The need to argue and be right

Well, I've extricated myself from an online *news* forum that had been taking up too much of my time for the last couple of weeks. Don't know why I want to debate unwinnable topics with people who are so ignorant....homophobes, those against smoking bans, evangelicals, bush supporters. Certainly didn't help me toward my goals of peacefulness and mindfulness. The amount of ignorance, bigotry, hate and just plain stupidity is astounding, although I don't know why it surprises me. I will admit to having a bit of fun with good sarcastic retorts. And I did enjoy reading many highly intelligent and articulate posts.

But that's it. I've logged out and won't go back on.....

Why?

sigh....I should be reading my Thich Nhat Hanh books, re-listening to podcasts, and meditating...probably coming up with more mindfulness days (or blocks of time). What am I doing instead? I'm arguing with people on the internet. And it's arguments I'll never win...just banging my head against a brick wall. What is the point of talking to narrow-minded people, like fundamentalist christians, homophobes, smokers who are against a ban on public smoking, Bush supporters, and people who think pagans have no rights. I'd say it's a total waste of time, except that I am *in the moment* when I argue with these brainless sheep....ok, ok....not a good excuse...