No. It usually isn't worth the effort. I am never ever going to change my opinion on several things:
Quite a list. Let's take 'em one at a time:
[*]George Bush was, is and always will be one of the biggest morons to walk upon the face of the earth. He is worse than Ebola.
Not really. He was about a mid-rank U.S. president (I'm assuming you're talking about W. H.W. was pretty good.)
[*]I will never, ever understand nor do I wish to the minds of those that support him
He did some good things, some bad things. Afghanistan was politically necessary. Any President would have done the same, and I'd point out that NATO, including Canada, joined in the party. Iraq, not so much, but hardly our first foolish war. It should also be noted that the majority of the Democrats in Congress supported the Iraq War. Finally, remember that a large part of what got Bush elected was Clinton's behaviour in office.
[*]I will never, ever, ever understand, condone or support the Republican party. They are akin to Satan from a social perspective.
How so? Exactly what do you think the Republican Party stands for? I'll hit the highlights: strong military, limiting welfare to those who truly need it, control of immigration, a balanced budget, low taxes, shifting power to the states where possible, anti-abortion.
Don't confuse the wackaloons for the party. They aren't, any more than the die-hard super-lefties are the Democratic Party.
[*]I do not support guns in the hands of those with an average or below average IQ
IQ has little or nothing to do with it. Most of our mass murderers were of average-to-superior IQ.
Now a question back to you. Given that the large majority of the U.S. population consistently supports gun ownership in poll after poll after poll, how do you propose to do away with them? Particularly the 250,000 guns in private hands today?
[*]I do not support nor condone the killing of another human being except if they are attempting to kill another human being
Many Americans agree. As it happens, I don't. I think people who have proven themselves a danger to others should be sent back to the factory as defective.
[*]I do not support nor condone leaving children to suppurate in the pus and carnage of parents who are addicted or abusive. I don't care how broke society is... we need to help these children even if it means we have to give up what we have worked so hard to acquire.
I don't think anybody does. But the hard part is the borderline cases.
Now with that said, do you actually think that by arguing with me on any of the issues above someone is going to change my mind?
No. They are not.
You know this. So do you think others on here who know me know this? Yes.
I think your opinions can be changed by exploring the topics, especially in areas where there are borderline cases.
Is there any point in them arguing with me...no, not unless they are wondering, contemplating or care why I think thus. Chances are if they do not agree with the above stance there is little point in me arguing with them.They are as entrenched as I am.
UNLESS
it's maybe me and someone like CM... we keep it civil although a bit hot now and then...why do I engage him? Well because he can keep it civil... why do we bother...maybe to ensure that we have not in fact changed our minds.
When someone gets rude or personal, I'm done. CM has never done that. Neither have quite a few others. Thus I actually do want to hear their views even though they may be polar opposite to mine.
Otherwise I get a red... They aren't stupid, they just differ in their opinion...they know it...they remind me and keep going.
No problem.
I don't know. Some of them differ in opinion AND are stupid. The two ain't mutually exclusive.