Support and Defend the Constitution
- Thread starter CK1
- Start date
-
Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.
Very funny, I love sarcasm. Blissful ignorance should be the norm in paradise!!
TooFarTampa
SoWal Insider
This moderator doesn't really have any say in the matter, but I would respectfully argue that while discussions of politics may be divisive, discussions of governance (both actual and, I guess, imagined :roll
are as important as ever. 
I think there is an obvious difference between discussion and trolling - trying to just get someone's feather's ruffled.
G
G
the ignore button still works
The issues you speak of were instances of tyranny that had to be worked out over time. But the Country got it right in the long run. Tyranny in any form is something to fight against.
Bob, blackcreekpapa1. ...Welcome to Sowal blackcreekpappa1Remember..You both are HUGE American patriots, with some differeing point of view! --bless you both!
{Hated to cut in but I only have 3 posts left on SoWal before my cyber life ends..carry on}
Don't leave now, it is just getting fun.
I too have just caught up with this epic thread.
Personally, I love the Politics Section because it offers both entertainment and impassioned discussion/debate.
This thread, I'm sure, was meant as entertainment. There have been outlandish statements written by both sides of this legendary internet hissyfit. Really, the only issue that bothers me about the political section on SoWal (this thread confirms my belief) is that so many people get away with name calling and incredibly gross mischaracterizations that only fuel the arrant bullsh*t that's flying around the airwaves.
Free Speech is just one of the many things that makes this country a shining beacon of hope for so many in this world. But I'm beginning to wonder about the merits of nameless free speech. That is, would all of you post what you post if your full name was behind your sometimes incredibly mean spirited, or just plain ignorant statements? Would Beach Ho say that our nation is truly a christian nation, when it plainly isn't, (and, please, for the love of [enter deity name of choice here], don't argue that we are a christian nation because most of the country is christian; that only gives white extremists an excuse to claim that America is a white nation because the majority of Americans are white.)
Now, I pick on Beach Ho, but there are similar statements across this board. So, I'm curious. How many of you have the cajones to put your name (and if you own a business, your business's name) behind your words? I'm certainly not an angel myself when it comes to the Poltics/Current Event threads, but my name is above everything I write. If people don't know who "Matt Christ" is, (and there are plenty, I'm sure) then they at least have something to start an internet search.
I'll get the ball rolling. My full name is Matthew Christ. I do not own a business. I am a lifelong resident of SoWal and graduated from Butler Elementary, Seaside Middle School, and South Walton High School. I wrote a column for the Walton Sun that dealt with politics about three-two years ago. Currently, I am a sophomore at the University of Florida where I write a weekly column for the Independent Florida Alligator, the largest student newspaper in the country. In fact, for almost every week for the past three years, I have written a column dealing with controversial national/local issues. Each column has had my name on it, and more than often a picture of my cheery little face. Some of my columns go on wire services and are printed in newspapers and posted on internet news sites across the country. My point? I make real sure that what I write each week is accurate and not too inciting (although to incite discussion, debate, and even sharply worded "signed" letters to the editor is part of the columnist's job description). Essentially, I ask myself if I'm alright knowing that the words I just wrote are representing my name. If not, I start hitting the delete key.
Now what about the names of most of the previous posters? It's entirely your right and freedom to write what you want, but do you have the courage and bravery to put your name behind your words/taunts/ignorance/arrogance/ libel? Are your beliefs firm enough that you'll stand by them in the living flesh? Will you put your dignity on the line?
Or will you just continue to coward behind a computer screen and a cute SoWal name? Will you go back to engaging in dialogue that's more childish then I what I remember as a middle schooler in the lunch line?
Come on big shots. If you don't, your words have little more meaning than those found on public bathroom stalls.
~Matthew Christ
Personally, I love the Politics Section because it offers both entertainment and impassioned discussion/debate.
This thread, I'm sure, was meant as entertainment. There have been outlandish statements written by both sides of this legendary internet hissyfit. Really, the only issue that bothers me about the political section on SoWal (this thread confirms my belief) is that so many people get away with name calling and incredibly gross mischaracterizations that only fuel the arrant bullsh*t that's flying around the airwaves.
Free Speech is just one of the many things that makes this country a shining beacon of hope for so many in this world. But I'm beginning to wonder about the merits of nameless free speech. That is, would all of you post what you post if your full name was behind your sometimes incredibly mean spirited, or just plain ignorant statements? Would Beach Ho say that our nation is truly a christian nation, when it plainly isn't, (and, please, for the love of [enter deity name of choice here], don't argue that we are a christian nation because most of the country is christian; that only gives white extremists an excuse to claim that America is a white nation because the majority of Americans are white.)
Now, I pick on Beach Ho, but there are similar statements across this board. So, I'm curious. How many of you have the cajones to put your name (and if you own a business, your business's name) behind your words? I'm certainly not an angel myself when it comes to the Poltics/Current Event threads, but my name is above everything I write. If people don't know who "Matt Christ" is, (and there are plenty, I'm sure) then they at least have something to start an internet search.
I'll get the ball rolling. My full name is Matthew Christ. I do not own a business. I am a lifelong resident of SoWal and graduated from Butler Elementary, Seaside Middle School, and South Walton High School. I wrote a column for the Walton Sun that dealt with politics about three-two years ago. Currently, I am a sophomore at the University of Florida where I write a weekly column for the Independent Florida Alligator, the largest student newspaper in the country. In fact, for almost every week for the past three years, I have written a column dealing with controversial national/local issues. Each column has had my name on it, and more than often a picture of my cheery little face. Some of my columns go on wire services and are printed in newspapers and posted on internet news sites across the country. My point? I make real sure that what I write each week is accurate and not too inciting (although to incite discussion, debate, and even sharply worded "signed" letters to the editor is part of the columnist's job description). Essentially, I ask myself if I'm alright knowing that the words I just wrote are representing my name. If not, I start hitting the delete key.
Now what about the names of most of the previous posters? It's entirely your right and freedom to write what you want, but do you have the courage and bravery to put your name behind your words/taunts/ignorance/arrogance/ libel? Are your beliefs firm enough that you'll stand by them in the living flesh? Will you put your dignity on the line?
Or will you just continue to coward behind a computer screen and a cute SoWal name? Will you go back to engaging in dialogue that's more childish then I what I remember as a middle schooler in the lunch line?
Come on big shots. If you don't, your words have little more meaning than those found on public bathroom stalls.
~Matthew Christ
Last edited:
TooFarTampa
SoWal Insider
Hi Matt
Some of us prefer our relative privacy (especially -- if I may be so bold as to assume -- we women types). We all have our reasons and you just have to accept them.
Since your job and identity at least partly revolve around your columns and onair work, it makes much more sense for you to ID yourself than it does for someone who owns a business here and would rather not have their business name connected to their viewpoints. It's fine (and part of the great tradition of online message boards) to keep your online ID separate from your real life, however you see fit.
Kurt's policy is that people stick to one username, however. ;-) If a poster sticks around, his or her personality eventually comes through, which is what makes it funn.
Some of us prefer our relative privacy (especially -- if I may be so bold as to assume -- we women types). We all have our reasons and you just have to accept them.
Since your job and identity at least partly revolve around your columns and onair work, it makes much more sense for you to ID yourself than it does for someone who owns a business here and would rather not have their business name connected to their viewpoints. It's fine (and part of the great tradition of online message boards) to keep your online ID separate from your real life, however you see fit.
Kurt's policy is that people stick to one username, however. ;-) If a poster sticks around, his or her personality eventually comes through, which is what makes it funn.
Some of us have had very heated discussions with strangers in public settings, so yes, those sorts of words do sometimes fly about when people are face-to-face.