Is empathy an undesired trait?

[ManicManx]

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/i-didnt-know-you-had-families-mitt-romney-told-group-of-gay-par...

[SerenaSmithLampwork]

i think there might be something really wrong with him. but, again, it kind of reminds me of scientologists and people in cults. they have to cut off contact with anyone who challenges their world view. i think mitt can fake it to be successful in the real world, but behind closed doors i think his beliefs are much different.

[potatopotato]

Dick Cheney has a gay daughter. That comment is bewildering.

[ManicManx]

No opinions from the republicans here?

[ManicManx]

http://www.upworthy.com/the-mitt-romney-guide-to-a-womans-body?c=ufb1

[ManicManx]

So. Any opinions on Empathy and whether or not its a bad thing?

[ManicManx]

Empathy. Good or bad?

[Former_Member]

empathy good.


pity bad.


'i didn't know you had families' - moronic.


i'm sorry - how out of touch do you have to be to not realize gay people can have families, too?

[ManicManx]

I think empathy is such a bad trait that only liberals are willing to discuss it.

[Former_Member]

Don't pigeon-hole someone because they do see eye-to-eye with someone you possibly don't see eye-to-eye with on one issue or another.

[potatopotato]

What you talkin' 'bout Willis, I mean ERia!?!

[ManicManx]

Hi ERia. Nice to see a new voice here. So what do you think? Empathy. A good trait to have or a bad trait to have?

[Former_Member]

Empathy is certainly a good trait to have. However, I think there are segments of society that aren't as exposed to other cultures/lifestyles/socio-economic situations that keep them ignorant. Ignorance is not lack of empathy. I'm not making excuses for Mitt Romney. I don't know the total context of that situation.

I had actually written a WHOLE lot more info. in my post, then deleted it since I thought this team was private and noticed the discussion said "public". I would rather keep my discussions in this team within the team. Is that how this works?

BTW, I'm a Republican, a woman, who is empathetic, and believe it disingenuous to label anyone on the "right" as anything other than empathetic.

[RenegadeHeartStudios]

Welcome, Eria!

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Renegade...

[ManicManx]

I love your post. : )

I know a lot of empathetic Republicans. I dont find that view expressed on the interwebs which is why I brought it up here. I have experienced an appalling lack of empathy from some (not all of course) republicans in these forums.

You bring up a good point about the privacy issue. I would prefer that our threads remain private as well. I think I will make any thread I start private.

Again welcome. It will be nice to have a fresh voice in the threads.

[ManicManx]

A little back ground history. We are a small handful left over from the cantankerous days of the public forums. We have been bickering together for years. Although we see things very differently I think its safe to say that we are kind of fond of each other. It gets heated around elections time. We have a thread going on in here that is NON political. No bickering allowed in that one. We still support each other as artists and need a place to vent on the normal day to day stuff.

[Former_Member]

Welcome, ERia!

I think that there can be those on any side who lack empathy - or understanding - for specific people or issues. I agree that someone can be completely ignorant or uneducated as to someone else's lifestyle, situation or circumstance. What is concerning about this specific story is that the individual is a public figure who is asking an entire country to trust him with their lives - whatever that looks like. I would hope, since that article talks about events in 2004, that romney has educated himself about the LGBT community :)

[RenegadeHeartStudios]

BTW, I also agree about the private threads. I think it is a good policy.
I also am delighted to see a new voice. Our little gang is great but sometimes I think we just go in circles. I think we could all benefit from more viewpoints.

First day of the show was decent. We are on what I think is one of the MOST beautiful beaches ( Destin) windy and chilly.

[ManicManx]

LOL. Circles? Us? It is to laugh.
We have three votes for private threads.

Renegade, are you doing an outdoor show? Have you done outdoor shows? I dont have the fortitude for them.

[RenegadeHeartStudios]

Kristi, that's almost all we do.
<.---------Glutten for punishment.

[LocoBead]

ERia, we are like the "Windmills of Your Mind."

"Round
Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning
On an ever spinning reel"

[ManicManx]

BILLY PRESTON!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuFOkAL8ihM

Did I just date myself? oops. Ive been doing that for years.

[RenegadeHeartStudios]

We can' t help ourselves.

[ManicManx]

Ive given up debating. No one is going to change anyones mind. Im just here for the combo package. Snark and snacks.