When debating a point, regardless of the subject, do you have an open mind or are you not able to listen to other perspectives?

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 07:45:26 -0500

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Feb 20 at 2017 7:57 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 07:57:35 -0500

Open-minded

Response by SFC Stephen King made Feb 20 at 2017 8:20 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 08:20:12 -0500

I am open minded and have found listening as opposed to talking helps with clarity.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Feb 20 at 2017 9:21 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:21:46 -0500

SFC,
For me, it depends on the statement/question and the tone on which it is presented.
M. Morris RVT

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 20 at 2017 9:42 AM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:42:23 -0500

It all depends. Is it somebody that is regurgitating information that is flawed? Are they using facts or opinions to make their argument? I find that most times if I take a stand it is not because of the subject matter, it is because the person is kool aid drinker and has allowed feelings to take the place of factual information. I usually call that person out because I don't want somebody else to get incorrect information.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 9:42 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:42:35 -0500

I have an open mind. However, it also depends on the other person. If the other person does not have an opened mind the it is pointless to see their side.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 20 at 2017 10:13 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:13:11 -0500

You can't debate haters, I have tried on several occasions.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Feb 20 at 2017 12:42 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:42:32 -0500

microaggression!

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Feb 20 at 2017 12:53 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:53:11 -0500

I believe I am open to others who don't necessarily agree with me, however what gets my goat is when others try to pass off their opinions as fact and then when asked for info on where these "facts" were obtained cannot produce it. Also as others have said haters, and I've seen them on both sides of the political spectrum (Right and Left) are never welcome!!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 20 at 2017 8:45 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:45:10 -0500

I attempt to keep an open mind as long as the conversation remains a civilized debate/discussion I also try to keep in mind that in all likelihood neither of us will change our mind at the end; hopefully both will have some food for thought at the very least.

That being said, I find it rare that a civil conversation takes place. All too often it quickly degenerates into shouting and name calling, which is when I bow out and go on my way.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 8:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:55:32 -0500

Most disagreements stem from differences in underlying assumptions. I am not willing to waste my time arguing with someone who begins from a position that assumes concepts that I disagree with, to be factual. I also will not waste my time talking to someone who just regurgitates buzzwords or whatever talking points they heard yesterday off their favorite talk show.

Other than that, I love having an open conversation with people who have different ideas than myself. I can honestly say that my position on politics has moved quite a bit over the last 10 years based on my own observations, as well as ideas that I've gotten from other people.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Feb 21 at 2017 11:22 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 11:22:59 -0500

I am willing to listen to fact based evidence, new evidence and a logical reinterpretation of what we are discussing, and I have had my opinion changed on many issues BUT recycling old arguments and calling one names is neither fact based, new or logical?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 21 at 2017 12:19 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 12:19:58 -0500

I have an open mind, but there has to be a basis on facts. If the other person is basing their arguments in opinion or emotion, then I have to take the gloves off and hammer the point home before we can have a sensible discussion.

For example, I have a very anti military friend with a very left leaning mindset. She made this remark on how we spend trillions of dollars every year on the military and if we cut even half of the military budget, we'd be able to afford the universal healthcare that every other civilized country has.

So first I told her that she's wrong. I showed her the breakdown of Federal Spending. I explained to her that the only thing that has ever hit the trillion dollar mark is the healthcare and social services category which makes up more than 50% of Federal spending.

She then proceeded to rant about us spending trillions of dollars on an aircraft that can't fly(referencing the F-35) and us dropping bombs on innocent countries. I then gave her the actual running cost of the F-35 which also isn't in the trillion dollar mark. I then told her that the military budget isn't all bombs and bullets. The military budget also employs millions of Americans and immigrants looking to be Americans. The military budget also keeps the same aircraft running for more than 40 years.

I then finished by telling her that if we can't get universal healthcare when we're spending actual trillions of dollars on healthcare and social service, then a couple billion dollars from the military budget isn't going to make a difference.

Needless to say she deleted her post within the next 10 minutes. It's perfectly possible to have a reasonable discussion, but we need a factual foundation.