Feel I should give a bit of backstory, perhaps you enjoy the story, perhaps you learn why I tend to be confrontational, or perhaps you say, "that figures".

My great grandfather was an SS Officer, died in the war, his tombstone bears the insignia. He had one son, my grandfather. My grandfather moved to Pensacola with his mother shortly after. She was extremely wealthy, owned half of Garden St. for those familiar. When he married and stopped being her only son she disowned him and left her real estate and millions to the state. A testament to the influence he had on my grandfather, every year on my birthday my grandfather used to send me a photo of the Gravestone and tell me how proud I should be.

Back to the point, even in the short time he knew his father, my grandfather was indoctrinated. He was an intelligent man but awfully ignorant. He had several children, all indoctrinated to a lesser degree, but proportionately ignorant. One of those kids was my father. He was not as bad as his father, and even routinely questioned his ideas, but at the same time struck me as equally intelligent, but also equally ignorant. We haven't spoke in 15 years, that is after not speaking for the majority of my childhood.

One time my father told my mom he couldn't afford to pay child support because he had dogs to feed. My grandfather on my moms side (my dad by all accounts) put him on his ass when he wouldn't let my mom leave the house to attend college because, "a women will stay home and raise kids".

It's taken a few generations to eliminate the bullshit. I don't agree with anything they say, though they claim to be republican to the core, they are instead just stupid. My grandfather has long passed. My father, far as I know is still alive but I haven't spoken to him in forever.

When I hear things, more often than not I tend to question it before believing it. I hate extremes, and have enough first hand stories to back up my reasons. I'm sorry if yall think I'm always confrontational, and I don't for a second compare yall to my father's side of the family. I just have these experiences, and the personality that comes from it.

I know this sounds like ranting, and that is in part due to me having a better understanding of my past than I can explain in text. But as much as I might seem like an asshole to some of you, I have good reason for the way I am.

quote:

My grandfather on my moms side (my dad by all accounts) put him on his ass when he wouldn't let my mom leave the house to attend college because, "a women will stay home and raise kids".

Your grandpa sounds like a good dude.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

My grandfather on my moms side (my dad by all accounts) put him on his ass when he wouldn't let my mom leave the house to attend college because, "a women will stay home and raise kids".

Your grandpa sounds like a good dude.

He surely was, on my moms side of course. I miss him dearly, he has been gone 15 years now. My father, far less of a man, wont seem to die.

Cruel world it seems to me.

I don't mind your rants. I always read what you write. I don't have to agree but I respect you.

At least you know why you are the way you are. I’ve never thought of you as confrontational or an asshole.

Years ago, I was fortunate to spend a short time with you and your son. I remember it well. Your son's demeaner reflected you. I saw you, by observing him, and what I saw from you confirmed that conclusion.

Nothing has presented since that time to change my perspective of that with regard to you.

Those who know, know.
We all go together.

We are all the product of our heritage and formative years and spend the rest of our live overcoming them. I am no exception. Thanks for laying it out there. It shows you value this community.

I read your posts and respect what you have to say. Which I try to do with everyone here.
You do you.

To paraphrase what DF said, we are all the product of our past experiences. I am glad you felt comfortable enough to share, and feel I know you a little better now. As you said, it helps to know so you can understand a person better.

I don't think of you as any kind of asshole at all. Quite the contrary.

I'm glad you're here and value your inputs. By all accounts, we are proud to have ya.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
But as much as I might seem like an asshole to some of you, I have good reason for the way I am.

No, you've never struck me as falling into that camp. Thoughtful? Smart? Someone whose opinion matters to me? Yes. Glad you're getting things sorted out Otto. Merry Christmas.

Words are just words to me and all I receive are the thoughts and ideas they convey. Ideas are what matters to me and getting to the truth. But I'm dispassionate in argumentations.

I have long gone by an axiom that goes something like: "People have a right to an opinion formed by their own experience". I don't have to like it, or agree with it, but they do have a right to have that opinion in that context. A big part of having a meaningful discussion with anyone is to first understand why they feel the way they do. Thanks for sharing that.

I have a friend who once told me "Somalis are dirty people." This fellow, who is a great guy and whom I've known a long time, wouldn't know a Somali if he/she walked up to him on the street. I asked him why he thought that and he said his cousin (who I also know) works with some Somalis and told him that. I suggested he find that out for himself before he went off with such sweeping generalizations about people he's never met. His response was indignant: "well he's family!" So as you can see, this is a notion that dies hard.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
We are all the product of our heritage and formative years and spend the rest of our live overcoming them. I am no exception. Thanks for laying it out there. It shows you value this community.

Yep. None of us are born without stain.
OttoSig, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing, Otto. Glad you feel comfortable sharing with the Forum---just one more reason this is a great place.