Mapleleafweb this week...

[kimmy]

I want to take a moment to mention how civilized this forum has been during this unusual time.

We have had a ton of discussion and for the most part it has been thoughtful, open-minded, and respectful.

We have had a lot of new members appear, and while some where obviously just trolls, some of the new members have shown themselves to be very bright and well spoken people who have contributed great thoughts to the board and hopefully they'll stay around after this current situation has played out.

As well, there has been a number of trolls, a number of temper-tantrums, and I think Charles Anthony deserves some appreciation for doing a good job of keeping that aspect from spiraling out of control.

A number of times during the time I've been on this board, controversial times in Ottawa led to this forum becoming just as nasty and partisan as the floor of the House. This time, somehow, things have been much different. I just wanted to take a moment to recognize how people from east and west, urban and rural, red provinces and blue provinces, right and left, up and down, have all come together in this time of crisis to make MLW work and get this message board moving forward.

-k

{yes we can!}

[Oleg Bach]

Anthony did a wonderful job. He sent me a private message instructing me not to be inflamatory or insulting - He pulled my thread - and I quickly re-wrote one that was more USEFUL and constructive..still kept the edge - what Anthony was saying was to preserve the nation and not take part in the burning of Rome...nor insult with no positive results. Aggressive and violent partisanship serves no purpose - All those who rage and tear down the proverbial temple but have nothing to replace it with are common destroyers - Anthony kept us in line and made sure we continued with our roles as builders. The system needed tweeking - and we tweek and tune the best be can because we love this place -our home! Thank all of you and - grace to Charely.

[cybercoma]

YES WE CAN!

[madmax]

YES WE CAN!

[August1991]

I want to take a moment to mention how civilized this forum has been during this unusual time.

The eternal optimist. "With all this horseshit, I'm sure there must be a pony around nearby."

----

I don't think this forum has been more or less civilized in the past few weeks (and I say that as someone who has been here for several years, through insulting posts while a desperate Paul Martin clung to power).

In teh past few weeks, this forum has been rather typical and normal, with one extra point. Some of us now know each other a bit better.

So, what do I think?

First, MLF is remarkable because posters of different political opinions somehow manage to talk with one another here. Both leftists and right wingers and even centrists are somehow unafraid to post. There may be bullies but no poster is truly afraid of them. This is Maple Leaf Forum's great contribution to Canadian political discussion and I think only a website in Alberta could achieve such freedom of speech. Greg and other unnamed people at the University of Lethbridge should take pride in what they have done.

Second, this forum is on the cusp of a new kind of discussion. Some of us now know each other better. (Dobbin, Argus, Kimmy, Wilber, Bush_Cheny, eyeball, scriblett and many others are names that I now know - and they have established a reputation. For example, we all know Oleg Bach.) When something happens in the world or in Canada, I'm curious to know what some of these posters think of events. This forum provides me a broad way to understand what others think, other people who have established a reputation.

This forum is good fun, it has improved my written English and it has helped me to enjoy life once again.

[Oleg Bach]

What I appreciate and enjoy was that there are learned and experienced people here that intelligently span the whole political and spiritual spectrum. Being a grade 10 drop out but believing that even though I may not have the credentials - at least the members make an effort to find a little bit of value in my rants. At first I was excluded because I was rough around the edges...eventually MLW....showed grace and allowed me to contribute in my own way....Everyone has a gift - the low and the high and all inbetween...and the motivation to bring about a better world is shared as we toss in personal wealth though the generosity of mind and heart - we toss ourselves into the common purse and hope that all will do well - the left right and centre...holy cow - we might just be civilized after all! It's my hope that all the members continue to show this great tolerance - not to sound corny - love...yep - that is a powerful force - If there is hate here - we educate - at the haters respond...that is a great achievement. But don't get it wrong and think that the peace makers here are sizzies - I am sure they could wage war if attacked...but we choose peace.

[Michael Hardner]

Being a grade 10 drop out but believing that even though I may not have the credentials - at least the members make an effort to find a little bit of value in my rants. At first I was excluded because I was rough around the edges...eventually MLW....showed grace and allowed me to contribute in my own way.

I have a degree, but having a degree isn't a "license to having a valuable opinion".

Your opinions here are appreciated, Oleg.

[blueblood]

I have a degree, but having a degree isn't a "license to having a valuable opinion".

Your opinions here are appreciated, Oleg.

As appreciated as the raving town drunk. Can say what he wants, nobody listens...

[scribblet]

Hey, and yes we can.. Unfortunately I don't have as much time as I used to for forums, or at least I'm cutting back LOL

Keep up the good work

[Michael Hardner]

First, MLF is remarkable because posters of different political opinions somehow manage to talk with one another here. Both leftists and right wingers and even centrists are somehow unafraid to post. There may be bullies but no poster is truly afraid of them. This is Maple Leaf Forum's great contribution to Canadian political discussion and I think only a website in Alberta could achieve such freedom of speech. Greg and other unnamed people at the University of Lethbridge should take pride in what they have done.

Thanks, Auguste.

I have been here for 5 years (in fact, hardly anybody here has been here longer than that - looking at the list there is Slavik, Moderate Centrist, Melanie and that's it for folks who are still here).

I am convinced that this board has fermented and evolved into an incredible sounding board for political ideas. These boards are the equivalent of the political pamphlets and tough discussions that made early colonial America a successful democracy. They are no less than a salvation for democracy, if someone could figure out how to extend these discussions to the voting public.

And I have changed immeasurably since coming here. When I arrived, I identified mostly as an eastern liberal type. After having read thousands of posts from conservative western types, I now identify as much with them than with my former group. When I go to dinner parties with my (100%) eastern liberal friends, I find myself disagreeing with the arguments that my worthy western conservative opponents have debated here. This tells me that western alienation is a very real thing, and that the liberal smugness that I argued against for years indeed exists and is a problem.

What is important is 'principles', though, not identity. The more you debate principles and ideas here, the more you will recognize the vain arguments of geographical, occupational and personal identity. I have also read the same from other liberals.

If you post and discuss regularly on MLW, you will find yourself informed in a new (and I think better) way than your friends who read the Globe and Mail, or Edmonton Sun.

Edited December 22, 2008 by Michael Hardner

[Mr.Canada]

Even though being newer around here I can still appreciate MLW and have grown in the short time I've been here. I've read many peoples posts and they have convinced me that my views were a bit extreme and after reading others I've learned that maybe there is something to be said for progressive views.

Yeah Christmas is making me all emo now. Thanks Drea. You have just the right amount of fight and reason, even if you are a raving socialist. Keep it up!

Edited December 24, 2008 by Mr.Canada