So frustrated at the few self-entitled folks here...

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MACKTEXAS said:
When I see a post that's upsetting, a sudden response has never worked well for me. If I take a break, I can think of something much more effective to say, or many times choose to ignore it.
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Wonder if I'll ever get to that place? :unsure: 🤷‍♀️ Maybe someday... I've had far more "why the heck did I say that?" moments than "maybe I should think it over first" moments. 😩
 

CallMeKate said:
I think it's very healthy for a forum site to have rules! Not having those boundaries causes forums to get far out of hand and then they soon disappear as many have done. Ignoring posts you're not comfortable with is much better than getting your blood pressure all out of whack by having political debates that there's no way to "win." And it risks a temp or permanent banning as well. (So I guess in that way, it *does* actually touch on personal health.)
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What I was saying was it isn't healthy for a discussion site when some twist the hard and direct rules to fit their agenda. Yes, a forum site without rules is a very unhealthy one. Bending the rules, such as NO POLITICS, to mean politics are allowed under certain exemptions, isn't healthy.
 
In my view, it's a delicate dance where respect for the views and beliefs of others is critical if there is going to be any discourse on matters that affect us. Whatever happened to agreeing to disagree without ridicule and demeaning the views and beliefs of others. I realize that not everyone can act like grown-ups, but when that happens, the group shouldn't be punished, just as people who disregard the speed limit, you arrest the violator.

There are so many things that may have a political nature, whether it be taxation, law enforcement, medical issues, labor, Social Security, international relations or war, climate and environmental decisions, education, the justice system, etc... it's almost impossible to discuss life without the possibility that someone could hijack an otherwise meaningful exchange.

It's OK to have disagreements and differing beliefs, but when we will stop at nothing to take frustrations and anger out on others, it never ends well. We all need to be reminded regularly that we aren't here to change others, or bully them, or invite them on our ego trip. A little kindness, courtesy, and respect will do quite nicely to guide any dialogue. Partisan politics are a lightning rod, so perhaps we can find a middle ground and report those who can't resist the rule breaking.
 

We've discussed this clearly in the past and it settled down. In recent months, numbers of new members have joined that obviously don't read those old posts. All they see is NO POLITICS and then post the same questions we've already discussed and came to a reasonable agreement on. So this has only arisen again recently nor will it be the last.

@Deya >>>"Just because the poster didn't mention a political party or name a politician, doesn't exempt the post as being partisan political."

The above has already been informally settled. It isn't a black and white issue because our world and the news is complex. The board cannot cover all exceptions to what is subtly partisan and there will always be marginal posts. You are pushing what was informally settled back more restrictively. It is also ok to post links that may minimally name politicians or be partisan as long as the link titles themselves do not use political terms. Not being able to do so would eliminate too many useful links that can support thread posts.

There always have been, still are, and we will always have new members that dislike the NO POLITICS rule, that will continue to push against that direction. Their usual posts have essentially stated many times, "If one doesn't want to view politics, just ignore reading those posts". And the same members that have that view will post a thumbs up, so we know who they are. No, no, and NO. This has been thoroughly discussed and overwhelmingly rejected by the majority of SF members.
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Admin - please reenforce “no politics.”

So yet another thread on political posting we've discussed at length that is not as black and white as some view it. Post from October 27, 2023, "Admin - please reinforce “no politics.”, with snippets from earlier threads.

Admin - please reenforce “no politics.”

I cannot speak for Matrix nor my inputs be considered policy, but rather terse advice. Older posts in threads bearing on this subject:

Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade?

I've mentioned this before on this board that is supposed to avoid politics, that some apparently did not absorb. Members need to stop DIRECTLY naming political parties and politicians in their threads. There are other ways to reference parties, groups, and politicians without doing so directly. For example, B is the D president. Yeah I know [insert member name], you prefer to demonize directly so everyone can read whatever. Some members are increasingly doing so and some of the same names who do so pop up frequently.

As an example, search in this thread shows "republican" 12 times, democrat 4 times, biden 5 times, trump 5 times, 7 alito, 9 thomas, 6 roberts, 3 breyer, 1 sotomayor, 3 kavanaugh, 1 kagan, 1 gorsuch, 3 barrett.

It's Nice Being on a Non Political Forum

Obviously, some members here strongly would prefer the ability to discuss politics within these forums and some have already posted within this thread that attitude. I'd bet the same people are the ones that post as though they are trying to influence other members as though they are doing so in the service of their personal political party or group for whatever those causes are. Of course, since the Internet arose there have been these trolls that work at such on a list of web forums as though they are performing a service for their cause. I've addressed that previously

https://www.seniorforums.com/thread...ther-members-a-valid-view.71314/#post-2102672

...Several times I've related I am not here to change others as some tend to act as though whatever might bear on a political election or how a conflict or controversy occurs because whatever we post here on this modest web board unlike some social media site like Twitter, will have an infinitesimal effect. While posting does offer value reflecting how a range of people feel about whatever as well as practices discussion skills...

...And one can expect they will continue to push forum policy in that direction and in fact use the fact they bait others herein into the same behavior as evidence many are doing so or it is "OK". Well folks don't be drawn into their game. The majority herein obviously don't want to be reading excessive political diarrhea as is found at many other web boards especially during political election cycles. And yes there are ways to discuss political elements without the usual favorite demonizing tactics political trolls tend to use...
 
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On this forum and others, there have been times that I got too political. Mostly on other forums, someone of another political belief said something that I found untrue, and then it was off to the races. I would make a political statement disagreeing what the other person said. Then a lot of people would join in. Anger in all the posts.

On this forum, I thought that it was a great idea to have no politics. But then I found out that sometimes it was difficult to avoid politics completely. Other times, I didn't mean to be political about a post, but some interpreted it to be. It got to a point where I would read the titles of the threads, and if one sounded like it could develop into a political thread, I decided it would be better if I didn't read any of the posts.
 
Paladin1950 said:
On this forum and others, there have been times that I got too political. Mostly on other forums, someone of another political belief said something that I found untrue, and then it was off to the races. I would make a political statement disagreeing what the other person said. Then a lot of people would join in. Anger in all the posts.

On this forum, I thought that it was a great idea to have no politics. But then I found out that sometimes it was difficult to avoid politics completely. Other times, I didn't mean to be political about a post, but some interpreted it to be. It got to a point where I would read the titles of the threads, and if one sounded like it could develop into a political thread, I decided it would be better if I didn't read any of the posts.
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There is where I've defaulted to as well. I tend to stay in the shallow end of the pool, where it's hearts and flowers (and coffee), and peeps are generally pleasant to each other.

Nothing wrong with curating your experience here. @Kaila, @PeppermintPatty and @Ruthanne have some lovely threads going right now.


EDIT: Freaking typo
 
Think about some of the members who are no longer here, because they were banned for getting their opinions in repeatedly. Now they can’t discuss that or other things and no one’s mind was changed in the whole process.
 
I remember the old days when S. F. had politics. We had staunch Liberals wanting to cut the throats out of the Conservatives and visa versa. It was almost a blood sport. That animosity began to bleed into every other discussion. I think the decision to abolish politics was a good one, because politics consumed the entire forum. Yeah, that left the forum where it was a place your dear old granny could go. I believe the concept of S.F. was a site to discuss issues about our stage of life. And from time to time, politics does creep in-we're human.
As far as discussing politics in this forum goes- do you really think anything you type will change the cherished opinions of others?
 
I dunno.

I find if I don't care for a thread, or the way it is going...I just stop posting in that thread. Can we all just have a bit of self-control instead of relying on Matrix for every bean that is spilled?

There are many popular threads on this forum that I have never once posted on. If it's not my cup of tea, I move on. If a thread is not your cup of tea...then find another one to post on.
 
Deya said:
So, the blame for deterioration is the responders fault? Just ignoring political post doesn't seem like a healthy thing for seniors to be doing. It seems silly that they even have to be reported, which as has been said ends up in the entire thread being deleted. When a political post is made and several give it a like, I think ignoring such gives any one reading that post, the idea that politics is rewarded, if it agrees with the views of other members that abide by the no politics rule or lack the courage to make a political post for fear of banishment.
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Doesn't seem silly to me. If anyone breaks the no politics rule or the rules about hate posts re religions, homosexuality etc then reporting is the best thing to do.
If it is an isolated post - ie everyone else has not replied in kind - then just that post gets deleted.
 
AnnieA said:
This is one small "no politics" forum in a sea of political outlets on the Internet. Plenty of places to put your views or last minute posts you feel you need to make as we're on the verge of being nuked without disregarding the rules here.
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I feel for you. You are really frustrated by all this. Maybe take a walk or a nice bubble bath to divert you for awhile so you will feel better. I understand frustration very well ❤️‍🩹
 
I have a life rule that I follow diligently. I won’t discuss politics or religion, unless I know with certainty that the person’s or group’s views align with my own (my family for example.)

Politics often comes up, and I stay far away from the discussion because it mostly devolves into some level of insult. 😣

I follow my own rule here, and it’s easy to do because it’s just part of the way I live my life.
 
gruntlabor said:
Has anyone been reprimanded for using emojis?
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No, but I seem to recall that some time ago, some members were publicly reprimanded by some other forum members for misinterpreting their emojis.

Some can get quite protective of their own use of emojis. They will stand up and defend them. Others just read the defence of them with their mouths open, especially when they get into long discussions of what they mean.
 
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AnnieA said:
...who don't have either the decency or self control to abide by the no politics rule.

What's the point in the rest of us participating on this board only to have a few members who for whatever reason decide they're entitled to post their politics regardless of the rules. Winds up in threads getting locked or deleted which I understand because cleaning up threads takes a lot of time and Matrix is moderating alone.

Feels pointless to invest in the time to engage here ....to study an issue, formulate a response if a few feel they're too important to respect the rules of the forum and just have to get their political posts in knowing that the result is that they're going to negate everyone else's time and effort to communicate with one another.
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The issue is that at times, it's a fine line. This invites the over-stepping of boundaries. The ban on political talk isn't black and white.

For example - if you allow talk about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, then you're begging for political commentary. You can't really discuss the topic fully - and more importantly completely - without politics. To do so warps the truth.

Same with, say, illegal immigration. How do you extract the political elements only? And if you do, how can what you post have any validity? At best, it'll be half-truths and skirting the core issues at work.

I've also noticed that, since this is a US centric site, the owner is more sensitive to US based politics than he is foreign politics. So, it's more acceptable to be directly critical of the leader of one nation, than another. This is understandable to a large extent.

For the record, I agree that politics should be banned from the site. Whether people believe me or not, I don't wantonly bring specific politics into any thread. But as I say, often times others have driven right up to the line, and you can't address what's been posted without being clear.

What should the rule be? The rule should be whatever the board owner decides.
 
I believe that we have been given a lot of leeway to have important conversations on this forum. We have been able to sustain lengthy conversations about covid, guns, abortion, inflation, tariffs ect without taking the rope we have been given and hanging ourselves. We should be proud…it is good practice for the real world. I feel the people who’s sensibilities are perhaps threatened by the proximity of true political reference should avoid the threads that might trigger them. Personally…I get tired of basket weaving.
 
I want to add - speaking from personal experience - why don't more people use DM's to air a grievance, rather than go public? If I wrote something someone doesn't like, why post something that derails a thread, rather than address me directly in DM's?

It's fine reporting a post, but that, it seems to me, is tittle-tattle. It's as though we're children, and some call for Daddy every time a disagreement happens. No-one here is so unreasonable that anyone should be wary of DMing, right?

If you're reading someones comment in the worst possible way, instead of going at it publicly, why not seek clarification in DM's? After all, that's also a feature (along with REPORT) that can help.
 

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