A Friendly Observation

[scleeb]

A Friendly Observation:

I have been a loyal and avid reader of this forum for the past 7 years. In that time I have come to admire the astute commentary and sharp insights of everyone whom posts here. I mean every word of that. This is an awesome place. That being said, sometimes the discussions here can drift into needlessly harsh political commentary. I wince every time read it. I understand Portland is a progressive city, with heavily Democratic political leanings. Probably in excess of 75%... I get it. But that also means nearly 1 in 4 of us don't share those same leanings. Nevertheless, it seems like some people whom post here fail to recognize this simple fact.

You don’t have to be a liberal, or a progressive, or a democrat, to love Portland. I choose to live here because I was born here, I was raised here and I love it here. I would say 80% of my friends and family disagree with my political views, but I don’t think any of them would ridicule or demean someone else because they have different views. Yet, many here think that it's OK.

Clakistan (i.e. Clackamas)… Tea-baggers (i.e. Tea Party)… Vantucky (i.e. Vancouver, WA)… Knuckle-draggers / Neanderthals (i.e. light rail opponents)… 1 percenters (traditional business community)… NIMBYS (Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City, et.al.)... Terrorists / Traitors / Racists / Homophobes / Climate Change Deniers (i.e. Republicans)

I've seen all of this and more here.

Alls’ im sayin’ is it gets old. I bite my tongue 99% of the time. But sometimes, like today, I can’t…

Remember, this forum should be a place for respectful dialogue. I often modify my views based upon the thoughtful commentary of those people whom I initially disagreed. But when I see the vitriol and spite, I just turn away. You can never hope to win an argument when you mock and deride your opponent, they will simply stop listening.

Not that anyone here cares, but I’m a registered independent. I would say my political views could best be described as libertarian.