I'm not an anti-Russian hatemonger. I'm not anti-Russian at all. I told you so, with extensive evidence, some months ago, during an exchange in which you comported yourself more civilly.
I said that the US wasn't all, or close to all, as you depict it. It isn't. You have countered by saying that what I already said existed exists. That was not a response to my statement.
didn't say anything about tiny quiet minority. Therefore I will not respond to your responses to a statement of mine that appears to have taken place solely in your head.
About your baseless claims that I say West = good and so on, never said and don't think. Therefore, I will not reply.
Again, you have been to many places. Why not add Russia to the list? You have never dealt with former KGB types and you don't know how they do business, but you are certain you know better than those who have and do. Russia is waiting for you. No rainbow flags there.
I do not read from a script given to me. And I hereby request that you never mention me in one breath with Don Lemon again.
I encourage you to petition CF to create an "old TAW" Orthodox board in accordance with your knowledge and desires, or even to create your own forum, which you can do for free easily. I assure you that I will never stick my head into the "true Orthodox" board, as I am certain that the definition of the board will exclude people like me from posting.
Please take note: I am not claiming authority to or desire to remove you from TAW. I merely mean that if TAW is not to your liking, or if you believe that it harbors "globohomo" types, then I hope that you will create or have created a proper Orthodox forum in which you will not have to deal with incorrect Orthodox types.
I am not going anywhere, Archer. I was here well before you. I do not think you are a wrong "type" or anything of the sort. I deeply disagree with you and think you're way off base in almost every point you make. I also think it's rather silly to suggest I should go visit Russia amidst an epic war. In case you're interested, my wife and I had planned 100% to visit Russia a year and a half ago. We were set to go when this war broke out. I would assume you aren't suggesting I go there now. In addition, your point that tacitly says to me "If you don't like America, there's the door, pal" is not a fair one. And if we're talking civility, as you are here taking the high ground, my friend, I don't think that's a fair approach. That argument presupposes that one must ALWAYS agree with American politics and wartime choices and despise foreign nations OR ELSE....get out! Your tone there and your statement makes the West unassailable and beyond criticism with nations like Russia being off limits to agree with. I disagree. No, I have not dealt with former KGB agents. By your logic, since I haven't had an abortion, I cannot comment. Because I've never struggled with cancer, I cannot discuss it intelligently. I have never been gay, so I cannot speak to its morality or issues. Not what I consider a salient discussion approach, but that's ok. I'm not sure what your "true Orthodox" comment was referring to. Did I claim you're not a "true" Orthodox Christian? If so, please show me and I'll be the first to apologize and ask forgiveness. I don't know your heart, your soul, your holiness, or your level of commitment to Holy Orthodoxy. What's more, it's not my job to assess that. You're likely a better man than I.
You made a statement that I think is silly. It was that I seem to be a guy who learns everything about the world through the internet. This is coming from a poster who used NPR as his citation for "news' in the OP. Ok. It's absurd. It's ridiculous. You have no basis upon which to say something so inane, but the internet is free speech. You called Putin a "bolsheveik style Atheist" in one of your previous posts. I would caution against that. The man has done a great deal to rebuild the Orthodox monasteries, build churches across the nation, support clergy, and expand Orthodoxy. Much of his mission in Syria was not just pipelines, but to support Orthodox Christians there aside another pro-Christian leader, Assad. It is not up to you to determine a man's heart if he says he is Orthodox, attends the divine services, prays, and has a spiritual father. Putin proclaims Orthodoxy, was baptized and chrismated, attends worship and liturgical life, and has the blessings of his father confessor/patriarch. Neither of us should judge his Orthodoxy. We don't know the full story of what is going on over there. Dorothea and a few others have pointed that out.
I will end with this----this board was VERY apolitical for years and years. I loved that. So did others. Yes, some of us are more left of center, some more right of center, some dead center. I'm obviously more right, you're plainly very much left. But what you and a few other younger posters and newbies have done is start these passionate, hyperbolic, loud, emotional threads that are extremely political. The OP of this thread was based on an NPR article. That's about as worthless as outhouse toilet paper. Hard pass.
I would submit we ALL need to stop talking politics in this thread. I have discussed this Ukrainian War on other boards extensively. I have seen good arguments on both sides. Idiotic terms like "Putinistas" popping up automatically tell me the person with whom we're discussing this on the pro-Zelensky side is not taking things seriously.
I do not appreciate your "comportment" comments, and I think based on what I've read on your end, we need to cease and desist. Minds are not going to be changed in here. I know you haven't changed mine based on any of your posts. Not at all. And I would recommend you look at what your thread has done. I know several old-school posters in here who do not want to post in here because they feel you have bullied the conversation or you have no ability to hear the other side without hyperbole.
For now, I suggest we either put each other on ignore or learn to forgive one another with no more of this back-and-forth. Discussing the war will not make you or me into better Lenten pilgrims. We will continue tit for tat and only find frustration.
I hope you have a fruitful Great Lent, and may God bless you and yours.
