First, would have to say that it's been VERY interesting discussing things on this forum, no matter how much some of you have disagreed with me. I really want to stay, but at the same time, I really want to go (permanently). This isn't aimed at any certain member, but MY views on a number of Threads on this forum have been pretty, to a lot, different than other members. So different, I've been ridiculed for what I've stated. I'm not nearly, or at all, as "open-minded" as many of you on here are. I couldn't wait to leave So. California because it was way to "open-minded" for me. I wasn't raised to be that way and have never changed. My wife isn't "open-minded" either. The good thing about her stance on subjects is that she doesn't get on forums and discuss things. So, she doesn't get into trouble. I've gotten into trouble on the SF and a relocation forum that I'm a member of. Here is what I'm talking about, by not being "open-minded".........I was going to do a Thread about Trump and Transgenders, which I totally agree with him, but I definitely feel that what I agree with is not the majority of this forum. So, I decided to not do the Thread. My personality is pretty different than most on here and seems like my sarcastic humor just doesn't cut it on here either. My wife loves my humor, but that's her. Heck, wife and I are in our late 60's and love Star Wars, Minions and love some movies that most of you would think of as ridiculous or way to silly. Obviously, I can't discuss boating or firearms and the range here........two of our favorite things to do. Every time I see a new Thread, I think to myself, "should I reply? It's hard for me not to reply, but, if I do, what will happen? I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I have been "boooed" for what I've stated. Anyway, I'm going to kick-back and give it some serious thought of what to do. Perhaps it's just time to move on.
My views don't really fit perfectly with this forum or SF. I'm kind of in the middle in my views. Sometimes I don't reply but sometimes I can't help myself. Ive had a few rough patches on here but not because of my views, think this forum handles a difference of opinion pretty well. If you feel like a break from here, take it. If you don't, then stay and post how you want to but don't expect people to agree. That was my 2 cents.
Does it 'really' matter ? Chrissy and I disagree on certain things, but we 'get on well' and that's, all that matters here Its not possible to agree with everyone's view
I see it differently, @Cody Fousnaugh. It seems to me that most of us disagree on some issues, and that's to be expected and is, in fact, desirable. I agree with you on most things, as far as I can determine, and understand where you're coming from on the rest. People get angry with me sometimes, probably more often than I notice, and have even gotten upset with me when I thought I was agreeing with them. Often, people are hesitant to discuss issues of disagreement with people face to face, sometimes because we tend to congregate with those who we agree with, so I find that a discussion forum is a good place to experience other opinions, without necessarily adopting them. As long as these disagreements are expressed in such a way that it is the opinion that is being addressed rather than the person, that can be a good thing. Given that we're human, sometimes we don't do that well, but that's to be expected. Anyhow, I certainly haven't noticed that you were in sharp disagreement with other people in this forum, overall. Someone who grows up in a big city might have trouble identifying with someone who has grown up in another environment, and vice versa, but the exchanges seems to be doing more good than harm. I have seen no harm coming from your end of it. Of course, you will do whatever you think you need to do, but I hope you stay.
I was raised in a different environment than most on here.........around hogs/farming. It even gets to my wife sometimes when something happens that I'd relate to in farming, like dirt, but she has a hard time relating to being raised in a small town, but not doing "farm" related stuff. A lot of my employment career was around noise and sometimes loud noise, as in CNC machinery and drill presses, warehouse and forklift operation. Foam earplugs and safety glasses were a requirement at some jobs. It was no wonder that I was so, so happy to finally land a job working in a stockroom for an electronics company and then on to working in an office in a Purchasing and Inventory Control. At my wife's work, basically a person could hear a safety pin drop on the floor..........Accounting. When she gets home, she requires "noise" and the tv goes on. What I'm wondering about, @Ken Anderson, if a person thinks a new Thread would be too controversial, should it be done? If a person thinks a reply would be too controversial, should a person reply? True, opinions and views can be very different, but sometimes the person who done the Thread or reply can feel like they are being torn apart by folks who disagree with them. I do like discussing things, but my "discussions" can be very different from those with "open-minds". Still pondering what to do.
As far as forums go, disagreements can be helpful as long as they don't turn into brawls, and when there are other parts of the forum that someone can turn to that have a calmer atmosphere. Not speaking anyone who is here right now, or to any current situations, but the most harmful is when someone feels like that are being hounded from one thread to another. In other words, it should be possible for someone to disagree strongly with someone on one subject without quarreling about every other topic they bring up. I grew up on a farm. When I came along, my dad had to get a day job but he still farmed several 40-acre plots each year, so I've done my share of picking corn, cucumbers, potatoes, beans, and peas. My mom had a garden that was about ten times the size of most home gardens, where she grew things that we weren't already growing as cash crops. We had one or two cows, a pig, chickens, turkeys, turkins, guinea hens, and as many as twenty-one horses at a time. I hated haying season, but I did my share of that as well, since it took a lot of hay to get twenty-one horses and a couple of cows through a UP winter. I had to feed the horses and the cows before school, and walk a quarter mile through the field with an axe in order to break a hole in the ice, so that the horses would have drinking water throughout the day. When there was a big snow at night, I would have to cut the trail from the barn to the river. Once the horses were let out, they'd keep the trail clear through the day. I cleaned the barn. Some mornings, we were up at 4:30 because the horses got out, and we had to go hunt them down and chase them back. I hated that too, mostly because I didn't ride horse, and the horses scared me. Now, I had four brothers, three of whom were older than me so all of this work wasn't left to me, but I did my share of it. I didn't do as much of it as I wish I had, because I could have learned a lot of things. We weren't assigned tasks, but some things just had to be done. I spent twelve years working in a paper bag plant, as a machine operator, machine adjuster, and acting supervisor; before that, I spent a few years working in a fiberglass boat company, a chair factory, and a small electric appliance plant. As for living in a rural area, I was related to most everyone I knew until I started high school in another town, and that larger town had a population of only a thousand people. I remember when they reached a thousand because they got to call themselves a city.
Cody Your life history sounds quite familiar as I was on a farm for many years and later worked in the ford factory where I retired from. I hope you did not take any of my posts personal. I know I have a different opinion on things but that is my personal opinion and I appreciate other opinions as well. If everyone only put things in a thread to please other people it would become very boring. Sorry you may think of leaving I know that everyone here will miss your input.
WOW, other than the member that was in the Navy when I was and another member who done some activities/events with horses, like I did and now you. I didn't do everything you did, but sure remember the winters in northeastern Indiana taking care of hogs. I was so glad when I had my last winter doing this when I graduated from high school, moved into Ft Wayne and the Navy called me up. Compared to today's "modern day" farming, I really worked my butt off in hot summer weather and freezing cold and inches-to-feet of snow in the winters. Basically, I never had the mentality or build to be a full-time farmer or even a part-time one. I didn't have a problem taking care of one horse in So. Calif. and sure didn't have to worry about freezing cold temps and snow. Anyway, I'll stick around the forum for awhile longer and see how things go for me. I want to give Ken a big THANKS for telling me his farming experience.
While I didn't grow up on a farm, my folks did live on one when I was born, and then moved into a small town when my dad got a job there. Our home had 2-3 lots, and we had fruit trees, berries, grapes, and rhubarb, and my mother loved her flowerbeds. When I was 9 , I got my Welsh Pony, and my dad built a small corral for him out back and there was already a barn and chicken coop there. So, doing chores and caring for my horse were part of growing up for me, too. My mother was the most devout Christian I have ever known, and she studied her Bible and prayed every day, so Christianity was a big part of my life as well. Living in the northern part of Idaho, we had no black people and no Hispanic people. I was almost grown up before I even saw a person of another ethnicity; but even so, I was brought up that color didn't matter, and we were all equal in God's eyes. I have started some controversial threads here, as well; and I can relate to what you are saying about not wanting to be put down for your beliefs. Fortunately, on this forum, we do pretty good at sticking with the topic most of the time and not offending each other. I have been trying not to start any more threads that I think might start any arguments, and just posting pretty generic things that no one should take offense at. I think that if you are uncomfortable starting controversial threads where you know there will be disagreement, that this might work for you, too.
Disagreement is the means by which intractable impetus is channeled toward the most productive arenas. Agree, then disagree, but disagree again, "The things we do for love".....Was it 10cc? Frank
Cody, Just be yourself. Life's too short to be holding grudges or feeling alienated. Just speak your mind and engage in all the conversations that appeal to you. As long as there's no personal attacks and no bullying in the forums or in the background we should all respect each others views and respect that we are not all alike in our opinions and views of matters and subjects of discussions.