Honestly, is this forum even worth the bandwidth?

[Guest]

I look in on this forum every couple days to see if anything worthwhile is being discussed. Occasionally I see a topic of some interest, but when I look in it virtually always devolves into a back and forth of name calling and insults. I anticipated the return of this forum with hopes of good debate, but have been thoroughly disappointed and even disgusted. Folks, conservatives have points worth considering as well as points worth dismissing, and many worth debating - and, the same can be said for liberals. However, I almost never see any good discussion of any topic past the original post - no point counterpoint - no, while this is true, so is this - no, I understand how you see this, but consider this. And if someone does try to debate intelligently, they generally get cut off at the knees, assuring that no one will attempt that folly again. There is right on the right and right on the left and plenty of wrong on both ends, but no one on this board seems to see anything beyond their own politically fed talking points, and that is NOT where most Americans live. End of rant - have a wonderful day.

[Guest]

Almost 100% correct assesment.
It is hard to sort the garbage as everybody is a "guest" and there are the contrsrian antagonists who would carry a thread by playing multiple roles/posts dissing and derailing any sensible dialogue.

It is impossible to have a conversation without the name calling, demeaning discourse and just down right rude behavior.

[Guest]

I look in on this forum every couple days to see if anything worthwhile is being discussed. Occasionally I see a topic of some interest, but when I look in it virtually always devolves into a back and forth of name calling and insults. I anticipated the return of this forum with hopes of good debate, but have been thoroughly disappointed and even disgusted. Folks, conservatives have points worth considering as well as points worth dismissing, and many worth debating - and, the same can be said for liberals. However, I almost never see any good discussion of any topic past the original post - no point counterpoint - no, while this is true, so is this - no, I understand how you see this, but consider this. And if someone does try to debate intelligently, they generally get cut off at the knees, assuring that no one will attempt that folly again. There is right on the right and right on the left and plenty of wrong on both ends, but no one on this board seems to see anything beyond their own politically fed talking points, and that is NOT where most Americans live. End of rant - have a wonderful day.

You make some good points. I personally believe that the Guest feature is not accomplishing the objective. Simply letting people post under their TOTV userids would be helpful ... still some name calling no doubt, but there would be more accountability.

Besides, if people know it's a political forum and they don't like being criticized (especially if and when they prove themselves to not know what they're talking about which in turns invites criticism) then don't post.

In sum, if sensitive posters don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen etc

[Guest]

You make some good points. I personally believe that the Guest feature is not accomplishing the objective. Simply letting people post under their TOTV userids would be helpful ... still some name calling no doubt, but there would be more accountability.

Besides, if people know it's a political forum and they don't like being criticized (especially if and when they prove themselves to not know what they're talking about which in turns invites criticism) then don't post.

In sum, if sensitive posters don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen etc

Not sure you are referring to me as a sensitive poster (I'm the OP) but I am not at all sensitive, just don't care for the crap.

[Guest]

Not sure you are referring to me as a sensitive poster (I'm the OP) but I am not at all sensitive, just don't care for the crap.

No was not referring to you at all. No offense intended and apologies if that's how it came across

[Guest]

You make some good points. I personally believe that the Guest feature is not accomplishing the objective. Simply letting people post under their TOTV userids would be helpful ... still some name calling no doubt, but there would be more accountability.

Besides, if people know it's a political forum and they don't like being criticized (especially if and when they prove themselves to not know what they're talking about which in turns invites criticism) then don't post.

In sum, if sensitive posters don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen etc

OP here again. I agree that the anonymity promotes some bad manners, but isn't it possible to simply ignore the flamers and get back to rational discussion? If the flamers and name callers are ignored they will eventually quit posting, or begin posting substance, because their entire intent is to provoke a response.

[Guest]

You make some good points. I personally believe that the Guest feature is not accomplishing the objective. Simply letting people post under their TOTV userids would be helpful ... still some name calling no doubt, but there would be more accountability.

Besides, if people know it's a political forum and they don't like being criticized (especially if and when they prove themselves to not know what they're talking about which in turns invites criticism) then don't post.

In sum, if sensitive posters don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen etc

The objective of bringing back the political forum was two fold: 1. Redirect the political free-for-all to a forum where the moderators would not spend 80% of their volunteered time; 2. Prevent the carryover of the venom into the regular forum as occurred in the past.

If the post makes a valid point, why does it matter "who" is making that point?

[Guest]

The objective of bringing back the political forum was two fold: 1. Redirect the political free-for-all to a forum where the moderators would not spend 80% of their volunteered time; 2. Prevent the carryover of the venom into the regular forum as occurred in the past.

If the post makes a valid point, why does it matter "who" is making that point?

I would agree with your comment on valid points, however the problem is the plethora of "invalid" or incendiary posts that do not further the discussion in any way. Best thing to do - ignore them - however they usually incite responses which cause the thread to degenerate into mindless insults, and any legitimate debate/discussion is derailed and never resumed IMO.

[Guest]

OP here again. I agree that the anonymity promotes some bad manners, but isn't it possible to simply ignore the flamers and get back to rational discussion? If the flamers and name callers are ignored they will eventually quit posting, or begin posting substance, because their entire intent is to provoke a response.

It did not work on the past political forum. Eventually some were kicked out. But they just kept coming back with new identities.
The bigger advantage on the past forum was the option to use the ignore option.
That actually made it tolerable.
An alternative to everybody being guest? How about a specific user ID just for the political forum, allowing us to make use of all the TOTV features? One example.

[Guest]

It did not work on the past political forum. Eventually some were kicked out. But they just kept coming back with new identities.
The bigger advantage on the past forum was the option to use the ignore option.
That actually made it tolerable.
An alternative to everybody being guest? How about a specific user ID just for the political forum, allowing us to make use of all the TOTV features? One example.

I get it and understand the frustration and compulsion to respond but let me give you a scenario....

Interesting post;

Reasonable response;

Counterpoint;

Flame;

Response quoting counterpoint;

Another flame;

Response quoting response to counterpoint;

Another flame;

Response quoting OP.....and so on

My position is that given totally ignoring all the flames eventually the flamer(s) will lose interest and go elsewhere. Easy to do - no - effective? I think the answer is yes.