What has happened to the Soapbox?

stevebaby

Why are there no more conservatives posting here?Wolfie is the last remaining apologist for "conservative" values.
Are the rest of them a pack of wimps who can't stay the distance?
As a lifelong member of the "Sergei Nechaev" faction of the Contrarian Nihilist Party I want to know...have we won the war of values?(unlikely,look at the news)...or are the enemies of rational thought and true democracy regrouping for the final showdown?


Apropos of nothing at all...why throw the cat among the pigeons when you can throw the pigeon among the cats?

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Carrera

Simple answer: Because many of us have realised if we disagree our posts are edited, censored and removed. I myself have no further plans to participate, Colorado Rider and many others felt the same way, perhaps.
Would you take part in a debate with me if your posts were censored and it put you in a compromised position?
I believe people are wising up to censorship so the folks who are left can happily continue agreeing with one another without opposition.
This is, after all, what people on the Soapbox wish to see happen. It's sad as it means Darkboong and others are living in a cocoon which doesn't represent the challenges of opposition in the real world.
Sure, tell yourselves you're the best cyclists and pretend better cyclists don't exist. But we do exist in real life - our voices are simply muted on this particular forum at this time.
Welcome folks to a boring forum - you got what you wanted.

lyotard

"when a bird has two left wings, it can only fly around in circles"
-pat paulson, presidential candidate/entertainer (paraphrased as quoted here)

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Don Shipp

I am still lurking, and waiting for the right moment to interject.

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stevebaby

"The truth value of statements could be best determined by allowing people to speak freely,because truth would always best falsehood in open debate"
John Milton,Areopagitica 1844

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steve

Feel free to contact me privately with examples.

regards

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Wurm

More likely that you haven't a defense for the murdering, torturing thugs in the US (and Britain) you apparently vote for and still support.

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Carrera

I did actually contact you a few days ago. Maybe that message got to you?
I recall we did all agree amongst ourselves not too long ago that this is a forum where things can get pretty heated - due to the topics of politics and religion being involved. Everyone agreed extreme statements often get made but many people are guilty of pushing the barriers, not just one or two.
To me it seems like you're far more likely to be censored as a right-wing U.S. Republican than if you're a liberal who probably can't stand Bush or Israel.
However, the way I see it is if anyone uses excessively vulgar language, actually incites violence, threatens other members e.t.c. then it's fair to ban that particular member after a suitable warning. But I don't think someone should be edited or censored for expressing apparently unpopular views.
Myself I can't stand George W Bush but I recall we used to have quite a few open or closet Bush supporters knocking about. Too many seem to have either retreated into the closet or gone altogether.
Also it's important to realise if someone believes Bush himself bombed the twin towers this is equally offensive to some folks as supporting sanctions against Iran. In both cases there are going to be people who react with anger. One could be the sister of a WTC victim in New York and the other could even have family in Iran.
But the reality is such diverse people exist and many of these folks may well be decent cyclists. Hell, even Lance Armstrong has spent time with Bush on his ranch and he still remains a popular cycling spokesman. That's my own take on it all.

Carrera

Myself I never voted for Blair and opposed the whole Iraq war from day one. The problem is you're apparently jumping to conclusions and assuming people who don't agree with you must support the polar opposite. You once called me a neo-Conservative but I actually wanted John Kerry in office myself and I don't have much in common with the evangelical movement of neo-conservatism.
As for Iran, we never would have been in this mess if not for Iraq so I guess the current Iranian President never would have been elected as a knock-on effect.
Even so, don't you think those Bush supporters who do exist should have the same right to express their views as you do? That's the issue being raised.

wolfix

I started lurking in the soapbox and became interested in what others had to say. At one time the soapbox seemed to have an intelligent line of interaction.
I love an argument and know that a good argument shows both sides of an individuals perspectives. Anyone that follows the Grand Tour section of the forum knows I have a different perspective of certain riders then Lim does. I disagree with many of the things about certain riders, but I also respect what Lim has to say. I also realize that in order to prove my points it will take 3 days of non-stop Guinness drinking, a few fist fights according to the Queens Rules , and a ride up St Patrick Hill in Cork.....
But when the posts comes to name calling and stereo-typing, the line of intelligent thought is dismissed. I used to laugh at a certain poster who used to refer to peoples intelligence level solely by the fact that they lived in red/blue states. The funny thing was that this poster lived in the shithole of America.
The soapbox has an interesting side to it for me in that certain subjects that are totally European are discussed. I learn things that would be impossible to learn otherwise.
And some of the Bush bashers get old. They turn every topic into a Bush bashing thread. This is America, and everyone has a right to attack those that have been voted into office. But keep it intelligent and backed with facts, not from websites that are authored by conspirecy writers.

I also find that Euro's are in touch with international situations that concern the US, but are out of touch with US domestic situations. And it's not that they cannot understand what information they have, but that they do not recieve the information correctly. And visa versa for us Americans.... The soapbox has taught me not to judge other nationals on something domestic to them because I do not live there.
I have also learned through the soapbox that the liberals in Europe have very little in common with the liberals in the USA.... The liberals in Europe tend to be "economic liberals" and are from the working class. The liberals in America seem to have an "frustrated elitist" attitde and usually are not from a working class. The European liberals seem to be a realistic political party where the liberals in America have little political power,and what they have is contained in a few spots in America.
The soapbox can be improved.

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MountainPro

if you want a shower of wanks to piss off i know just the forum, i am the only one who speaks up against Bushs campaign of terror. !

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stevebaby

BRING IT ON...!
Gotta link?

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jhuskey

SB,I think you must be missing Zapper.

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stevebaby

Zapper was fun for a while.
Mad...but fun!

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I'm Rooting for Chiara!
Drink!Feck!Arrse!Girls!
bastard