[mickey100]

What is the policy on TOTV regarding political posts? I thought they weren't allowed, yet recently there seem to be political threads being posted every day. And usually they bring out the worst in people, the reason they were probably banned in the first place. Has there been a change in policy?

[redwitch]

Sometimes they're just not caught quickly enough. Many times a post is started about current events that quickly deteriorates into political discussions and then goes downhill from there.

[Chi-Town]

Generally you know a thread will go political by who the OP is. Also, I'm sure the moderators must groan when they read the words "this is not political". What causes me to wonder is how a certain few use TOTV as their political sounding board when there are other forums just for that purpose.

[graciegirl]

Now from the other side of the aisle............actually, my chair is in the middle of the aisle, but slightly to the right.
And here in The Villages, I have plenty of company.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by mickey100

What is the policy on TOTV regarding political posts? I thought they weren't allowed, yet recently there seem to be political threads being posted every day. And usually they bring out the worst in people, the reason they were probably banned in the first place. Has there been a change in policy?

There have been threads started that are thinly veiled political and state they want to discuss issues on what people think, of world events.

Most people I know, can't discuss politics, without becoming heated somewhere along the line. Just look at the politicians, as they all seem to not be able to agree on anything, for the good of the country and it's people.

Sorry, I lost my head, as they only want their point of view, to matter.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

There have been threads started that are thinly veiled political and state they want to discuss issues on what people think, of world events.

Most people I know, can't discuss politics, without becoming heated somewhere along the line. Just look at the politicians, as they all seem to not be able to agree on anything, for the good of the country and it's people.

Sorry, I lost my head, as they only want their point of view, to matter.

Or pools or dogs it seems, or a number of other topics.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by mickey100

What is the policy on TOTV regarding political posts? I thought they weren't allowed, yet recently there seem to be political threads being posted every day. And usually they bring out the worst in people, the reason they were probably banned in the first place. Has there been a change in policy?

mickey100: why are you looking a gift horse in the mouth? Geezzzz

[Hankg42]

After yesterday, I choose not to post here.

[billethkid]

A major problem of course is the fact that many times what is considered by some as political may not be to just as many others.

Another issue, in my opinion is that those who object or dislike political continue to enter and partake of what they do not like and then complain about the political content whether real or perceived.

There is a continuing aura of negativism that is regularly assigned to that which may be political with comments such as non political threads degrading to political.

And of course my regular defense of the majority of us who do in fact enjoy discussing current events that like it or not are at times political in nature and have potential to affect all of our lives....and we lose that opportunity and have to listen to derogatory commentary about the nature of political discussions all because of a few who refuse to follow the rules or remain civil.

How about we all call a spade a spade and not tar and feather the subject of politics because of a few bad actors or a select few who do not care for political rhetoric. As has been pointed out about other controversial subjects there are always the few who antagonize the many....however those other controversial subjects are not banned.

And in closing I still do not know why those who do not care for or are predjudiced about political content continue to enter a thread that may have political content and thencomplain about what is posted. That makes about as much sense to me as one who would elect to continue to visit a casino and then complain and denegrate what they see and hear inside.

The cure is, was and always has been....so simple....how about just do not enter....it is voluntary!!

And the profiling of which of us may be political or not is entertaining on some level....I think!!!

[eweissenbach]

Most "current events" or quasi political posts are no more than partisan pontificating. I can't think of one of those threads that really provoked any deep thinking or healthy discussion. If you present a differing point of view or ask a defining question you are either supported by your fellow ___ or skewered by the ____. Very few people on this forum, or anywhere in America for that matter seem to be open to opposing points of view, even if faced with indisputable facts or evidence.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by billethkid

A major problem of course is the fact that many times what is considered by some as political may not be to just as many others.

Another issue, in my opinion is that those who object or dislike political continue to enter and partake of what they do not like and then complain about the political content whether real or perceived.

There is a continuing aura of negativism that is regularly assigned to that which may be political with comments such as non political threads degrading to political.

And of course my regular defense of the majority of us who do in fact enjoy discussing current events that like it or not are at times political in nature and have potential to affect all of our lives....and we lose that opportunity and have to listen to derogatory commentary about the nature of political discussions all because of a few who refuse to follow the rules or remain civil.

How about we all call a spade a spade and not tar and feather the subject of politics because of a few bad actors or a select few who do not care for political rhetoric. As has been pointed out about other controversial subjects there are always the few who antagonize the many....however those other controversial subjects are not banned.

And in closing I still do not know why those who do not care for or are predjudiced about political content continue to enter a thread that may have political content and thencomplain about what is posted. That makes about as much sense to me as one who would elect to continue to visit a casino and then complain and denegrate what they see and hear inside.

The cure is, was and always has been....so simple....how about just do not enter....it is voluntary!!

And the profiling of which of us may be political or not is entertaining on some level....I think!!!

Well said.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Most "current events" or quasi political posts are no more than partisan pontificating. I can't think of one of those threads that really provoked any deep thinking or healthy discussion. If you present a differing point of view or ask a defining question you are either supported by your fellow ___ or skewered by the ____. Very few people on this forum, or anywhere in America for that matter seem to be open to opposing points of view, even if faced with indisputable facts or evidence.

As evidenced by a comment when a well known politician was asked what she dislikes ....she chuckled trying to make funny by saying ......just about anything the opposition is for or supports! Many true words are said in jest!!

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by billethkid

As evidenced by a comment when a well known politician was asked what she dislikes ....she chuckled trying to make funny by saying ......just about anything the opposition is for or supports! Many true words are said in jest!!

Or some well known politicians who vowed at the time of his inauguration to do everything in their power to see that the President's agenda failed. These words, or words like them,were apparently not said in jest.

[Serenoa]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Sometimes they're just not caught quickly enough. Many times a post is started about current events that quickly deteriorates into political discussions and then goes downhill from there.

Usually because someone arrogantly assumes that everyone thinks the exact way he/she does, and has to reminded that there are plenty of others with differing views/opinions.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by mickey100

What is the policy on TOTV regarding political posts? I thought they weren't allowed, yet recently there seem to be political threads being posted every day. And usually they bring out the worst in people, the reason they were probably banned in the first place. Has there been a change in policy?

Maybe these posts have been allowed because readers actually want to read them and engage in an interesting conversation in which they can learn something, too!

There are usually some pretty inane topics in the New Posts list (and that's fine). But maybe people want to converse in a more anonymous way about socio-political events and trends that seriously affect everyone's daily life in society and nation.

Most of us learn early on that it's not worth it to bring up political hot topics in the neighborhood or amongst social/recreation groups, because friends and relatives get offended and we've gotta live with 'em when they're P****D.

Here, we have point/counterpoint statements that make us p****d at somebody who, for example, stereotypes and brands ALL of our race, or ALL local police officers, as being 'racist'. But we don't have to live with or next door to such a thick-skulled bigot. Here people are actually able to point out such bigotry or stupidity without calling them names or making it personal. If they would do that, they'd get warnings and then kicked out.

Obviously many people yesterday wanted to read and discuss BTK's thread started yesterday morning, titled "Help us understand what the purpose....". Before the admins closed the thread, it got 874 hits by viewers, and it got 22 posts.....in just 12 hours. But looking at "New Posts" list right now, I see only 2 threads having more than 874 hits, and those threads were started weeks and months ago. (Not counting the one titled "Sticky: Helpful advice..." that was started in early 2013 having 86,660 posts).

Obviously people want to read something of substance that affects the whole society. Topics deemed "political" could be moved to an OPT-IN area and those who are afraid they might learn something that contradicts or lessens their treasured bigotry don't have to enter!