Shall we ban politics? Take the poll.

Do you want politcs to be banned from this forum?

  • Yes, ban it.

    Votes: 37 50.0%
  • No, keep it.

    Votes: 37 50.0%

  • Total voters
    74
  • Poll closed .
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I think that discussing ​ politics is fine; but it seems more like a street brawl when I try to read the current events section of this forum; so I have been avoiding it because it seems to bring out a lot of anger in some people there.
When it spills over into other threads (we had Trump being blamed because there are hurricanes, for heaven’s sake !), then the animosity has just gone way overboard, in my opinion.
I think that if people want to discuss politics (or argue about it) then they can start one of the private groups and do it there. None of it would show up under new posts, and then other current events could actually be discussed in the current events section of the forum.

I already started a group for this purpose several years ago. It is called Speakers Corner and all topics, all opinions are welcome there with just one or two rules.

This is what I wrote in my first post

This group has been created to allow for discussion of serious and sometimes controversial topics.

There is only one rule - remember that behind the username and avatar is a real person, with real feelings.
People see things differently, have different opinions and wisdom and truth are never the sole property of one person nor of one political persuasion.

Therefore we ask posts and posters to be treated with a modicum of respect.
If posters are labelled idiots or worse for having a dissenting view then there will be deletions.

Otherwise, feel free to enter the verbal jousting as part of this group.
Start a new discussion any time you think of something of interest.

The other rule I apply is that serious threads be treated seriously. At the time serious threads in the main forum were being constantly derailed with frivolity. It was very frustrating when other posters wanted to explore the topic.

The trouble with a topic in any of the groups is that members of the main forum have to join the group to post and traffic tends to be much less. Topics tend to die for lack of participation.

Any way, feel free to browse Speakers Corner to see whether it is a possibility.

https://www.seniorforums.com/group.php?discussionid=5&do=discuss
 

That would mean leaving the forum. Do we want that? Its the same gang posting all the time. If it doesnt bother them where is the problem.?

I don't understand people not participating wanting it banned. You don't have to go there .
I think if some are expressing extremist views, then you can become very uncomfortable that people like that are being tolerated on the board and will leave. Especially when they post disparaging comments about my own nationality.
 
I left the forum for a long time after the election in part because of friends who had been banned. I found much of the discussion around politics was distasteful and just unpleasant. One could not have a rational discussion without personal attacks or sarcasm, so I left. I'm back now, but staying out of the political discussions. Those who have seen me here in the past know where my sentiments lie. I'm on the fence about ending the political discussion forum, but opted for banning it. I just know I won't be going there anymore.
 

I find that the politics forum is a place I can express my views of which I feel are very strongly about...politics and the way we are governed involve all of our lives and are an important part or should be.

Our world is not just made up of fluffy kittens and what brand of coffee we had for breakfast.

I also think, as Nancy said, if Politics are banned, they will creep back into other discussions.....oh well....life is hell... when there are conflicting opinions.
 
i dont read the political forums stuff anymore. there are to many who think they are in the right even when shown wrong but will continue to spout and harang their point till time ends.
 
Warrigal declines. You don't want to unleash the Vice Principal in me. A lot of people would be sentenced to writing out lines such as "I must remember that every poster is a human being with genuine feelings". No cut and paste allowed and the finished lines would have to be hand written and posted as an image.

Besides, I live in a different time zone. When most members are jousting in the political arena, I am sleeping.

Seriously though, all that is required is to remember that we are all guests on a forum organised for us by Matrix and SeaBreeze and to behave as well mannered guests. Sometimes we need to have our say, then shut up and allow someone else to have the last word for a change.

Perfect, your resume is impeccable, just the person we need. :cool:

It's the person who does not want the job, who is the one that frequently is best for the task.
 
The reason I came to this forum is because I could easily eliminate the topics I wasn't interested in. One of which is politics. If others would like to go at it on the political thread I don't have a problem with it as long as it doesn't spill over into the other threads.
 
If it can be discussed in a civil manner, I'm all for it.

Unfortunately moderating politics into a friendly forum is mission impossible, it's against the nature of politics. I'm at my wit's end.
I understand what you mean. I'm for banning it.
 
I'm for keeping it. I read them all and learn a lot from them.

There are a lot of knowledgeable persons here, and I especially like the links that are offered and usually read all of them.

So, keep them coming.
 
Good mental health depends on a certain amount of social interaction, or so I'm told. Many older retirees lack that due to circumstances, desire or even through habit. A forum such as this can provide it to some degree by being an outlet to simply chat with a peer group, share thoughts and ideas and engage in conversation with others who have similar interests. We should be able to do so freely without fear of reproach or censure.

It's obvious that we are a very diverse group in sex, background, education, interests, basic character and current situations so naturally our interests and forms of expression are diverse as well. As adults, our personal interests can and do vary from mundane to ridiculous to obscene and we are allowed to explore all, to form opinions as we wish and to express those opinions within bounds. Strong opinions expressed face-to-face are governed by common courtesy, innate decency and social etiquette. However, internet anonymity allows expression to run amok with no governing.

Personally, I'm inclined to be tolerant of abusive, vicious behavior here because I feel it might give a much needed outlet to disturbed thoughts or feelings and might keep someone from expressing them in another form in real life circumstances. If an outlet is needed, this is safer and less likely to cause material harm to others. Thankfully, I can be tolerant without engaging in the battle. When the thread turns vicious or needlessly repetitive, I simply move on.

But unless it is an outlet for disturbed thoughts, what's the point in being verbally abusive? Someone who has formed firm opinions is unlikely to change them as the results of harsh or abusive words. Present your facts and argue your point, of course, but what is to be accomplished by abusive behavior? Discuss the point at will but, in the end, we must all simply agree to disagree and that's OK.
 
Good mental health depends on a certain amount of social interaction, or so I'm told. Many older retirees lack that due to circumstances, desire or even through habit. A forum such as this can provide it to some degree by being an outlet to simply chat with a peer group, share thoughts and ideas and engage in conversation with others who have similar interests. We should be able to do so freely without fear of reproach or censure.

It's obvious that we are a very diverse group in sex, background, education, interests, basic character and current situations so naturally our interests and forms of expression are diverse as well. As adults, our personal interests can and do vary from mundane to ridiculous to obscene and we are allowed to explore all, to form opinions as we wish and to express those opinions within bounds. Strong opinions expressed face-to-face are governed by common courtesy, innate decency and social etiquette. However, internet anonymity allows expression to run amok with no governing.

Personally, I'm inclined to be tolerant of abusive, vicious behavior here because I feel it might give a much needed outlet to disturbed thoughts or feelings and might keep someone from expressing them in another form in real life circumstances. If an outlet is needed, this is safer and less likely to cause material harm to others. Thankfully, I can be tolerant without engaging in the battle. When the thread turns vicious or needlessly repetitive, I simply move on.

But unless it is an outlet for disturbed thoughts, what's the point in being verbally abusive? Someone who has formed firm opinions is unlikely to change them as the results of harsh or abusive words. Present your facts and argue your point, of course, but what is to be accomplished by abusive behavior? Discuss the point at will but, in the end, we must all simply agree to disagree and that's OK.
Very nice but who does that in the Political Forum? I mean who listens to reason??
 
Seriously though, all that is required is to remember that we are all guests on a forum organised for us by Matrix and SeaBreeze and to behave as well mannered guests. Sometimes we need to have our say, then shut up and allow someone else to have the last word for a change.
I agree but seriously it seems like a very hard thing for folks to do here or anywhere involving politics; I don't know why but that is the way it is in this country.
 
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