Keep this forum or not?

[pisces2473]

Okay, we're letting you decide...do you want it or not???

[cheshrcarol]

I think that we should keep the politics forum. Even when it had been taken away, politics still crept onto the threads anyways. The issues are inherent to our lives as quarter-lifers and I think it's important that we have a place to discuss them.

But with that being said, I am sick of the people who personally insult those voicing their opinions. I think the mods had the right idea that anything offensive will be edited out.

[wordsmith]

I've said my piece repeatedly. It's clear these are issues that are important to people to discuss. Having a forum for it keeps the topics from cropping up on unrelated threads, and provides a place where those interested can go, and those who don't like discussions of that nature can avoid. It's not as if the subjects are going to die if the forum is gone.

It's true that it's not always done without emotions running high, and I've said again and again that the personal insults are counterproductive. But I think the mods have been more than fair in noting what's acceptable and what's not. If people get carried away, there's always that little "Report this post" button. I don't see the problem with keeping it. If people don't wanna go there, they certainly don't have to. There are forums I rarely go to, myself. I think it's to be expected that every topic isn't everyone's cup of tea.

[Phoenix]

I, too, have said my peace in other areas but I'll post it again here. The politics forums were removed before for a reason. Emotions DO run high and it creates feelings of animosity on the boards, which, as Abby pointed out, is the exact opposite of the intention of this site.

It's not only contained in the politics forum, it's spilling over into other areas of the site.

The mods can edit out nasty comments...but how much extra work is it creating for them? Maybe a lot...

[pisces2473]

Originally posted by Phoenix
The mods can edit out nasty comments...but how much extra work is it creating for them? Maybe a lot...
Well...I can't speak for WB, but I actually LIKE doing this. It's the best part of my day, since my real job sucks. And it's easier now to edit because we have mod powers as our regular ID's. No more switching from Pisces to mgp and back.

[Skyblade]

I'm in favor of the politics forum. Although we may disagree on things, I still feel like for the most part, people do try to respect one another.

[WeirdBrake]

I join in the majority opinion to keep the Politics forum alive (though with much respect to my distinguished colleague, dissenting justice Ruth Bader Phoenix) . And, as Jen said, it's really not a problem at all if we have to edit stuff or intervene.

I agree with Carol's point about how people will continue to discuss politics whether we have a forum or not. The Politics forum was originally created so that at least we could isolate the Poli-oriented discussions from the rest of the board. Given how active it is, and given how when asked in a poll, the majority clearly favors keeping it open, I'd say the voice of the people has spoken.

:)

[pisces2473]

So let it be written, so let it be done.

[coll214]

While i don't post to there very often, I do read it... I think it's important to keep like others said so that those feelings don't get intermingled into other issues...

[Benwa]

It's dangerous when you start elimnating ways of people to discuss life. It's the first step to total breakdown and alienation. Keep the forum. And I hope its censored very very lightly. It's a very wobbly balancing act so be careful.

[pisces2473]

Well, we get a kick out of your stuff, so keep it coming.

[Crimson King II]

I'm voting no. But I'm intimidated by the poll watchers here and am afraid my vote didn't count.

[Benwa]

I just occured to me that I didn't actually vote after posting! I forgot where the polling place was, it was raining, I was too sleepy, I was stoned.

I should have gotten out there and voted. To think of all the sacrifices the people before me made to get the right to vote on internet polls. And I just throw it away willy nilly. I'm such a poor citizen. I'm going start a voting campaign this minute using money from a paper route and bake sale. It's like the Vote Or Die one. Except less extreme. Vote Or Get the Sniffles. Vote Or Feel Sad, Vote or Feel Perturbed, Vote Or You Don't Get Any Dessert.

[StateNAurora]

Rename it current events. I think some of us, ok a select few, take "politics" as their cue to start grandstanding. The boards were a lot more civil without it.

[personalegend]

Originally posted by StateNAurora
Rename it current events. I think some of us, ok a select few, take "politics" as their cue to start grandstanding. The boards were a lot more civil without it.

Great idea! Current events......this way we can discuss nonpartisan issues as well. This part of the site is really interesting to me....after all, how many times can I read or write a post entitled "My job sucks" ,"I can't get a job", "I miss my ex" ,"I have no money" ,"Where did my friends go", or the ever popular "what the fuck am i supposed to do with my life?" These are important of course, and helpful, but the politics site was pretty refreshing....
I find the politics/current events site enlightening and always changing. It does people our age good to be so involved. And I think now that the election is over many of us willl not be so emotional....

[wordsmith]

Renaming it isn't such a bad idea...then it won't strictly spur the controversial, but a broad range of newsworthy topics, hopefully.

[stonemonkey]

Originally posted by wordsmith
Renaming it isn't such a bad idea...then it won't strictly spur the controversial, but a broad range of newsworthy topics, hopefully.

and hopefully 'dilute' the animosity

[winneythepooh7]

I don't really follow the politics forum, and therefore, don't know what happened there really with all the animosity. I do understand how this subject can get really heated though and people can become disrespectful of each other's opinions. I don't think it should be taken away but maybe a post at the top to say "keep it respectful" or something along those lines. Outside of politics, I think there are so many different subjects we are all passionate about, and we can learn from each other in these areas. Not everyone is in the same place in their life, and everyone experiences things differently. I think that it is the same when it comes to politics. I live in a very liberal city and work in a profession that reflects on my political views. I am sure people that live in the Bible belt, and even in Upstate NY have totally different views then me because of their drastically different experiences, and upbringings. We can all educate each other on the reasons we feel the way we do, and why we should think the way we do, but that is all we can do. Pushing our views onto others is never a good thing. I do think though that if threads get out of hand, they should be closed. I am guessing this is happening already though.

[pisces2473]

Originally posted by Crimson King II
I'm voting no. But I'm intimidated by the poll watchers here and am afraid my vote didn't count.
Of course it did ;) But you don't want it to stay??

[Crimson King II]

Nope. Infighting breeds mistrust and animosity...and that hurts the conversation on the other threads...plus the tone is so bloody right now...

[Skyblade]

I think it would be good to rename it "Current Events" too. That way people could talk about political news as well as other news that is relevant to us 20-somethings.

[Crimson King II]

Did I not suggest a Current Events board the first time the Politics board was shut down?

Again.....I'm like the Oracle of the QLC.

[wordsmith]

I must have been off the boards longer than I realized, because I don't remember the previous politics board at all, nor the shutdown of it. But there WAS a big gap where I wasn't active.

[WeirdBrake]

Again.....I'm like the Oracle of the QLC.

Yes, CK. You give great oracle.

[StateNAurora]

Like the Letterman Show we can call it "Know Your Current Events"

[pisces2473]

I don't know if I can change the title...Abby might have to do that, but she's getting married soon, so we'll have to wait til she gets back.