Taking responsibility and then escaping into a poll

[gurdonark]

This morning I am dismayed to see that my own poor choice of words and insensitivity causes my last post to give some offense to some. I take responsibility for my lack of nuance and clarity. I'd just take the post down, but I'd rather leave it up as a reminder of my own personal flaws. I edited in a brief disclaimer, but it will remind me to phrase things much more precisely, and to constantly challenge myself to find a more tolerant, kind way.

In light of this personal failing, I should draft something meaty and wordy about my own struggles with how opinionated and tactless I am. But I've managed to hurt my own feelings, so I'm going to instead escape into a poll. I'll work on posting more wisely tomorrow.



[Poll #172011]

Comments

[asphalteden.livejournal.com]

Don't be ridiculous, kind sir. I've posted already on that topic, but I shall quote myself here and say that:

"I've offended some by stating I didn't like Martinis. And, yet, I still don't drink them."

I've got a great mechanism for self-preservation built right into my mind--from goodness knows where. Whenever someone tells me how things are, my brain shuts right off. Thankfully.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I like ginger ale myself. Thanks!

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

This over your magic didn't have a k when i was growing up post?! Fiddlesticks.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Well, I could be nicer, and write more elegantly.

[lonesomenumber1]

Did you mean The Unforgiven (1960) with Burt Lancaster, or Unforgiven (1992) with Clint Eastwood? Either way, I picked Shane over True Grit by a nose.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I meant "Unforgiven" although "The Unforgiven" is also a worthy pick! I thought about it later, and realized I don't know which film has which title, and just let it be!

Shane and True Grit was a close call for me, too. I love True Grit, but who can resist that boy calling "Shane!".

[lonesomenumber1]

I admire Unforgiven and I remember walking out of the theater thinking, "I bet that's how it really was." (The Wild Bunch had the same effect on me.) But I find I prefer the mythology over the reality the older I get. It's probably good to be aware of both, though.

My favorite Western, by which I mean the one I have the most fun watching, is El Dorado.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I like the old time movie westerns the best, I must admit.

[serendipoz.livejournal.com]

I think your wide ranging thoughts and essays are kind and thought provoking (just look at the coments you've got on a Sunday morning.)

More please

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I want to be more kind and more thought provoking.
It's all a dilemma, though--should I even mention my discomfort about adverse comments? Should I be so self-obsessed? A weblog conundrum

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

Bob, that's the best poll i've ever taken on LJ, bar none!
i had a great time the other day, just wish i had more
stamina. i'm working on that.~paul

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I was honored to get to meet you, Poetbear!

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

and vice versa i'm sure!~paul

[gloriajn.livejournal.com]

By the way, I think you're entitled to express your opinion in your journal. Keep up the good work!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I still think I was mistaken in my phrasing, but I appreciate your commenting anyway.,

[salaryman.livejournal.com]

Fort Apache is my favorite movie of all time.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

It IS a great movie.

[the-outsider.livejournal.com]

Was Alex Van Halen listed as a guitarist by mistake or was that a test to see if we were really paying attention to the chices?

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

A total mistake! I am amused.

When I was in college, I was playing the 801 Live version of "You Really Got Me". My college roommate, in the dorm until he could pledge a fraternity, suddenly sat up and said, "hey, that's a VAN HALEN song!". I had to tell him about these ancient dinosaurs called the Kinks. Maybe this error is some sort of curious karma, but I think I'm just clueless :).

[stardances.livejournal.com]

Pandering.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I hope I'm not just pandering.

[stardances.livejournal.com]

Hey now, I did not say Jury Tampering.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

LOL!

[mery-bast.livejournal.com]

You're much more gracious than I am- I give you credit for that. And like I've told you earlier, I think your entry was reasonable and didn't deserve defensive responses. I hope to see more opinionated posts from you in the future (even if my own beliefs end up as your targets). :)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I don't plan to target your beliefs :). I do think about divergent beliefs, and can't we all just get along. I guess that's why I'm extra focused when I detect a personal failing on this score.