Political Threads? Add value or create noise.

[Da Klugs]

Just curious if these are broadly appreciated or just an interest to a few here.

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.

Just wondered what the general consensus was on their value to CS.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Just curious if these are broadly appreciated or just an interest to a few here.

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.

Just wondered what the general consensus was on their value to CS.

Little to none.

[Bigwaved]

Little to none unless you value strife.

[LasciviousXXX]

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

[Da Klugs]

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

[pnoon]

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.

PM the admin. He's got nothin' better to do.

[yourchoice]

I voted...Dave if you're able to close the thread to posting while keeping the poll up, maybe you or another mod can bump it so more people see it (just a suggestion).

[taltos]

Some (and I will include myself) are so set in their political beliefs that there is no listening to the opposing side. These threads just turn into sources of strife and if they are to remain, should have their own forum.

[cquon]

They always start out interestingly enough, but deteriorate quickly.

[adsantos13]

This is just a general observation and not limited to this forum. Further, it is just my (not adjusted for inflation so not worth much).

Currently, the political climate in the US is so polarized that discussions about politics become so heated that the people involved (even friends) on either side end up allowing someone else's political opinions to affect how they feel about them personally. IMHO this is beyond tragic. This applies to those on the left and right. For example, when you consider someone on the left "treasonous", or a someone on the right a "fascist", how could it not?

There is nothing I like more than a polite discussion on just about any topic, political or otherwise. Sadly though, more and more people are just plain unlikely to even consider thinking about an opposing view rationally. Further decisions about specifics are impossible as everything can only be black or white, this side or that, or taken wholesale.

Ultimately, I just think that it is a sad state of affairs in this country when decisions like allowing or disallowing political discussions on an open topic forum due to them being problematic to this degree.

[BobbyRitz]

Waste of time as noone is ever right.

[Ashcan Bill]

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

[Seanohue]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

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

Although ironically, my first post on CS was in a thread about global warming....

[bazookajoe]

Originally Posted by taltos

Some (and I will include myself) are so set in their political beliefs that there is no listening to the opposing side...

I've yet to read a political thread on any forum that remained a civil and thoughtful discussion. IMO they just don't serve any purpose.

[kvm]

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.

Friggin control freak.