From The
Editor
Meaningful Dialogue
Like most of you I pay attention to social media , not to find out what you ate for lunch necessarily , although that can sometimes be interesting — but to gauge things in this game of paintball and in the world . If you haven ’ t noticed this country is pretty divided on some important historic issues right now . Issues like gun control , left versus right , free speech and other hot button topics are being debated by the minute every day . You may have also noticed the tone and emotion behind all sides of these issues has generally not been pleasant , respectful or even fair in most cases . Memes misquoting people are being passed around and treated as if they are factual . Statistics are being doctored to strengthen whatever side of a debate a particular person is supporting . It ’ s pretty ugly out there right now and many people seem to think that there are no rules to this social warfare . That for some reason if it ’ s “ only Facebook dude ” it ’ s ok to lie , slander , shame and bully people .
I don ’ t actually care what side of any of these issues you lean towards — I really don ’ t . I don ’ t care if you ’ re a democrat or a republican or if you own a closet full of assault weapons or a closet full of “ Make America Great Again ” hats . And I don ’ t care if you walk around with a banner that says , “ We ’ re coming for your guns .” I don ’ t even care if you want to run for President of The United States and you support communism . I don ’ t care if you support gay rights or not , whether you think President Trump is the greatest thing since the invention of the paintball gun , or if you think churches should be taxed or not . And I don ’ t care if you stand for the National Anthem or you kneel . These decisions are your right as an American , whether I agree with them or not . Don ’ t get me wrong , I am sometimes offended by these things but it ’ s still your right to fee how you want to feel and believe what you want to believe .
I also have no problem debating these or any other topics with you as long as you are respectful and as long as you don ’ t feel the need to lie , cheat or steal to support your argument . If you slander or lie to make your point I ’ m moving on because you ’ re not worthy of my time . But a good , honest debate about important issues can better all parties . It makes us more informed , empathetic to the “ other ” side and it simply makes us smarter . As the Bible says , “ Iron sharpens Iron .”
So there it is … let the good debates begin . Let ’ s have meaningful dialoge .
John Amodea President
Paintball . Media
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