I've seen allot of great posts on this board that lead me to believe that many people take the time to research and learn about something before they make a post. There are obvious signs of it, and whether I agree with it or not, I greatly appreciate the effort made by the poster, and respect them for taking the time.

On the flip-side of this token, there are a number of people who clearly don't bother. They just repeat some rhetoric that they've heard, and attempt to argue without providing any real information to back themselves up. Nobody is always right, but at least if you try, you're less likely to be totally wrong.

I didn't vote in the poll, because it varies a lot for me. Sometimes it takes me ten minutes to post. Other times it takes me four hours. It depends upon the depth of the topic, and my current knowledge of the topic.

Ditto.

It varies - wildly - for me as well, but I went ahead and voted anyway, based on a very rough average. This posting, for example, will take maybe two minutes. I'm working on another which I've been researching for two days (so far).

I like reacting and trying to respond to issues that spark something in me. Sometimes a quick glib answer comes out and sometimes I lift another window and get to facts I know are out there to get fairly quickly. If it becomes important and relevant I'll go get the detailed evidence. Sorry if I'm too hasty for some of you. (No I do not think the first post was directly aimed at me)

The time I spend varies too...some things I remember from past reading and look it up to refresh my memory. The great thing about being old, is that a lot of what we discuss I've lived through - or danced through...or muddled through.

and I didn't vote in the poll because according to another thread, I need to be literate to vote.....



The most important thing to me is to always try to keep a smile on my face/fingers while typing. I try to think of it as sharing facts and experiences and opinions, not about changing someone else's opinion.

That's really a great way of looking at it Basheva. I can respect that.

I've always looked at it as trying my best to change someone's mind, even though it probably won't ever work. That's how I drive myself to work a little harder at it... If I can persuade even one person to share my views, which I believe in with the utmost conviction, I would say that it is worth every second I spend expressing them.