That the majority of posters to this article are reasonable, fair minded, and balanced of their judgement, I will also defer to those wishes expressed by woulfe, but for one exception which is significant of perspective of this dialogue.

This debate in these posts was constructive and cordial, until RObert asserted his opinions by deriding others including me. He is observed comprehensively beaten up in the debate, and while everyone else continues to be fair minded and reasonable, he still demonstrates no willngness to reciprocate even balance in his comments. e.g. 'World view' for christs sake!

That is my last word on the subject.

This thread has been extraordinary for the considered thought put forward by all contributors. We should rejoice, with the exception (and there is always one) of Peterson, the comments have been for the most part cordial.

R0bert.

Two points:

Agreeing with someone's opinion, as in Pynchme's case is not cheering someone on.

Setting up a thread of male on male violence is completely commendable and will be difficult to remain on topic. Having been a victim at school of female bullying, I am very open to hearing from men about their experiences of bullying by their male peers. It will be a tricky path to follow - avoiding homophobia, claims of "male bashing" and that the entire thing is a feminist plot to deride men. Good Luck, I promise to honestly contribute - and I do try to be honest whether I am disposed to be friendly or sceptical of various posters.

Pelican

I admire honesty and I do know that you are one of the most consistent posters here. On topic, you have tried to look for the best of intentions in Tony Abbott - that he is more guilty of foot-in-mouth than calculating. Therefore, what I would like you to consider is the statement by a politician stating that he or she is threatened by gays.

Pynchme

I don't see anywhere on this topic where you have been personally insulting. You dare to call people out on their claims - this can cut too close to the bone for some, but it is never a personal attack.

Ngarmada

You are new to OLO therefore I bid you welcome - there are people here who will amaze and delight if you give them time, none of us are one-dimensional (well maybe Runner) nor perfect (yours truly).

Regards to all.

Severin, I do have some trepidation about where the new thread could go but it could be useful. At some point it would be really interesting to see the equivalent female bullying of female's thread.

Given the tone of Pynchme's post and the wording of your post it looks very much like cheering on Pynchme. Pynchme recast me into Nazi Germany, did that bother you at all? Were those words which expressed so well what you wanted to say?

I've tried hard to be honest about my own journey on this thread. I've tried to provide a different perspective on what might actually provoke homophobes than appeared to be understood by most who have been taken part in this thread. I copped a sarcastic comment from you regarding what I'd shared of my own past and some quite nasty slurs from Ngarmada. Pynchme coming in with her angry twist and re-positioning of what I'd been saying was and is hurtful.

If the goal is philosophical point scoring then attacking me for what I'm saying (and trying to say) is valid, if it's about reducing homophobia and trying to give those willing to change a better place to do it then it's not. I think that I have something to contribute here regardless of how much it annoys some.

I'd not bother with Peterson at this point, he is so deeply into where he is that I doubt that anything said here will have the slightest impact other than confirming his views.

R0bert

Dear Pynch,

Thanks for your kind words.

To Everyone else I'd just like to add - that
whether its in our relationships or in the
workplace, most of us are always negotiating
for our own voice. The only path to happiness
is to really be all that we can be. If our
intentions aren't just to win the game, then
we can feel good that we've spoken our mind
without malice or anger but just from the
depths of our truth.

Of course we might say to ourselves afterward,
I shouldn't have said that, or perhaps I should
have said it differently. Well, okay, maybe we need
to work on our presentation - it's important to be
conscious and compassionate and act with civility,
but we shouldn't forget our own wisdom because of the
fear that we'll lose something. What's more important?
Losing our face , or losing our integrity?

We're often placed in situations where we possibly don't
handle things as well as we should. That often happens
when we have strong beliefs as well as our own insecurities.
And also to be less seasoned is to be less tolerant.

The more seasoned we are, the more willing we are to let
others shine. OLO is a learning curve for many of us -
and one of the most important lessons I've learned is
we'll all react when the right buttons are pushed.
I'm still learning to try to control that impulse...

If our intentions aren't just to win the game, then
we can feel good that we've spoken our mind
without malice or anger but just from the
depths of our truth.

…but we shouldn't forget our own wisdom because of the
fear that we'll lose something. What's more important?
Losing our face , or losing our integrity?

Posted by Foxy, Saturday, 20 March 2010 9:59:59 AM

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

Why are you suggesting another thread to me?

Was it something I wrote - that you found
offensive?

I'd like to know the reason for your
remark.

Posted by Foxy, Saturday, 20 March 2010 5:12:50 PM


Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

My apologies.

I went and read that particular thread
and now I get it!

Just ignore my previous post.

And by the way - Thanks!

Posted by Foxy, Saturday, 20 March 2010 5:39:25 PM

I’m having a little trouble with the potential incongruence here Foxy? Loudmouth [aka Joe] is clearly observed a bigot on the same thread your posts came from. [re: Windschuttle and the stolen generation]

If the sentiments you express are reliable, when we consider perspective, it is also important we consider its integrity.

Dear N,

Go back to the Windschuttle thread and read
my last post. Perhaps you will then understand
what it is that I am trying to say.

BTW - I try to avoid putting labels on people.
It usually doesn't achieve anything constructive.

Instead I try to encourage people to obtain knowledge -
by doing their research on a topic. Because through
knowledge - comes burdens - which can't be shirked by
those living in ignorance.

With knowledge the question
is no longer what we know - but what we are now to do?