World War III - On line International Battles

When I set out to write these blogs it was with the intent of attempting to provide some constructive information to assist cs members in dealing with a number of issues that we all face from time to time and to do so in a manner that would foster interaction where members might learn and grow from one another. Yes, writing a blog sets one up for both supportive comments and for less than supportive comments regarding the information put forth to the reader. Sharing differing viewpoints are essential to growth and to accpetance that not all of us will ever agree on everything stated in a blog. While I attempt to provide information which is factually based, it still represents only my opinion and ignores the other 4,387,962,478 other opinions that others might have. That being said, there is a constructive way to state one's opposing opionion and of course more detrimental and at times even hateful ways of doing so. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the on line international battles of sarcasm and ridicule can indeed result in unkindly statements towards each other which can destory possible friendships and leave a path of destruction behind. An important point to both admit and accept is that we will not all agree on the effectiveness of a particular blog, the merits of that blog or even the reason for why that blog has even been posted in the first place. Blogs are but one person's attempt to convey a particular point of view on a particular topic of interest to them in hopes that it may be of interest to other readers. If you dislike a particular blog then the best thing to do is to stop reading it altogether and turn your attention to another blog that may better capture your interests. Those that choose to enter "attack mode" are probably doing so more to cause intended harm to others than to constructively state their opinions about a particular topic under discussion. Blogs have no right or wrong focus, they have no determined or universal structure as that is totally up to the blogger themselves and they certainly will not appeal to every reader. There is an age old adage that says: "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all!" Disagreements will always exist but how you choose your words and the emotions conveyed are still totally up to you. All statements are valid as all are personal expressions. All statments, however, are not necessarily constructive! To fight or not to fight; that is the question!

Professor Tim
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Comments (38)

applause i agree....applause
You are correct about one thing. Your blog is a mass, (or should that be mess), of grammatical and other errors. Before you lecture people it might be good if you took care about what you are writing.

“attempting to provide some constructive information to assist cs members in dealing with a number of issues that we all face from time to time” Who on earth do you think you are !? Some kind of authority, or you think that everyone else here is totally stupid !?

"If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all!" Yawn, bring out the well worn clichés.

“Remember, this is only my opinion! I welcome yours”. From what you said earlier, you clearly don’t welcome opinions. Just another member of the “land of the free” representing “freedom of expression” who thinks there is only one view.

Seems to me your blogs generally are also a mass of contradictions. If I were you, Professor, I would go to the back of the class and shut up !
Gosh ! Well my comment was made with a certain irony, given the subject of the blog. However since you are obviously not confident in your words alone and feel the need to invoke your "academic credentials" as justification for lecturing the stupid little people. Exactly what are you expert in, Professor ? Writing arrogant rubbish ?
Hi Tim, what frustrates me is that when I do perhaps have a differing opinion to a post and question it in a polite and underogitary manner, in many cases it gets ignored. It obviously touches on a nerve that does not want to be exposed or addressed.

Some people just like to blow there own trumpet and then quickly retreat, not willing to debate the issue. What is the point of that ?
Dear Howie, I've never said I had any blogs. But, I've never said I knew anything, nor have I ever judged anyone for their reflections either.

I was actually serious when I asked for an English grammar lesson and a phylosophy of life lesson from an "English professional" like yourself. One can only learn from others.

So?
Oh, and Howie, as a professional that you are, criticizing others, I guess your excuse for not using capital letters at the beginning of the sentences or when referring to yourself (i instead of I) and appropriate punctuation is due to a malfunction of your "Shift" button. Otherwise, I can't imagine that someone your "size" would spell "I've" as "ive", “I’m” as “im”, “it’s” as “its” or “I’d” as “id”.
Tztztz!
Ok, OK, UmeUme, well it seems to me that you hardly need any lessons in English grammar. Maybe you should be the one giving them. I never claimed to be an expert in this subject, unlike some people crowing about their "academic credentials". Actually it used to be trendy to not start sentences with a capital, I'm (see how careful I was then !) assuming this came from our American friends although I could be wrong. And remember, the Proof-Reader is good at picking up other people's mistakes, that doesn't mean he is a great writer himself. The tennis coach is good at pointing out areas for improvement, it doesn't mean that he himself will win Wimbledon. You get my drift?
Oh, my, thank you, Howie. For a moment I thought you were just having a bad day. I'll remember to thank my mom for getting me a tutor, since English is not my first language.

However, it seems to me that you're missing the most important aspect of this blog and actually any blog in general, and that is the meaning of the word itself: "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer", as the dictionary says.

cheers

peace
Ralph old Scottie boy! Maybe I am amiss but I do remember responding to several of your blog comments. If you check your email I chose to do so in that manner as you and I seem to talk at far more length than what could be placed in a blog comment. Please check my email to you regarding your lengthy blog on brevity! I thoroughly enjoy your opinions as you well know and I value greatly the intellectual relationship that we have developed. I also am a little confused as you and I seem to be two peas in a pod and I do not honestly remember any major differences of opinion on much of anything! And by the way, where is the comment that you wish for me to reply to on this blog???? I'll send you an email after I return home from the birthday bash! Take care! Tim
Professor, you didn't invite us to the party. I'd have come with your fiend here to discuss your blogs. Shame...
Tztztz! wine

Have fun! peace

Oh, and Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy/Girl gift bouquet
Tim OLD boy grin my comment was not directed at you personally in any shape or form, it was just a general rant on your subject of interaction.....beer wave
I was just bored... And then a question came on my mind: Howie, does that mean that you are some kind of Proof-Reader?

yay applause tongue cheering dancing cool cheers

peace
Hi Professor. I would have thought that factually based information is not classed as 'opinion'??

I've read blogs or posts (there isn't a lot of difference on CS) which contain facts/independent scientific findings and nobody has criticised those, but only added positively to them.

I think some of the blogs/posts on CS are so 'wierd' that it's difficult not to dispute them or offer an opinion on them.

But at least Howie generally does it with humour.

best wishes though wave
well i cant always say nice things because truth sometimes hurts... and im the kind of person who prefer to know the truth..
but saying the truth is one thing but being nice to others is another thing that i always tried to do my best.
peace teddybear
"people all around the world we need to join hands and sing the love train."....as sang by ROD STEWART at the rockefeller center in new york

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

from one bored cs in the windy city....

hug
Dear professor, since u mentioned your credentials, I would ask you to explain what you mean by “All statements are valid as all are personal expressions”. I am pretty sure if my “philosophy” instructor sees me write this he would not be very pleased. Could it be or some other things in your blog that prompted Mr. Howe to refer to it as a mess? Another thing I have noticed that many Americans here use the word “hater” too excessively. What I glean from your blog is the message that one ought to say only nice things about a blog or else they should shut up, is that the message you were trying to convey? I am not sure what kind of classes you conducted or still conduct with your students, but you seem to be missing the point of writing something and presenting to the wide audience base. If one intends to get no opposing views on their writing, they may simply write in their personal diaries and forget about sharing everything with millions of people. I think this is very simple to understand.
Maybe I am alone, but I mostly look for the entrainment value when I read something here. And talking of entertainment, I have seen no one who could bring more humor here than Mr Howe, although many tried their hand with comedy and failed miserably. However, from any kind of assessment standards, I have to say I would give you 'D' for overall writing and content of your blog. Again, this is not a “hater’s” response, it’s simply an assessment. The same kind of assessment you would give to your students. I am sure they never thought of you as being hateful towards them. My credentials for judging you like this are very nominal: I can read.

Dear UmeUme, after you have given Mr Howe some brilliant grammar insights, can u also shed some light on the wonderful world of “phylosophy.” I am very much intrigued to delve into this new realm of human understanding.
To answer your above stated question. If all statements were not validated as a form of personal expression, then where would differences in opinion arise from? Philosophers for generations have supported that point of view so I am not sure where your instructor would be basing this assumption. Differentness is what allows for growth and the expansion of novel ideas. Soren Kirkegard supports this point well in his philosophical essays. I appreciate your comments and would encourage your exploration of the above mentioned.
Of course thin should be 'think'! laugh Some 'spelling' errors are due to keyboard sticking, especially when you type too fast, lol.
Thank you, but the point remains how would you validate a personal expression? If I decide to not acknowledge or as you put it “validate” your expression of something, then it cannot be said all statements are valid or can be validated. But if a statement is a matter of fact, then my denial would have no bearing on it to be not validated as a valid expression. Despite who said what, I still think it’s a fallacy to assume “all statements are valid as all are personal expressions.” For example, I can be very sad personally and writing a funny blog, do you think in this case my expression can be validated in its true essence?” If I were you, I would rephrase the same thought as” All statements are just that… a mere expression”. I would not bring the validity factor to give expressions more credibility than they actually deserve, without knowing what they stand for.

In essence what I am trying to say is all statements can be validated, as u stated, but they may not be valid.
Hello Calm, nice to see u here. I think it was the first time I saw somebody giving Mr. Howe English grammar tips. I guess only moonlove is qualified to do such a thing, and the rest of US—except you--- should only read and learn from him how to write interesting, legible, such colorful language.
“All statements are valid as all are personal expressions.” Invalid statement, you're right. Good catch!
"If all statements were not validated as a form of personal expression, then where would differences in opinion arise from?"

I don't understand this as presented. How are they validated as a form of personal expression? To be validated means to have a foundation of truth, etc. One can say "your feelings are valid," only when they are well grounded and justifiable. If you could give references of this broad usage of validity it might be better understood, for surely not all opinions are equally valid. Some opinions are based on reason or rationality, while others are based on lack of knowledge, prejudice, and other subjective emotion.
Mr JeJune.....too kind......handshake
I was tiring of this blog but reading the above....seems there may be some life in it yet. Quite ironic really, considering the original subject matter.
Ume, no nothing to do with proof reading. Nothing to do with writing at all, finance and investments are more my thing and helping to support the faltering German economy.
Dear Ume...I found that phylosophy is mainly caused by being a PE teacher for too long. Excessive ‘phy’sical strain, especially in desert heat, gets to the mind and thinking gets obscured and one starts to ‘lose’ it. That’s the true genesis of phylosophy. No cure for it has been found yet and only some therapy by Miss X or Calm, whatever you call her, can provide a bit of a relief. Also, limiting daily doses of steroids may also make one feel better. Nice six pack though. I hope I have enlightened you enough. Never hesitate to seek my help at any given time. Before you blame me for anything make sure that I never mentioned you anywhere during the exploration of phylosophy. It was purely your request and I obliged to it. I truly stand by to my previous assertion that all statements are not valid and expressions can be as silly and absurd as the one you are reading now.
Semantics causes an issue here as there is clear difference between being valid and being validated. I do enjoy your fresh insight and regret that today's challenges will prevent me from being much of a participant until later. Funny how unexpected issues in life can derail us from planned activites and focus us instead in a completely opposite direction altogether.
Dear Jejune, thank you for the advice. It is highly appreciated and I will remember to ask for your advice next time I go to the gym, for it seems you know everything there is to know about gym issues. However, I am quite sure you have no clue about steroids and such. Nor do you have any clue about the effects of exercise on the brain. For if you did, you would have known how absurd your statement is. I guess you have never seen women on steroids.

peace
Dearest Ume...About the absurdity of my statement, I did acknowledge it beforehand. Read again. You should have done a set of warm up push ups before responding. That could bring more blood flow in your brain. Then, I may not have seen in real life a woman on steroids but does looking at a profile count? Please reply.
Dear professor, if you go back and read your explanation you would find that you started the discussion about validation where I only objected to “valid” issue.
I am in awe, Jejune! Now I understand why the volatility.
I have tried hiding under the abaya, with just the eyes and my trainers sticking out (that was actually the only way my friends figured out it was me). Now I know why they were all insisting I took it off-they couldn't resist me. And I thought they didn't like it. Oh well, better find out later than never. Now I know what I have missed. I'd very much love to see your abaya though and am not going to make this indecent proposal again.

rolling on the floor laughing conversing rolling on the floor laughing rolling on the floor laughing laugh laugh cheers
What kind of flowers do you prefer?

bouquet
anything u like my darling.......
Oh, and by the way, Jejune, I think it's just the two of us here. Though I do not know if your conversing skills are still at their best after having your mind blown by Mr. Howie tongue
rolling on the floor laughing
Hi, all of you here, I just let you know, i decided to go to Nipal tomorrow to climb Everest mountain with out oxygenpeace peace

Maybe i can leave the history, the first woman who climbs Everest mountian without oxygen....cheers cheers

bye for now, see you guys when i back from Everest Mountaingrin grin grin













I dont know i will reach on the top of Everest mountian.. but anyway i will got to Nipalbouquet Have a nice Day!! seeyagrin
confused

dunno

Jejune, Ma'adre. Shino hada? Or however u spell that.
Sorry, typo: *has
Congratulations to all three of you!
I have joined only recently this site, and
I have gone through a few blogs, but this
one beats them all!
Hope to read you again soon.

Best regards - Single954
laugh cheers cheers
Thank you Mr Single for your kind words. None of my business but you should really get a life, rather than reading through all the blogs !! And speaking of getting a life....Kasih....what are you talking about ? You need to stop mooning and moaning about your cyber relationships and develop a little sense of humour.
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