Christian leaders honor golden statue of Trump

[Valerie]

If these discussions are unhealthy, I think that probably includes both of us. You also frequently participate in political threads and write long, critical posts about Biden and Democrats.

Because as Grace often points out, Trump (for several years) has been criticized by the same people for the same things and the same people seemed to be silent over obvious issues with other administrations- so I’m on it more as pointing this out ( as Grace seems to try to do and JohnH seems to be as well, but to no avail so let’s see, we have over 2.5 years of the same left to go.
I actually came to the forum not expecting politics at all.

So I think your response shows that many of us are invested in these political threads, just in different ways.

I also participate in these threads because I also believe things about Trump are being distorted, but in the other direction and like you, I want to challenge the distortions I see.

What I see happening is that long anti-Biden or pro-Trump posts often get treated as ordinary political discussion, while criticism of Trump gets framed as emotionally unhealthy, obsessive or ranting.

I don’t think that’s fair or consistent.

I wonder if after 10 years, anyone has changed their mind on any of this-just wondering.

[Bootstrap]

So, some statues are okay as long as... they portray Christian values or something?

(Wouldn't this debate be more appropriate in the other thread where we can discuss statutes in general, as opposed to making it all about Trump?)

Nope. That's an example of you putting words in my mouth that completely change the basic point.

Try again. Do you REALLY see no difference between this statue and Don Colossus? If so, just say so. Or perhaps you could admit that they are not "exactly the same" and that they communicate very different things?

I fail to see the point being made when prior Presidents have done the exact same thing.

Quite apart from the shady financial and political circumstances, this kind of statue is not "the exact same thing" as Don Colossus.

It communicates something quite different, don't you think? What point are you making when you bring up this example?

[ohio jones]

I actually came to the forum not expecting politics at all.

We do provide an option for those who want to limit political content, in case you'd like the forum to live up to your expectations. Some (like this thread) still sneaks in under the guise of Current Events, though.

[Bootstrap]

6. Whose last name starts with T and middle name starts with J.

Nope. Another example of you putting words in my mouth to avoid answering a simple question. Here is the question again.

If you are right, then all kinds of presidents have been doing "the exact same thing". Can you name one? Here's the list. Sometimes DJT does things no other president has done. This seems to be one of them. If I'm wrong, just give me some examples of others.

Just answer the question? It's not a hard question.

I fail to see the point being made when prior Presidents have done the exact same thing.

Give me one example of a prior president doing "the exact same thing".

Something done:

1. While the President was in office
2. With something of real monetary value and the symbolism of gold
3. By people who had something to gain from what the president does
4. As part of a moneymaking scheme that could also raise money for the president
5. Tickling the vanity of a president who loves gold and glory

Something remotely like this. Not a bronze state built by someone else long after the president was out of office or dead.

[Bootstrap]

Here is an example of gold (or gold colour) for a whole bunch of Presidents, excluding Carter:

I'll give you a penny for each of those gold coins. After all, copper is just a different color ...

I don't own any gold coins.

Why not? Because you like the color of copper better, or are there other differences besides color?

I assume you just might have some pennies. I do if you don't.

[Szdfan]

Because as Grace often points out, Trump (for several years) has been criticized by the same people for the same things and the same people seemed to be silent over obvious issues with other administrations- so I’m on it more as pointing this out ( as Grace seems to try to do and JohnH seems to be as well, but to no avail so let’s see, we have over 2.5 years of the same left to go.
I actually came to the forum not expecting politics at all.

So I think your response shows that many of us are invested in these political threads, just in different ways.

I also participate in these threads because I also believe things about Trump are being distorted, but in the other direction and like you, I want to challenge the distortions I see.

What I see happening is that long anti-Biden or pro-Trump posts often get treated as ordinary political discussion, while criticism of Trump gets framed as emotionally unhealthy, obsessive or ranting.

I don’t think that’s fair or consistent.

I wonder if after 10 years, anyone has changed their mind on any of this-just wondering.

I think I’ve been involved with MennoDiscuss / MennoNet for around 20 years now. I first got involved sometime around 2004.

I don’t know how often people are actually persuaded in these discussions. I’m sure it happens occasionally, but most of us probably aren’t going to convince each other.

For me, though, that’s not really the point. I like discussing, arguing, and analyzing ideas. Participating here gives me insight into how other people think and believe, even when I strongly disagree with them. It also helps me think through and refine what I believe.

[Valerie]

So I think your response shows that many of us are invested in these political threads, just in different ways.

I also participate in these threads because I also believe things about Trump are being distorted, but in the other direction and like you, I want to challenge the distortions I see.

What I see happening is that long anti-Biden or pro-Trump posts often get treated as ordinary political discussion, while criticism of Trump gets framed as emotionally unhealthy, obsessive or ranting.

I don’t think that’s fair or consistent.

I wonder if after 10 years, anyone has changed their mind on any of this-just wondering.

I think I’ve been involved with MennoDiscuss / MennoNet for around 20 years now. I first got involved sometime around 2004.

I don’t know how often people are actually persuaded in these discussions. I’m sure it happens occasionally, but most of us probably aren’t going to convince each other.

For me, though, that’s not really the point. I like discussing, arguing, and analyzing ideas. Participating here gives me insight into how other people think and believe, even when I strongly disagree with them. It also helps me think through and refine what I believe.

That’s admirable

[Valerie]

I actually came to the forum not expecting politics at all.

We do provide an option for those who want to limit political content, in case you'd like the forum to live up to your expectations. Some (like this thread) still sneaks in under the guise of Current Events, though.

14 years or so later I’m certainly not going to imagine what my expectations would be of a Mennonite Discussion Forum, I just realize there are seekers like I was that probable end up somewhat surprised. Yet how many years can the same general topics of Anabaptism be interesting to those who’ve been here a long time yet still fulfill its original purpose? Wait- what was the original purpose?

[JohnH]

Why not? Because you like the color of copper better, or are there other differences besides color?

I do not keep savings in hoarded precious metals to the level that would be involved in something where a single coin costs $5000+. Not that I am condemning others that do, but that's just not something I personally possess.

I actually came to the forum not expecting politics at all.

We do provide an option for those who want to limit political content, in case you'd like the forum to live up to your expectations. Some (like this thread) still sneaks in under the guise of Current Events, though.

14 years or so later I’m certainly not going to imagine what my expectations would be of. Mennonite Discussion Forum, I just realize there are seekers like I was that probable end up somewhat surprised. Yet how many years can the same general topics of Anabaptism be interesting to those who’ve been here a long time yet still fulfill its original purpose? Wait- what was the original purpose?

Improving the founder's dating possibilities. It no longer fulfils that purpose.

[temporal1]

you know, i recall some occasional romance incidents on forum. a broken heart or two.
discreet, of course.

the forum began with youngns, full of hope and questions, not a lot of confidence.
i hoped it would continue that way, with younger sibs and cousins stepping in.
tech interferred, or i believe it would have gone that way.