Yep. Not here to stress myself out or police anybody. If I dislike you, buhbye

I disagree. In my opinion, we are not in a formal debate setting. To ME, I liken this place to a big ol' back yard barbecue. If I don't want to be around somebody at a bbq, I find a way to not be around them. Here, the easiest way to not be around people with whom I don't want to be around is to block. When I block somebody, it is only MY posts they can no longer see. And, good for both of us!

That said, I would absolutely prefer the option of "muting" somebody -- so I just don't have to see what they write, but they are not blocked from seeing what I write. But, I've asked several times, and I think it's not been a consideration.

@BlueWave Except we're not at a BBQ... we're kind of in a "think tank," and thinking means allowing others to disagree with us, and still being willing to talk with them. Otherwise, we're just another version of Facebook, to which I ask, "What's the point? We already have Facebook."

@Benthoven To you we are in a "think tank." To me, we are in a community of mostly like-minded people sharing a bit of ourselves and life with each other. As in the rest of my life (for example, the bbq ANALOGY), I don't have to be around people I don't want to be around. I block people for a variety of reasons of which I've detailed before -- I have not blocked anybody merely because they disagree with me.

@BlueWave, I suppose if you don't want people to disagree with your opinion you shouldn't post your opinion. You share yours, they share theirs.

@BlueWave "To me, we are in a community of mostly like-minded people sharing a bit of ourselves and life with each other." And that right there, I think, is our disagreement. Which means I think we ultimate agree on pretty much everything else. But in my "observation" (it's more like an opinion, but it is something I've observed as well) there aren't really any "like-minded" people. Sooner or later even our best friends are going to disagree with us, and at some point even aggressively. I've had fallouts, but then fall-back-ins. Sometimes fallouts are necessary, and I absolutely won't deny that. The fallins happened because we agreed that we could listen to each other no matter how much we differed. I have Conservative and Libertarian friends and we disagree a lot... about a lot of things... adamantly... but we talk to each other because we also want to be exposed to other ideas.

To that end, I've always kind of considered the idea of "like-minded" more as a myth (in the true sense of the word myth--a story told--a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon--without the supernatural stuff). And we've started using it not as a way to have truly honest and open conversations, but to avoid talking to anyone who disagrees with us.

If we truly want to be in a BBQ, then Facebook is the perfect place. We can make small-talk, drink (I'll bring the vodka), eat burgers (or hotdogs), and if we're lucky, see some fireworks. The stated goal of this site, though, was to create meaningful conversations... which means that there will be disagreements. There must be disagreements. And some of them will be big. I love the myriad of opinions, because it allows my mind to make new connections and find new ways of thinking through an issue.

To be fair, I have blocked people, but it's been very few, and it's because I felt it was bordering on harassment, and that also is no way to have a convo. There are a few assholes on my page that I'd "love" to block, but they do share honest opinions, and they give me insight into what "the other side" is thinking. I call it "reconnaissance," meaning it helps me sharpen my own arguments.

And I do agree, maybe "mute" is a better option? I just want us to stay engaged, even with those who piss us off. And when I say "us" I mean me. As I look at the situation we're in at the moment I think that we will never come out the other side until we start talking to each other (and listening to each other).

@Keith_J I suppose you have misinterpreted my comment or, alternatively, that you are seeking an argument just for the sake of arguing. No thanks.

@Benthoven Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We do things differently here and we view the purpose of the site differently. And, that's okay.

@BlueWave Thanks for the conversation. Seriously. This is why I enjoy this site. And yes, it's totally okay that we disagree. In fact, I think at a BBQ you and I would have some great conversations, which are easier to have in real time.

@BlueWave Nope. I just find it funny when people post an opinion on the internet and then don't like it/get upset when another person disagrees.

When the person you are chatting to disappears from the thread or when you search their name it's just no longer there . I'm

@NotConvinced Well, I can tell you that it is not. I am a "far left" person and I do not block anybody, although I have been blocked by several "right wing" nutters for pointing out what Donald has revoked or said, with the evidence attached to it.

I think perhaps you need to tell us what is a racist according to your definition. That would be a good idea.

What? Not you?