Political Threads? Add value or create noise.

[raisin]

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Tried to close the thread to posting but leave the poll open but it won't let you do that.

If that was a hint, it's not working!

[LasciviousXXX]

Originally Posted by raisin

If that was a hint, it's not working!

Strategery!

[smokinpoke]

where's the indifferent choice. I usually watch others go at it but don't participate in them.

[IHT]

Originally Posted by Ashcan Bill

They're non-productive at best, and usually turn acrimonious.

i'll respond once i finish figuring out what 'acrimonious' means.
it could be a while.

[justinphilly]

a woman came into my bar one night asking if i could put one of the debates on the tv.. i said, "sorry miss, but thats one of the two things we dont encourage to be discussed here." she angrily replied, "oh jesus christ!"

i said, "funny you should say that.. thats the other thing!"

keep it out of here... too many different strokes and different folks..

[DETROITPHA357]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

I don't talk politics or religion with friends usually.... and you're all my friends

I would like to think so.

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Most of them end up getting closed because they deteriorate into personal attacks. Some of them expose us to a wide variety of views and are interesting reads.

Very true but you learn alot about the person u call your friend.or shall I say(not u dave)

[ResIpsa]

i think they have little value.

also think that as we get closer to election day, the "acrimonious" part (sorry IHT) will only get a lot worse

[fireman43]

Very seldom do they ever remain civilized. Most of the time even some non political topics get turned into a debate and go down the tubes as well. I just don't think they have a place here because emotion is hard to infer through posting and is much different than if we were all sitting around the table debating something.

[Hammerhead]

You probably know my answer.

Many of us are afraid of confrontation, but that's how we learn about things. Even if it doesn't seem so at the time, a contrary view that hits you between the eyes one day can be food for thought the next. If you don't like any given thread, presumably we're all mature enough to just not participate and walk away.

It also depends on how you define "political threads". Subjects that are overtly political and intended to stir controversy are just in bad taste. But subjects that begin as discussions about certain issues of the day can evolve into political discussions because we, as a nation, have allowed legislators to intrude so deeply into our lives with "good ideas" or "if it prevents x, it's worth it".

I believe the problem is less with the fact that a thread begins discussing matters of public policy, than it does with the fact that government has exceeded its authority because we've collectively not stood up to put a stop to it. Every time we flip a lever for a legislator that'll do something FOR us, means that he'll also do something TO us.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

To GET freedom for yourself, you must GIVE freedom to your fellow citizen, even if you sometimes don't like what he does with it.

Oops. Sorry. Did this post just turn "political"?

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

You probably know my answer.

Many of us are afraid of confrontation, but that's how we learn about things. Even if it doesn't seem so at the time, a contrary view that hits you between the eyes one day can be food for thought the next. If you don't like any given thread, presumably we're all mature enough to just not participate and walk away.

It also depends on how you define "political threads". Subjects that are overtly political and intended to stir controversy are just in bad taste. But subjects that begin as discussions about certain issues of the day can evolve into political discussions because we, as a nation, have allowed legislators to intrude so deeply into our lives with "good ideas" or "if it prevents x, it's worth it".

I believe the problem is less with the fact that a thread begins discussing matters of public policy, than it does with the fact that government has exceeded its authority because we've collectively not stood up to put a stop to it. Every time we flip a lever for a legislator that'll do something FOR us, means that he'll also do something TO us.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

To GET freedom for yourself, you must GIVE freedom to your fellow citizen, even if you sometimes don't like what he does with it.

Oops. Sorry. Did this post just turn "political"?

Listen, these banter and good morning threads are the most asinine things I have ever seen. The last thing I think of at 6am is whether or not some guy halfway across the country has had his coffee yet and if it tastes as good as Bea Arthur. BUT....some people on here love it. Do I think it is a waste of bandwidth and creates a massive clique of CS popularity elitists? Possibly. I've never really been able to stand more than a page and a half at a time so I'm not 100% sure of what takes place in those threads. It could be a literary orgasm that I've just never read....my loss if it is.

However, they are immensely popular and though they too are subject to asshats and, in general, people, I see no reason to ban them simply because there could be an argument where someone's feelings get hurt. TOUGH! This site should be for 18+ only, who the hell let in the 12 year olds? No more picking teams and no more playing dodgeball in gym class either!

And why not ban sports talk too? God knows there have been issues here on CS over freakin football games! As our international presence grows, I'd hate to see what could happen when soccer games get debated. We may actually have hooligans throwing pints at each other over the internet!


There is room for asshattery in nearly every corner of CS, from politics to passes and many of us have seen these episodes come and go a thousand times. The solution is not banning discussions or deleting/editing posts (which I think is often times more disrespectful than the offending post..had I had the chance to read it of course)...the solution is getting Kansashat to put down his pink can of ladies Skoal pouches and have him write another of his nice little posts about respect on CS. And this respect should go across the board and be extended to all members. My posts should not be less subject to the rash of editing simply because I'm a long time member. Hell, with the exception of sources, I see no reason for editing at all! We're all grown ups here, and I certainly hope that we have all realized that there are assholes on this planet. Maybe some of you are more sensitive to such things, but I really don't need anyone protecting me from the fact that assholes do exist and we do in fact have us...er...them right here on CS!

If anyone actually thinks that after all these years, an act of moderation is going to stop political discussion (especially after starting a forum to discuss tobacco legislation) here on CS, you're nuts. My Zogby poll says you're 10 times more likely to cause a mutiny than you are to cease open discussion. But then again, what do I know?

[Major Captain Silly]

They do allow me to bring my own ridiculous brand of humor to the thread.

MCS

[DriftyGypsy]

Perhaps if a Political Forum Section were created it could be an Opt-In section.

[DonWeb]

They CAN be angst causing, if ... 1) one makes the effort to read them, 2) one allows the views to cause said angst.
(speaking from experience; but i'm better now)

They can also be so revealing...

[borndead1]

Originally Posted by DriftyGypsy

Perhaps if a Political Forum Section were created it could be an Opt-In section.

Great idea!

[Bigwaved]

Originally Posted by DonWeb

They CAN be angst causing, if ... 1) one makes the effort to read them, 2) one allows the views to cause said angst.
(speaking from experience; but i'm better now)

They can also be so revealing...

You are always so damn smart...