It's Nice Being on a Non Political Forum

[Della]

The teapot thread is mine actually...

Sorry Holly! How could I have made such a mistake? I think I was mixing it up with the "blue and white" thread because I have a blue and white teapot -- which I would have pictured on both threads if I could only figure out how to do that.

 

[JaniceM]

I know that makes sense for some, but I have never felt the need to use it.

I like most people here and appreciate their insights and comments.

From time to time I do find a few annoying but I am yet to see anyone who had nothing interesting to say. Though it takes a bit more work to find it with some...

That's me- not very interesting.

 

[hollydolly]

Sorry Holly! How could I have made such a mistake? I think I was mixing it up with the "blue and white" thread because I have a blue and white teapot -- which I would have pictured on both threads if I could only figure out how to do that.

Do you have the picture of your teapot uploaded already on your computer ?

 

[Della]

No Holly I don't have any pictures uploaded on my computer and no camera or cell phone to take pictures with anyway. For which you should all be grateful. I'm long winded enough with just words.

 

[Nathan]

It's Nice Being on a Non Political Forum

In the long run disallowing political discussion **in the current political climate** is the way to go.

Remember the good old days, when you could watch a political discussion show on TV, where both sides were respectful and courteous?
Well, that's a thing-of-the-past. People will not/can not agree on what the facts are. Rather, the very ample opinion served on some media sites is mistaken as being fact.
Here in the U.S. the "us vs them" attitudes and perceptions are as hard as they where, from the last civil war in the 1860s.

 

[officerripley]

Here in the U.S. the "us vs them" attitudes and perceptions are as hard as they where, from the last civil war in the 1860s.

This has been going through my mind a lot lately.

 

[Alligatorob]

Here in the U.S. the "us vs them" attitudes and perceptions are as hard as they where, from the last civil war in the 1860s.

Maybe, but I hope not.

One big difference is that the South had a lot to lose economically with the loss of slavery, the Southern economy was very dependent on it.

Today it seems to me to be more about political philosophy, and minor, in comparison to slavery, differences over government regulation and intervention.

Makes it even harder to understand the polarization we have now...

 

[Paco Dennis]

This has been going through my mind a lot lately.

Issues can be discussed. There is no reason at all to become rude to others when discussing issues. People have self discipline. Use it. We need to be able to discuss how these divisive times effect us. It is real stuff and effects our outlook of the world.

 

[chic]

In the long run disallowing political discussion **in the current political climate** is the way to go.

Remember the good old days, when you could watch a political discussion show on TV, where both sides were respectful and courteous?
Well, that's a thing-of-the-past. People will not/can not agree on what the facts are. Rather, the very ample opinion served on some media sites is mistaken as being fact.
Here in the U.S. the "us vs them" attitudes and perceptions are as hard as they where, from the last civil war in the 1860s.

That's true but it's being replaced by censorship. Soon we won't be able to say anything that is not allowed or approved of. This is my fear. I'm all for freedom of speech. Just IMHO.

 

[Alligatorob]

That's me- not very interesting.

Says the lady with 2 serial murder meetings...

That's 2 more than me!

 

[Alligatorob]

your time will doubtless come

Oh, probably. However my skin is pretty thick...

 

[Nathan]

That's true but it's being replaced by censorship. Soon we won't be able to say anything that is not allowed or approved of. This is my fear. I'm all for freedom of speech. Just IMHO.

Censorship? Free Public speech is alive and well....and loud.

If you're thinking that people being prohibited from using privately owned & run online venues to preach their special kind of madness is censorship, consider this: what if the Law allowed any wackadoodle on the street to come into your home and spout obscenities, and disrespect you?

 

[Paco Dennis]

Censorship? Free Public speech is alive and well....and loud.

If you're thinking that people being prohibited from using privately owned & run online venues to preach their special kind of madness is censorship, consider this: what if the Law allowed any wackadoodle on the street to come into your home and spout obscenities, and disrespect you?

That example was not exactly fair. I think @chic is saying that expressing some issues that are dividing our citizens, need to be discussed and it is very difficult to do this without someone intentionally hijacking the discussion with some political propaganda. There is freedom of speech but there is common sense also. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Remy]

U.S. politics are very partisan. I've said this myself. I think it's best not to have them though some discussions and topics can lean there.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I have been getting my direct political fill on Reddit's forum. It is VERY moderated. I have made some comments there that I couldn't make here. So maybe if you want to be a little more direct...check out the way Reddit handles this.

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/new/

 

[Medusa]

I noticed the same thing when I was on the AARP site.

Me too, it's why I left.

 

[Remy]

That's where the ignore button comes in handy... if someone is annoying, then put them on ignore.. it's like they don't exist.. suits me very well...

It's certainly a good thing to have. I only have one person on ignore. Enough was enough. Being on a forum I personally wouldn't want too many on ignore.

I literally got attacked on Ravelry (knit and crochet site) in the forums because someone thought handmade washcloths were an insult to gift. So I responded, told them off, and told them not to bother to reply as I was putting them on ignore and I did.

 

[Alligatorob]

someone thought handmade washcloths were an insult to gift

I'd be happy getting them, anytime!

 

[David777]

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.

https://www.seniorforums.com/threads/supreme-court-overturning-roe-v-wade.70900/page-33#post-2146175

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.

 

[Paco Dennis]

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.

https://www.seniorforums.com/threads/supreme-court-overturning-roe-v-wade.70900/page-33#post-2146175

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.

So people's values about very important issues that ARE political are not to be expressed? It seems like you have special knowledge of people's intent on the SF. Kind of like a thought detective. I think you have over estimateded your view as being correct. I don't see it so cut and dry. There is no cut and dry in this territory. Maturity and compassion should be enough to let us speak freely.

 

[Alligatorob]

There is freedom of speech but there is common sense also. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Unfortunately I think they may be. Sometimes anyway. If we are going to have freedom of speech, which I strongly believe we should, then we will have to put up with giving those who lack common sense the right to speak.

My go to example for things like this is David Duke, not only do I find what he says to be highly objectionable, I believe he lacks common sense. None the less I would want his right to say it protected. In a perverse way I think it helps, putting his views out in the light of day makes most folks understand how wrong he, and people like him are.

 

[AnnieA]

Makes it even harder to understand the polarization we have now...

It's designed and stoked by the media for some reason I cannot fathom. The main stream media and opposing counterparts are biased to the point that they omit coverage of relevant stories and sometimes report outright falsehoods. Most US reporting is more opinion than fact.

 

[Alligatorob]

It's designed and stoked by the media for some reason I cannot fathom.

I guess you are right.

I believe the reason is ratings, unfortunately too many of us like to watch, read, and listen to the crap...

 

[Nathan]

That example was not exactly fair. I think @chic is saying that expressing some issues that are dividing our citizens, need to be discussed and it is very difficult to do this without someone intentionally hijacking the discussion with some political propaganda.

Well I definitely agree that there is much that desperately needs to be discussed, but there is no government censorship in play. And yes, the political propaganda is pervasive, and privately held media properties are under no obligation to allow dissemination of such on their venues.

There is freedom of speech but there is common sense also. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Not mutually exclusive per se, but freedom of speech as defined by the First Amendment only gives individuals a right to say what they wish, but does not convey any aura of credibility. Freedom of speech just "is", common sense is what society agrees to be true.

 

[David777]

Fortunately given forum policy and our moderator, the way some would predictably choose push limits discussing political subjects "to let us speak freely", will continue to be limited lest it degenerate into the usual troll tactic name calling and other influence agendas I narrowly addressed.