people for their own health and your benefit!

I'll even throw in my Active Rainer discount of 75% off the sales tax.  What a deal!

BLiz, I truly stay away from controversy as much as possible.   Life is too short, and really not worth the energy!   I would rather talk football or listings as well!

And that is exactly why we enjoy your posts BLiz, we share your beliefs! Well spoken our friends.

Can't we all just get along?  I'm all for being different, if we were all the same the world would be a very boring place.  I love the comment, "agree to disagree" and I've been known to say it a few thousand times.  It's what I believe!  Thanks Bill the Engineer/Realtor!

Bill:  I come from a long line (on my Mother's side) of opinionated, vocal Experts!  It drives me crazy!  As a youth, I lived with my Dad during the school year, then moved to my Mom's house in the summer.  Talk about 2 totally different environments, whew!  As a young, impressionable girl, I learned to be quite a "mouthpiece" for 3 months out of the year and quickly learned to keep my own counsel the other 9 months.

I watch my grandchildren take on the opinions of their parents and often wish I could convey how harmful this can be.  The very best we can do is to know that still, small, quiet voice inside each of us will serve us well, if we let it.  Our children need to be taught this lesson early-on and maybe they won't have to make life difficult for themselves.  Personal dignity -- having it, expressing it (or not) and living it; that's the key for me.

Excellent post, thank you.

BLiz - AMEN!!!  LOL at the way some people bristle at that word when I have used it in my comments on their posts.  Whatever!!!

While I do consider myself to be politically and socially aware, I am not so much a political and social militant to have a whole list of absolutes before I befriend someone.  I actually consider this particular trait of mine to be a characteristic of my level of tolerance for people who are not like me. 

Good grief!  Can you imagine how boring life would be if we were all alike.  UUUGGGHHH!!!

See Bill, you're already losing our common ground, retreating back to your subconscious rhetoric and mindless spouting off of Navy minutia.  Great, you just ruined your blog LOL

Way to go Bill! ;) Awesome post! There are enough bad things happening in the world without people behaving like idiots towards each other and poking at emotional/social hot spots just to get a reaction. 

Having said that, I readily admit to being probably one of the most opinionated people alive. If I've heard of or seen something, I have an opinion about it. (it's a fact of life, but not necessarily a bad one.) BUT if I even think expressing that opinion might hurt another persons feelings, I keep my mouth shut. About the only time I will say something is if someone directly asks me or when someone is being picked on or belittled. The second one is because I hate bullies. ;)  

Abraham Lincoln said "If you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will." Maybe I'm just a young incurable optimist, but I still manage to find the good in mankind. Why? Maybe because I look for it. ;)

You do make a great and valid point!  The Rush-Al comparison was a good one.  Two people from diffent ends of the spectrum, that will probably never enjoy each others company...  But someone that from the right meeting up with someone from the left to enjoy bowling without know the other's political beliefs will most likely have a great time.  Great post bill!  I won't have to use that sword on you!

L & B ~ fabulous post!  Some subjects are just off limits/taboo with some people.  We all have different opinions and that's what makes the world go round.  Just because you have different beliefs means the world is a more interesting place.  I don't care to listen to those highly opinionated folks on TV.  I would rather do my own research and decide on my own opinion and not have it shoved down my throat.