Do you post in political threads?

[arivecchi]

Poll coming!

[kedss]

nope, not anymore

[egoldber]

Only sometimes. I do like to read them though. :)

[Nicsmom]

Yes, I love them. I enjoy reading the different sides of an argument and I think the contributors here are very smart and well informed. I try to contribute sometimes but I know I am not as knowledgeable as many of the people here. I also think that political discussions in this board are very civil and diplomatic, and I am always disappointed when someone feels the opposite.

[boogiemomz]

No way. I read them, but even that stresses me way out. Not a seeker of confrontation.

[AnnieW625]

I like them and read them and most of the times post, but sometimes I don't. So I voted I like them and post when I feel like I have something to contribute.

[janine]

Same as with other threads, if it's a topic that interests me then yes I read and post if I have something to say that hasn't been said before.

[mommylamb]

I usually do, but not always. I do policy work for a living (though not politics), so I tend to have an opinion about a lot of things and I have the opportunity to do a ton of reading on various policy subjects as part of my job. It's good source material for BBB posts ;)!

[ashleybama24]

Not really...I'm a bleedy heart liberal in a conservative state so I am already use to the fact that my views differ from everyone else. People have a tendency to be very passionate about their views. While I appreciate everyone being entitled to their opinions I am predominately here for advice and support regarding parenthood/my children not to tear into each other regarding politics.

[BabyMine]

I love reading them especially when Mommylamb posts. The information she has posted is astounding and has taught me a lot of things. I post at times so I can either get replies from both sides and because I want to know certain things.

[Cam&Clay]

I always read them. I have learned so much from you ladies. I don't post that often in the political threads, but I certainly get something from them!

[BabyBearsMom]

I mostly read them but rarely post. I'm pretty liberal and usually someone else here is able to articulate how I feel far better than I ever could. I think I somehow missed out on the ability to articulate political thoughts gene pool in the family.

[boolady]

I voted other-- I used to post in political threads a lot more, but lately I just don't feel like I have the stamina required. I hope I get it back, because I still read them.

[bisous]

Sometimes. I have in the past, rather.

Regarding political threads, it is tough because I like talking politics with others but I really don't like snarkiness or disrespect at all. I don't like ANY pundits and I feel that anyone who is representing a "side" is bound to be wrong some of the time because parties are NEVER perfect. I think the BBB is one of the best public forums I've ever been to for handling tough political issues but it is far from perfect and I've gotten upset in my real life from comments on the BBB and I just don't need that.

I find that if I post in a thread I become invested in it, and then I just.can't.walk.away. and sometimes in my life that is just too much.

I am an unusual conservative. I generally agree with the most of the conservative positions (but by no means all) but cannot stand the conservative dialog. I really, really hate the way that conservatives are portrayed and (honestly) that includes the way that they are characterized here on the BBB. That makes me want to contribute to threads but in my life right now, I cannot take the stress of alienating myself from even a virtual community.

That way, I can ask my questions about Disney World, compression stockings and ADHD without fear that my replies will be politicized. Does that make sense?

[cindys]

Nope...But I do enjoy reading...

Cindy
Mama to 3 boys...19, 5 & 2 :heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat:

[janine]

Sometimes. I have in the past, rather.

Regarding political threads, it is tough because I like talking politics with others but I really don't like snarkiness or disrespect at all. I don't like ANY pundits and I feel that anyone who is representing a "side" is bound to be wrong some of the time because parties are NEVER perfect. I think the BBB is one of the best public forums I've ever been to for handling tough political issues but it is far from perfect and I've gotten upset in my real life from comments on the BBB and I just don't need that.

I find that if I post in a thread I become invested in it, and then I just.can't.walk.away. and sometimes in my life that is just too much.

I am an unusual conservative. I generally agree with the most of the conservative positions (but by no means all) but cannot stand the conservative dialog. I really, really hate the way that conservatives are portrayed and (honestly) that includes the way that they are characterized here on the BBB. That makes me want to contribute to threads but in my life right now, I cannot take the stress of alienating myself from even a virtual community.

That way, I can ask my questions about Disney World, compression stockings and ADHD without fear that my replies will be politicized. Does that make sense?

Nice post.

[elektra]

That way, I can ask my questions about Disney World, compression stockings and ADHD without fear that my replies will be politicized. Does that make sense?

This is kind of how I feel about the political threads too. I like staying friendly because there is so much good kid info to share, and I like that we can all be united on that front. ;)

I do love lurking on the political threads though- they are so juicy! And I actually have some guilt about staying out of the fray but still getting to enjoy things. Like the fight club member who never actually enters the ring to take the beating, and just talks trash from the sidelines- you maybe shouldn't be allowed to lurk unless you yourself step up to the plate sometimes. ;)
But I often find that so many others can express my views much more eloquently than I can, or they are just so much more informed. So I feel like I don't have much to add and I may just be perceived as "piling on", so I tend to stay out of things for the most part.
I have my views but I admittedly do not follow politics closely or research various political positions or views in depth.

[swissair81]

No I don't. I prefer to keep my views to myself. I don't even discuss my politics with my husband. Partisan bickering really bothers me, and frankly, I'm not too hot on any party at the moment.

[JoyNChrist]

I mostly read them but rarely post. I'm pretty liberal and usually someone else here is able to articulate how I feel far better than I ever could. I think I somehow missed out on the ability to articulate political thoughts gene pool in the family.

This is me too.

I read them all, but don't post often. That's in part because I don't usually have the time to keep coming back to a thread to keep the discussion going, and also because I know that I can usually depend on someone here to say what I'm thinking better than I could say it.

[cindys]

I am not adding to the thread here but I just wanted to jump in and tell Stacy that her picture of her babies is so freakin cute!!!

Cindy
Mama to 3 boys...19, 5 & 2 :heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat:

[JoyNChrist]

I am not adding to the thread here but I just wanted to jump in and tell Stacy that her picture of her babies is so freakin cute!!!

Cindy
Mama to 3 boys...19, 5 & 2 :heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat:

Aw, thanks! They're a mess! ;)

[robinsmommy]

I voted "other" - it does really kind of depend on the situation. I do read them sometimes, I like to see what the other side thinks, but I completely agree that the stress relating to them can be too much for me.

I do feel that so many people today have gotten burned out on politics because of the media. End result can be that people aren't being heard - there are a lot of policies in gov't that most average Americans of any party line could find common ground on that never get addressed - things like lobbyists and congressional pay/retirement/benefits....( I can't be the only person who thinks it's nuts that Congress still gets paid during a gov't shut down.)

I guess I feel torn because BBB is a comfy, safe place, but isn't that the kind of place that a civil discourse on politics could happen? So I guess I like the option of a occasional thread that I can choose to participate in or ignore.

[Puddy73]

Seldom. I enjoy reading the different perspectives but don't want to get "invested" in the discussion. Someone else usually articulates my feelings in a more eloquent manner anyway.

[g-mama]

I am more conservative than the vast majority here and really just don't have the time or energy to invest in debating my views in a virtual community. I'm not going to change anyone's opinion by offering my reasons for my opinions and the risk, IMO, is alienation. Not worth the trade-off. I come here for light, frivolous conversation and bargains. No interest in the heavy stuff.

[boogiemomz]

Regarding political threads, it is tough because I like talking politics with others but I really don't like snarkiness or disrespect at all. I don't like ANY pundits and I feel that anyone who is representing a "side" is bound to be wrong some of the time because parties are NEVER perfect. I think the BBB is one of the best public forums I've ever been to for handling tough political issues but it is far from perfect and I've gotten upset in my real life from comments on the BBB and I just don't need that.

I find that if I post in a thread I become invested in it, and then I just.can't.walk.away. and sometimes in my life that is just too much.

I am an unusual conservative. I generally agree with the most of the conservative positions (but by no means all) but cannot stand the conservative dialog. I really, really hate the way that conservatives are portrayed and (honestly) that includes the way that they are characterized here on the BBB. That makes me want to contribute to threads but in my life right now, I cannot take the stress of alienating myself from even a virtual community.

That way, I can ask my questions about Disney World, compression stockings and ADHD without fear that my replies will be politicized. Does that make sense?

This is me. Sometimes I feel like I really should jump in and defend/support the precious few right wingers here, but I just can't bring myself to open myself up to the harsh, stinging criticisms and stereotypes that many on this board have against conservatives. I am an intelligent person, but I am a sensitive person, and I don't enjoy controversy for the sake of controversy. That's not why I come here. Many of my friends/acquaintances IRL are liberal and in social company just assume that everyone present is too, because conservatives are either ignorant, heartless and greedy, bigoted, or some combination thereof; no way could any of their friends be conservative. I get extremely upset, and quickly, when I enter this type of exchange and try to defend myself against those stereotypes, and it's just not worth it. I know who I am.

[boogiemomz]

I am more conservative than the vast majority here and really just don't have the time or energy to invest in debating my views in a virtual community. I'm not going to change anyone's opinion by offering my reasons for my opinions and the risk, IMO, is alienation. Not worth the trade-off. I come here for light, frivolous conversation and bargains. No interest in the heavy stuff.

That too. :)

[lizzywednesday]

I will read a political thread because I find it keeps me balanced and curious to read others' POVs, but it's very rare that I feel competent enough to post. Also, I just don't find it productive for me to get worked up about it and start typing things I really should have thought more about first.

FWIW, I take this to my FB page as well - I make no political or overtly religious statements, simply because my social media profile is not a means for me to express those views. I use it to communicate with friends & family, not to preach. (Also, I know that a lot of my friends and family members do not see eye-to-eye with me on points of politics and religion. Which is fine; I don't need to get into discussions with them about it. I am a bleeding-heart liberal who counts several stripes of conservative among her friends, and I find that this is VERY good for me intellectually to learn about different viewpoints. Especially the ones I don't agree with!)

[arivecchi]

I enjoy the political threads for the most part and I always read them. I always learn something new and I enjoy debate. Having said that, I do sometimes get a bit upset by them. I do not get upset by opposing views, as much as views that are not really supported by facts or are just hit and runs meant to stir controversy. Uninformed opinions are my pet peeve. ;) I love to read the posts of well-informed posters though, whatever their beliefs may be.

[janine]

I think I now see the patterns. It's too bad, no one should feel too exhausted to post (but who wants to get in long winded arguments everytime which others misinterpret) or too outnumbered to express a view.

But I definitely get it - this is primarily a baby forum, so sometimes it's nice to keep it warm and fuzzy and avoid certain topics.

[mommylamb]

This is me. Sometimes I feel like I really should jump in and defend/support the precious few right wingers here, but I just can't bring myself to open myself up to the harsh, stinging criticisms and stereotypes that many on this board have against conservatives. I am an intelligent person, but I am a sensitive person, and I don't enjoy controversy for the sake of controversy. That's not why I come here. Many of my friends/acquaintances IRL are liberal and in social company just assume that everyone present is too, because conservatives are either ignorant, heartless and greedy, bigoted, or some combination thereof; no way could any of their friends be conservative. I get extremely upset, and quickly, when I enter this type of exchange and try to defend myself against those stereotypes, and it's just not worth it. I know who I am.

I have a lot of IRL friends who are conservative and they're not ignorant, heartless, greedy, bigoted, etc. They don't make comments that come across that way. They're also perfectly willing to back up their perspective with reasons for why they subscribe to a particular ideology. You can have a measured debate with them. I also know a lot of liberals who are similarly able to conduct an intelligent conversation and back up their perspective with solid reasoning. But all of them know that you need to be able to back up your opinion. You need to show reasoning. It seems to me that sometimes people will throw something out there, have no ability to back it up, and then are totally offended if someone says they're wrong and this is why.

I know a lot of folks on BBB think I'm a big lefty, and actually that's not the case at all. I think I'm left of center overall, but there are certain topics where my beliefs are closer to what one might consider the typical Republican platform (energy issues and trade are the ones that come to mind). But, I really try to think through things so that I can back up what I say, and I have changed my perspective on different topics over time when someone has convinced me that I'm wrong. It's ok to have a debate.

[ZeeBaby]

I voted I don't post in political threads. I am here to obtain information on being a better mother and wife. There is a wealth of knowledge on this board on those two subjects. I love reading the posts and having my questions answered quickly and accurately. I am not here for the emotional turmoil involved with the political threads. I have a hard time keeping up with them as my job only allows me to post and read very quickly.

I would also prefer them if there were less personal attacks in the threads and more factually based comments. I am very turned off when digs are being thrown at other board members or political figures.

[janine]

I have a lot of IRL friends who are conservative and they're not ignorant, heartless, greedy, bigoted, etc. They don't make comments that come across that way. They're also perfectly willing to back up their perspective with reasons for why they subscribe to a particular ideology. You can have a measured debate with them. I also know a lot of liberals who are similarly able to conduct an intelligent conversation and back up their perspective with solid reasoning. But all of them know that you need to be able to back up your opinion. You need to show reasoning. It seems to me that sometimes people will throw something out there, have no ability to back it up, and then are totally offended if someone says they're wrong and this is why.

I know a lot of folks on BBB think I'm a big lefty, and actually that's not the case at all. I think I'm left of center overall, but there are certain topics where my beliefs are closer to what one might consider the typical Republican platform (energy issues and trade are the ones that come to mind). But, I really try to think through things so that I can back up what I say, and I have changed my perspective on different topics over time when someone has convinced me that I'm wrong. It's ok to have a debate.

The thing is I actually have this view of alot of "lefties" (not on this board)-that they throw out alot of generalizations and preconceived notions and then get huffy and puffy when confronted with facts and solid arguments. Perhaps this comes up when a party feels outnumbered - they draw blanks and decide it's best to back off from the pack. IE goes both ways depending on the forum, the crowd, or who is considered the "majority" view at that moment.

[hillview]

Usually I don't even open them. On some hot topics for me (abortion) I do post.
/hillary

[mommylamb]

The thing is I actually have this view of alot of "lefties" (not on this board)-that they throw out alot of generalizations and preconceived notions and then get huffy and puffy when confronted with facts and solid arguments. Perhaps this comes up when a party feels outnumbered - they draw blanks and decide it's best to back off from the pack. IE goes both ways depending on the forum, the crowd, or who is considered the "majority" view at that moment.

I totally agree with you. It's certainly not just people on the right who throw out stuff they can't back up. I see it all the time on facebook. I have acquaintances from college who are really far left and throw out bizarre conspiracy theories or other garbage that has no basis in reality. I think that if someone left of center on BBB makes one of those comments, they should expect to get called on it.

[arivecchi]

I totally agree with you. It's certainly not just people on the right who throw out stuff they can't back up. I see it all the time on facebook. I have acquaintances from college who are really far left and throw out bizarre conspiracy theories or other garbage that has no basis in reality. OMG yes! So irritating. I had to hide one of my lefty distant cousins because, really, he was just dumb.

[boogiemomz]

I have a lot of IRL friends who are conservative and they're not ignorant, heartless, greedy, bigoted, etc. They don't make comments that come across that way. They're also perfectly willing to back up their perspective with reasons for why they subscribe to a particular ideology. You can have a measured debate with them. I also know a lot of liberals who are similarly able to conduct an intelligent conversation and back up their perspective with solid reasoning. But all of them know that you need to be able to back up your opinion. You need to show reasoning. It seems to me that sometimes people will throw something out there, have no ability to back it up, and then are totally offended if someone says they're wrong and this is why.


If you enjoy that, then that's fine. I guess I don't get much of a thrill from "measured debates" with my friends. I have my "solid reasoning," but more than likely it's not going to be good enough for others who feel differently and are not going to change their minds. Plus, when the stage has been set by those friends making comments to me trashing conservatives in general, thinking I was a lefty like them, it's pretty awkward, and I'd rather just keep my mouth shut. If that's absolutely how they think about it (conservatives are x, y, z), which is quite evident, then why do I want to get in a sparring match with my friends? Things just get too uncomfortable and I get no enjoyment out of that. I'm just not an inflammatory person; I like to keep the peace.

[hellokitty]

I enjoy mostly reading. I am a black sheep in my area of super right-winged conservatives, b/c I'm extremely liberal about my political/social opinion, so I cannot talk about politics IRL where I live, b/c I'd basically butt heads with most ppl. So, it's nice to come here and not feel like a freak.

[JoyNChrist]

I enjoy mostly reading. I am a black sheep in my area of super right-winged conservatives, b/c I'm extremely liberal about my political/social opinion, so I cannot talk about politics IRL where I live, b/c I'd basically butt heads with most ppl. So, it's nice to come here and not feel like a freak.

That's how I feel too. I am VERY much in the minority where I live, and it's hard. There are actual issues I would like to discuss and have nobody IRL who shares my views (DH couldn't care less about politics).

[firemama]

Yes, I love them. I enjoy reading the different sides of an argument and I think the contributors here are very smart and well informed. I try to contribute sometimes but I know I am not as knowledgeable as many of the people here. I also think that political discussions in this board are very civil and diplomatic, and I am always disappointed when someone feels the opposite.

:yeahthat:

[BabyMine]

I wish more conservatives would post because it informs me about both sides. I live in a red state ( might be turning blue because of Rick Scott) but all my friends are liberals. The only Republicans I see are on TV. I guess I'm oblivious but I haven't read any heated threads that bashed any one side. Here is the only place that have opened my eyes up to politics.

[elephantmeg]

I generally read them for a page or 2 but otherwise try to stay out! I do enjoy hearing other sides to stories.

[mackmama]

I don't think I have yet - although I do read them and would post if I felt that I had something to contribute.

[niccig]

I read, sometimes post but I'm not very involved. I enjoy reading and learning about a different political system and culture from what I grew up with. I live in a very liberal part of the country, DS goes to a non-traditional school, and I like to hear different view points. I might still not agree with you after reading your post, but I like to understand where other people come from.

I do think reading people's different perspectives, either on politics or parenting, has helped me be more understanding of different opinions. And I can agree to disagree.

[LarsMal]

I did at one point, but now I try to stay away.