A few months ago I found this forum and was more than enthusiastic about joining in as I am a Rush fan and have been for over 15 years.  Y'know, I've never been into Rush overload simply because when the man opens his mouth what comes out is the result of rational thinking and hours of study of the topic and his innate understanding of the opposition.

Initially I offered some thoughts and opinions and honestly expected some thoughtful debate.

I find myself totally disappointed in that the Forum has become, in my opinion, a haven for one or two who believe that their knowledge and opinions are all the matters and will argue like Hillary to make their point.

Certainly I have my views and opinions but don't wish to overwhelm you with redundant postings. I find that here...and don't wish to attempt to match wits with people who have nothing better to do than read their own written word.

No one has ever accused me of not having a "pair" so I'll wish Paleocon, in the open, well in the hope that he doesn't bore the rest of you to death...as he has me.

I am,

Or was,

Jusme

Sorry to see you go, I wish you had posted more.

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience here; but, I would suggest that casting blame on others who post more, or who are more opinionated that you are is a rather disingenuous reason for leaving.  If you feel that the forum is dominated by too few people having too many posts, there IS a cure for that.  It is not fleeing the scene, and it may require more than one post per fortnight on your part.  If too few people dominate the forum, the problem is not with those posting their opinions, but with those who are not.

Too few people posting ..., hmmm..., what could be a possible solution to this problem?  I know, I'll become annoyed and bored with their opinions and leave the forum.

As far as posters being opinionated, bigoted, rude, or even spiteful -- go to another forum & see how long you last.  I have been on other forums, and left after realizing not that people were too opinionated, but rather that they were simply obnoxious a-holes.  There are opinionated people on this forum & I am thankful for it.

Thoughtful debate is what you came expecting, and for the most part, thoughtful debate is what you got.  Debate is not an exercise in saying over and over again "well, I see your point" or "I understand where you're coming from" or prefacing each post with "in my opinion", or "maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong".  THOUGHTFUL debate consists in having a belief based on thought, reason, logic, and facts and ARGUING that point until you win or are proven wrong.  As a result, "Debate" often becomes "Heated Debate".

You said:

I find myself totally disappointed in that the Forum has become, in my opinion, a haven for one or two who believe that their knowledge and opinions are all the matters and will argue like Hillary to make their point.

There are many problems with this statement, but chief among them is this: if you remove the words "one or two" from the above statement; you have provided an apt DEFINITION of what an online forum IS and what it is INTENDED TO BE.

I'm sorry you don't like it.  You can try your hand at another online forum, but I'm afraid you will be even more disappointed than you were here.

Good luck anyway.

One more thing.

I find dubious your claim of 15 years of fandom of a man who routinely says that he will not stop until everyone agrees with him.

I find it interesting to know that my existence troubles some people so deeply.

This from a fellow who routinely told me he knew better than I what I wanted or ought to discuss.  

Jusme wrote:I just feel there are more important items to expend your more than adequate energies on than this.

I suppose he might have stayed if I had only talked about what he wanted to talk about and only said what he wanted to hear.  After all, he was the self-appointed arbiter of my topics and posts.  

Really, I guess it is all my fault.  What was I thinking to post my own opinions on a public forum? And even worse, I posted more often than he thought I ought have too.

I don't recall every telling him to "grow a pair" but if I did I must have been referring to brain cells.

One of the most important things I've learned in 35 years on planet Earth is that you cannot make enemies without, at the same time, making friends; and you cannot make friends without, at the same time, making enemies.

In other words, I wouldn't sweat it too much.


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