I meant I’d been called names “here on this board,” not in this specific thread.

Nobody called me a baboon, and I didn’t call anyone else a baboon, either. I was trying to make the point that outrage and furious emotional responses should not be the main drivers for a complicated discussion, and that even very primitive entities have the ability to generate anger. We–note the “we” again–have to be able to get past that.

I think it’s picking nits, if you ask me.

The common factor is mindless emotion in control, and it serves only those who gain power from mindless emotions. I submit that the outrage that results in political action can do a hell of a lot more damage than the outrage (or rage, if you will) that creates localized violence.

On this board this has been demonstrated by calling for the destruction of political opposition, pushing legislation on the wave of mindless emotion, and essentially hogpiling on anyone who raises the complexities of the issue, or refuses to meekly accept the only solutions the Left has ever proposed for this issue through its entire history.

“Baboons can be angry. We’re the ones who are supposed to be thinking.” This means that “we” should not be behaving like baboons. It is not calling anyone a baboon, here or elsewhere.

Come to that, I’ve been called one hell of a lot worse than a baboon here, many times, and directly, not by an analogy or metaphor.

Myself, I’m just going to post info and do my best not to offer an opinion. Easier said than done.

But “leave you people in peace”? Come on Mcfly, you just got back here! It’s like that old movie when long lost star crossed lovers are reunited after 25 years and the guy gets hit by a bus…

Lynch mobs have rage, not outrage. Usually orchestrated rage, focused on violence. Rage is active.

Outrage is a legitimate emotional response, but it’s mostly passive. It’s not violent. When political action is required, it’s a liability, because it creates or reinforces the barrier between two sides that will have to negotiate a solution.

I responded that outrage alone is not a virtue, and that even lynch mobs can generate outrage. For that matter, a baboon can be angry. We’re the ones who are supposed to be thinking.

You certainly don’t have to offer a solution to participate, but if people don’t have any solutions, maybe just a little restraint might be in order before spending a dozen posts yelling at people who have already done a hell of a lot of research on this subject and still haven’t found any viable solutions.