The following remarks are not moderator comments!
Nothing scientific, just some personal conclusions from my observations and experiences here and elsewhere.
The FF membership seems to view things largely from the conservative side of the aisle. There has been a recurring comment that liberal views are not welcome here. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but admittedly, some liberal views get pretty harsh criticism here. But so do some conservative views.
As for liberal members not feeling welcome here, I can’t speak to another’s mindset, but I can say that personally, I want to read those views that are different than mine. I also want to read the information that supports those different views, so I can reach my own conclusions.
I’ve enjoyed that exercise very much and have learned some things over the last few years. Some threads that come to mind involve topics like:
I experienced some pretty hostile reactions on another website that is much more liberal than FF. The topic was gay marriage. I posted my view that I don’t think gay marriage should enjoy the same legal benefits as "traditional marriage." I also noted that I couldn’t care less about whatever relationships two people want to engage in, just don’t ask for gummint benefits. I cited recent SCOTUS decisions, and conclusions from the other side’s arguments that would not be reasonable for the vast majority of folks. I got pasted. No one commented on the information that I posted, they just likened me to a person in support of slavery. It eventually wound up with one poster referring to me as a "trolling ass." I haven’t posted there since.
Just thought I’d post my $.02.
Nothing scientific, just some personal conclusions from my observations and experiences here and elsewhere.
The FF membership seems to view things largely from the conservative side of the aisle. There has been a recurring comment that liberal views are not welcome here. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but admittedly, some liberal views get pretty harsh criticism here. But so do some conservative views.
As for liberal members not feeling welcome here, I can’t speak to another’s mindset, but I can say that personally, I want to read those views that are different than mine. I also want to read the information that supports those different views, so I can reach my own conclusions.
I’ve enjoyed that exercise very much and have learned some things over the last few years. Some threads that come to mind involve topics like:
- The Catholic church’s views on stem cell research;
- The sources\causes of the stock market plunge over the last few years;
- The Ricci v. Destefano case;
- The definition of "natural born citizen;"
- The SCOTUS decisions in Heller and the Chicago 2nd Am. cases;
- The AZ immigraton statute;
- The healthcare debate, and;
- Social Security solvency.
I experienced some pretty hostile reactions on another website that is much more liberal than FF. The topic was gay marriage. I posted my view that I don’t think gay marriage should enjoy the same legal benefits as "traditional marriage." I also noted that I couldn’t care less about whatever relationships two people want to engage in, just don’t ask for gummint benefits. I cited recent SCOTUS decisions, and conclusions from the other side’s arguments that would not be reasonable for the vast majority of folks. I got pasted. No one commented on the information that I posted, they just likened me to a person in support of slavery. It eventually wound up with one poster referring to me as a "trolling ass." I haven’t posted there since.
Just thought I’d post my $.02.