Politics... Not Allowed Here Anymore?

[RedFanAlways1966]

Just curious. We seem to have a trigger-happy thread closer around here.

Politics (and religion) are flashpoints. I think most know that. And they have their ups-and-downs as far as discussing goes.

Just make it simple... no politics allowed. Add it to rule #5. Might as well. That is what happens anyhow. We will only discuss movies, TV and people who do dumb things (non political of course). Should make us all lovable and keep us busy discussing important world topics when we are not in the mood to talk REDS baseball.

I see DunnHater getting run through the ringer (justifiably so IMO) on the other side but it just keeps on going-and-going-and-going. Most of his threads are far more political in nature (on this board) than most on non-baseball. But there seems to be an inconsistency.

Feel free to lock this if it is too political.

[zombie-a-go-go]

Just make it simple... no politics allowed. Add it to rule #5.

Hmm... good idea.

Feel free to lock this if it is too political.

Don't worry, I will.

[Chip R]

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves..." - William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar Act I Scene II

[Redsfaithful]

Hmm... good idea.

Is that the official ruling then? No more political discussion?

[Red Leader]

Is that the official ruling then? No more political discussion?

We can have hope, can't we?

[Redsfaithful]

We can have hope, can't we?

This is what I don't get. Why read the threads if they bother you RL?

And if you're not reading them then how do they bother you?

[pedro]

I would just like it if people didn't have something relevant to add to the discussion that they didn't post in that thread. That means unrelated rants about anyone on right or left and other posts purely intended to derail discussion such as dismissive emoticons. I know we don't all agree but getting access to opposing viewpoints is what democracy is all about. We should take advantage of the opportunity, not dismiss things out of hand just b/c they may be contrary to our current beliefs.

[Red Leader]

This is what I don't get. Why read the threads if they bother you RL?

And if you're not reading them then how do they bother you?

First, I don't read the threads so they don't bother "me".

They just bother me because all anyone does is fight back in forth in them, and then people get banned, etc, which makes for long days for the moderators, people coming back before their ban is up under other user names, and trolling, which then does effect me in other threads. So while it doesn't directly effect me to some point, I think this place would be a lot better off if they didn't exist.

I agree with what you said, though. It would be a lot better if people could act civil in those threads and things could be debated intelligently, but I've seen about 25 political threads in a row closed because things couldn't be discussed intelligently. That's enough for me to believe that things won't change dramatically in the future to make those threads worthwhile.

Best case, they should be put in their own forum as a perk for subscribers (like the Hall of Fame)

[zombie-a-go-go]

Is that the official ruling then? No more political discussion?

No, not an official ruling.

Yet. :mhcky21:

[jmcclain19]

Is that the official ruling then? No more political discussion?

I really hope not. The immature actions of a few shouldn't dominate the actions of many.

[GAC]

I really hope not. The immature actions of a few shouldn't dominate the actions of many.

Exactly.

And I agree with '66 on this. Someone is too "trigger happy" at closing certain threads. And when I went back and looked at those particular threads there was no profanity or excessive name calling going on.

Arguing and sharp disagreement? Yes.

But that is what happens when you discuss politics and religion, and it has always been that way since the dawn of time.

I'm appreciative that we have moderators that give of their free time to oversee this site. And there is that "minority" that like to chime in at times and don't follow the rules.

My question is this?.... do you PM that individual first, show them the thread/response that you feel is inappropriate and violates the forum rules, and then remind or warn them?

If the others on that thread, even though they are disageeing (and sometimes sharply), are not getting excessive and there is no direct violation of the rules, then why close a thread because of the actions of the one when you haven't directy addressed them?

People know that I am not afraid to jump in on a particular thread. I, for the most part, do not start political/religious threads. Someone will have to show me where/when I last started one.

But when a thread is started... and lets be honest here....it's usually started for either the sake of discussion OR to take a jab at a particular ideology. And I'm thankful that we have moderators to "watch over" the discussion that takes place on those thread. But you know what? I could care less, nor does it bother me, when someone starts a thread or takes a "jab at who I am or what I believe. It's just one little talk forum, a "dot", in this huge universe called the internet. It really means nothing or very little IMO.

And if anyone can't walk away from this forum, and any discussion that goes on on here, and not "separate" their emotions and feelings and not let it really get to them over what someone says, then maybe they themselves should consider refraining from participating? I can very easily separate it.

And there are more and more threads that I avoid anymore. And there are alot of people on here that avoid these types of threads all together. That's their choice and I respect that. It's all about "choice".

Again... I respect and are thankful for those moderators that do a great job on here. But don't let your personal feelings enter into, or be a reason for, closing a thread.

Let us argue if we want. I think some take these discussions too seriously. I don't.

If you do away with political/relgious threads on here, then what is next?

Some stay away from this side of the forum because of the type of discussions that go on (as Boss stated above). And that is fine. I don't participate on the baseball side very much anymore because of the type of discussions that go on.

Why? They don't interest me AND I have sharp disagreements with some of those discussions/ideologies.

But I don't want to see them banned or prohibited. I just chose not to participate.

Why can't peple do the same over here?

It's ridiculous to even be discussing banning political/relgious discussions on this side.

If you do that, then you will lose even more members, including myself. Why? Because I'm gonna pout and storm off?? Hardly. It's because you have removed the reasons why I come here to begin with. You've limited my choices, and are basically telling me that I can ony participate within the strict guidelines that you have set.

And that is your choice to do so. Just like it would be my choice to no longer participate.

But I have too much respect for those who started and run this forum, and I'm hoping they won't take that course.

[jmcclain19]

the problem is that the political threads turn well beyond civil discourse.

Once I see a certain few names in those type of threads, I stay away, because the end is near

[savafan]

All persons who want to discuss politics will have to subscribe and discuss them on the Hall of Fame forum from now on.


No...not an official statement, just an idea.

[Danny Serafini]

I'd be thrilled if the political threads got the boot. All they do is build up animosity. There's occasionally a nugget of interest, but for the most part it's just a bunch of name-calling by people on both sides. It's not like anything productive comes from those threads, there's no kind of enlightenment. It's just two sides dug deeply into their own trenches lobbing grenades at each other.

[Spring~Fields]

I'd be thrilled if the political threads got the boot. All they do is build up animosity.

I agree.

Besides they bring out the worst in me and I have been trying to make myself stay off them.

I really believe the theme/the jist of the political and religious threads have been hashed and rehashed to death.