Current world events, can we have an open discussion?

I fell down the conspiracy rabbit hole a few years ago, learnt a lot of lessons about disinformation on line etc etc and have now found myself walking the middle road. I have many opinions many of you would consider "Drivel" but I'd like to start an honest, open minded discussion about Syria, Russia, NATO, the deep state, NWO, etc etc. Not interested in flat earth, reptilians or hollow earth. I feel WW3 is closer than it's ever been. I'm talking about what I personally consider actual conspiracies that are tearing our world apart, and not that disinfo designed to confuse. Is the MSM telling us the truth? Did Assad really gas his people just when he was winning the war and Trump said he was pulling US troops out? Administration, am I allowed? Members are you interested in a discussion where we can discuss this stuff openly without fear of being attacked for having a different opinion? Thanks.

All that stuff is too depressing for me. Rather hide my head behind some good positive stuff, when you can find it. Still, should let some vent a bit.
Cheers, Fred

Years ago Mountbatten (I think) when told that Hitler was launching an attack somewhere in Europe, nodded and said thank you, and went back to sleep.
His conclusion when asked, was that there was no point in worrying about something I can do nothing about.
If you are worried about things out of your control, start a garden and worry about grubs and water and weeds and things you can control, or start a wood project or a new job.
Most of us have personal worries that drive us to restlessness at night, that in the light of day are laughed off.
The big picture>>>>>My understanding is that world has never had fewer wars or less people suffering (percentage wise)than at the present.
Greg

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Edmund Burke the Irish philosopher is commonly attributed to have said this during the 18th century and is one of the most quoted phrases ever. It is one I frequently use because is seems appropriate so often.

I agree with Greg that we all have our own troubles and indeed become embroiled with other people's troubles, but I don't think we should ignore the bigger picture completely. I absolutely agree that frequently we can do nothing to change things. That does not necessarily mean we should stop trying. Nor should we give up. It is true to say that you can't fight for every cause. I personally don't have that amount of energy, but you can select a few worthy battles and you can ask a few questions. If everybody did this there would be less chance of evil slipping through the net.

We have never been able to access global information better than today, but by the same token neither has there been the ability to disseminate fallacious information more easily than today. This thread conducted in a civilised and considerate manner could highlight many issues: Just call it awareness. No need to act on every issue.

I am as guilty as the next person of doing the ostrich thingy, but I would like to think I don't do it every time.

Regards
Paul

Does this really need to be discussed on a woodworking forum. I come here to get away from that . The internet is really big. Plenty of other places on the internet that will be all too happy to listen to your conspiracy theories.

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Originally Posted by NCArcher

Does this really need to be discussed on a woodworking forum. I come here to get away from that . The internet is really big. Plenty of other places on the internet that will be all too happy to listen to your conspiracy theories.

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I agree.

Peter.

Removing this thread would be a really good idea, it should just disappear.

Yep agreed with the above, I come here for woodworking discussion not the depressing state of the world. I can get that anywhere.

I have to confess that I am a little mystified. Let me explain it this way. I contribute to the Forums on a reasonably frequent basis, but certainly do not participate in every category. There are many aspects in which I have only a passing interest and some in which I have none. However I respect the right of others to enjoy those subjects. I also enjoy the discussion on a variety of subjects by people with whom I feel some degree of connection because of our woodworking. I am particularly conscious of not becoming a boring old woodworker who can talk on nothing else.

Despite my best efforts it is looking highly unlikely that I will be unable to change the "old" aspect, although for the moment I languish in denial, but I can maintain a broad degree of interest. I acknowledge that I could follow other avenues on the internet, but I tend not to do this. In fact I prefer not to do that. Although I have membership of other Forums I do not participate in them. Just returning to the subject, this section is entitled "Nothing At All To Do With Woodwork." I have always meant to count the number of categories on the Forum and the myriad of sub forums but I have never got around to it. There are a lot and most of them are to do with woodwork in some form or other.

There are also many sections that are not to do with woodwork. Look at the photographic forum. We would have been denied the privilege of all Repliconics pix if we had said there are photographic forums elsewhere. If you doubt the scope of this Forum I would recommend you have a look at the "Not woodwork - My other loves" section and see the explanation of "This section is for those who also have hobbies and interests outside of the woodworking realm."

The "Nothing to do with Woodwork" section is a longtime arena and in the past has been host to many interesting and sometimes challenging topics. If I ever had a criticism of the Forums it was to do with censorship, but I accept that some rules have to be in place otherwise it degenerates into the melee that can been seen in other forums. Why then would we introduce censorship ourselves? I have posted threads in the past which had had zero interest. So be it. It was not compulsory to comment and neither should it be. Surely any thread stands on it's merit. Unless the thread is overtly offensive (in which case the moderators will step in) or defamatory, let threads run. It is not compulsory to participate. You do not have to subscribe to a thread and you do not have to even look at it.

I would generally say that the original subject in question from the OP is possibly too broad and perhaps topics could be introduced on an ad hoc basis. However I am really wary of censorship.

Regards
Paul

This section is for those who also have hobbies and interests outside of the woodworking realm.

"Nothing at all to do with woodworking"
Ummmmmm I get it,
Would you rather see a thread on my toe nail clippings.


I would say let this thread run here because this section is excalty the place for it.

Like others here I don't just live for woodworking.
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Cheers Matt

Fellas, please!
"the first casualty of war is truth" is a universally acknowledged truism. If some members want to canvass or seek input about the state of the world, a dedicated woodwork forum is arguably not the place to do it. However, "Anything else but woodworking" seems a bloody broad church to me.
Why not?
I don't HAVE to click on the thread.

Personally, I'd rather find out how Fence Furniture got on, helping a member that needs a hand with his shed. But, each to his own.
Totally agree with Bushmiller.
Well done Brett, BTW.
Cheers, Redbog

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NCArcher

Does this really need to be discussed on a woodworking forum. I come here to get away from that . The internet is really big. Plenty of other places on the internet that will be all too happy to listen to your conspiracy theories.

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Let me see, this thread is posted in the 'Nothing At All To Do With Woodwork' forum.

It appears that the solution is mind numbingly simple - if as a topic it is likely to offend, don't read it!

Brutal though it may sound, we all have a will and presumably intellect to avoid topics that are not of interest or offensive.

As said above if you don't like it don't read it

Kiwi77, look no further than bonds, derivatives and credit default swaps (car, student loans, credit cards, soon to be Aussie mortgages)

This generated war is a simple magicians trick to distract the masses from the fact the USA, Europe and most "advanced" economies are hopelessly economically bankrupt.

Trillions and Trillions and.... Trillions.

The dispersing cloud won't be radioactive dust... It will be radioactive debt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NCArcher

Plenty of other places on the internet that will be all too happy to listen to your conspiracy theories.

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The strange thing is that, in my experience with few exceptions, a lot of conspiracy theories generally turn out to be true.

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Originally Posted by Kiwi75

I have many opinions many of you would consider "Drivel" but I'd like to start an honest, open minded discussion about Syria, Russia, NATO, the deep state, NWO, etc etc.

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Unfashionable though it may sound, and it will invariably upset some, if you want to find out what is going to happen, it is all written in the Bible.

The problem with stating this, which had previously been pointed out by a forum member on another thread, is that any involvement or reference to the Bible is verbotten on this forum. This rule may have to be relaxed on this thread if a balanced discussion is to proceed.