Hi Chari!

Nice to see you again.  Why did I quit?  I think it was because I just liked the old format beliefnet better.  I had an old computer and when they switched over to the newfangled layout my old machine just wasn't up to the challenge.  But now I have a new machine and some solid facebook experience and decided to drop by and give it another try.

It's nice to be back, but I'm not sure how much time I'll be spending here at US Politics.  I used to love this board, but I think I've changed.  Whereas it used to look like a place where intelligent people argued the issues of the day, now it looks to me mostly like embittered people just hurling sh!t at each other. 

Like I said, the board hasn't changed--just me.  I've grown sick and tired of the ugly and stupid political culture of anger and insult we have in the states today.  Granted, I am alarmed and repulsed by the crackpot political right wing, but I'm not an especially great fan of lefty ideologues, either. 

I strongly support Obama and think he has the potential to be a truly great president--a humane liberal in his politics matched with a clear-eyed pragmatist in his approach to governing.  I think he's already taken very large and necessary steps to clean up the mess (what an understatement) left by his predecessor.  And I strongly and enthusiastically support his drive to reform healthcare, while recognizing that it's just a first step.

But I no longer feel like screaming at and insulting and hating on people who believe differently.  And I no longer care to read or listen to people doing that to each other.  Maybe my deepening Christian faith is turning me into soft-headed idealist who wants to listen and understand and try to find common ground.  Who knows.

I might be spending more time on the religion boards, while avoiding those where the cross of Christ is nothing more than a blunt force weapon to be wielded in the culture wars.

I hope things are well with you, dear Charikleia.  I'm sure we'll be running into each other from time to time! 

Dec 27, 2009 -- 7:42PM, CharikIeia wrote:

Posting, though, typically is a serious sign of "unhealthy attachment"

Ain't that the truth.  And "unhealthy attachment" pretty well describes the approach to political debate that I'm weaning myself from through mindfulness and "sobriety". 

You seem to be able to maintain something close to sanity here.  Always admired that.

Hello - new here myself.  I do have an interest in politics.

CharikIeia: What are you studying?