Our test run of this unmoderated forum has mixed reviews. While there has been a lot of good discussion, there has also been rude, snarky and disrespectful comments and innuendo, and it is getting out of hand. The administration team is considering removing the forum and possibly removing politics altogether on the site.

We are undecided.

Comments please.

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Bagging it sounds fine with me, as it's more of a divisive tool than anything else. I don't think any hearts and minds are changed.

For those who want/need to vent/express themselves on such subject manner, perhaps they start a politics-only bulletin board.

It can be called politico-dependent.com.

Banning all political talk would be fine by me.

I really enjoyed the forum at the onset for the sheeer lunacy in it. (JMO) Now, for the few times I venture in, it seems all to often to come down to "my Dad can beat up your Dad" or variations thereof.

OTOH, if it stays, no problemo. I open it up less and less.

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"Everyone's opinion is equally valid, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."-

I say keep it . . . maybe prohibit direct name calling and personal attacks between posters (that is, if you wish to monitor it), otherwise let the free for all continue for those who wish to participate

I'd be interested in hearing more about the debate within the powers that be first

bag it. there used to be some interesting political discussions on this board, but its been a long time.

one caveat: if you are going to ban political discussion, ban it thoroughly. I have in mind the kind of post that usually ends with "I hope this thread doesnt turn political." when people write that, its because they know what they posted IS political.

I would agree that the only way you can do away with the Forum is to ban the topic...otherwise it spills everywhere else and poisons all the good about the site. And I seriously doubt anyone here has ever changed anyone else's minds here about any issue.

But--where would you draw the line? If a major military event--good or bad from the US's POV--takes place; if God forbid there's another terrorist attack; if a prominent politican resigns, gets divorced or dies, are we not to be permitted to acknowledge and/or discuss it?

For example, the sexual foibles of Govs. Sanford and Spitzer--they're really not political issues, but as they involve politicians, one could argue that talking about that would have to be be banned as well.

Just about any news story has some sort of political aspect to it--saying "no politics" can be very tricky to enforce.

As a former staffer, I fully understand and appreciate why you set the forum up as "unmoderated..." but perhaps as KL suggested, there's where the problem lies. People--on both sides--are taking advantage of the lack of moderation to behave like 10-year olds left alone in the house getting away with as much as they can before Mommy and Daddy get home.

I don't have any concrete preference, and I'm glad this isn't a poll--just throwing some thoughts out there to be considered before a decision is made.

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"I'm a Mets fan, so I've learned how to love unconditionally and get absolutely nothing in return."
--John Leguizamo
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Mixed feelings. It gets way too personal around here for people who dont know each other except for some posts on a message board ( and that goes for all the forums).

That being said I think there is a need for a political forum if we're gonna discuss everything else. Id say keep it but on a somewhat moderated basis.

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"brought to you by Rheingold..."

It may be getting ugly in here, but I think the other forums have been more civil lately...

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"I don't answer to fans. They don't play this game. They have no idea what goes on. " - Terry Collins

I don't come in here much but it seems like the civil unrest has toned down in the other forums. To me it's an overall positive.

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"I go to parties
Sometimes until Four
It's hard to leave when you
Can't find the door" Joe Walsh

Derek Jeter plays shortstop like number 2.

"The purpose of life is to believe, to hope, to strive." Indira Gandhi


Bad Cop
No donut

It may have toned down in the other forums when the it became clear the Mets were out of it but there were some tough arguments there earlier this summer.

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"brought to you by Rheingold..."

People can avoid this forum if they don't want to deal with the nastiness. In the past, you would be reading a thread on many other subjects in any of the other forums and get hit with the political snipes. I would think that was worse for everyone.

Plus, where would we post the cartoons?

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Fred SELL THE TEAM!! SELL THE TEAM!!
Onward to Vacation Planning

Keep it. It keeps the stuff people don't want to see in 1 spot.

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“Members of this Court are vested with the authority to interpret the law; we possess neither the expertise nor the prerogative to make policy judgments. Those decisions are entrusted to our Nation’s elected leaders, who can be thrown out of office if the people disagree with them. It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices.” - John Roberts

It's unfortunate that those are out only options--let the nastiness infect the entire site, or allow it to flourish on one forum. What a shame that people can't have an intelligent exchange of opinions on "the issues of the day" without wallowing in the crap that makes so much of what goes on here unreadable.

I would miss those cartoons though...

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"I'm a Mets fan, so I've learned how to love unconditionally and get absolutely nothing in return."
--John Leguizamo
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I don't mind it staying as long as the nastiness doesn't spill over into the other forums since it was understood that there would be no moderation here. We all knew that limits are always pushed as is. When the boundaries are removed, mileage varies heavily.

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"Be true. Be strong. Be focused." - B. Furious
Deferring hate only perpetuates the problem. How about ending it?

Why not let it continue, have it ringfenced as the place where you folk holler at each other. If people dont want to get upset by it they dont have to ever enter.

I hope this thread doesnt turn political (yeah, f u Bix) but when did American politics get so nasty? Looking in from the outside it seems you all really hate each other, complete polarisation. We had that here during the Thatcher years but since then I cant imagine that level of dislike & hatred being generated between any but the 0.5% most partisan of the population.

This forum is locked until further notice. Apparently the test has failed.

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