Does that title sound like an oxymoron? I don't think it is. I've worked in several international corporations, my last boss lived and worked in a different country (Canada), and I do volunteer work for an international charitable organization dedicated to saving cranes (of the bird variety). I've had many polite respectful political discussions with coworkers and associates. My life has been enriched by those opportunities. I believe it is possible to discuss political matters in a way that enhances understanding and acknowledges different viewpoints without creating animosity.

Can we do that on this forum? I think it requires that we have some respect and trust in each in the first place (recognizing that we don't want to harm one another on a personal level). It also requires the ability to listen with an open mind.

One of my mentors gave me a piece of advice that I still try to follow. When discussing political matters pretend you're talking to your boss and your boss is your spouse/lover. Have you ever had a political disagreement with your spouse? Chances are that if you told him/her they were an idiot (in so many words) for having that opinion you went without sex, hugs, and pleasant conversation for a period of time. If you still have that loving feeling you've probably learned to agree to disagree.

Presentation makes a big difference. An idea presented as you, you people, your government should/should have is likely to put the other party on the defensive. First of all you don't pay taxes here and have no right to tell me how my government should spend my tax dollars or how I should live my life. Secondly, you've probably never lived in my country or visited my home town, you haven't lived in my shoes and haven't experienced my life. All of these things have probably helped to shape my viewpoint. An alternative might be: In my country we instituted xxxx policy and the benefit was yyyyy. Do you think that might work where you live? See the difference? You've presented an idea and if you get some feedback you just might learn something yourself.

A vague statement that basically says your country is ruining things here isn't likely to have any benefit either. It doesn't say much and the recipient is apt to think you're looking for a scapegoat or afraid of the boogie man. An alternative might be: when your government instituted xxx policy the result here was yyyy and the cost was zzzz. Now you've made a point.

IMHO political discussion presented poorly is nothing more than a lot of hot air or wasted key strokes.

end of rant

LOL... Awakening suggests this thread would fit in the Sleep Management Section... LOL sorry couldn't help notice that pun there... !

Anthony also has a "governments exposed" website. I can't remember the exact name at the moment.

I think you are absolutely right Ruddy.

Great post Ruddy! I am all for civility in any discussion and that includes political discussion.

My basic opinion about US policy on Iraq and the entire ideological war on terrorism is that for a while it was shaped by the most vocal parts of the US populace who had tripped on that line between patriotism and outright nationalism. Opportunism comes in all shapes and sizes and convenient flavors, but with nationalism none of it turns out well. What was that quote comparing nationalism and bad alcohol? First drunk, then blind, then dead.

I agree Andre. It seemed like restraint went out the window after 9/11.

The real deal in Iraq. 2 choices. Pull out every American force like some of these idiot political presidential candidates want to do in 60 days. Want to know what is going to happen? I'll tell you. Mass genocide. On a scale not seen since WWII.

You want the real truth now? We will be involved as an active combat force and an occupying force in Iraq for 100 years, just as one of the political candidates said.

Believe whatever you want. This is what the deal is. What started is something our childrens grand children will deal with......

That genocide has been delayed since the British took over from the Ottomans just after the first world war. The US has no mandate to sacrifice its people for the sake of badly thought out political ambitions. Listen to what you are saying my friend, do you want your child, your grand child, and his grand child to all continue fighting the same war here? Do you think everyone does? Its not going to happen, not unless we go on like South Korea and develop robotic soldiers to use...

Tactman,

As long as the US is percieved as an occupying force (which is, let's face it, exactly what it is), Iraq will be a mess...I think the point above was that the Iraq war should not have happened in the first place.