tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380900660900615143.post8911503016765674474..comments2023-10-20T07:07:17.363-07:00Comments on Story Time with Cortney: Student/Worker/ Human Extraordinaire!: I Have Heard What the Talkers Were TalkingCortneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07225945218092447245noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380900660900615143.post-82302242048453794622011-06-28T11:54:24.327-07:002011-06-28T11:54:24.327-07:00Matt- I responded to you on FB about this but I ju...Matt- I responded to you on FB about this but I just wanted to say again that I agree. A little news break is probably in order as well!<br /><br />Ada- "I think what gets me the most is that one can live completely isolated with their own viewpoints - whether by 24 news channels or online sourcing. There also seems to be a complete allegiance to sources and no one seems to question anything. I don't know if from a lack of concern or sheer laziness." This is my problem as well. So I naively think, when someone posts something out of context, or is spreading blatant mis-information, that if I helpfully point them to, say, the text of the actual bill, or let them know of the actual history of something, or the way things are done/used/carried out, etc., that they will appreciate having the facts. I love it when people give me straight up information- not opinion, but information and facts- so that I can make better decisions and I've often changed my mind on things as a result. But many times that has blown up in my face, and even when I've tried to be as evenhanded as possible I am labeled a crazy liberal with a liberal agenda who is trying to brainwash people. Most recently this happened a lot during the debates about de-funding Planned Parenthood. It mattered not how much info I gave to my more conservative friends who had concerns, they just kept coming back to "Planned Parenthood is an abortion mill that hates babies and my taxes will NOT be going to that". I finally realized it was a waste of my energy, and that's pretty much when I started just bowing out of any kind of political debates. Even in person, they just tend to suck the energy out of me. <br /><br />Jackie- I think that's why I need to back away, because I feel so annoyed with myself at how angry and frustrated I can get over internet conversations. I agree that it is good to read different viewpoints, so I'm still trying to do that, but I'm working on staying out of the fray. As you said, the "blogosphere probably isn't the place to do that work either". <br /><br />To everyone- thanks for being so kind and understanding. I need some gentle internet interactions and this thread helped a lot.Cortneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07225945218092447245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380900660900615143.post-38529078403183091962011-06-28T10:59:27.334-07:002011-06-28T10:59:27.334-07:00I struggle with getting too involved in online arg...I struggle with getting too involved in online arguments too. They make me mad and frustrated and all that jazz.<br /><br />On the other hand, in real life, I'm pretty much surrounded by like-minded liberals and so reading blogs of different stripes reminds me not to keep myself in a bubble, not to assume that everyone is on the same page about human rights, and that there is still work to be done. But the blogosphere probably isn't the place to do that work either.Jackiehttp://blueberriesforme.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380900660900615143.post-15883709712744983052011-06-26T07:12:52.477-07:002011-06-26T07:12:52.477-07:00I absolutely understand where you are. Several ye...I absolutely understand where you are. Several years ago, when life threw some HUGE curveballs my way, I had to make a choice as to where my energy would be best focused...dealing with the personal issues at hand or dividing my focus between the issues while continuing to be engaged on issues that I believe help define the person I am.<br /><br />I choose to focus on the personal issues and mostly removed myself from the discussion. It was the healthy decision. Interestingly, one of my friends has since radically changed their views on social issues, which I like to think is in part to the discussions we had previously. My own positions have also been altered slightly by my experiences since that time. <br /><br />I think what gets me the most is that one can live completely isolated with their own viewpoints - whether by 24 news channels or online sourcing. There also seems to be a complete allegiance to sources and no one seems to question anything. I don't know if from a lack of concern or sheer laziness.<br /><br />Everyone can live a passionate life molded by the beliefs truest to their soul. Doing to can set a fantastic example that is inspiring to others. That's what I'm trying to do now.Adahttp://google.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380900660900615143.post-17294670401633509672011-06-25T14:15:50.471-07:002011-06-25T14:15:50.471-07:00"I volunteered for two years as a Democratic ..."I volunteered for two years as a Democratic Precinct Chair, and I served as a delegate to the National Convention in Austin. Throughout undergraduate and graduate school I have taken part in more student actions, and signed more petitions, than I can count. I am a proud and regular voter, I've registered others to vote, and I have marched in rallies with homemade signs. I have cried over laws passed, laws that left me just so broken hearted and defeated that I just wanted to give up. But I didn't, and I haven't, and I won't." <br /><br />-This moved me Cortney. Just an outstanding read all together. You've made me reflect on things i haven't had to think about in a long while. As you write about, i'm one of the people you speak of with mind that can't be changed but loves to debate and watch the other side fumble for words. <br />But I also truly understand where you're coming from. I was an Election Judge for a while with non other than ol' Dano as my Election Clerk. Oh the good ol' days lol. I too had my doubts about the relevance of it all. I'm ashamed to admit that gave up a long time ago. But you're inspiring Cortney. We need you out there. If anything just to continue writing. If I may, only a suggestion of advise, take a little break from information for a while(however long you need). What i mean to say is, and i know it will be difficult, don't watch the news, don't read a paper, don't watch the Daily Show/Colbert ect. I don't know. Merely a small suggestion. Like i said, we need you out there Cortney.<br /><br />-Matthew CourseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com