Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: dirtboy

If that's the case, then don't get too angry.
Keep stating your position, without rancor, and without getting drawn into personal contests of wills with other people.

If someone starts staring you down, respond with humor. If they go nuts on you, respond with more humor.
Essentially, if you've become a rock under some other guy's collar but you have said nothing to cause personal expense, you're dealing with a hothead and you can have a great deal of dry fun at his expense. But don't YOU get sucked into a cyberpissing contest, because then you end up looking like brawling drunks.

To put it yet another way, if somebody shows you his chain, it's your moral duty to YANK IT for your own amusement. Tossing your own chain out there for him to yank back is a mistake.

You know what you think, and you know why.
Don't be afraid to state it, clearly, and relentlessly. Never allow yourself to be shouted down by the peanut gallery. Stand there like a stone wall and repeat yourself, and occasionally yank the chain of someone who desperately needs it, but don't get down in the mud and start wrasslin' with a pig. You just get tired and sooner or later figure out that the pig enjoys it.

So, make up your mind about how you're going to vote and contribute - the CONCRETE steps you'll take. And then use FR to ventilate your opinions clearly and politely.

And if once in awhile you want to be the pig in the wrasslin' contest with some psychopath who's stalking you, just remember that the pig in that fight is supposed to have fun.


3,518 posted on 05/19/2006 11:08:47 AM PDT by Vicomte13 (Aure entuluva!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3512 | View Replies ]


To: Vicomte13

I refer you to post #3516 as representative of the hurdles erected to reasoned debate over this issue.


3,521 posted on 05/19/2006 12:01:48 PM PDT by dirtboy (C)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3518 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson