It's not like we get paid to do this - most of us don't anyway.
And it's not like this is the only blog on the internet, or the only one I'm a member of, for that matter.
Or that it covers all or most of my interests; in fact, lots of what I like most is almost totally absent here.
But it is one of the few places where, if I'm in the mood to argue in English about US politics and related subjects it's almost guaranteed that:
(a) someone is else is going to be here, even in my time zone with is 12+ hours opposite the USA so not really that convenient
(b) whatever I say, someone is going to think differently than me
(c) they are going to take the bait
(d) there is a good chance I will have the opportunity to exercise self-control when it really matters to avoid damaging my own possessions
(e) no one is likely to notice how I am dressed (or not) and most will probably ignore me unless they want something
So like a good marriage or non-dysfunctional family, it matters less that we share common values or interests, are on the same schedule or, when all is said or done, really love each other and all that, what matters is we occasionally find each other available when needed and can tolerate being under the same roof.
That's why I DON'T expect:
(1) people will think I'm important or what I have to say matters just because I'm a member
(2) that people won't argue with me whenever they damn please
(3) that they won't bust me when I'm wrong
(4) that anyone will remember my birthday or my anniversary here
Because, if you can't expect any of this from a good marriage or in your own little castle, why the %#@& would you expect it here?
People are going to argue. Milk is going to get spilled. The sink is going to leak.
Accept it.
9:22 AM PT: Going to bed soon, but before I do let's define argument:
ar·gu·ment
Definition of ARGUMENT
1 obsolete : an outward sign : indication
2 a : a reason given in proof or rebuttal
b : discourse intended to persuade
3 a : the act or process of arguing : argumentation
b : a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion
c : quarrel, disagreement
4 : an abstract or summary especially of a literary work [an argument preceded the poem]
5 : the subject matter especially of a literary work
6 a : one of the independent variables upon whose value that of a function depends
b : a substantive (as the direct object of a transitive verb) that is required by a predicate in grammar
c : amplitude
Examples of ARGUMENT
They made a compelling argument for our participation.
The committee presented strong arguments against building a new school.
A lawyer's closing argument at the trial
His argument did not convince his opponents.
Let us accept, for the sake of argument, that she is right.
Don't you want to hear both sides of the argument?
They were always getting into arguments about politics.
There were many arguments about the new design.
They settled an argument that started in class.
I don't want to hear any arguments about whether you'll go.
Origin of ARGUMENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin argumentum, from arguere
First Known Use: 14th century
We get all types. It's normal.