[JB in TV]

I was not part of TOTV before it was decided by the site admins to not allow political discussions on the site, only having joined in Jan 2013. I think the posters on this group, for the most part, have a very good relationship with each other, and are passionate in their beliefs. In my opinion, the majority of the threads/posts discussing the recent trial are political in nature.


There are plenty of other venues to discuss politics.

I am finding myself less and less inclined to sign on to what used to be a fun place to discuss common issues in Florida's Friendliest Hometown and participate in the discussions.


Does this bother anyone else?

[TrudyM]

I agree, I have been reading and have even posted once on these threads but I did wonder why they were being allowed. Especially now that the trial is over having them removed seems to make sense. I know it was a hot topic but hot topics are quite often political in nature or turn that way.

[Golfingnut]

TOTV Admin does a great job of curtailing political comments. Hang in there, as this site is invaluable when you need information specific to The Villages.

[Monkei]

I think the Zimmerman thing has played out. There are no minds to be swayed or changed, either you believe his story or you don't. I would like to see the threads locked down on that issue ... But can't help myself when I read a new post that I cannot understand.

[coralway]

If a particular thread topic does not appeal to you - skip it.

[Villages PL]

The fact that a topic has the potential to be political doesn't necessarily make it political. Imagining the poster's intentions to be political, for example, doesn't necessarily make his or her statements political.

If I say, "I'm happy for George Zimmerman." That statement is not political but you certainly could read a lot into it. The fact that you read a certain meaning into a statement -a meaning that was not expressed- is not the fault of the poster.

Peace.

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by coralway

If a particular thread topic does not appeal to you - skip it.

Yeah, and I do, to some degree...I stopped watching Broadcast TV news many years ago, because I wanted to avoid being depressed by the force fed mayhem...Reading the newspapers, one can stay "informed" by reading heaadlines, and choosing which articles to read. I try to do the same on TOTV...

Originally Posted by Monkei

I think the Zimmerman thing has played out. There are no minds to be swayed or changed, either you believe his story or you don't. I would like to see the threads locked down on that issue ... But can't help myself when I read a new post that I cannot understand.

Lately it seems like about 25% of the "new posts" are related to the Zimmerman trial or what some celebrity or politician has to say about it.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by JB in TV

Yeah, and I do, to some degree...I stopped watching Broadcast TV news many years ago, because I wanted to avoid being depressed by the force fed mayhem...Reading the newspapers, one can stay "informed" by reading heaadlines, and choosing which articles to read. I try to do the same on TOTV...



Lately it seems like about 25% of the "new posts" are related to the Zimmerman trial or what some celebrity or politician has to say about it.

I log onto TOTV several times a day for a few minutes at a time. I quickly scan the titles of threads that have been updated since my last visit and I only read those that are on a topic I either have interest in, or that looks promising. I only looked at one Zimmerman thread before, during, or after the trial. The TOTV format makes it easy to quickly scan the threads for interesting ones, and avoid the ones of little or no interest. I probably enter less than 5% of the total threads.

[zonerboy]

The owner, administrator, or whatever the proper term is does not maintain this web site out of the goodness of his heart. He is in a business. The business of selling advertising.
If advertisers (potential or actual) start getting the idea that their audience is shrinking because the site is becoming too political, too mean spirited, too whatever, then it becomes more difficult to sell advertising space.
So the administrator has to walk a thin line and cut off threads or delete posts which he deems too controversial or offensive. Lest his income begin to suffer.
So we have to play by his rules.
As for the OP, no one forces you to read any thread you might not like.

[billethkid]

one option the folks who used to complain about the political forum never utilized is DON'T GO IN THERE!!

As a political forum regular I was and still am amused to laughter when someone complains about reading something they do not care for. DON'T READ IT!!!

When folks express what they believe or not or support or not is always subject to someone else disagreeing....sorta makes the world go 'round.

And yes, there will always be a very, VERY small number that abuse no matter what the forum or site....so please let us not be like the current media and make a general application from an isolated incident or a banqet out of a ham sandwich.

And don't forget the TOTV has a blocking mechanism to help you stop read that which you do not like (by the way that does not stop the complaints either).

Overall TOTV is a well run and well participated forum where most 98%++ behave responsibly, courteously and with respect. So let's not tarnish it by referring to the 2% as if it were the norm....because it is not.

There

btk

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Overall TOTV is a well run and well participated forum where most 98%++ behave responsibly, courteously and with respect. So let's not tarnish it by referring to the 2% as if it were the norm....because it is not.
btk

Good post BTK.

[JB in TV]

Thanks for the comments. Of course I realize that I don't have to read threads that don't interest me. And I mentioned that.

I guess I shouldn't have started this thread. I didn't mean to sound complaining. And I am certainly not offended by the posts, or posters. I was just surprised how many threads there are discussing the trial and assorted issues on a "hometown" forum...especially one with a dedicated "no political discussions" policy.

However, I think Villages PL has opened my eyes:

Originally Posted by Villages PL

The fact that a topic has the potential to be political doesn't necessarily make it political. Imagining the poster's intentions to be political, for example, doesn't necessarily make his or her statements political.

If I say, "I'm happy for George Zimmerman." That statement is not political but you certainly could read a lot into it. The fact that you read a certain meaning into a statement -a meaning that was not expressed- is not the fault of the poster.

Peace.

Thank you, Villages PL!

[gomoho]

[QUOTE=JB in TV;710000]Thanks for the comments. Of course I realize that I don't have to read threads that don't interest me. And I mentioned that.

I guess I shouldn't have started this thread. I didn't mean to sound complaining. And I am certainly not offended by the posts, or posters. I was just surprised how many threads there are discussing the trial and assorted issues on a "hometown" forum...especially one with a dedicated "no political discussions" policy.

That is why we have a "not Village related thread to post our thoughts on". Sure would get boring if we could only talk about stretching our lanais!

[PPreu]

Maybe I'm missing something in interpretation of the term "political". It would seem to me that the term "political" would refer to ones affiliation to a voting party, as opposed to an opinion on a criminal case. Of course I'm apolitical so my view of politicizing anything is skewed.

Just my random thought on only one cup of coffee.

[graciegirl]

I was very much not into the political forum because at that time it was dominated by a couple of really strong personalities that bashed and beat up people verbally. At least that is how it appeared to me.

In the last week the climate of our entire country has changed in a not good way and for the first time in my life I am mad about the race issue. I always thought I was fair and kind of open minded. Last night Piers Morgan made me so upset that I could hardly sleep.

I think these discussions have been therapeutic to all of us and I am very pleased about the way most posters have presented their views and I admit I have had my opinions changed some due to their articulate presentations.

We need somehow to help each other through this time that appears to be the threshold of something awful.