How Do You Feel About A Community of Women Who Share Many Different Political Opinions?

[Catherine Morgan]

Now that the community is growing so quickly...I thought we might need a place to have a discussion about the pros and cons of a community like this. Most political blogs and political communities are set up with all "like minded" participants. Since we are a community with multi-party affiliations, we need to find ways to share our opinions, while still respecting each other as fellow women. I am confident we can do that here. What do you think?

[Helen H. Snyder]

Well .. as this is my first foray into blogging I will try to keep from suffering from *foot in mouth* disease. I have some reservations .. based only on observation .. about things remaining peaceful when mixing widely differing political opinions .. however, I am willing to give it a try. I guess I need to state upfront that I am a "recovering republican" .. the GOP and I parted ways back in the Nixon days .. when civility seemed to disappear from the political scene. I am also a relic of the 60's and 70's who feel *men* have had their chance to showcase their abilities concerning the control of all things "powerful" .. from world affairs to sex. I believe they have done a terrible job. Please don't jump to the conclusion that I "hate" men .. they populate my world, too .. from ex-husbands to sons to grandsons to friends. I just don't believe that "might makes right".
So .. having said all this .. I would like to see the unfolding of this brave endeavor to gather all women under a single umbrella .. for those who think that women are the "gentler sex" had best take another look at the world .. lol.

[Nancy Hill]

First off, I have to thank you, Catherine, for creating this venue. It is a wonderful node in a growing network.

I think we can keep civil tongues wagging here. ;-P In fact I'm sure we can if we stick to talking about being women political bloggers in this forum and leave our more pointed political commentary for our blogs posted here. :-) I know I have questions that I will ask in forum topics I will add -- ones only women political bloggers could possibly address in an informed fashion.

And Helen I am completely on track with you believing it is time for women to step into the leadership roles that we have neglected for generations. We must be find our commonality and soon if we are to create a sustainable peace before male territorial tendencies wipe our species off dear ol' Mother Earth.

[wagelaborer]

While it is fun to hang with like-minded people on the internet, in real life, I am surrounded by people who disagree with me politically, no matter how earnestly I point out to them that they are wrong!

If I can work for 15 years in the same place with Republicans and war mongers, and keep them as friends, I'm sure that we can do the same in this community.

[Onedia Hayes Sylvest]

If we only have discourse with people who think like us, then we are more likely be unable to hear the views of others and we will be less likely to have civil discourse with those who think differently. For many years I held a view about pro-choice that was different from my present thoughts. I changed that only because of discussions with both my daughter and my mother-in-law. It was finally when my mother-in-law asked "Who do you want to decide what happens to your body?' I started thinking and finally understood the issue. We must share space to keep us from shutting our ears and our minds.

[Catherine Morgan]

I totally agree. Thanks for sharing your story, and joining our community. :-)

[Trisha Redwine]

We should be interested in differing viewpoints. If one can not tolerate sharing different views it defeats the purpose of democracy. We can differ without insulting the other person. There are plenty of pundits around to do that anyways.