Friends only.
This journal is friends only.
Comment to be considered, not necessarily added.
I don't know how to be more honest than that.
Politics Filter
I post about politics in a filter. Even if I friend you, you have to request to be in the politics filter. Anything goes in this filter except death threats, so do not request to be in it if you are faint of heart. Thanks.
At the same time, you can say whatever you like in this filter without fear. Even if you disagree with everything I say, I will not like you any less. If you are my friend, I would like to know your views, whether we agree or disagree. I have friends of varying political stripes in this filter, which I find makes for a better conversation.
There are no repercussions for dissent here. :)
Again: Not for the Faint of Heart
"Robert... please take me off your politics filter for the time being. My head is in danger of exploding."
--
mojo_iv"I'm very happy today, because I am very happy every day, and I love everyone. In fact, I not only love everyone but agree with everyone about everything. I am as noncontroversial as one can get. I don't have opinions; I never get upset. It's as if I don't exist, my mind, heart, and will are so weak. Whatever you think, I think. Whatever you say, I say. I agree quite completely with you on everything you have just said--brilliant observation! I couldn't (and wouldn't) have said it better myself."
If this is what you seek, go elsewhere.
Addendum: I will not tolerate rudeness or meanness between my readers, who come here for intelligent discussion. All views are welcome, but discourtesy is not.
I have recently adopted a policy of ignoring discourteous comments directed at me. Also, please be advised that I do not post to start debates, let alone fights. I tend to post opinions of which I am already certain, unless I explicitly state otherwise. In general, if you happen to raise a point that changes my mind, great, but please do not "set about" to do so, let alone EXPECT to change my mind. That way lies the path to the Dark Side of the Journal.
Commenting in expectation of changing someone's mind, then getting upset when failing to do so, is not always, but can be, the height of arrogance. It can also be malicious. If you respect someone, you will respect that he or she might actually know what he or she thinks (what a concept!), unless of course you’ve already decided that anyone who thinks “X” is evil, in which case you probably shouldn’t be debating that person, as it will likely not lead to anything good. I have experienced such downward spirals all too often to wish to experience even one more. Spare yourself, spare everyone else, and spare me, please.
Enjoy my journal. If you have thoughts to share, share them. But don’t get bent out of shape if you can’t convert others (including me) to your point of view.
And if you're coming here just to persuade me I'm wrong about something, don't bother. It won't be received well.
QUOTED FOR POSTERITY:
"Obama is wasting his political capital....it may be too late for him to recover.
His numbers are going down everyday, and many of those disapproving are life-long loyal Democrats.
Being diplomatic hasn't gotten squat."
--
mstical1, August 21, 2009 (http://mstical1.livejournal.com/2180579.html)
Claire/Parenthood Filter
Claire Isabelle is my daughter, born April 30, 2007. I created a filter specifically for posts about Claire, baby care in general, and my life as a new parent. If you would like to read about my daughter, baby care in general, and my life as a new parent, all you have to do is ask to be placed in the filter. If not, that's fine too.
That said, these are my two main filters. Most of my posts are in one of these filters or the other, because politics and Claire are my two favorite subjects. My third-favorite subject is language.
A Note on Language
I am a poet, a fiction writer, an essayist, and a student of languages in general. I post about language. I post what I think. I am not looking for debate, or even discussion. That is why, when I post about language, I will largely, if not uniformly, disallow comments. When it comes to politics, I welcome differing, even opposing, views. When it comes to language, I invite you to think what you like, but I am not seeking debate. Unfortunately, also, I have found that when I have allowed comments, I have suffered much hostility. Who knew that language aroused as much passion as, if not more passion than, politics? Certainly not I.
But it is true that I have suffered more conflict online about grammar than about anything else. Again: I'm not looking for debate. You think what you want, and I will think what I want.