[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

I am copying this post for one part of a sentence that came screaming out at me..... "FREE POLITICAL SPEECH IS SQUELCHED". That is absolutely chilling to me!!!

I haven't been in the political forum much for the past couple of years, and, yes, I do understand this is a private enterprise -- That said, I have just read through almost 300 posts in this thread trying to make sense of closing the Political Forum. I cannot. As stated, it was an opt-in format and yes, it was not always "nice" and it was not always "balanced", but it was always passionate and informative. Even if I wasn't posting, I was still going in from time to time just to see what the latest debate was about.

Sometimes I'd go in just to "rattle a cage" (as Bucco can attest too! ) And over the years, I was beaten to a pulp many times. But, it never occurred to me to take this personally. I genuinely liked the people that thought I as a elitist liberal or a flake! Passionate discussion is what politics is all about!

And I certainly do not understand the people that have never been in the forum, participated in the forum, or just lurked in the forum, complaining about anything! I am soooooo lost on this! Perhaps, being a good old Chicago gal didn't make me beloved, but I honestly never felt hated for my views. I'm from the "Bring it on" school! Conversely, I don't think I made anyone ever feel like I disliked them personally. Even in the smallest of towns, politics is not a pleasant business. But, some of us LOVE IT!

So, I'm going to say something I never thought I'd hear myself saying in a thousand years..... I AGREE with Billy the Kidl Bucco, Njbchbum, Richie Lion (let's pause to take that in for a moment ) and all the others that say "bring this forum back to the people that enjoy it and can handle it." And please, do it before the election! I can't remember who, but someone gave some wonderful examples of how to manage if the moderating was too over-whelming.

BTW, for those who think the Political Forum is where all the "nastiness" lies... I've seen quite a few jabs of sarcasm in other forums too. It's just human nature. People will be people......... will be people.

chelsea24 - thank you for your thoughts, your support and your post.