Urging That Political Threads Be Banned

[JonSR77]

Urging that Political Threads Be Banned.

Sure, some people are legitimately engaged in discussion. But other people are pushing an agenda and it is incredibly disruptive and annoying.

And not just things that are overtly political...but also the subtle stuff that people keeping pushing in innocuous threads.

You post something about your favorite baseball player...someone will respond with something political.

You post about a nature video...someone will respond with something political.

It's annoying.

It's disruptive.

 

[Jules]

Comments that are political can be reported. Matrix doesn’t have time to read all threads.

 

[JimBob1952]

We already have a "no politics" rule (which I inadvertently violate all the time.) We live an a highly polarized society and I don't think you can prevent people from saying what's on their minds.

BTW, aren't you pretty political yourself?

 

[Paco Dennis]

If you don't like it, ignore it. I do it all the time.

 

[JonSR77]

We already have a "no politics" rule (which I inadvertently violate all the time.) We live an a highly polarized society and I don't think you can prevent people from saying what's on their minds.

BTW, aren't you pretty political yourself?

In 2003, I had carbon monoxide poisoning and I came close to death.

I have enormous cognitive problems.

The main reason I come online at all, and in general....it is all for one thing and one thing only...

to help with my cognitive problems.

That is why I post. Period.

I come on this site, click on Forums...see what is there and just post a reply. That is it. I don't look for political posts...I just post.

If the posts were about pie recipes, that is what I would reply to. And, by the way, I did post back to a pie recipe thread.

I still have enormous cognitive problems...and sometimes my head is very foggy. When my head is not foggy, I never post back to political posts. When my head is foggy, I just sometimes forget and post back.

Now that this has become an issue, I won't post replies to political threads.

But, I guarantee that some folks on here, will respond to my some posts of mine, trying to bait me into fights. That started almost from the moment I joined this site.

And even though I have now posted about having extreme medical problems, I guarantee you, some of these folks will continue to harass me on this site.

Of course, it is likely that it is not a great deal of people. The trolls all use multiple identities. So you can join a site and be harassed by 10 different user names...but, in actuality, it is all one person.

I have done about 10,000 hours of volunteer work with the poor, disabled and on. I am hardly a perfect person, but the idea that I am some kind of bad guy...is patently ludicrous. And that can be confirmed by any number of people in the non-profit world, including a variety of priests and monks as well.

 

[Jules]

You can put these people on Ignore.

 

[Packerjohn]

Count me in as a guy that still loves his diminishing freedom. As the years roll by there are more and more rules and regulations about everything. I draw the line when people try to tell me what to say and what to believe. Are we heading into some sort of dictatorship for speech and thought? Are we suppose to only write about what is politically correct? It will be a very sad world if this is the way we are heading. If you don't agree with somebody's post, just "move along."

 

[JimBob1952]

In 2003, I had carbon monoxide poisoning and I came close to death.

I have enormous cognitive problems.

The main reason I come online at all, and in general....it is all for one thing and one thing only...

to help with my cognitive problems.

That is why I post. Period.

I come on this site, click on Forums...see what is there and just post a reply. That is it. I don't look for political posts...I just post.

If the posts were about pie recipes, that is what I would reply to. And, by the way, I did post back to a pie recipe thread.

I still have enormous cognitive problems...and sometimes my head is very foggy. When my head is not foggy, I never post back to political posts. When my head is foggy, I just sometimes forget and post back.

Now that this has become an issue, I won't post replies to political threads.

But, I guarantee that some folks on here, will respond to my some posts of mine, trying to bait me into fights. That started almost from the moment I joined this site.

And even though I have now posted about having extreme medical problems, I guarantee you, some of these folks will continue to harass me on this site.

Of course, it is likely that it is not a great deal of people. The trolls all use multiple identities. So you can join a site and be harassed by 10 different user names...but, in actuality, it is all one person.

I have done about 10,000 hours of volunteer work with the poor, disabled and on. I am hardly a perfect person, but the idea that I am some kind of bad guy...is patently ludicrous. And that can be confirmed by any number of people in the non-profit world, including a variety of priests and monks as well.

In 2003, I had carbon monoxide poisoning and I came close to death.

I have enormous cognitive problems.

The main reason I come online at all, and in general....it is all for one thing and one thing only...

to help with my cognitive problems.

That is why I post. Period.

I come on this site, click on Forums...see what is there and just post a reply. That is it. I don't look for political posts...I just post.

If the posts were about pie recipes, that is what I would reply to. And, by the way, I did post back to a pie recipe thread.

I still have enormous cognitive problems...and sometimes my head is very foggy. When my head is not foggy, I never post back to political posts. When my head is foggy, I just sometimes forget and post back.

Now that this has become an issue, I won't post replies to political threads.

But, I guarantee that some folks on here, will respond to my some posts of mine, trying to bait me into fights. That started almost from the moment I joined this site.

And even though I have now posted about having extreme medical problems, I guarantee you, some of these folks will continue to harass me on this site.

Of course, it is likely that it is not a great deal of people. The trolls all use multiple identities. So you can join a site and be harassed by 10 different user names...but, in actuality, it is all one person.

I have done about 10,000 hours of volunteer work with the poor, disabled and on. I am hardly a perfect person, but the idea that I am some kind of bad guy...is patently ludicrous. And that can be confirmed by any number of people in the non-profit world, including a variety of priests and monks as well.

Er, maybe a little more info than I was seeking. I hope I never indicated you were a "bad guy". Most of us seem to get along here just fine.

 

[Serenity4321]

I think political discussions should be allowed. I have always been for free speech everywhere. We need to know what everyone thinks so we can deal with it. That is way better than having some seething quietly then exploding somewhere. Those who can't handle disagreements that become very harsh should just ignore them.
LOL I actually used nasty disagreements on one particular board to practice self-control. Years ago I used to become irritated and tempted and often did lash back. Over the years I learned to watch my thoughts and reaction and become much more tolerant and self-disciplined. It really is a great exercise!

 

[JonSR77]

I think political discussions should be allowed. I have always been for free speech everywhere. We need to know what everyone thinks so we can deal with it. That is way better than having some seething quietly then exploding somewhere. Those who can't handle disagreements that become very harsh should just ignore them.
LOL I actually used nasty disagreements on one particular board to practice self-control. Years ago I used to become irritated and tempted and often did lash back. Over the years I learned to watch my thoughts and reaction and become much more tolerant and self-disciplined. It really is a great exercise!

You are certainly entitled to that opinion. I agree that that should be the case sometimes. But the point is moot...because the forum here has already previously decided that political posts are not allowed.

it is right in the group rules.

My point is really not about politics. It is about nasty people using political discussions to just create anger, on purpose. Like demon kids throwing spitballs from the back of the room.

It is a whole thing on the internet, called trolling and flamebaiting an argument.


Some people think it is fun. Some people think it is fair game. And it seems like some folks absolutely do not care if trolling is inappropriate in certain situations or with certain people. They just only care about themselves, they do not care at all, who get hurts by their actions.

 

[Nathan]

People mind their manners a lot more in person, but they feel emboldened to squabble and be insulting over politics, when in an online setting because they know they can't get punched in the nose. Online forums are private property, so you don't have a bunch of "rights" like in a public place.

 

[Nathan]

My point is really not about politics. It is about nasty people using political discussions to just create anger, on purpose. Like demon kids throwing spitballs from the back of the room.

It is a whole thing on the internet, called trolling and flamebaiting an argument.
Some people think it is fun. Some people think it is fair game. And it seems like some folks absolutely do not care if trolling is inappropriate in certain situations or with certain people. They just only care about themselves, they do not care at all, who get hurts by their actions.

And there you have it, human nature on it's worst behavior because of anonymity.

 

[Sassycakes]

I must be oblivious because I haven't seen any Political posts. That is one of the many reasons I love this forum.

 

[Pepper]

I think you are being controlling @JonSR77. Also, you are not the only one with serious medical issues; this is a senior forum after all.

 

[Pepper]

You can put these people on Ignore.

I think he'd rather just control the rest of us.

 

[Serenity4321]

You are certainly entitled to that opinion. I agree that that should be the case sometimes. But the point is moot...because the forum here has already previously decided that political posts are not allowed.

it is right in the group rules.

My point is really not about politics. It is about nasty people using political discussions to just create anger, on purpose. Like demon kids throwing spitballs from the back of the room.

It is a whole thing on the internet, called trolling and flamebaiting an argument.


Some people think it is fun. Some people think it is fair game. And it seems like some folks absolutely do not care if trolling is inappropriate in certain situations or with certain people. They just only care about themselves, they do not care at all, who get hurts by their actions.

I hear you.and do understand politics is not allowed here and I am ok with that..I just gave my opinion that I would be ok if they were allowed I just found nasty people very helpful to practice my own self-control. I'm grateful for the experience

 

[David777]

Was wondering what where those "political threads" are? Granted I don't post herein too often nor open many threads but at least those I do, outside of the R<>U war or COVID-19 threads have not seen much. So looked into "Countdown to the Russian invasion of Ukraine" which I've avoided for weeks because some seem to have an agenda of trying to convince others as though they think it might have some effect. Nothing said on this board will have ANY affect on any issues. Compared to the large social media sites, this is ant sized. And indeed some posters were naming US politicians, parties, and liberal blah blahs.

As someone on this board just a few months, I have recently noticed more posts with direct naming and a few seem to be new members. If new members with political interests see others posting directly political terms, they will also do so while some older members who have always wanted to post openly will also push the limits.

Members... one does not need to create posts with open political naming and terming. Instead use links. If one posts snippets that have politician names, instead of "Biden did that" edit whatever writing "B did that". Or instead of "Republicans are to blame" edit the snippet to "R are to blame". If someone wants to know for sure who/what that refers to they can go to the link. For those that get some emotional enjoyment out of directly demonizing public figures or positions they dislike, the above is sure to deflate that behavior. Obviously many members want to discuss in at least some way some of these news stories and issues and as noted there is a more reserved civil way to do so. If nothing is done, it will be just like telling people not to ride solo in freeway commuter (2+ persons) only lanes as some will only not do so if punished.

I'll suggest Matrix look at the above thread, remove what is above his threshold and warn with a PM those who do so.

 

[win231]

Count me in as a guy that still loves his diminishing freedom. As the years roll by there are more and more rules and regulations about everything. I draw the line when people try to tell me what to say and what to believe. Are we heading into some sort of dictatorship for speech and thought? Are we suppose to only write about what is politically correct? It will be a very sad world if this is the way we are heading. If you don't agree with somebody's post, just "move along."

Controllers don't get pleasure from just moving along.

 

[JonSR77]

I hear you.and do understand politics is not allowed here and I am ok with that..I just gave my opinion that I would be ok if they were allowed I just found nasty people very helpful to practice my own self-control. I'm grateful for the experience

You one of the only ones who has responded to me with civility. So, that is certainly appreciated. I agree with you, that being open to a range of ideas has great value.

But there is just nastiness about, with respect for other people. As if you have one opinion on an issue, you are like an enemy of the state to some people. It's gotten pretty crazy and people need to calm down on the anger and hatred.

They don't want to discuss anything. They want to go after anyone who says anything they don't agree with.

And, you know, few care about whether a blueberry pie has a graham cracker or pastry crust. But mention politics...and immediately some people get angry, see red and feel some license to really be nasty to other people.


And, generally, I do prefer a pastry crust with my blueberry pie. If you prefer a graham cracker crust, I am going to have to get my legion of Private Investigators on your case, hand their findings over to the sheriff and put you in the dark jail dungeon of hell you deserve. Imagine! Graham crackers and blueberries! Only a Communist infiltrator from a rogue state could even conceive of such an offense to decency.

 

[JonSR77]

Was wondering what where those "political threads" are? Granted I don't post herein too often nor open many threads but at least those I do, outside of the R<>U war or COVID-19 threads have not seen much. So looked into "Countdown to the Russian invasion of Ukraine" which I've avoided for weeks because some seem to have an agenda of trying to convince others as though they think it might have some effect. Nothing said on this board will have ANY affect on any issues. Compared to the large social media sites, this is ant sized. And indeed some posters were naming US politicians, parties, and liberal blah blahs.

As someone on this board just a few months, I have recently noticed more posts with direct naming and a few seem to be new members. If new members with political interests see others posting directly political terms, they will also do so while some older members who have always wanted to post openly will also push the limits.

Members... one does not need to create posts with open political naming and terming. Instead use links. If one posts snippets that have politician names, instead of "Biden did that" edit whatever writing "B did that". Or instead of "Republicans are to blame" edit the snippet to "R are to blame". If someone wants to know for sure who/what that refers to they can go to the link. For those that get some emotional enjoyment out of directly demonizing public figures or positions they dislike, the above is sure to deflate that behavior. Obviously many members want to discuss in at least some way some of these news stories and issues and as noted there is a more reserved civil way to do so. If nothing is done, it will be just like telling people not to ride solo in freeway commuter (2+ persons) only lanes as some will only not do so if punished.

I'll suggest Matrix look at the above thread, remove what is above his threshold and warn with a PM those who do so.

David...you are a nice guy and a very smart guy. You are not the problem. Most folks just have discussions. But with the anonymity of the internet, some take it as license to be pretty overtly hostile to folks who express opinions that they don't like.

By the way, years ago, a friend of mine published a book about foraging for edible wild plants. I don't know how much of that is possible any more, with development, pesticide spraying over state parks, general pesticide drift and on....but anyway, back in the late 70s, it was a good book...

If he were around today, I think you would have enjoyed a nice conversation with him.

 

[Matrix]

If you see political posts, please feel free to report them. I don't read all posts and tend to skip controversial topics where political posts usually appear.