Broken Britain

[JCfromGA]

Crofter just some behavior I notice... I just wanted to see if he was participating in a discussion. To debate a side, does not mean that you personally believe your argument. It is to open up ideas to both sides of the plate.

Besides Crofter, a slap on the wrist... Why, I already stand accused....


Other than that, I've never insulted him personally... only argued points... which is allowed.. I just haven't gotten any argument back....

Other than that... I was just interested in the environment there. I've heard a lot of negativity towards the Muslim population... but all in all... my exposure is limited since I'm not over there

[JCfromGA]

Thanks for the link Andy...

I'm not going to bother with this any more. You fellows have a nice night. I have dance practice.

[Crofter]

JC.

Playing Devil’s Advocate. I’m shocked. There was me thinking “What a nice, sensible person”.

Now, to be informed, and by yourself, that you do not necessarily personally mean what you say in your own arguments. I’m mortified. How is one going to know whether or not you actually believe in what you say in future?

For someone purporting to be a linguist it worries me how scant your regard is for its importance.

You are probably right not to bother with this particular topic any more. Especially since your new friend is now on the case and dealing with it. If he can’t sort it out he can always issue another fatwa.

I do hope you enjoy your dancing. Be careful that you don’t get your toes trodden on though, some of these Scotch Reels can be tricky, and one sometimes forgets which direction one should be facing.

[JCfromGA]

Crofter,

Did not mean it in that way. I was debate team president in college. It is perfectly acceptable to include arguments that may not be your personal beliefs as a mean to open up discussions. Discussion is about pushing the boundaries of our personal constraints in a means to broadening our horizons. I never say anything slanderous or personally offensive.

His posts do concern me because he does this a lot and I don't understand the intent. He throws something controversial out there... and then watches the members fight like dogs over a bone with the arguments but never weighs in. It makes me believe that he is intentionally causing discord on the site. If he stayed and tried to continue discussing his post, I would be led to believe that he was posting because he was truly concerned about this issue and wanted to use the site to enlighten or discuss this very sensitive topic. Unfortunately, I believe he is intending to do nothing but cause harm... and I don't feel comfortable with that.

As to his other posts regarding language, I stand by my arguments.

Now as to saying 'thank you' to Andy despite our previous disagreement, I was honestly curious about the origin of these articles... whether they were his personal writings or 'copied and pasted.' I think that since it was one of my original interest in this topic, a 'thank you' demonstrates that I am nice, sensible person.

Those reels can be tricky. People not facing the correct way is often not my largest concern... people crossing when I'm coming down the middle when they're not supposed to seems to be a big one. I was ran into... and my hip popped... been 2 months... and still hurts after a few dances *sigh* You dance Crofter? Anyways, I still wanna be friends... gotta go to work now. Later guys

[Crofter]

Having sought and received legal advice I am pleased to inform you that your continued friendship will not be detrimental at this stage. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us is the order of the day here.

Everybody seems to flaunt their academic credentials lately. I’m not sure whether this is to indicate intelligence, or an apology

Say what you mean and mean what you say. (Lesson 1). Committing to anything less exposes one to repercussions that may become increasingly difficult to counter should that become necessary at a later stage. Under no circumstances should you divulge any tricks or ploys that you are prepared to use to glean further knowledge of your adversary’s position. Your adversary, now aware of your modus operandi, is hardly going to bite. (Lesson 2).

Take the example of a recent difference of opinion I have had on this forum. After two or three postings my adversary was denying authorship of the opinions he was expounding. After a few more he was arguing for what he started off arguing against. By the end, having failed to silence opposition by using abuse, he resorted to threats of violence. In your profession this could be an invaluable example to use in lessons.

My first posting on this thread was designed to show concurrence with the points Ifti made. A sympathetic response could have encouraged him to expand on his initial posting. In the meantime confrontational postings came in thick and fast. Result, Ifti backs off, now we may never know. Try the carrot before you start using the stick. (Lesson 3).

You ask do I dance. Are you kidding? My dexterity at the dancing is the talk of three counties. I can move so smoothly round the floor that you would think I was asleep, invariably I am. They lock the doors when they see me coming. They cancel ceilidhs when they hear I’m in town. They used to call me twinkle toes but that was because of the way the blisters on my feet used to glow.

I always wondered where the term “hip-hop” came from. Thanks for clearing that up.

[JCfromGA]

Yay! I heart you mucho Crofter.

No, by kinda goading him into replying... I only issued arguments (in the previous posts) that were well founded but opposed his... no response EVER. (How does a girl get attention around here?) I have no real personal, passionate opinion about many of his posts... which is why most of my responses include questions... but I throw out arguments more of a... 'have you considered this?' Not to be argumentative or slanderous but to open debate.

While most people are passionate about specific topics (I obviously have mine), topics are debateable because there's a certain amount of truth to both sides. As intelligent people, we should try to see the perspective of the other person... analyze it, compare it to see if it changes our perspective in any way. It's the others... who hold dear to their arguments against all evidence to the contrary, who are closed off to any other opinion than their own, and will defend it to the end... that really make me shake my head

I, on the other hand, am open to listening to all points of view.... some arguments I may not have considered before, and I concede when I'm incorrect or even over my head... because I don't have enough information to make a valid point.

See, I could have taken your assessment of my person... got really defensive and wage a full out take no prisoners argument... but I looked at what you wrote... and what I wrote and saw how it may have been misinterpreted due to the way I presented it... and said, 'that's not how i really meant to come across... let me clarify.' See... issue resolved... cause i'm not a devil's advocate or a person out to cause difficulties. I just really love a good intellectual debate... and to further my own awareness of different issues across the globe.

Now, they lock the doors do they?! You couldn't possibly be that one dancer that everyone tries to pass off to the other set, could ya... twinkle toes?! This summer when I'm up there, I may have to find a couple to see how they compare.

Now, I was a brave soul last night... they needed one more couple to complete a reel in a square set.... the only 2 people were her and I... and despite my reservations, I finally partnered up with her. She is a beginner... but man she looks like a colt running headlong down the set. I managed to get both her and I through the set without major injuries... even though I'm not sure she knows left from right... much less clockwise/counter clockwise.

I must say that I'm a favorite partner to have too...I have to constantly tell the guys to "stop looking at my ghillies... my eyes are up here.' What can I say... they think my ghillies are se$y. You guys best watch out when I get there... you'll have to apply for vacation time so you can stand in line to get the next dance with me

[wullie m]

JC, so you're actually a "wummin of the opposite sex" this explains a lot!!!I wondered , what kind of chap would post his terpsichorial intentions!!What exactly are "ghillies", here it's a guy in tweeds who carries the toffs gun!
wullie m.