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Hi to my Forum Friends,

Looking at the Politics Forum today, I see 14 discussions begun by JJPAUL -- and in every one that I peaked inside -- it is just a link to an article; with nothing added by our Friend JJ. This made me wonder about our Friend, and I will assume JJ to be a male just for the sake of this discussion -- what are his motives?

He must spend his whole day surfing the internet, looking for controversial articles which he can then post under his name. But, I will have to admit, the question on my mind is, "Why?" What is he trying to accomplish? Is he just wanting to start an argument -- and assumes that if he post enough controversial links -- someone will argue with him?

In trying to imagine JJ's motivation, my mind came up with the image of the school yard bully, walking around, daring someone to disagree with him.

And, it brought to mind a very brief moment in my life. I was on the Sheffield High varsity basketball team, and one afternoon at practice I got into an argument with a team mate. We decided to take it outside after practice. Well, to make a long story short; I got the best of him -- and it made my head swell. "Boy, am I tough? Don't disagree with me or else!" Yes, I became the image of the school yard bully.

The next day, I was unbearable. Anyone who disagreed with me -- I would challenge to meet me after school to duke it out. I even started scheduling them: Today is Bobby; tomorrow I have Dennis, etc. Boy, I was in need of a manager just to keep track of my scheduled fights.

However, luckily for me, that first afternoon Bobby kicked my butt -- and brought me back down to earth. Then I had the task of going to those other scheduled opponents and apologizing; more head-leveling that was much needed.

At my Class of '55 40th Reunion dance, a group of us were standing in the hallway, getting a breath of fresh air, and talking. One of my friends, Ralph from the Class of '56, jokingly brought up my round-one knock down by Bobby -- and I told them all, "That was the best thing that could have happened to me. Bobby knocked some sense into my head."

Anyway, JJPAUL lately has been reminding me of Bill Gray's brief career as the school yard bully. And, personally, I would rather see him post a few paragraphs of his own thoughts -- rather than throwing 14 URL links like they were rocks aimed at our heads.

To me, the Forum is a place to exchange ideas, our own ideas -- not just copy/paste or post a string of URL links. It is a place where we can share our views, and then agree or disagree -- but still remain Friends. Many good things come from honest sharing and exchanging of ideas. So, JJ, share you ideas and thoughts with us -- don't throw "URL link rocks" at us.

Just my thoughts. What are yours?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

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  • madboy
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Your criticism of me is all wrong and for you to start a post about me is very interesting. I enjoy posting controversial posts, issues that everyone else wants to hide under the bed. Nobody wants to talk religion or politics in public and even in here, people hiding under an alias name still are scared to talk about the controversial issues. When you post something about democrats, the democrats come out of the woodwork to defend their own. You post something about the republicans, they also come out of the woodwork to defend their own. You post something about religion, preachers, churches, etc.. they all come out and they hate the poster that posted it. This is a message board. It's made for posting, debate, learning, information, and nobody forces you to read any of it. I have some posts that are my own thoughts and questions posted, in case you have not notice. Why are my posts such a threat to you? There's many people in here that's posted URL links to back up their facts or to share news, information, etc.. The posts should not be a threat. You read it and you make a decision as to whether it's true or false, or just something that you just need to think about. You shouldn't discourage people not to read. You should encourage people to read and think for themselves. The problem in this world today is we have people that want to think for everybody else.
Last edited by JJPAUL
quote:
Originally posted by chosen-one: I must agree with Bill. Although I may have erred, I have wondered what is JJ's motivation for all the cut and paste jobs. I guess what really intrigues me is what must your situation be that enables you and mungo and monkey to post from what seems sunup to way past sundown, 7 days a week? good for you, I think?

Hi Chosen-One,

I spent nearly fifty years in the computer industry; technical, marketing, and sales. About twenty-five years ago, totally out of the blue, the Lord gave me the gift of writing (before I became a Christian). While still working in computer sales, I began to do Christian writing. First, I began to write and publish a monthly Christian newsletter, The Good News, which I mailed to over 400 homes in America and to about 60 homes in 12 other countries.

A pastor friend suggested that I could reach many more people, and for a lot less money, by doing it on the internet.

About ten years ago, finding that the computer industry had changed from a technical sales industry to a consumer based industry -- I felt it was time to hang up my spurs and spend my time serving the Lord. That is when I began my internet ministry.

For ten years I have been doing an e-mail newsletter to about 600 people around the world. Two years ago, I was invited to submit my articles to The Conservative Voice, a conservative Christian/Political web site (owned by another Shoals bred Christian from North Carolina) which has a readership of about 250,000. In that two years, I have published about 200 articles. You can find my fifty most recent articles at: http://www.TheConservativeVoice.com/profile/2674/Bill-Gray.html

And, a little over a year ago, I noticed an article in the TimesDaily Forum titled "What Is A Christian?". Since the Shoals is my home town, and Alabama is the heart of the Bible Belt, I wanted to see what my home town Friends had to say about being a Christian.

When I opened the Forum discussion, I found the discussion "What Is A Christian?" dominated by several atheists and a handful of non-believers. This I would have expected if it had been "What Is An Atheist?" -- but, why were the atheists and non-believers so determined to dominate a discussion about Christians?

This led to me becoming a regular on the Forum -- for I figure my fellow Christians and I can offer a Christian balance to the Forum readers, rather than let them read nothing but atheistic rhetoric. Since I am basically retired, except for serving the Lord full time -- or when I have to help my wife in her real estate business (I am her tech support, computer man, driver, and general gofer) -- I spend my time studying and writing.

On the Forum, I will not always jump into a lot of discussions -- preferring to jump in less, but have something worthwhile to contribute when I do. Therefore a lot of my posts tend to be longer than the general chit-chat type of posting. Some folks don't like this; preferring to chat -- or preferring one line comments back and forth. Others do not like my posts, some because of the length, others because my writings are always Pro-God, Pro-Life, and Pro-Family. I want to be Friends with everyone on the Forum. I will not try to force my beliefs on others, who can always block my posts if they prefer, or just ignore them -- but, I will not compromise the Gospel -- and I will always present the Biblical view on issues. I will, God willing, be a Pro-God, Pro-Life, Pro-Family advocate on the TimesDaily Forum for a long, long time.

By the way, welcome to the Forum.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray
billdory@pacbell.net

Alabama bred,
California fed,
Blessed by God to be a Christian American!

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  • 0_-_CROS_BIB
Hi JJ,

You say, "Your criticism of me is all wrong and for you to start a post about me is very interesting. I enjoy posting controversial posts, issues that everyone else wants to hide under the bed. Nobody wants to talk religion or politics in public and even in here, people hiding under an alias name still are scared to talk about the controversial issues."

Discussing the issues is the main point of the Forum. Possibly you misunderstood my suggestion. It is wonderful that you have opinions on controversial issues; but, what we would rather see is YOUR opinions -- not a URL link to a lengthy article written by someone else. Tell us what you think about this issue -- and we can respond in support of or against that opinion. But, when all we see is a URL link to someone else's writing; we have no idea what JJ thinks -- only that he can surf the internet.

Then you say, "When you post something about democrats, the democrats come out of the woodwork to defend their own. You post something about the republicans, they also come out of the woodwork to defend their own. You post something about religion, preachers, churches, etc.. they all come out and they hate the poster that posted it. This is a message board. It's made for posting, debate, learning, information, and nobody forces you to read any of it."

These are all viable topics of discussion. These are the kinds of things we want to discuss. However, we want to discuss them with you -- not with someone else who has written an article posted on some other newspaper or web site.

Don't get me wrong. Those articles are most often very good -- and they can act as catalysts for our discussions. It is very valid to copy/paste an excerpt, and note that it is an excerpt, from a web site or an article to support a point you have made. But, when all you do is copy/paste someone else's writing or post only a URL link -- we are not discussing with you. At that point we are debating with another writer who does not even know we exist. A conversation, be it verbal or written, is between two or more people who know one another -- not between one person and a newspaper article.

What I am asking you, and others to do, is to give us more of your own thoughts instead of pages of copy/paste from another person's thoughts. We want to discuss and debate with YOU; not an article. Use excerpts from that article to fuel a discussion, supported by more of your own personal thoughts and writing. That, my Friend, is a fruitful debate/discussion.

Finally, you say, "I have some posts that are my own thoughts and questions posted, in case you have not notice. Why are my posts such a threat to you? There's many people in here that's posted URL links to back up their facts or to share news, information, etc.. The posts should not be a threat. You read it and you make a decision as to whether it's true or false, or just something that you just need to think about. You shouldn't discourage people not to read. You should encourage people to read and think for themselves. The problem in this world today is we have people that want to think for everybody else."

It is one thing to post a URL link to support something which you have written. Without going into a lot of discussion, I will just give you two recent examples of discussions begun by you:

(1) McCain compared to Jesus Christ? The Right wing thinks so. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24765472#24765472

Where are the JJPAUL thoughts in this? You make a short caustic comment and post a URL. How can I discuss this issue with JJ? I have no idea what JJ thinks about this issue. I can read what someone else thinks about the issue; but, I want to discuss it with JJ -- not some unknown author.

(2) Paying for War at the gas Pump.

By Robert Scheer
What’s it got to do with the price of gas? Would some reporter with access to the Republican presidential candidate please ask John McCain why he wants to continue President Bush’s Mideast policy when it has proved so ruinous for American taxpayers? Because McCain is determined to ignore our economic meltdown and shift the debate to foreign policy, shouldn’t he have to explain why an open-ended military presence in the Mideast will make us economically and militarily more secure when the opposite is clearly the case?


What do we have here? A one line comment by JJ -- and a long copy/paste from some guy named Robert Scheer. Once again, I am interested in what JJ thinks on this issue; not what Robert Scheer thinks. It is okay to copy/paste an excerpt from Scheer in support of what you write -- but, not in lieu of any writings or thoughts from you.

JJ, I really am interested in what YOU have to say on issues; but, please let it be your thoughts -- not a copy/paste or a URL.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill
PBA used to do exactly the same thing. Hard to believe that someone would go through that much trouble without being paid.

Plus, challenge him on the accuracy of his posts and he is unable to provide an intelligent response. You'll either get a "right winger" or "bush lover" response, or he'll steal it from somewhere else.

I really think mods should address this. I have no problem with people expressing different views, that's the whole point of the forum. Spamming it with leftist rhetoric to make a buck isn't right.
quote:
Originally posted by Sassy Kims:
There are companies who solicit hacks to put their URL on public forums. They then pay these hacks by the number of individuals who visit the URL.

Therefore, every time you click on a link posted by these hacks, you're making it possible for them to get paid.


Man,,,I didnt know that!..... gotta stop clicking...... Mr. Gray,,,good post,,, I feel like I have had rocks thrown at me since I joined because I am for McCain...... to me it is none of their business who I vote for..... they as a question..... when answered,,, they attack!.....
What a bunch of nonsense. JJPaul as others posts articles fro discussion. He usually posts them from the alternative progressive which give different perspectives from the Corporate Media's interests and facts that are "left out" of the Corporate Media's version of things.

The Corporate Media are just huge corporations that report the news from the views and interests of Corporations and the "Corporate Class."

JJPaul and I and PBA before us put out information that is never debated by the Corporate Media's pundits. JJPaul, just as any of us posts articles for discussion and wait for comments. We then do post our comments. When he answers his posts he is criticized and if he doesn't he is criticized.

Questioning our motives, what nonsense. Shows how propagandized people are. Some question what we are being told because it just is not adding up while others have no clue as to how to think for themselves or "outside the box." If we question and show other opinions "there must be something "wrong" with us. We shoukld be "good little Americans" and not question and just "listen to what we are told" and "do what we are told." Well, some of us think otherwise.

There's a whol;e world out there and there are reasons why things happen and people better start looking at more sources of information other then our "Corporate Media" which is leading us around in circles.
Hi Pogo,

If we wanted to debate/discuss an issue with a "Corporate Media" -- we would approach them directly. The Forum is for us to discuss issues among ourselves. If you have an opinion on an issue; tell us your opinion -- and if need be, along with your written opinion, include an excerpt from the article.

But, don't just post a URL link with a single caustic comment and consider that your opinion. That is not your opinion; it is the opinion of the person who wrote the article. What is YOUR opinion? That is what interests us; that is what we want to discuss.

I don't think JJ is getting paid to lure us into clicking on a URL. I just think that he is throwing something against the wall to see if it will stick -- and possibly generate an argument or debate. This can be done more effectively if he will write HIS opinion and let us respond to that.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill
quote:
What a bunch of nonsense. JJPaul as others posts articles fro discussion. He usually posts them from the alternative progressive which give different perspectives from the Corporate Media's interests and facts that are "left out" of the Corporate Media's version of things.


Not true, the articles posted are slam pieces towards Republicans, Bush, and McCain. Most are op-ed pieces with very clear bias, others have made statements that have been proven incorrect.

Answer this question. If the "progressive" articles posted were objective, then why haven't we seen a negative post concerning Obama or Hilary? Are they perfect?

Another question. Why make so many posts from the same websites and be intellectually unable to defend them? Why did JJPaul suddenly appear not long after PBA was banned?
JJ must be getting to the right wing of our forum members. Accusations of a conspiracy to earn money by clicking. Wow !

Did it ever cross anyone's mind that JJPaul is a patriot who loves his country and wishes to see it return to peace and prosperity ? Could it be that his motives are pure ! Could it be that he wishes to show those who continue to vote against their own self interest that there is another way ?
GOOD GRIEF !!!!!!!!!!!
quote:
Did it ever cross anyone's mind that JJPaul is a patriot who loves his country and wishes to see it return to peace and prosperity ? Could it be that his motives are pure ! Could it be that he wishes to show those who continue to vote against their own self interest that there is another way ?


Not likely. More probable that he's getting paid to drive traffic to those web sites.

There are other liberals on the boards who don't spam new threads from the same couple of sites. They express their views, debate, and that's about it. The forums would be boring if we all had the same opinions.

When you copy and paste many new discussions every day from the same sites, then unable to back them up when challenged, that's when it becomes suspicious.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Bill Gray and your flock of sheep, I'm not getting paid from no one to post my post. Your problem with the post is that you fear people will open their eyes to your propaganda. Bill go preach the word of God and quit attacking me.Please!

Hi JJ,

If you would read my posts, you will find that I, too, said that you are not getting paid for these posts.

Also, if you will read my posts, you will find that I am asking you to join in our discussion with YOUR own opinion -- and stop giving us the opinion of another person. We are interested in what JJ thinks; not some other person.

Join us with your opinions -- and stop throwing "URL rocks" at us. That is all I am asking.

If you are going to give us a URL; give us your opinion and your thoughts first.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill
quote:
Nashbama, Stop spreading lies about me and back up what you're saying with facts. Stop the attacks on me!!


Fact: You post a lot of articles with links to outside sites. More than the average user.

Fact: When challenged on the article, your one sentence response usually contains the words "right winger" or "neo-con".

Fact: Sites like Alternet.org rely on donations and web driven advertising for it's income. To boost money, it needs hits. What better way to increase traffic than by spamming a popular message board with links.

My bet is you're getting paid.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
excelman, What you say about me is true and thank you for pointing that out.

Our conservative friends don't mind posting topics and their views about Obama and Democrats do they?

But, JJ, it is OUR VIEWS -- not another person's view. That is the issue here; not that you are a liberal Democrat; or that I am a Conservative Christian -- but, what are YOUR views?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill
quote:
Did it ever cross anyone's mind that JJPaul is a patriot who loves his country and wishes to see it return to peace and prosperity ? Could it be that his motives are pure ! Could it be that he wishes to show those who continue to vote against their own self interest that there is another way ?


Absolutely not. The posts in question never offer any constructive advise...only criticism of the Conservatives and Republican party. His favorite topic is the sexual pecadillos of church members and politicians. Shock value is all it's about.
quote:
Originally posted by excelman:
Did it ever cross anyone's mind that JJPaul is a patriot who loves his country and wishes to see it return to peace and prosperity ? Could it be that his motives are pure ! Could it be that he wishes to show those who continue to vote against their own self interest that there is another way ?
GOOD GRIEF !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Excelman,

That is the whole point of this discussion. We would love to have JJ tell us HIS OPINION of what is happening -- not what some unknown writer on another newspaper or another web site is saying. I am urging JJ, and all of us, to share OUR OPINIONS. It is one thing to include an excerpt from an article -- to support HIS own opinion. But, stop hitting us just with short caustic comments and a URL -- or a long copy/paste. JJ, give us YOUR THOUGHTS!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill
We would love to have JJ tell us HIS OPINION of what is happening.

Bill, I do give my opinion on the post, I like to wait to see what others start off saying about the topic first. Most of the time the conservatives start right out with attacks. Howard Roard is good at dabating the issues if he disagrees, and don't stoop to attacks.
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
We would love to have JJ tell us HIS OPINION of what is happening.

Bill, I do give my opinion on the post, I like to wait to see what others start off saying about the topic first. Most of the time the conservatives start right out with attacks. Howard Roard is good at dabating the issues if he disagrees, and don't stoop to attacks.


I would respectfully disagree JJ. It has been my observation that the name calling is normally started by a select few uber-liberal types on this forum. I could be wrong though I guess.
quote:
Bill, I do give my opinion on the post, I like to wait to see what others start off saying about the topic first. Most of the time the conservatives start right out with attacks. Howard Roard is good at dabating the issues if he disagrees, and don't stoop to attacks.


So if you are just trying to start discussions, why only post from a handful of radical leftist sites? Why not USA Today or CNN? Why not something on the other spectrum like World Net Daily?

If you were really just trying to start discussions, there would be a variety of links and all sides represented. Instead, you only post from a few hard line leftist sites that need traffic and donations to make a profit.
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:
quote:
Originally posted by JJPAUL:
Bill Gray and your flock of sheep, I'm not getting paid from no one to post my post. Your problem with the post is that you fear people will open their eyes to your propaganda. Bill go preach the word of God and quit attacking me.Please!

Hi JJ,

If you would read my posts, you will find that I, too, said that you are not getting paid for these posts.

Also, if you will read my posts, you will find that I am asking you to join in our discussion with YOUR own opinion -- and stop giving us the opinion of another person. We are interested in what JJ thinks; not some other person.

Join us with your opinions -- and stop throwing "URL rocks" at us. That is all I am asking.

If you are going to give us a URL; give us your opinion and your thoughts first.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill


Yes!.... I like opinions that can be discussed much more that links to some heebiejeebie site..... glad you brought that up Mr. Gray!.......
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