milliondollarbbw - Your audience might not so much be labelling you negatively as puzzled over your contradictory message. You make a plea for a nonpartisan forum, but began your post with a statement of partisanship: "While I certainly did not vote for XXX..." As you say, not everyone is the same, and generalizations are to be avoided. Ergo, why begin by insinuating that a person's social tolerance can be generalized from how they voted?

Ira - It seems you needed to use that smiley face after all. Better yet, I shall stand up and yell: REGARDING THAT BLEEDING HEART REMARK, IRA WAS BEING IRONIC.

There. :)

Mormon's, in my experience, are polite young men dressed in black, with white shirts, who come to my door and wish to discuss religion and theology.

After a few hours or so, they leave and I don't see them again.

A few days later an older gentleman of the same faith arrives with the same intent.

I ask about the young men.

They have returned to Utah for further study.

I have had only one similar experience with a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

((I))

Sue xx yy:

I did get that and I apologized. I am sorry that you didn't see my apology. I'm still sorry.

Last time I checked, it's offensive to make fun of OTHER people...but to make fun of oneself is considered self-depracating, and if done correctly, downright funny.

Jules,

"In favor of Americans making fun of Americans since 1967."

Sue, I am sorry that you missed the intended message of my posting.

I started off by saying that I did not vote for a certain president as a way of saying that I am not approaching this from a nationalistic perspective. I realized that by even using the term American, that many people, from their postings, could possibly write me off as being an overzealous nationalist. This being because of many different things that have occurred media wise due to the war, etc.

And yes, I realized that Ira was being funny. No need to yell.

I agree with P M. Just let this thread die. Nothing constructive is being accomplished.

Don't bash others.
Don't base opinions on stereotypes.
Don't make fun of others.

Does that cover it?
Hope so.

Jules,

I guess I just feel differently than you do in that, to me, all Americans are different. And yes, it rubs me wrong when we are all lumped together as being the same. So, if an American makes fun of another American, to me it is offensive because we are all drastically different and what is one American's reality, is not necessarily, my reality. We are definately a nation that is divided.

But the issue was about more than just American's bashing Americans. There were other postings that mentioned different groups from all over the world. So my point was, even in fun, it is not right to label all people one way or another.

I come from the point of view, that even when using a positive stereotype (all people from xyz are great kissers!), then that opens the door for those to apply and use negative stereotypes.

Sooooo.....

Don't bash others.
Don't base opinions on stereotypes.
Don't make fun of others.

DOES cover it? If so, let this die.

Hi M,

>So, if an American makes fun of another American, to me it is offensive because we are all drastically different and what is one American's reality, is not necessarily, my reality. <

You are correct, of course. However, you have taken upon yourself a project similar to Hercules's Fifth Labor.

((I))

Hi tuscanlifeedit
>my only excuse is a brain injury;...<

Sorry to hear that.

((I))

Ha ha! You are funny!!

Gosh, what was Hercule's fifth labor? I remember having to draw a little book about all of Hercule's Labors in school.....

Herakles' fifth labor (according to most versions) was to clean the smelly stables of King Augeus of Elis in one day. Augeus had thousands of cattle. Herakles diverted the courses of two rivers to do it. Elis = area of Olympia