Why the restriction

[DDoug]

Wondering why the restriction about political comments on here. Wouldn't that be suppression of free speech. Where could the interpretation of freedom of speech go. Don't no one get upset this only a question. I'll get my hands slapped for this.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

No one is denying you free speech. go out in the streets and talk about anything you want. It is your choice to join this forum or not.

[pooh]

This board and many others are privately owned. Members are allowed to post as guests of board owners with no fees charged to join, following rules set by said owners. Simple as that.

[gerryann]

Wondering why the restriction about political comments on here. Wouldn't that be suppression of free speech. Where could the interpretation of freedom of speech go. Don't no one get upset this only a question. I'll get my hands slapped for this.

Maybe it doesn't always stay civil when politics are being discussed? Just my guess.

[Bogie Shooter]

Wondering why the restriction about political comments on here. Wouldn't that be suppression of free speech. Where could the interpretation of freedom of speech go. Don't no one get upset this only a question. I'll get my hands slapped for this.

You may ask the administrator by clicking on "contact us" at the bottom of most pages.

[Trish Crocker]

I think a nice forum can turn ugly REAL quickly when political discussions are involved. I have wonderful friends that I have met down here, some share my political beliefs, most don't. I have found that no matter what you believe and how long or how loud you argue, you will not change another persons belief system. I refuse to talk politics with friends and I'm glad that I'm not forced to defend my beliefs on a public forum that would do nothing but cause arguments and hurt feelings.

[ijusluvit]

You had to be here to see what the political forum became before it was discontinued. There were some nasty, very personal attacks and lots of 'shooting from the hip'. The administrators tried to keep things civil, as they do with the entire forum, but I can see where the political threads required intense almost around the clock supervision. When you own such an enterprise and have to spend so much time monitoring one area, I think it's easy to see why the decision was made to close the political forum.

[buggyone]

You had to be here to see what the political forum became before it was discontinued. There were some nasty, very personal attacks and lots of 'shooting from the hip'. The administrators tried to keep things civil, as they do with the entire forum, but I can see where the political threads required intense almost around the clock supervision. When you own such an enterprise and have to spend so much time monitoring one area, I think it's easy to see why the decision was made to close the political forum.

Yes, it probably is better that the political forum is off the air. There was an uber-conservative bloc known as "The Six-PAC" who would tear down any poster not in their way of thinking. There was a much smaller liberal bloc who was the target of the Six PAC. Every topic basically led to name calling and got real nasty. Some people could not take the heat - others got "their jollies" by being as nasty as allowable.

It was interesting to hear all the viewpoints but most were just regurgitation of what was on FOX News or MSNBC or very liberal or very conservative web blogs.

I did make a few good friends from the "other side" and outside of politics, we are good buddies. Others did not want to meet but that is their right and no grudge was ever held by anyone.

Anyhow, those days are over - civility rules again in the land. :spoken:

[capecodbob]

I'm on a couple of automobile forums and they have political sections. The rule is you can debate the issues but you can't attack the one posting. If you do, you get suspended.
The simple part is to just stay out of that part of the forum. But to not have one seems rather (I can't say it cuz it might be political) :22yikes:

BB

[Barefoot]

He who holds the gold makes the rules. The owners of TOTV allow us to be members of this great social and informative "chat room" for free. I was disappointed when the Political Forum closed. I wish it would open again. However I feel I have no right to protest any decisions made by the owners. It's their business and their time that is required to moderate our (not infrequent) bickering. IMHO, we owe them a big thank you!

[kittygilchrist]

omg, here we go! Doug, I nearly died of friend attacks in a liberal town during the last election. We scrap enough as it is. I'm sure it was brutal even here in paradise.
Bring on the koolaid...

[rubicon]

Personally I miss the political forum. There had been some members who got too personal but most of us ignored the personal dispute.

I keep informing folks that in my family we were required to discuss politics and religion and the debates did get hot. The requirement was that you supported your comments.

In todays environment the political divide is too wide and requires more not less communication. If everyone stood to the script and talked issues and not made personal attacks much could be learned. If someone makes personal attack, give them one warning, and if they persist boot them out

[gomoho]

You may ask the administrator by clicking on "contact us" at the bottom of most pages.

I'm sure they'll be giving him the information he is seeking. I have a political mark on my permanent record:sad:

[KyWoman]

Yes, it probably is better that the political forum is off the air. There was an uber-conservative bloc known as "The Six-PAC" who would tear down any poster not in their way of thinking. There was a much smaller liberal bloc who was the target of the Six PAC. Every topic basically led to name calling and got real nasty. Some people could not take the heat - others got "their jollies" by being as nasty as allowable.

It was interesting to hear all the viewpoints but most were just regurgitation of what was on FOX News or MSNBC or very liberal or very conservative web blogs.

I did make a few good friends from the "other side" and outside of politics, we are good buddies. Others did not want to meet but that is their right and no grudge was ever held by anyone.

Anyhow, those days are over - civility rules again in the land. :spoken:

WOW! It is amazing how 2 people can see things so differently as to who was throwing nasty comments!

I loved reading different viewpoints in the political forum, but we do agree on one thing......it could get nasty.

[billethkid]

Maybe it doesn't always stay civil when politics are being discussed? Just my guess.
Apparently you have not been reading any threads/post about dogs on folks property or smoking or so many others where the folks do get uncivil to each other.

The political forum as has always been the case is the whipping boy for too many for too many reasons.

I find the same antagonism from time to time on many threads....nice part about this forum (or any other) one does not have to read what they do not like.......that's just the way some people are.

btk

[Villages PL]

Wondering why the restriction about political comments on here. Wouldn't that be suppression of free speech. Where could the interpretation of freedom of speech go. Don't no one get upset this only a question. I'll get my hands slapped for this.

In one way or another, whether it's radio, TV, newspapers, or internet, it seems there are always limits on speech. Off-hand I can only think of a few instances where you have relative freedom of speech: 1) In a one-on-one face-to-face conversation 2) writing and publishing a book.. Even then I think you have to worry about what you say: Don't slander, don't threaten anyone etc..

[pooh]

Always remember, "What has been said, cannot be unsaid."

[Monkei]

Wondering why the restriction about political comments on here. Wouldn't that be suppression of free speech. Where could the interpretation of freedom of speech go. Don't no one get upset this only a question. I'll get my hands slapped for this.

I understand the admins wishes, but it sure would be nice to have some sort of corner of this vast forum, even if t is private and people agree to go into it ... There is just so much information out there about politics that needs to be shared. Hopefully this makes it past the screeners.

[Monkei]

You had to be here to see what the political forum became before it was discontinued. There were some nasty, very personal attacks and lots of 'shooting from the hip'. The administrators tried to keep things civil, as they do with the entire forum, but I can see where the political threads required intense almost around the clock supervision. When you own such an enterprise and have to spend so much time monitoring one area, I think it's easy to see why the decision was made to close the political forum.

Wouldn't a political forum be much like a TV show ... Don't turn it on if you don't want to watch it?

[Shimpy]

You had to be here to see what the political forum became before it was discontinued. There were some nasty, very personal attacks and lots of 'shooting from the hip'.


So....why did you read that forum if you didn't like it ??? I thought it was great. I looked forward every day to hear the latest. If you didn't want to read it you could just self censor it by simply not reading it...... Simple! Just like television, if you don't like a program then don't watch it. No need to take that program off the air because some don't like it, but others do. We have lots of forums to choose from and I disagree that because some don't like them we should deny the rest from enjoying them.

[billethkid]

You had to be here to see what the political forum became before it was discontinued. There were some nasty, very personal attacks and lots of 'shooting from the hip'. The administrators tried to keep things civil, as they do with the entire forum, but I can see where the political threads required intense almost around the clock supervision. When you own such an enterprise and have to spend so much time monitoring one area, I think it's easy to see why the decision was made to close the political forum.

You forgot to mention that the bad reputation and shooting from the hip and bad mouthing and name calling were all to the credit of a very few. The other 98% of us where adult enough to handle a discussion.

The 2% plus those who were against anything political would constantly badger the admin with complaints. And for some who have suggested making it private or sign in....IT WAS. Those who complained the loudest had to OPT IN to be able to lurk and then complain.

Please remember it was a very few who baited and set out to disrupt the many. You know like per usual!

btk

[quirky3]

So....why did you read that forum if you didn't like it ??? I thought it was great. I looked forward every day to hear the latest. If you didn't want to read it you could just self censor it by simply not reading it...... Simple! Just like television, if you don't like a program then don't watch it. No need to take that program off the air because some don't like it, but others do. We have lots of forums to choose from and I disagree that because some don't like them we should deny the rest from enjoying them.

Because some people posted in the non-political forums with policital themes. It carried over in a very unpleasant way.

[Shimpy]

Because some people posted in the non-political forums with policital themes. It carried over in a very unpleasant way.

Then the moderator could have simply said this post should be in the political forum. By punishing everyone who enjoys political debate to appease those that can't simply ignore what they don't want to hear is wrong. I got a lot from the political forum and that includes info from the other side that sometimes made me think. What's wrong with a discussion about politics?

[Barefoot]

So....why did you read that forum if you didn't like it ??? I thought it was great. I looked forward every day to hear the latest. If you didn't want to read it you could just self censor it by simply not reading it...... Simple! Just like television, if you don't like a program then don't watch it. No need to take that program off the air because some don't like it, but others do. We have lots of forums to choose from and I disagree that because some don't like them we should deny the rest from enjoying them.

I agree Shimpy. I learned a lot from the Political Forum. And the fact that a member had to "opt in" to the Forum should have meant no complaints ... If a member was offended, they could simply "opt out"! But unfortunately the decision was made to shut it down. I continue to hope that it's not a permanent decision.

[njbchbum]

i just find it an oxymoron of sorts that the opt-in political forum was shut down because of some folks who could not keep their nose out of other people's political comments BUT forums that permit some level of developer-bashing continue to exist.

[ijusluvit]

So....why did you read that forum if you didn't like it ??? I thought it was great. I looked forward every day to hear the latest. If you didn't want to read it you could just self censor it by simply not reading it...... Simple! Just like television, if you don't like a program then don't watch it. No need to take that program off the air because some don't like it, but others do. We have lots of forums to choose from and I disagree that because some don't like them we should deny the rest from enjoying them.

Dangnabbit!! Why would you assume I opposed the political forum??? (BTW - that was the biggest problem - some posters assumed things from what others said instead of just reading and commenting on what others actually said).

I thoroughly enjoyed the political forum and was a regular contributor. I learned some important things and some others told me I presented good information they were not aware of.

That is not the point. The administration had the right to monitor their website and enforce civility as they saw fit. No big deal. This is America. I've got lots of other ways to express my free speech and continue to learn.

[ijusluvit]

You forgot to mention that the bad reputation and shooting from the hip and bad mouthing and name calling were all to the credit of a very few. The other 98% of us where adult enough to handle a discussion.

The 2% plus those who were against anything political would constantly badger the admin with complaints. And for some who have suggested making it private or sign in....IT WAS. Those who complained the loudest had to OPT IN to be able to lurk and then complain.

Please remember it was a very few who baited and set out to disrupt the many. You know like per usual!

btk

Did I miss the explanation given by the admin for discontinuing the political forum? I've not heard before that they were deluged with complaints from non-participants and the 2%. Unless you can confirm that, I find it somewhat farfetched that they would allow themselves to be influenced by folks whose motives were so obviously spurious. Absent their explanation, I have theorized that they were instead deluged by a steady flow of nasty comments and shooting from the hip, with which they had to spend far too much time monitoring and removing to preserve what they thought was civil discussion befitting TOTV.

You're correct about the 2%. But those folks were almost all passionate participants who just couldn't contain their emotions or stubbornly refused to follow admin guidelines. They ruined something that was good, but we could say that most things in our lives which are regulated came about because of folks like that.