Hi Foxy,

You are such a dear person. You see good in everyone and rarely step into the abuse domain. That can be good and also be not so good, in the sense that it makes you vulnerable.

Your faith in humanity to do the right thing is awesome. I’m not sure that humanity rewards your optimism. That said you have succeeded where I have failed.

rehctub launched this thread with some home truths, painful as this might have been for some however, it has caused me to review my position in relation to many social issues.

I find myself being driven to oppose many of the ‘progressive’ perspectives on OLO and yet, I’m not actually, and never have been naturally “of the right”.

What I have recognized is that whilst I am naturally a centrist on many social issues, I have drifted off to the right as a consequence of opposing what I perceive to be the progressive left.

I would dearly like to be at home again as a centrist but feel locked into, and accused of being “hard right” because of my opposition to progressive ideology. You seem able to accommodate what I perceive to be left of centre perspectives, whilst maintaining a balance. I don’t always agree with either your sources or your perspectives however, I find myself drawn to the open, honest and direct expression of your views.

There can be no doubt that the ALP/Unions face a tortuous defense of their actions, likewise all those of a progressive disposition will face critical analysis of their perspectives.

So have you considered just how you will defend the perspectives you hold in the light of upcoming revelations from the RC? Will you face the same challenges as I have experienced, in defending your perspectives as public disclosures threaten your optimism? Will this drive you further to the left?

Dear spindoc,

Thank You for your kind words.

I don't like labels very much - because as I wrote to
Banjo on another discussion - I take people as I find
them and I don't like to pre-judge people.
Prejudice is an irrational, inflexible attitude, and usually
implies negative feelings - antipathy, hostility, even
fear. The key feature seems to be that prejudice is always
rooted in generalisations and so ignores the differences among
individuals. If someone is prejudiced against a certain
group they will tend to have a negative attitude toward an
individual of that group in the belief that all individuals
belonging to that group share the same traits. And as we
know that's not always the case. With politics this becomes
even more difficult. I know many so called "Leftists" who
have some very conservative views on certain issues, the
same as there are Conservative people who have some very
progressive views.

I know that on this forum we all argue rather robustly
and even passionately at times. And if the right buttons are
pressed we all will react. But I love the forum.
And slowly - stubborn as I may seem at times - I do go back
and quietly have a re-think an many, many issues. Banjo
for example - with his civil manner - has had an emormous
impact on me. I am beginning to see things from his point
of view.

What I do get turned off by - is dowright
nastiness and personal attacks.
I think we all have to remember that we're dealing
with other human beings on the other side of our computers.
And try to keep things on a more professional level, hard as
it may be at times.

I don't know how I will react in the future -
or for that matter where I will be politically either.
I love our Liberal Premier here in Victoria - Mr Napthine,
I think He's terrific. I love Melbourne's Major Mr Doyle -
who works so hard (also a Liberal) and my State Federal MP -
works very hard.