[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Nucky

Just a thought. If it was bothering me that much I just would avoid it. I'm not going to beat a dead horse here. We all know the drill. There were times when I didn't look for a while. It is true that were are some knuckleheads on there do you think they went away? In my opinion, everyone on there had a bad day now and then. EVERYONE. I would rather discuss Political thoughts with people my own age in my community than those other Forums I looked at yesterday. I hope thing work out.

The horse is still alive, Nucky. Getting the views of people who live here in the Villages especially on politics would be useful. I am still on the young side but am well over 55 now. I have lived here in the Villages going on 13 years in June of 2018 (since 2005) And in Florida for 22 years as of July (since 1996).

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

The problem with the TOTV Political Forum was the racism, sexism and criminal cyber bullying. This behavior is against the law in Florida and when crossing state lines. When there are criminal actions-- something against the law in FL and by Federal Statute-- then just ignoring the person or persons does not work especially when they are creative and find new ways of antagonizing their target.

And from the view count of some the threads on the Political Forum it looked like a lot more than just .5% of users of TOTV were looking at it. Most people on here never even post but they do read.

It is unfair to broad brush categorize "TOTV Political Forum" faults as a general trait of the political forum when what you are referring to was the disrespectful posting of some very few.
Aggravated by the continuous engaging of their disrespectful posts, when the very best method was/and still is to put those inconsiderate posters on ignore and do not engage......very simple solution.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by billethkid

It is unfair to broad brush categorize "TOTV Political Forum" faults as a general trait of the political forum when what you are referring to was the disrespectful posting of some very few.
Aggravated by the continuous engaging of their disrespectful posts, when the very best method was/and still is to put those inconsiderate posters on ignore and do not engage......very simple solution.

That is true that there were only a few very nasty posters whom I did try to ignore as much as possible. But who would soon find ways to get to me using the Regular Forum as a means to humiliate, insult, and aggravate serving no other purpose than a sick sadistic thrill for these people.

They would also put attacks on me in the Titles of threads which I had no way of not seeing because of how Talk of the Villages' index worked. I did have these people on IGNORE put still saw the Titles of their threads.

[ColdNoMore]

Those who used or read the Political Forum, know exactly the reasons...there hasn't been a rush to reinstate it.

Although it was totally voluntary, just like participation on TOTV in general, it was unmoderated and some people constantly whined that moderators should have been on hand...every time a post was made that they felt was a 'personal attack.'

Just imagine how much time, particularly since being a mod is an unpaid and voluntary position, a person would have to spend...trying to moderate that forum.

Having been a mod myself, on other sites, I can attest how much time & effort can sometimes be involved...dealing with 'problem children.'

And then of course, there were those that seemed to attract more than their fair share of personal attacks and were recipients of constant 'pile-ons'...when they expressed views counter to a certain group/clique.

Not that I would personally know, of course...anything about that.

While I understand and respect TOTV's choice not to have it anymore...I do wish they would reconsider.

I think one way to minimize the concern of it reflecting poorly on TOTV, or The Villages in general, would be to put in some minimum requirements...before one can post in it.

1. Make it so that no one except TOTV members who have 'opted in' can see it (hide from general 'The Villages' searches).

2. Make it a requirement that a member have a minimum number of posts (25? 50? 100?) on the general forum...before even being allowed into the Political Forum.


However, it's my guess that the powers-that-be have decided that the headaches of receiving constant complaints/whining/threats of legal action...just wasn't/isn't worth the hassle.

And who can really argue with them on that?

[Fraugoofy]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

That is true that there were only a few very nasty posters whom I did try to ignore as much as possible. But who would soon find ways to get to me using the Regular Forum as a means to humiliate, insult, and aggravate serving no other purpose than a sick sadistic thrill for these people.

They would also put attacks on me in the Titles of threads which I had no way of not seeing because of how Talk of the Villages' index worked. I did have these people on IGNORE put still saw the Titles of their threads.

And now we all know why the political forum went away. Enough said...

Sent from my SM-N920R4 using Tapatalk

[Bill32]

There is enough out there to aggravate me without trying to convert someone to my side.....I for one truly feel that at this time in our young republic it is a waste of time and energy......do you really think with the tremendous divide in our country today that a political discourse with someone on the left or right will move that person to the center?? I am all for a political forum on this blog, let people rant, let their frustrations out. It won't change anyone's thinking one iota but some people like the struggle anyway, so have fun...if you don't like it avoid the forum....simple...

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Bill32

There is enough out there to aggravate me without trying to convert someone to my side.....I for one truly feel that at this time in our young republic it is a waste of time and energy......do you really think with the tremendous divide in our country today that a political discourse with someone on the left or right will move that person to the center?? I am all for a political forum on this blog, let people rant, let their frustrations out. It won't change anyone's thinking one iota but some people like the struggle anyway, so have fun...if you don't like it avoid the forum....simple...

I changed some minds on the Political Forum of Talk of the Villages. It was very useful for reaching lurkers on Talk of the Villages. And all the hostility I encountered from about 15 posters must have been on account of something genuine. There were about 100 other posters on Talk of the Villages Political Forum who treated one another with respect.

The problem was a gang mentality among a group of posters who would target specific people-- often me-- and just keep attacking. Often dozens of attacks each day. And these people would sneak the animosity onto the Regular Forum as often as they could get away with. Often they did not get away with this hate.

[rivaridger1]

Do we really need a forum for " bigots " to express their views in anonymity ? That is what the Political Forum evolved into and what it will shortly become again if resurrected without moderation. Leave the forum rest in peace and let the bigotry die with those which espouse it.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I changed some minds on the Political Forum of Talk of the Villages. It was very useful for reaching lurkers on Talk of the Villages. And all the hostility I encountered from about 15 posters must have been on account of something genuine. There were about 100 other posters on Talk of the Villages Political Forum who treated one another with respect.

The problem was a gang mentality among a group of posters who would target specific people-- often me-- and just keep attacking. Often dozens of attacks each day. And these people would sneak the animosity onto the Regular Forum as often as they could get away with. Often they did not get away with this hate.

The only reason the few posters persist is they know full well you will pursue their every word and counter.
You know what fishermen do when there are no bites at the bait they provide? They move on.

"Gangs" conveys some sort of coordination or cohesiveness. I do not think that is the case on the political forum. In my opinion, the few antagonists do nothing more than pile on when they see a gullible/culpable opportunity.

Countering/challenging/highlighting/re-iterating what they said or say only lends undeserved credence to their shallow commentary. They win every time the respondent engages.

[TOTV Team]

Thanks for the feedback and know we read these threads and take into consideration all the input given by everyone.

Best Regards,

TOTV Team