Let's discuss Presidents

[heliochrome85]

must have been on of them texas history textbooks.

[dusred]

Oh Hai there.

Okay. To start I'll name a few things Obama did to screw up America. Maybe you can post a list of 'good' things Obama did for us.

- Universal Health Care
- Cap and Trade
- Refuses to secure our borders
- The MASSIVE stimulus package

. . . just to name a few.

[themadscientist]

Preface this with me disliking Obama in the strongest terms. The Names Carter, Johnson, Nixon and Dubya immediately spring to mind as presidents who harmed the country.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

People's claims saying Obama has done a bunch of harm to our country are really not justified, YET. He's only half way through his first term.

Only time will tell, but in my opinion, it's not looking too good for him.

We seem to be going in the wrong direction and need to be finding ways to get back to our roots. As cliché as it sounds, it's worked well in the past.

[IBCoupe]

I'm going to tackle #2.

Did we pass Cap & Trade and I missed it? I think I would have remembered that, but who knows?

Honestly though: Cap & Trade isn't lefty. It isn't bad. It's a market approach to environmental regulation - it creates both positive and negative incentives to clean up pollution. And guess what! It works, too! In the early 1990's, President George H.W. Bush used it to tackle acid rain - traditional methods of regulation didn't work so well because the nature of the problem was regionalized, rather than localized. In contrast to smog, which never really floats that far away from a city, acid rain went well beyond State borders. Acid rainfall dropped off dramatically, and the program came in way under the cost estimate.

[dusred]

President Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was unilateral acceptance of his positive leading and exceptional skills as a President, especially when compared to our Presidents of years before.

He got the Nobel Piece Prize very shortly after he took office. I and many others ask "What did he do to deserve it?" Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Him being the "anointed one" is the only thing he did.

Increased 'green' awareness and has made the environment (and substandard corporate operations) a domestic priority.

I believe global warming is total s*** and so do the majority of Americans. The recent leaks of the climate change center further confirm our suspicions.

slowed the recession. Need I say more?

Yeah. He didn't slow anything. If anything he sped up the recession by putting fear into businesses and business owners over new regulations and taxes.

Closed one of the United States' most abhorrent and deplorable military locations in our history - Guantanamo Bay. Waterboarding (regardless of Congressional rulings) and extensive and illegal detention was allowable with the previous administration. It isn't tolerable with the Obama administration.

That's a debatable subject and entirely a matter of opinion. My stand is that valuable information was being gathered that prevented terrorlst attacks and made America safer. I'd rather have those fighting us be interrogated and even tortured if it keeps you, me, and your mom safe. Those people are fighting us. Remember Nicholas Berg? That's what they do to us when they capture us and I'm sure they get valuable information. You may say torture is unacceptable and inhumane but because of that lost information Alquida could easily enough pull off another 9/11.

You view universal health care as bad? No, not at all. President Obama's plan insures that every person in America has care when they are sick.

Yup. They can go to the ER and face rationing of health care which result in huge lines and waiting periods. If your aged mother or grandmother needs a hip replacement surgery you can get on the 10 year waiting list. With our current health care system If you are sick and go to the ER they will help you. Nobody sick is ever turned away from a hospital if they don't have insurance. Now if you want plastic surgery or a pen15 enlargement surgery (does such a thing exist?) than yeah you'll be denied. We already have the best health care service in the world. If it 's working why fix it?

Saved the collapse of the automotive industry. He required that General Motors conduct a financial and personnel restructure before providing bailout money to them, as well as providing incentive money to help future industry growth. You may want to still laugh about the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program, but it was successful and automotive giants AREN'T laughing. They're thanking him.

He didn't save them at all. GM is still in deep s***. Ford pulled through by the hair of their teeth with NO help from government and are now flourishing. Cash For Clunkers was extremely wasteful. We here are a bunch of car enthusiasts - yes, many of us even like old gas guzzling cars that kill polar bears in the Arctic region. Many of those car parts were destroyed with the CFC program. And I'll bet if you were to do a survey on everyone who CFC'd their PAID-OFF car for one with a payment I'll bet you'd find a large percentage don't have a car at all because of it. I believe it was either Greg or Jesda argued that the problem (if you wish to call it that) of gas guzzling old cars would take care of itself over time because cars wreck, break down, and all eventually end up in a scrap yard. Us 1% of car enthusiasts who want old cars I'm sure won't kill too many polar bears.

Relaxed Anti-American tensions and outbursts throughout the world. The truth and escalation of these Anti-American ideologies were much larger than the previous administration was sharing and letting on them to be. President Obama promised to make a major address on American-Muslims relations and did so in a Muslim country. He showed good-faith that America (and, more specifically, the previous administration hasn't shown) hadn't. His behavior has set a foundation for a good future in external relations with the United States.

His "apologize for America" tour may have calmed tensions over seas. But I resent my president throwing me under the bus. He called us arrogant and apologized for us. Who the hell does he think he is? We are the ones who elected him. He is representing us. It is my opinion that the world sees him as a softie and will now feel more at ease as they terrorize us. Washington said something to the effect of "If we want peace we must at all times be ready for war". Or as TR said "Talk softly and carry a big stick." Making America look like a little piss ant soft and powerless nation with a leader who is not willing to fight puts at great risk, in my opinion.

There are many more, but that should cover most of them for now. You still have yet to explain how you think Franklin D. Roosevelt harmed the United States.

Social Security and the entitlement era began with FDR. Fortunately for him he didn't live to see the devastating effects his New Deal had on Americans. He had no resistance and rammed bills through Congress like it was going out of style and even compromised the integrity of the Supreme Court. The "temporary" taxes levied on the "rich" and the businesses are still in effect today with no end in site.

[heliochrome85]

you know, i wrote out a response, but i ended up deleting it because ultimately, your last post was so worthless, it doesnt even warrant an efforted response.
please dont procreate, you're bringing down the curve for the country.

[dusred]

you know, i wrote out a response, but i ended up deleting it because ultimately, your last post was so worthless, it doesnt even warrant an efforted response.
please dont procreate, you're bringing down the curve for the country.

When the question comes of whether to reproduce or not I'll take seriously your concerns. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, I'll admit.

[IBCoupe]

Yup. They can go to the ER and face rationing of health care which result in huge lines and waiting periods.

I thought you were going to write about the new health care plan, not the way it's worked until now.

Honestly, man, do you read from any source you don't already agree with? You say that everything you read makes you more firm in your conservative beliefs, but that leads me to wonder: what exactly are you reading?

[dusred]

Yup. They can go to the ER and face rationing of health care which result in huge lines and waiting periods.

I thought you were going to write about the new health care plan, not the way it's worked until now.

Honestly, man, do you read from any source you don't already agree with? You say that everything you read makes you more firm in your conservative beliefs, but that leads me to wonder: what exactly are you reading?

Well, I haven't read Al Gore's books or watched Michael Moore's movies neither have I read Sean Hannity's books. Give me some titles from authors who don't have an agenda and I'll read them.

[mattblancarte]

[IBCoupe]

I'm not suggesting anything in particular, Dus. I'm simply wondering as to what sources you do actually go to. And now I'm wondering what sources you use that you consider to be agenda-free.

[dusred]

I don't have a specific source and quite frankly I don't spend too much time thoroughly researching every detail of every political document or report. It really just comes down to how you look at each bill. As a Conservative I tend to run the other direction whenever the government takes more power knowing that an honorable and honest politician doesn't exist and what comes out of their mouths doesn't mean anything. The more power politicians have the more oppression they can (and will) reign upon us. Based on that principle I oppose the health care bill. Government having power over my health? Could there be anything worse? You might say "they wouldn't deny you care if you need it" I say back if they can do it they will. Will you wake up tomorrow and see our health care system totally F'd up? No. It will take time but the end result will be the same. Why do I think our health care quality will diminish? Look at England. They implemented these same Universal Health Care policies years ago and look where they are now.

[heliochrome85]

I don't have a specific source and quite frankly I don't spend too much time thoroughly researching every detail of every political document or report. It really just comes down to how you look at each bill. As a Conservative I tend to run the other direction whenever the government takes more power knowing that an honorable and honest politician doesn't exist and what comes out of their mouths doesn't mean anything. The more power politicians have the more oppression they can (and will) reign upon us. Based on that principle I oppose the health care bill. Government having power over my health? Could there be anything worse? You might say "they wouldn't deny you care if you need it" I say back if they can do it they will. Will you wake up tomorrow and see our health care system totally F'd up? No. It will take time but the end result will be the same. Why do I think our health care quality will diminish? Look at England. They implemented these same Universal Health Care policies years ago and look where they are now.

thats a ton of hot air. if it makes you feel better, then fine, but it doesnt stand up to any sort of criticism at all. this diatribe is no better than the PETA morons, or those who advocate for the great earth mother.

[IBCoupe]

You seem to be terribly misinformed about both what ObamaCare is and what other countries have.

The government does not dictate hospital policy. Currently, this country rations its healthcare on the least logical terms. We can't afford to fix every problem every person comes up with; no one can. So everybody rations to a certain extent. Some choose to ration based on cost-effectiveness of a treatment, estimated life improvement, or chance of success. We choose to ration based on whether the patient can finance it - regardless of the other factors. It could produce the most minimalest of benefits to the patient, it could extend the patient's life by a few hours... but as long as insurance is paying for it, why the heck not? Oh, but if that person over there needs chemotherapy that most assuredly will cure them of a very simple cancer? We'll only do it if they can pay for it.

By getting universal (as near to as is possible) health insurance (which is what has happened in ObamaCare), the government has eliminated that factor. Now we may proceed with rationing on other, far more logical bases. When I say "we," I mean as participants in the free market. Government still won't have a hand in the rationing. You will never find a system (outside of communism or slavery) that seeks to cure every ill for every person. Won't happen.

Now, as for England: England has a system where the government manages both the financing of healthcare and its distribution. In contrast, ObamaCare sets up a system where people finance their own healthcare (and the government helps to finance for those who can't), but hospitals and insurers continue to determine policy.

If you still think it's a bad thing, I can respect that, but at least make sure that you understand what you're disagreeing with.

[Bubba1]

Cliff Notes: He gets it from a combo of Rush Limbaugh, paid political commercials during WWE shows, and The Onion. j/k.

[audtatious]

Maybe you can post a list of 'good' things Obama did for us.

Hmm, let's see:
[*]Restored integrity and trustworthiness back into American citizens, the Presidency, and the White House, as a whole. President Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was unilateral acceptance of his positive leading and exceptional skills as a President, especially when compared to our Presidents of years before.

I'm sure.....to whom tho? Those that blasted everything Bush did? Those who already have socialistic agenda's?

[*]Increased 'green' awareness and has made the environment (and substandard corporate operations) a domestic priority. In the process, President Obama has created an immense amount of environmental protection and preventative jobs, as well as put the United States at the forefront of 'green' industry.

What green jobs? I saw one report claiming 80k jobs saved or added but with nothing to back it up (we already know the numbers are fudged just as they are with the monthly jobs reports). I saw another report stating that the recovery act created or saved 13,151.02 green jobs in the US but when you look into the report they were all Gov jobs with the EPA, DOE, and DOL. Should increasing the size of Gov really count and should the amount of fraud within these programs eventually be their demise?

Before anyone goes nuts, I support "green" initiatives. I just don't support the initiatives "for the sake of green-based initiatives" nor for any that cannot be economically net-neutral or a lower cost than what we have now. I also don't believe in constantly growing the Gov and using that as proof that something is working. I'm not saying there have not been private jobs created but I have yet to see real proof that the amount of money used forth for this would not have been more successfully used elsewhere.

[*]Wall Street. Exposed the nonexistence of regulatory oversight and reform has been discussed like never before AND slowed the recession. Need I say more?

I will defer to Barney Frank and others calling for the banks to lower their regulations to allow more poor people to own a home. I also blame Bush for allowing the continuation of this increase via the Clinton Admin and not pressing more for regulations against Fannie and Freddie (which he did request but was constantly blocked).

You guys need to watch the Stossel report on regulations and how there are appx 70k pages of new regulations added each year on top of all the prior regulations for the prior years (video 1 below). Then, about how the regulations that are put in place actually protect established markets/resellers unfairly (video 2).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsocIoelwbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A7aHgsB ... re=related

Sorry, there are regulations on top of regulations on top of regulations to the point that nobody has a clue anymore. Lack of regulations not found.

[*]Closed one of the United States' most abhorrent and deplorable military locations in our history - Guantanamo Bay. Waterboarding (regardless of Congressional rulings) and extensive and illegal detention was allowable with the previous administration. It isn't tolerable with the Obama administration.

When did it close? As of this time yesterday it was still open and in use.

[*]You view universal health care as bad? No, not at all. President Obama's plan insures that every person in America has care when they are sick. His determination in the face of those who are in vilification of his ideologues just goes to show how well this President's skill set is compared to previous administration.

You mean his plan ensures that every American purchases health insurance to make sure they have something to hopefully cover their illness when they are sick? A whole lotta Dems think his plan is crap too.

[*]Saved the collapse of the automotive industry. He required that General Motors conduct a financial and personnel restructure before providing bailout money to them, as well as providing incentive money to help future industry growth. You may want to still laugh about the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program, but it was successful and automotive giants AREN'T laughing. They're thanking him.

Here's a counter to your glowing review of Obama and GM:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40424.html

Cash for Clunkers
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2 ... a-clunker/ (of course, "officials" do not agree)
http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com ... a-clunker/

Both of the above are from left-leaning sites. Another side-result of CfC is that used cars on the market today are about 11% more expensive than they used to be which hurts "the poor"

[*]Relaxed Anti-American tensions and outbursts throughout the world. The truth and escalation of these Anti-American ideologies were much larger than the previous administration was sharing and letting on them to be. President Obama promised to make a major address on American-Muslims relations and did so in a Muslim country. He showed good-faith that America (and, more specifically, the previous administration hasn't shown) hadn't. His behavior has set a foundation for a good future in external relations with the United States.

The man was thought of as a hero simply because he was not Bush

[audtatious]

Maybe you can post a list of 'good' things Obama did for us.

Hmm, let's see:
[*]Restored integrity and trustworthiness back into American citizens, the Presidency, and the White House, as a whole. President Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was unilateral acceptance of his positive leading and exceptional skills as a President, especially when compared to our Presidents of years before.

I'm sure.....to whom tho? Those that blasted everything Bush did? Those who already have socialistic agenda's?

[*]Increased 'green' awareness and has made the environment (and substandard corporate operations) a domestic priority. In the process, President Obama has created an immense amount of environmental protection and preventative jobs, as well as put the United States at the forefront of 'green' industry.

What green jobs? I saw one report claiming 80k jobs saved or added but with nothing to back it up (we already know the numbers are fudged just as they are with the monthly jobs reports). I saw another report stating that the recovery act created or saved 13,151.02 green jobs in the US but when you look into the report they were all Gov jobs with the EPA, DOE, and DOL. Should increasing the size of Gov really count and should the amount of fraud within these programs eventually be their demise?

Before anyone goes nuts, I support "green" initiatives. I just don't support the initiatives "for the sake of green-based initiatives" nor for any that cannot be economically net-neutral or a lower cost than what we have now. I also don't believe in constantly growing the Gov and using that as proof that something is working. I'm not saying there have not been private jobs created but I have yet to see real proof that the amount of money used forth for this would not have been more successfully used elsewhere.

[*]Wall Street. Exposed the nonexistence of regulatory oversight and reform has been discussed like never before AND slowed the recession. Need I say more?

I will defer to Barney Frank and others calling for the banks to lower their regulations to allow more poor people to own a home. I also blame Bush for allowing the continuation of this increase via the Clinton Admin and not pressing more for regulations against Fannie and Freddie (which he did request but was constantly blocked).

You guys need to watch the Stossel report on regulations and how there are appx 70k pages of new regulations added each year on top of all the prior regulations for the prior years (video 1 below). Then, about how the regulations that are put in place actually protect established markets/resellers unfairly (video 2).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsocIoelwbs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A7aHgsB ... re=related

Sorry, there are regulations on top of regulations on top of regulations to the point that nobody has a clue anymore. Lack of regulations not found.

[*]Closed one of the United States' most abhorrent and deplorable military locations in our history - Guantanamo Bay. Waterboarding (regardless of Congressional rulings) and extensive and illegal detention was allowable with the previous administration. It isn't tolerable with the Obama administration.

When did it close? As of this time yesterday it was still open and in use.

[*]You view universal health care as bad? No, not at all. President Obama's plan insures that every person in America has care when they are sick. His determination in the face of those who are in vilification of his ideologues just goes to show how well this President's skill set is compared to previous administration.

You mean his plan ensures that every American purchases health insurance to make sure they have something to hopefully cover their illness when they are sick? A whole lotta Dems think his plan is crap too.

[*]Saved the collapse of the automotive industry. He required that General Motors conduct a financial and personnel restructure before providing bailout money to them, as well as providing incentive money to help future industry growth. You may want to still laugh about the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program, but it was successful and automotive giants AREN'T laughing. They're thanking him.

Here's a counter to your glowing review of Obama and GM:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40424.html

Cash for Clunkers
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2 ... a-clunker/ (of course, "officials" do not agree)
http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com ... a-clunker/

Both of the above are from left-leaning sites. Another side-result of CfC is that used cars on the market today are about 11% more expensive than they used to be which hurts "the poor"

[*]Relaxed Anti-American tensions and outbursts throughout the world. The truth and escalation of these Anti-American ideologies were much larger than the previous administration was sharing and letting on them to be. President Obama promised to make a major address on American-Muslims relations and did so in a Muslim country. He showed good-faith that America (and, more specifically, the previous administration hasn't shown) hadn't. His behavior has set a foundation for a good future in external relations with the United States.

The man was thought of as a hero simply because he was not Bush

[themadscientist]

Preface this with me disliking Obama in the strongest terms. The Names Carter, Johnson, Nixon and Dubya immediately spring to mind as presidents who harmed the country.

That's all and well that you don't like President Obama, but may I ask why? It seems to me the reason for your dislike lies within your ability to expand your mind to contemporary principles and ideologies.

The nanny state, passing huge overarching legislation without even knowing what's in it, burying us in deficits while undermining business and alluding to more taxes on the way, those the "contemporary principles" you talking about? I didn't get the memo where we agreed failure was now considered success.

Spare me that holistic condescending BS. America is sinking like the titanic and nobody in Washington, including the living god cares. Bush has a lot to do with it, Clinton has a lot to do with it, mistakes from Bush the 1st and the Reagan eras are still showing themselves, but what does the Chicago con man do? Go on vacation again and campaign for his cronies. Obama might not have lit the fire, but he is sure enough throwing gasoline on it and telling us it's working great. You buy into that lie if you want. I choose to live in the real world.

[dusred]

The Onion

F***! I've been exposed.

Me and Helio, we get our information from interesting sources. I get mine from The Onion and he gets his from Jon Stewart. I'd say my source is slightly more reliable.

But seriously. Why does it matter why I get my information? Can I not form my own opinion based on observation? The stuff Obama is doing goes against my principles and ideologies. I'm for small government and Obama is for big government.I'm pro life and he doesn't want his daughter to be "punished with a child" like their mother was. I'm sure we are both equally convinced of our rightness and chances are neither of us will be here to see who actually was. . . I take that back. I might still be here.

[HashiriyaS14]

Why do I think our health care quality will diminish? Look at England. They implemented these same Universal Health Care policies years ago and look where they are now.

The UK healthcare system looks NOTHING like the one that was just passed.

The UK system is single-payer, ours is not. Additionally, in the UK (i.e. NHS), the doctors and nurses are actually EMPLOYED by the government. When you see a doctor, you see an NHS doctor. This is obviously not how our new system works, doctors are still private employees or private practice owners.

You are totally discrediting yourself. As far as I'm aware I still moderate this section, and unless you are going to research your opinions a little better, I'm going to have to start making posts and threads disappear. No one is allowed to raise a riot about stuff if they plainly know nothing about it.

[audtatious]

Isn't the UK system relatively bankrupt now? Seems they are constantly cutting more costs and lowering the number of available hospital beds, staff, and treatment. Honestly, I would hate doctors to be employed by our Gov as they would have no initiative (imagine if your doctor treated you like a IRS agent does).

lol

[HashiriyaS14]

Isn't the UK system relatively bankrupt now? Seems they are constantly cutting more costs and lowering the number of available hospital beds, staff, and treatment. Honestly, I would hate doctors to be employed by our Gov as they would have no initiative (imagine if your doctor treated you like a IRS agent does).

lol

Couldn't agree more. I think that the UK system is pretty terrible.

I was just pointing out that UK-like initiatives were never seriously on the table and absolutely are not a part of the legislation that was actually passed, so it is not an apt comparison. Canada isn't either, because their system is single-payer and our new system is not (although their doctors are not state employees).

[dusred]

The UK healthcare system looks NOTHING like the one that was just passed.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. It is my opinion that over time ours will be a mirror image of theirs. One thing leads to another. When was the last time the government deregulated something? They take more and more power and eventually the doctors will be employees of the state or federal government.

You are totally discrediting yourself. As far as I'm aware I still moderate this section, and unless you are going to research your opinions a little better, I'm going to have to start making posts and threads disappear. No one is allowed to raise a riot about stuff if they plainly know nothing about it.

Wow. You're a great moderator. You disagree with me so now you're going to delete my posts.

[stebo0728]

When was the last time the government deregulated something?

Telco Industry in the 90's?

[srellim234]

I believe global warming is total bullsh*t and so do the majority of Americans. The recent leaks of the climate change center further confirm our suspicions.

Just because you have a personal opinion does not mean it is a majority opinion and most people think like you. That's the kind of false BS that ignorant talking heads spew while their "sheeple" not willing to do the legwork believe and cite like it's gospel truth.

From Rasmussen last month:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_ ... rgy_update

"...Most voters (62%) continue to regard global warming as a serious issue, but that number has trended down slightly since last November when the Climategate scandal broke, raising questions about the research and methodology of many pro-global warming scientists. Thirty-four percent (34%) do not share the concern about global warming...."

From Gallup in March:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/126560/ameri ... -drop.aspx

"...A majority of Americans still agree that global warming is real, as 53% say the effects of the problem have already begun or will do so in a few years. That percentage is dwindling, however. The average American is now less convinced than at any time since 1997 that global warming's effects have already begun or will begin shortly...."

Numbers may be trending your direction but they are definitely not there yet. And may never be there.

[mattblancarte]

When was the last time the government deregulated something?

Telco Industry in the 90's?

That's why MagicJack can offer phone services for twenty bucks per year.

[dusred]

From Rasmussen last month:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_ ... rgy_update

"...Most voters (62%) continue to regard global warming as a serious issue, but that number has trended down slightly since last November when the Climategate scandal broke, raising questions about the research and methodology of many pro-global warming scientists. Thirty-four percent (34%) do not share the concern about global warming...."

Numbers may be trending your direction but they are definitely not there yet. And may never be there.

Very nice. The poll found that 62% of people regard global warming as a serious issue and that was BEFORE the "Climategate" (why do I hate that word?) scandal.

I still think I'm right. I think climategate changed more than 12% of peoples minds. However, I can't prove it so until I can I'll admit I was off. Sorry.

[HashiriyaS14]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. It is my opinion that over time ours will be a mirror image of theirs. One thing leads to another. When was the last time the government deregulated something? They take more and more power and eventually the doctors will be employees of the state or federal government.

Clarification appreciated.

For the record, the United States underwent a great deal of deregulation between the early 1970's and 2000 or thereabouts, as evidenced by the following: (you'll find a nice smattering of both parties at work here)

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscod ... -000-.html

http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Airl ... ation.html

http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/glbact/glbsub1.htm

http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/420286

http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html

I could post a lot more. That said, there are just as many examples to the contrary, and so it is not my intention to insinuate that your fears are baseless. I'm just trying to demonstrate that it isn't as one-sided as you alluded it to be.

Wow. You're a great moderator. You disagree with me so now you're going to delete my posts.

I've been a mod here for five years and I've had disagreements with lots of people. I've only ever deleted a couple of posts, and I wouldn't ever do it for that reason.

My point was that no one is allowed to raise a ruckus defending an opinion that they haven't researched. If I allow too many emotional outbursts that aren't backed up by fact, this section will slide downhill in a hurry. If anyone is going to make a determined argument about anything, they'd better know what they're talking about. Applies to everyone, including me.

This doesn't mean that everyone has to go out and do tons of research (although I certainly encourage it), but it DOES mean that if someone is going to fight tooth and nail about something, they'd better have done their homework or there is going to be trouble because they would just be wasting everyone else's time.

[heliochrome85]