I always knew 'lefties' were more courageous

[Psyber]

Well, you didn't actually.
Nothing specific at all, just a lazy way out, excused with a Latin generality
Then again, to you, anyone left of Genghis Khan is a socialist, so mainstream political thought equates with socialism.
In Australian politics, socialism has been a dead parrot for a long time.
Not to worry, though, Jimmy, you can always find solace in the Tea Party over there. You're an ideal candidate
Anyway, Happy New Year to you and all the best.

That's a bit of an extreme statement that gets trotted out here a bit often. It makes the lose credibility.
It is the equivalent to someone with the opposing perspective suggesting anyone right of Mao Tse Tung is a hard right Conservative to you.

Election results, and even the ALP's adopted position to woo the electorate, suggest main stream political thought is a bit to the right of your usual position.
I respect your views and your apparent sincerity/consistency, but don't kid yourself that they are mainstream..

[redandblack]

Give it a rest, Psyber

Instead of the generalities you dislike, can you give me any actual examples of political thought I have posted which is extreme, or even not reasonably mainstream.

I would argue that mainstream political thought isn't defined by election results or ALP policy, but by the general social acceptance that it is a reasonable argument.

I await your examples, but fear you'll plead lack of time or interest.

[dedja]

[Psyber]

Give it a rest, Psyber
Instead of the generalities you dislike, can you give me any actual examples of political thought I have posted which is extreme, or even not reasonably mainstream.
I would argue that mainstream political thought isn't defined by election results or ALP policy, but by the general social acceptance that it is a reasonable argument.
I await your examples, but fear you'll plead lack of time or interest.

R&B, even though I am retired, I do have other things to do than go through so many past posts to find examples.
That's why I said it was a general impression only, but others comments have suggested they share that impression.

How else can you define mainstream thought except by results, and where the parties who analyse this stuff position themselves.
I am right therefore I am mainstream really doesn't wash..

[Psyber]

Give it a rest, Psyber
Instead of the generalities you dislike, can you give me any actual examples of political thought I have posted which is extreme, or even not reasonably mainstream.
I would argue that mainstream political thought isn't defined by election results or ALP policy, but by the general social acceptance that it is a reasonable argument.
I await your examples, but fear you'll plead lack of time or interest.

R&B, even though I am retired, I do have other things to do than go through so many past posts to find examples.
That's why I said it was a general impression only, but others' comments have suggested they share that impression.
And I didn't say "extreme" just on the socialist side of "mainstream" - you have shifted the playing field subtly there, as you tend to do.
There is room for you between "extreme" and "reasonably mainstream", despite your implying that gap isn't there.

How else can you define "mainstream thought" and "general social acceptance" except by results, and where the parties who analyse this stuff position themselves to appeal to the general public.
"I am right therefore I am mainstream!" really doesn't wash..

[redandblack]

I accept that you don't have the time to search through posts.

However, you then fall back on the vague idea of 'perception' and back it up by saying that others share that perception. You also say that I subtly shifted the playing field, 'as you tend to do'. Given that your original statement was that I'm 'seriously committed to socialist views' and you now say you said I was 'just on the socialist side of mainsteam', you don't think you might be guilty of the same thing, perhaps?

I'd suggest others have the perception that I lean to the left in my political views and I have no problem at all agreeing with that, just as most on here would agree they lean to one side or the other

OK, Psyber, I won't ask you to check specific posts, so I'll now ask you to only generally recall any socialist views I've espoused.

I'm sure you won't be able to, unless they're totally mainstream, so in their absence I'll claim that you have gravely misrepresented my views.

PS: I haven't had a chance recently to wish you a happy new year and I look forward to another year of good debate

[Psyber]

I accept that you don't have the time to search through posts.

However, you then fall back on the vague idea of 'perception' and back it up by saying that others share that perception. You also say that I subtly shifted the playing field, 'as you tend to do'. Given that your original statement was that I'm 'seriously committed to socialist views' and you now say you said I was 'just on the socialist side of mainstream', you don't think you might be guilty of the same thing, perhaps?

I'd suggest others have the perception that I lean to the left in my political views and I have no problem at all agreeing with that, just as most on here would agree they lean to one side or the other

OK, Psyber, I won't ask you to check specific posts, so I'll now ask you to only generally recall any socialist views I've espoused.

I'm sure you won't be able to, unless they're totally mainstream, so in their absence I'll claim that you have gravely misrepresented my views.

PS: I haven't had a chance recently to wish you a happy new year and I look forward to another year of good debate

I didn't say "seriously committed to extreme socialist views", and I still don't.
What I said originally is not inconsistent with saying that you are somewhere between extreme socialism and the true "mainstream political thought".
You have created a perceived discrepancy in my statements by your interpretation/underrstanding of them.
[Perhaps the perspective I've mentioned before is an issue here, and, perhaps also, expectation of what I would say.]

I am sorry I could not make what I meant more clear - I would have tried had I realised the word "serious" could be interpreted as calling you an extreme socialist..
By "seriously committed" I was saying only that your views appeared to be seriously and genuinely held as demonstrated by your consistency.
That was what I said I respected.

We seem to often finish up at odds over such issues of understanding.
I suspect that if we could get past that we would find we are not as far apart as it appears.

Anyway, all the best to the New Year to you too

[redandblack]

Thanks mate, I actually understand all that and accept it.

We'll take it though that, let alone being in between extreme socialism and mainstream political thought, no-one can actaully recall even any 'socialist' views I've posted

[Jimmy_041]

just cant be bothered going through your posts

You believe what you want - no-one will convince you otherwise anyway

My latin was not in jest

[redandblack]

I'm not asking you to go through my posts.

Just give me any example you even vaguely remember, otherwise you are all just labelling me without any evidence at all, except for your own prejudices. Prejudices which come from a very, very conservative viewpoint.

[redandblack]

Hello??? Anyone there??

Any examples, vague memories, etc???

[fish]

Hello??? Anyone there??

Any examples, vague memories, etc???

You have "red" in your username you are obviously a Commie!

[redandblack]

That seems to be the only reasonable point so far

[dedja]

the word is only wears red jocks as well ... and has been known to hide under the bed

[oldfella]

After this mornings papers comments by the SA leader of the opposition "that the Liberals will be more left than Labor" does this mean that R&B will become a Liberal supporter

[dedja]

loves Beyonce as well ...

[redandblack]

After this mornings papers comments by the SA leader of the opposition "that the Liberals will be more left than Labor" does this mean that R&B will become a Liberal supporter

Very likely now.

Good to see Isobel becoming a seriously committed socialist

[oldfella]

LOL

[fish]

After this mornings papers comments by the SA leader of the opposition "that the Liberals will be more left than Labor" does this mean that R&B will become a Liberal supporter

Very likely now.

Good to see Isobel becoming a seriously committed socialist

She's got "Red" in her name too!

[Bat Pad]

Communism and Socialism are not the same thing.