How many of you believe that people have the capacity to change?

[Skidmore]

I've seen the absolutists come to the board with soandso said this or that or did this or that whenever and he/she is evil incarnate and nothing they say or do can ever be supported by me or mine. With the exception of the singleminded administration we have in office now, how many of you are willing to let people redeem themselves.

How progressive are you and inclusive are you?

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Everyone has the capacity for change. The question is whether they have

will to change.

[Skidmore]

2. Have we the will to let them change?

[Seansky]

3. Only in two ways when their "negative actions/behaviors" no on values:

1. When they are self-aware enough and are not full of ego, they might little by little change behaviours, and
2. When the punishment or lost was so great and dear to them that they loose energy to keep up with their not...

My experience...

[longship]

4. Always.

But I have very low tolerance for deliberate stupidity and delusionary beliefs. I do not suffer fundemental christians very well. I openly rebel against overtly public displays of religiosity, patriotism, and any other phoney baloney.

But, other than that, I believe that many people can be saved. ;-)

[Protagoras]

5. I know some people change because I have changed

And I work with people who change all the time. That being said...not all people will change because the pressures, dynamics, or insight to change may be missing from their lives. Universals though, are usually wrong. I don't know if all people can change. And I am pretty sure that many who MIGHT be able to change would require greater than a normal lifespan to do so. I also think that some things are more resistant to change than others.

Someone who smokes is more likely to be able to change and quit than someone with anti-social personality disorder. And people who have spent 50 years being one way aren't going to change as fast (as a rule) as someone who's only been going down a given road for a week or two.

Don't know If that makes me progressive or not, but whichever so be it. Some people find change easily...some are so rigid that I don't think I'm willing to pay the price to dedicating my life to help them find some sort of self actualization.

As for how inclusive I am...I think there is a big difference between having a BIG tent and having no tent at all. Tents still have walls, ceilings, and floors. And so I have some boundaries. I think fundamental concerns about gender and racial equality are necessary to be in my tent. I think an emphasis on caring for the poor, needy, and disadvantaged rather than on the rich and corporate is necessary to be in my tent. There are a lot of people in my tent. But not everyone...no tent is that large.

So to come full circle...I think this administration is not likely to experience the kinds of things which WOULD change them. I doubt they have much encouragement to do so...even a jail term wouldn't do so. They would have to be completely removed from the corporate and power trough and serve a few years helping people in a leper colony...maybe that would do it...for SOME of them. And like David Brock...I guess one or two might recant at some point...and if they did I'd very very carefully watch their deeds and words to see if it were true.

But only a fool wouldn't be skeptical. Let Bush give up all his wealth and spend the rest of his life building shelters for the homeless in Iraq and we'll talk again about how much I can forgive him. Till then...

[McKenzie]

12. that was very erudite Protagoras

a helpful pause for thought amongst the white noise.

Well said and thanks for taking the time to type that up.

[Snotcicles]

6. I will always keep a close eye on them no matter what.n/t

[daninthemoon]

7. I changed my shorts this morning.

[Skidmore]

8. And it's greatly appreciated.

:)

[Silverhair]

9. Most people - Yes. Some people - No.

Nor is the chance always for the better. I think we can all think of someone we know who (Personally - not talking about political characters.) has chanced for the worse.

[TahitiNut]

10. Tell me what you think after attending your 30th high school reunion.

:evilgrin:


A symptom of intelligence is the ability to learn - which leads to changing opinions and perspectives. About 80-90% of a person's "personality" (what makes us us) is formed before leaving high school. I think we add on rather than 'change' -- a bit like the Winchester Mystery House.

[cynatnite]

11. Everyone has the ability to change...

It's all dependent on the person, the beliefs and the will to change. Even if the change is real, it would still be difficult to dismiss a long history of certain behaviors that have defined a person.

It's difficult for me at time to take the changing of a person at face value. Only time can tell if it's more than that.

[shraby]

13. Depends on the qualities they profess to

want to change.

[converted_democrat]

14. I'm living proof......

Growing up I didn't know a single Dem, or a person from a minority group. Everyone I knew was a conservative. I WAS a conservative also. I had not ever been in a position to see those who had less than I. I lived a very sheltered life, and my politics reflected that. I really didn't even know what a Democrat was, or what they stood for. I just knew that I was expected to disagree with their stances.
After some research on my own, and through this board, I changed. When I first came to this board, I was a still a puke. A puke with many questions, but still a puke. This board hooked me though. It challenged me in my thinking, like nothing else ever had. So many misconceptions I held all my life were dispelled. Now, I am a left left leaning Dem, and proud of it. I'm proud of my bleeding heart. I'm proud that I value people over profits. I'm proud that the policies I support, hurt no one. I'm proud of who I am, and who I have become. I found my heart in the Democratic party. I changed, and I'm a better person for doing it. People can change, I did.

[dogtag]

15. Prime example: David Brock of Media Matters. N/T