I would like to dig into this a bit.
I agree Trump is divisive. I've been consistent for a long time that I wish he would drop the adolescent insults and instead, reach out to more Americans. He has, on occasion expressed such desires, but then he goes right back to acting the way he does.
Some of you have stated that one of the ways he is divisive is by all the bashing of others he does. I will agree with that as well.
But what about those of us in this sand box, are we also divisive?
First off, what is divisiveness? Dictionary,com says
So by definition, I believe it's a fair statement to say only negative statements and actions cause division. EX: "I like DeSantis" is a positive statement, and would not be divisive to anyone who isn't an a-hole. However, "DeSantis Sucks" would be a divisive statement because it could invoke an angry response from those who support him. Of interest, we have an avatar policy at the big forum I manage (set up by my predesessor) that positive political avatars are allowed but negative ones are not allowed. This is because avatars show up site wide, so when someone with a political avatar posts in other forums, they bring their politics with them.
I have stated many times that I like and support DeSantis, and I am being sincere about that. But I have posted negative articles about him a couple of times lately just to illustrate the double standards here. And when I did, it was divissive, because it pissed off the hardcore DeSantis supporters. I get that, and aside from when I'm trying to make a point, I try to be nice to Ron.
So is posting Trump bashing divisive? Absolutely!! Because it has a negative effect on other Hwy members who either support Trump or are at least sympathtic to him (I probably fall into the latter). As the definition I posted above states; it causes dissention and discord.
I find it interesting that the same people who (rightly) complain about Trump bashing others, turn around and commit the same :sin". Is it their right of free speech? Absolutely! Is it allowed on Dallas Hwy? Absolutely! However, all those rights aside, it still has a negative effect on others.
There was a forum I posted on years ago where I would often get myself into a dogpile because I posted unpopular things (they had a bunch of Godless liberals and jerks there). A moderator there told me point blank that posting has consequenses. Meaning...if I post something that pisses someone of and I get blowback from it, then oh well. If you've gotten blowback from me or another member here, it has nothing to do with forum rules or ownership, it's because I/we reacted to the content of your post. And that goes for me as well if I post something that rubs some of you the wrong way. While Dallas Hwy does ask members to be civil, each of us should also wear our big boy pants when participating. And really, that goes for life in general as well.
So I pose the question to you Hwy'ers; who is being divisive here? The members doing the bashing, or the others? Each of you can find your own answers.
I will add...calling other members names like "Trumpers" is also divisive. I suppose calling people Trump haters is too, and I get plenty of blowback for it. Given that, should I not angrily respond when I'm called a Trumper?
We've all heard the old saying "Mama always said if you can't say something nice, then don't say 'nothing at all". Perhaps Mama knew best.
Time to get busy, retirement is a lot of work.
