What would be your opinion of this scenario?

I doubtless come across that way in a roomful of 'free spirits', although I firmly believe that the root of tyranny is when you think something you don't like should be outlawed. I try to be mindful of that. My general opinion is that if it doesn't harm anyone else, do whatever the hell you want.

Even so, if I was a D&D character I would probably fall squarely into the Lawful Good alignment type. On the Myers-Briggs personality scale I pop as an ISTJ every time, no matter whose version of the test I take. I'm something of a creature of duty, and I don't take kindly to people who I think are abrogating their responsibilities, either as citizens or human beings. It goes back to my own statement about treating other people as a reflection of how I view myself. I hold myself to high standards, therefore I'm judgmental of myself- and others.

If you would be lawful good, then why do you dislike liberalism? Seems to me, it would be the exact opposite.

So, it's not about "free spirits", it really is about how you view what liberalism is and what conservationism is.

To me, conservatism is about keeping the status quo - which would be lawful neutral. Liberalism is about allowing anything new to be accepted as well - lawful good.

At least, at a very high level pov.

I detain people against their will on a day to day basis. I'm the guy who recommends whether they can go home, live under surveillance/supervision, be completely isolated from their peers/family, stay on suicide watch, be forced to take medication against their will.

What on earth makes you think I'm a free spirit? I'm not, I just believe the more power one has the more moral responsibility rests on you in terms of how you use it (or don't) and what looks like freedom when applied to you can look very different from someone else's point of view.

Again, guns. You have the right to carry one. You'll probably never misuse it either. But the large scale effect of that right is a violent society where the police have become a quasi military in order to be able to function.

Lots of harm has been done in the past few years by actions you seemingly support, from the events at the Mexican border, opposition to the COVID restrictions, the "right" to carry weapons, pretty much most Middle East policy for any of our nations, the US police's inherent racism and authoritarian tendencies.

Perhaps you see those things as "lawful good" but we seem to differ on that interpretation.

Your definition is so narrow and stunted that it doesn't even qualify as such.

Sorry, but it's the very lowest pov. Not even kindergarten level.

A discussion about what 'liberalism' and 'conservatism' actually are would be a dinner table stacked with red meat for a whole 'nuther thread, and frankly, it's not a discussion that's capable of happening on this board in any sort of rational or intelligent manner.

And this is what's glaringly wrong with WF. You don't like the OP so you dodge a legitimate question and attack him, as I'm sure a number of you will me momentarily.

This is why this site is dying.

See, this is where we just have to agree to disagree. Your assertion on 'the large scale effect' is centered on what I believe is a false narrative: it is based on the assumption that guns themselves are the root cause of the violent society. Now I'm not going to get into another tired argument about that here, where neither one of us is going to budge an inch. But it does illustrate the root of our disagreement.

If you want a discussion, maybe then don't litter your post with innacuracies about Sharia Law in England and France, pretend that there is any chance of Minneapolis not having a police force, or pretend that anyone actually wants that?

As for the whole liberal/conservative malarky, you need to do a little bit of reading as to where those labels come from and what other political philosophies there are.

Is this site dying or is it reflecting the wider world?

Discourse has become polarised to the nth degree across social media platforms, in political corridors of power, in the streets.

Perhaps what we are seeing has nothing to do with WF and more to do with the times we live in?

Indeed, but bear in mind I'm coming from a place of objectivity rather than ideology in that I'm comparing many societies with and without those loose gun laws. We can't "prove" guns are the root cause, but we can point out that time and again the patterns recur all round the world. More armaments tend towards more violence. Arming a population doesn't act as a check on tyranny, it just raises the stakes.

Do you really think it's a coincidence that amongst first world nations police violence on this scale is almost exclusively an American problem?

I've seen many times you post in ways that apply an ideological narrative without recourse to the evidence, "you can vote your way into communism....", "The UK has enclaves of Sharia Law...", "Another socialist dictator in Bolivia..." to name a few.

None of those were remotely true when the facts are actually lined up, but they align with a world view which takes a very narrow view of the US as the centre of the free world. They mistake propaganda for history.

You do understand "high level" right? Your last paragraph is not high level. That's deep in the weeds.

But, sure, just dismiss because you don't understand the difference.

Either way, you are incorrect. You are not lawful good. At best, you are lawful neutral.

Thanks for the lecture, professor.

So says the child with the double-digit IQ. Veritably it is written, veritably it must be so.

The site is dying because of the exact reasons you give. Absolutely, and it has infected Wordforge. Present company excepted.

Then by extension, legitimate conversation is dying.

Is that not scary?

I am pro gun also, but there has to be limits and regulations.Just the threat os an accident means you have to follow certain safety regulations that would be made.

Not scary, just disappointing.

Conservatism may not be inherent in the American military ethos, but many of the most virulent, liberal-hating people I've ever known were vets. Anecdotal evidence, for sure, and I apologize for being offensive. My experiences with vets have colored my perceptions.

It is indeed. It sucks, and to many on both sides it's a means to an end, is it not? However, there are still some good people out there. At least that's something.

He is admitting he is a fascist at heart. Lawful good tramples on the people for the sake of a sacred mandated set of laws. At some point that becomes harmful. If you are going by that philosophy chaotic voices need to temper the laws that are created to allow for diversity and equality.

OMG I just spouted some gay ass shit right there.

The most liberal person I know next to me is an Army vet. I think it's more a function of their families than military indoctrination.

Since you clearly didn't read past the second post, I'll point out once again that he called a black poster a monkey in a thread about race.

whatever helps you sleep at night! BTW I'll see your "evidence" and raise you a Constitution! I can dig up evidence to support my argument against gun control so it would be a wash, but wouldn't you know it that Constitution is that ace up my sleeve every time!

"Wordforge is dying" has been a constant refrain on the site for at least ten years or more. It is the rallying cry of those who find the majority of the site disagreeing with them, aren't able to answer them, and want to denounce them by saying they are destroying the board.

It is true that there are fewer posters here now than there used to be. There are fewer internet discussion boards today than there were 17 years ago when Wordforge was set up, and there is less discussion on them. In general, the tendency has moved to social media.

Given that discussion forums like this are no longer "in", Wordforge is actually holding up very well. There aren't a lot of new members coming in, because that just isn't of interest to young people unless it is a site that is specifically geared to some subject they are particularly interested in, but I can go away for a year or two at a time (I do that now and then, when I'm too busy -- if I'm around now, it's due to the current pandemic) and when I return, a very large part of the people who used to be here are still here.

Wordforge isn't going to die any time soon.

Unfortunately, many vets that like to flaunt that they are vets are Vietnam vets and have been spoon fed the lies by conservatives constantly referencing that era as proof that liberals hate vets. Many stupid people blamed military personal for tragedies that happened over there. and, possibly to some degree it was. But, it wasn't their fault they were there to start with and that's why they believe as they believe.

Gotta love it. @Marso "informs" people who actually live in France and the UK that parts of their countries are under Sharia law. When refuted, he doubles down on the Stupid. In light of his signature, one can conclude, once again, that the truth does scare the shit out of @Marso.

Huh. I didn't look at it that way. But, you may be right. If so, it's still wrong. Lawful good would not..., for example, condone police brutality.

It's the water cooler for us older folks. We know each other. and there is some comfort in that.

It really isn't an ace up your sleeve, in fact for the majority of people it means pretty much nothing at all.

Just because something was written on a document centuries ago means it can be used to debunk vast amounts of real world systematic evidence.

Let me put it another way, THE CONSTITUTION CAN BE WRONG.

I'd suggest that the actual events we are seeing support that in this case IT IS.

Or, to put it more simply: If it was perfect, it wouldn't need amendments.