Concessions, Part II: Admit Making a Complete Ass of Yourself

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

We all make mistakes... some bigger than others... this thread is about those mistakes.

I've only been here a matter of months and I am sure to have made a complete ass of myself on occasion. CE&P is obviously a place of strong opinions, often pitting very different views against each other. Sometimes these differences are just matters of opinion; but often we are proven demonstrably wrong or privately reach the conclusion for ourselves that we were mistaken. So... this thread is about those times... feel free to list a time when you made a complete ass of yourself on CE&P.

Rules:
1.) No "fake" concessions (e.g., "I thought _______ was really stupid... but he proved to be even stupider than I thought.").
2.) Don't "help" any other posters in posting their mistakes; this thread is about self-awareness.
3.) No disparaging comments about others' concesions (e.g., things in the spirit of "Yes... you were pretty dumb when you said that.")

I'm not sure I expect much out of this thread... but feel free to prove me wrong... please make a complete ass of me on my feeling about this...

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

I'm sure there are others, but the first two things that came to my mind were:

1.) I was in a liberal "bubble" after the first debate. I knew that Obama had performed badly, but had no idea it would have the massive impact it did on changing the dynamics of the race.

2.) I was thoroughly convinced that Romney would significantly pivot on immigration and, in truth, he didn't budge very much at all.

[TX-Beau]

I don't know if being mistaken politically qualifies as making an ass of yourself - whereas this kind of thing, I got annoyed with a poster and out of sheer spite, made a hugely insulting personal attack cobbled together out of this posters own words, yeah, not my best hour, is certainly making an ass of oneself.

Luckily TPTB around here tend to make such things disappear!

[TX-Beau]

It will be interesting to see who participates.

[JayHawk]

I have for sure. it seems that whenever someone disagrees with a point by another posters they want to turn it into something they didnt say... or simply take offense at the one aspect of the post that was meant to take offensively... you know that one jab we all throw into our commentary just to poke the other person...

A good example of it right now is both BP and my characterizing John McCain as a horrible waste of flesh. but it gets under the skin of specific posters and is completely ok in light of the rules... You cant trash the poster but you can continue to say things that makes them blue in the face...

I tend to continue to attack the ideas a poster has as irrelevant once they start to attack me personally over different sides of an argument... Then I will go in search of other areas where their logic has faltered and press the disagreement with that poster....

Sometimes it is fun... but rarely is it edifying... kind like the old saying "Dont wrestle a pig, you both get dirty"

Sometimes I just want to get information or perspective I would not get elsewhere and so even if I disregard 90% of the anecdotal opinion I still get a point of view to mull over....

I agree it will be interesting to see who can admit they have faults and how accurate they are at defining them for themselves.

[eastofeden]

Well..it wasn't here that I did it but back in 2002 or so I had a year long battle with maybe 100 people at once because I thought the PNAC "proved" that GW took the opportunity to let 911 happen...page 51 paragraph 1

I battled myself into the ground on that one and said alot of outrageous stuff....

It isn't that I don't believe it...I do...but speculation is NOT fact and that is why I made an ass out of myself.

[White Eagle]

Let me count the ways, and come back with the worse one.

[Rolyo85]

I tend to erase from my memories any instances where I make an ass out of myself ^_^

But seriously, occasionally I will speak with utter certainty of stuff I am not that well informed about, and then get debunked. It can happen.

[rareboy]

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

I have mined data from other forums.

It is one of the reasons there is now a rule against this.

I have thought and expressed my thoughts on the intellectual capabilities of some posters. This was wrong and unkind although arguably accurate.

There are probably a whole bunch of other occasions, but I'll just start with these two.

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

I don't know if being mistaken politically qualifies as making an ass of yourself - whereas this kind of thing, I got annoyed with a poster and out of sheer spite, made a hugely insulting personal attack cobbled together out of this posters own words, yeah, not my best hour, is certainly making an ass of oneself.

Luckily TPTB around here tend to make such things disappear!

That's true... I'm using "making an ass of yourself" loosely here... expressing a strong opinion and then changing your mind is constructive behavior and strongly encouraged (not "ass-like" at all)... so I guess I mean... "realized you were incredibly wrong"

I think the only way to truly make a complete ass of yourself is to think you are indeed NEVER wrong...

[TX-Beau]

But I'm not.

[JayHawk]

oooooh Ooooohhh can I name the posters who are never wrong... can I, can I?

[TX-Beau]

you could, but then you'd be wrong.

[Rolyo85]

But I'm not.

False. You said you barely ever bottom, and that's clearly wrong.

[TX-Beau]

I guess that's a case of not making an ass of myself.

[Rolyo85]

Thus making a dick of yourself though...

[TX-Beau]

There are two sides to every argument.

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

oooooh Ooooohhh can I name the posters who are never wrong... can I, can I?

No... I believe that is a direct violation of Rule #2

We'll just let the thread grow and prosper and speak for itself perhaps by omission.

I also need to go back... because I'm sure I've said several other dumb things...

[Rolyo85]

There are two sides to every argument.

Yes, we call that "edging" ^_^

[JayHawk]

No... I believe that is a direct violation of Rule #2

We'll just let the thread grow and prosper and speak for itself perhaps by omission.

I also need to go back... because I'm sure I've said several other dumb things...

Damn it.... lol

I have put over 18000 posts together for consumption... mostly arguing with thickheaded trogladites ... so i must have said some shitty and false things like I dunno thick headed trogladites...... sighhhhh

[White Eagle]

oooooh Ooooohhh can I name the posters who are never wrong... can I, can I?

I think we both can name the same ones.

....... unless you're talking about me.

[JayHawk]

I think we both can name the same ones.

....... unless you're talking about me.

yes Sir and I was not....

Circular arguments and having the same approach to all ... but it is still the Jub family.... I will do as suggested and allow them to fall on their own swords... sadly I think neither will take the mea culpa moment.... just a hunch...

[chance1]

If you've seen Jaws 2

You know how sequels go

[chance1]

Hence me making an ass of myself

In real time

Making an ass of myself ???

Let me count the ways

Pretty sure I used CE+P to go blow to blow verbally . With JayHawk one evening as if it was just the 2 of us

Couple of fuck you's

That'd be one

[JayHawk]

See and I will adhere to rule #2 but in my statement above you were definitely one I knew would be willing to admit your less than graceful antics on jub... I would like to think I am as well.

So I agree our falling out as it were was less than graceful and definitely I showed my ass...

Much to Jackoroe's, Opinterph's and Centexfarmer's chagrin it is good to have a JUB to blow off steam.... I am just glad they are around to take us off the burner before the pot boils over....

[White Eagle]

I'm pretty certain I've made that ass of myself with JayHawk, but that was before I realized where he was from. Then I could change my attitude and I think things have gone well.
There was one instance where I banned myself for a week end and went to the beach. It worked pretty well. I don't remember what I did, but at 69 the memory goes first.

[JayHawk]

Yes we have had our falling out...

Hell I have had tumultuous rows with Boston Pirate...

I am definitely not blameless in any of it...

I dont think there are many long standing JUBbers I havent had a row with...

Dammit.... I am the problem.

[White Eagle]

No you're not! You have your opinions and it rubs the wrong way with some people.
Maxine told me to say that.

[palemale]

I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken.

[White Eagle]

I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken.

That's a good one, I wonder how many more are out there like that.

[Jack Springer]

I actually thought that Romney had a good chance of winning even though I knew he wasn't the best candidate (I'm not saying that Obama was the best candidate

I don't always read every post in every thread I comment in because some of the posts are so long.

I've been too fast to post several times when I was angry. I should have waited.

Mistakes on my part ... to numerous to mention.

I get too involved at times.

[Kulindahr]

There are two sides to every argument.

Now you're making an ass of yourself -- often there are three.

I don't always read every post in every thread I comment in because some of the posts are so long.

I've made some of those posts.

[Kulindahr]

Actually I think the only real way to make an ass of yourself here is to post a link for an argument but when read, everyone sees that the item actually supports the other side.

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

I'm not sure I expect much out of this thread... but feel free to prove me wrong... please make a complete ass of me on my feeling about this...

Thanks, guys. I am glad to report that thus far everyone has indeed made an ass of me for my doubts about this thread...

Just to get greedy though and stir the pot a little bit, I offer the following challenge:
If you have yet to do so, let's try to come up with an actual fact/prediction you have been wrong about OR a political position you have changed your mind on in CE&P. Most of us have been "mean" (at least a small level of snarkiness is detectable in a great deal of my posts) at some point, but actually admitting we were wrong (beyond just our behavior being wrong) is a harder concession.

I'll start:
I once implied that "income" reinvested into a company was not taxable which is, of course, ludicrous. Retained earnings are definitely taxable unless certain conditions are met.

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

Oh... and we even had some Dr. Phil moments So, in honor of any disagreements that cannot be decisively solved, I offer the following (in the nicest, sincerest way):

[chance1]

Thanks, guys. I am glad to report that thus far everyone has indeed made an ass of me for my doubts about this thread...

Just to get greedy though and stir the pot a little bit, I offer the following challenge:
If you have yet to do so, let's try to come up with an actual fact/prediction you have been wrong about OR a political position you have changed your mind on in CE&P. Most of us have been "mean" (at least a small level of snarkiness is detectable in a great deal of my posts) at some point, but actually admitting we were wrong (beyond just our behavior being wrong) is a harder concession.

I'll start:
I once implied that "income" reinvested into a company was not taxable which is, of course, ludicrous. Retained earnings are definitely taxable unless certain conditions are met.

i think you're making a complete ass of yourself by interjecting too much in your thread - right now

I am an expert at it so I'm sharing my experience with you

[JayHawk]

No you're not! You have your opinions and it rubs the wrong way with some people.
Maxine told me to say that.

I love that crazy old biddy and sympathize with her often....

[Kulindahr]

Just to get greedy though and stir the pot a little bit, I offer the following challenge:
If you have yet to do so, let's try to come up with an actual fact/prediction you have been wrong about OR a political position you have changed your mind on in CE&P. Most of us have been "mean" (at least a small level of snarkiness is detectable in a great deal of my posts) at some point, but actually admitting we were wrong (beyond just our behavior being wrong) is a harder concession.

I'll start:
I once implied that "income" reinvested into a company was not taxable which is, of course, ludicrous. Retained earnings are definitely taxable unless certain conditions are met.

This one's easy: I've changed substantially on economic issues, on pragmatic grounds. I now share very little at all with the Republican party except in theory.

The difference is that I now see that many things which are the proper state of affairs, and thus a goal, are not the means for getting there.

[Kulindahr]

Okay, another one: having once posted documentation of a point in the forum, I often assume everyone should then know it.

[eastofeden]

Changing Positions? Well...again...not here...but I will rarely admit that I often vote Republican on a local/state level and I am an Independent Liberal. I would never vote Republican on a National Level.

Oh yeah...I actually liked Richard Nixon. I thought he was a brilliant statesman. I didn't like alot of other things about him but he is definitely my favorite Republican President in my lifetime.

The Dems on a state level over legislate everything...they are probably going to chase me out of business this year after 22 years now with their fucking never ending regulations....

But when I hear Republicans on these boards I am mortified because I am at odds with them and in order for me to vote Republican locally I need a Fiscal Conservative, Smaller Government, Socially Liberal Republican....they are a bit easier to find in California

[Sausy]

At times I have tipped the scale from questioning some poster's judgement or political perspective to questioning person and character. It's not right, and I am not proud of it. Benghazi discussions in particular but also on several other occasions.I know that if we all spent some time together for the most part we'd come to like and respect each other a lot more than the internet dialogues we have here in the forums. Most of you guys if not all are very decent, well intentioned people with a lot of passion and principle and sometimes I forget that and personalize way too much. It's not really me to be nasty or snide as something easy or typical to my nature and I hate when I show that side.

[White Eagle]

Your post ^^ reminded me of when I was totally against execution of prisoners. Mainly because W and Perry are so fond of it. But then I was pro choice. I think it was Sausy who confronted me with the difference. If I were against executions why was I ok with abortions?
So I changed my opinion of it. I'm pro life now, but still against Perry's executions.

- - - Updated - - -

Yes we have had our falling out...

Hell I have had tumultuous rows with Boston Pirate...

I am definitely not blameless in any of it...

I dont think there are many long standing JUBbers I havent had a row with...

Dammit.... I am the problem.

Did I ever apologize? If not then now I do.

[palemale]

I never particularly liked Mayor Koch. Now I recognize that he was the best mayor NYC has had in my lifetime.

[rareboy]

I once thought that Romney was a good governor for Massachusetts and wasn't a complete tool.

[JayHawk]

Your post ^^ reminded me of when I was totally against execution of prisoners. Mainly because W and Perry are so fond of it. But then I was pro choice. I think it was Sausy who confronted me with the difference. If I were against executions why was I ok with abortions?
So I changed my opinion of it. I'm pro life now, but still against Perry's executions.

- - - Updated - - -



Did I ever apologize? If not then now I do.

That is funny ... not funny "ha ha" but funny "queer"

I have been confronted on this forum for being pro-life and pro-death penalty as well. There are so many changes there it is head spinning...

First of all I am fully in support of the idea that old white men like myself and men in general have no fucking business deciding what a women is to do with her body. SO I have shifted from completely pro-life to circumstance based. As I explored the process i realized how much goes into NOT having an abortion at most clinics.

For the death penalty I am conflicted still. there are human beings that are wired so tragically wrong they cannot live with the rest of us. Like the Ted Bundy's or Timothy McVeigh or John Allen Mohammed (the DC Sniper). I think living in a cell for life is metal and physical torture and therefore the most humane tact is the death sentence carried out. At the same time our criminal justice system has been so perverted by drug sentencing and the speed aisle as it were in Texas that it devalues the legitimate cases that should involve the death penalty. But then again i think if life in a tiny cell is torture then actual life sentences should result in death once rendered. Only those who can immediately start rehabilitation programs should be in the system... however then you have to take the angle that human beings run juries and sit as judges so they can fail and be wrong and after a death sentence is carried out there is no do-over.

So yeah... before coming onto JUB I would have easily answered kill em all and let god sort them out mostly from being in the military for decades. Yet now armed with a lot more knowledge I am conflicted....

Oh and WE we had our apologies back and forth via PM and in the thread where we were bashing each others heads in over some rather insignificant point I would imagine ....

[rareboy]

The conflicts just mean the make-up sex is so much hotter.

[maxpowr9]

^I'm pro-choice and pro-death penalty.

I love Boston as a city and the state too but I absolutely despise the politics associated with it. I feel it's far too liberal for my tastes. Let's give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. Let's have a convicted lifer get a surgical sex change with tax dollars. Let's tax you $100/year/pet on top of the licensing [this is the reason my pets are at my parent's house].

[White Eagle]

That is funny ... not funny "ha ha" but funny "queer"

I have been confronted on this forum for being pro-life and pro-death penalty as well. There are so many changes there it is head spinning...

First of all I am fully in support of the idea that old white men like myself and men in general have no fucking business deciding what a women is to do with her body. SO I have shifted from completely pro-life to circumstance based. As I explored the process i realized how much goes into NOT having an abortion at most clinics.

For the death penalty I am conflicted still. there are human beings that are wired so tragically wrong they cannot live with the rest of us. Like the Ted Bundy's or Timothy McVeigh or John Allen Mohammed (the DC Sniper). I think living in a cell for life is metal and physical torture and therefore the most humane tact is the death sentence carried out. At the same time our criminal justice system has been so perverted by drug sentencing and the speed aisle as it were in Texas that it devalues the legitimate cases that should involve the death penalty. But then again i think if life in a tiny cell is torture then actual life sentences should result in death once rendered. Only those who can immediately start rehabilitation programs should be in the system... however then you have to take the angle that human beings run juries and sit as judges so they can fail and be wrong and after a death sentence is carried out there is no do-over.

So yeah... before coming onto JUB I would have easily answered kill em all and let god sort them out mostly from being in the military for decades. Yet now armed with a lot more knowledge I am conflicted....

Oh and WE we had our apologies back and forth via PM and in the thread where we were bashing each others heads in over some rather insignificant point I would imagine ....

That is why I was pro choice. The only ones bitching about abortion are men. Why the fuck is that? They have no business in it. Same with con rubbers. They have no business there either. As far as me, you won't find me interfering in a womans life.
Then on the death penalty, 2 innocents have been executed here either by W or Perry. Maybe one of each. Give them life without parole if they are really guilty, but offer DNA tests and retrials if the Prosecutor or DA fucked things up just to get elected.