[Alex]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Hi Whalen,

I know what you mean by irked. I got hit hard, really hard one time. It came completely out of left field. It was some kind of self-righteous indignation at nothing intended. I am never nasty to anybody. The reaction I got was completely unexpected. It looked like an attempt to embarrass me. I could read between the lines. It actually hurt my feelings a little bit for approximately a nanosecond.

And I was nowhere near the political forum.

After I got over the initial shock, my first thought was, " Forget this place." And I almost hit the road.

But the thought after that was, "Heck, it's mostly kind of fun to check in here and there and write a little something." -- A habit of mine that still surprises me, even after all this time.

And then I concluded, "Whatever the heck that weird thing was all about is not my problem." And so I decided I did not give a rat's patoot. (Is that how you spell 'patoot'?)

And that is my midnight confession for tonight. (I know I should never type after midnight.)

Goodnight.

Boomer

Boomer- Totally agree with you. I also liked what Bucco said.

[JUREK]

Originally Posted by meriboo

Prior to the election, I would go to the Political tread on a regular basis. I found it interesting to 'see' how other people were thinking. Now I rarely go....mostly because I don't care for the battering back and forth. Sometimes it is so depressing to me. HOWEVER, no one is making everyone click on any particular thread. It is up to the individual what they want to read. That is the wonderful thing about living in the U.S......we have choices.

Yes what a lovely country we live in. My closest friend at work is a gal girl and her beliefs are complete opposite of mine. I enjoy discussing her and my opinions almost daily. In truth we probably want the same thing in life but just feel we should go about in a different route of getting there. Keep up the political posts for sure

[tony]

Ahhhh, Munc, I just could not resist. It was just too easy and you have to take the easy ones.

[Taj44]

I think political does turn people off to TOTV in general. First of all, there is more than just general intellectual, good natured debates. There has been regular name calling and mean spirited remarks. If you don't agree with someone's views you're castigated as being ignorant, likened to cartoon characters, you're out-of-touch, blah, blah, blah. People will only put up with so much of that type of thing. One of the administrators, DKLassen, is a regular poster, who has a continual line of vitriol that some of us do not enjoy. The fact he is an administrator certainly colors my views of TOTV. Do his views represent TOTV's views or leanings? We'll probably never know, but it doesn't make me look at TOTV as a neutral Villages forum.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by Taj44

One of the administrators, DKLassen, is a regular poster, who has a continual line of vitriol that some of us do not enjoy. The fact he is an administrator certainly colors my views of TOTV. Do his views represent TOTV's views or leanings? We'll probably never know, but it doesn't make me look at TOTV as a neutral Villages forum.

Should Administrators stay out of the Political Forum, because they are Administrators?
I smell another poll coming.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Hi Whalen,

I know what you mean by irked. I got hit hard, really hard one time. It came completely out of left field. It was some kind of self-righteous indignation at nothing intended. I am never nasty to anybody. The reaction I got was completely unexpected. It looked like an attempt to embarrass me. I could read between the lines. It actually hurt my feelings a little bit for approximately a nanosecond.

And I was nowhere near the political forum.

After I got over the initial shock, my first thought was, " Forget this place." And I almost hit the road.

But the thought after that was, "Heck, it's mostly kind of fun to check in here and there and write a little something." -- A habit of mine that still surprises me, even after all this time.

And then I concluded, "Whatever the heck that weird thing was all about is not my problem." And so I decided I did not give a rat's patoot. (Is that how you spell 'patoot'?)

And that is my midnight confession for tonight. (I know I should never type after midnight.)

Goodnight.

Boomer

Almost none of us on here are COMPLETELY innocent of a "gotcha" now and then that may or may not be a tiny bit mean spirited. I distinctly remember a BOOM!

[billethkid]

representation. That means there will be all kinds of views, beliefs, outlooks, opinions and instigators....no different than any other club or group of people.

If one stays away from TOTV for what ever reason, that has to be how they determine where else they go, eh? PArties? Golf? Pickleball? Shopping?
The movies? CHURCH? The all kinds go to these places too.......and lest we forget...statistically speaking....the ones not cared for are in the minority...so why give up something for the sake of a few....it is too easy to ignore.

No struggle no progress.

BTK

[rshoffer]

Nasty comments certainly are not limited to the political forum...
Doog poop has caused some hostile barbs to be flung back and forth.

[Whalen]

Originally Posted by Taj44

I think political does turn people off to TOTV in general. First of all, there is more than just general intellectual, good natured debates. There has been regular name calling and mean spirited remarks. If you don't agree with someone's views you're castigated as being ignorant, likened to cartoon characters, you're out-of-touch, blah, blah, blah. People will only put up with so much of that type of thing. One of the administrators, DKLassen, is a regular poster, who has a continual line of vitriol that some of us do not enjoy. The fact he is an administrator certainly colors my views of TOTV. Do his views represent TOTV's views or leanings? We'll probably never know, but it doesn't make me look at TOTV as a neutral Villages forum.

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

Should Administrators stay out of the Political Forum, because they are Administrators?
I smell another poll coming.

I agree with Taj, I have felt uncomfortable at times with administators posting such strong opinions in the forum.

It's one thing to know that in broadcast news MSNBC leans a litttle left and FOX leans a little right, it is quite another thing to actually shout it from the rooftops.

I for one would like to see a poll.

Originally Posted by conn8757

I hesitate to ask this, but it seems like the thread on politics - the political thread seems to make this not such a friendly site. Many people that used to post here regularly no longer do. I think the comments and threads posted on political are a big reason for that. Anyone agree? Everyone has their own beliefs but that site seems to bring out the very worst in people. It seems to be a I'm right and you're stupid and wrong forum. I am drawn to it and hate it at the same time. Just my thoughts.

I could not agree more! As a newcomer to the villages I find this site to be extremely helpful in selection of contractors and understanding a whole lot about the villages and how to learn more. At this point I haven't contributed much, but I have made note of the "Black Hole" otherwise known as the "Political Forum!" I recently recommended TOTV to a long time resident of the Villages and she loved it except for the negativity that spewed forth from the Political Forum. For the most part, it certainly isn't an accurate representation of the wonderful folks that live here.

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by Whalen

I agree with Taj, I have felt uncomfortable at times with administators posting such strong opinions in the forum.

It's one thing to know that in broadcast news MSNBC leans a litttle left and FOX leans a little right, it is quite another thing to actually shout it from the rooftops.

I for one would like to see a poll.

So Freedom of Speech applies to everyone but administrators, huh? What's next? Specifying who can post in which forum?

[BobKat1]

Administrators/Moderators walk a fine line on forums IMO. If one chooses to occupy one of these positions, maybe the best thing to do is to find a different forum where they can express and debate their opinions freely and stay out of the fray on the forum where they administer/moderate. Just a thought.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Almost none of us on here are COMPLETELY innocent of a "gotcha" now and then that may or may not be a tiny bit mean spirited. I distinctly remember a BOOM!

Hey! About that "Boom." I remember that. It was the day a very long time ago when I revealed that maybe my name Boomer does not always refer to my age. Boomer on that day turned out to be in reference to one of those Navy submarines that just glides along beneath the surface until it becomes necessary to launch a ballistic missile. So yeah. I did it. BOOM! But that was not being mean. I BOOMED a troll. That nasty snide troll was picking on people. Had not even picked on me I know. But ohhhh, that troll was mean......so I got a little carried away and the next thing you know this Boomer went BOOM! (But hey I told you all to back up first and stay out of the way so I could BOOM! that troll.)

OK, enough Boomer history. Who cares. Back to the topic at hand.

I just want to add that I hope we do not do a poll. First of all they are pointless. Statistically irrelevant. Meaningless.

But that is not the main reason I do not want to see a poll on this one.

Most polls are harmless fun. But a poll on this political thing is just wrong. (The admins really do a good job saving us from things getting out of bounds. I would not stay on a board where I felt like it could be open season and people could come in here and just attack others or post anything they felt like saying.) But c'mon. The members who like to go to political and express strong opinions know why they are there. They are finding what they want or helloooooooo they would not go there.

It is not my place to tell them what to do. I even go there sometimes, though I know it is pretty pointless. But going in I always know I run a risk. But sometimes it makes me feel better just to post my moderate opinion there. But I understand the territory.

And yeah, last night I wrote about my own little pout and told you what happened a while back when somebody went way too grumpy grouch on me in a thread that was not even in political. But I explained that I got over it fast. It's that old baby/bathwater thing.

But things could get into a real mess here if members start trying to make rules. Trying to control the board. That's the admins' job. Who needs it?

And if we start with polls for who should be allowed to say what, wellllll it is only a matter of time before we start trying to vote each other off the island. Just self-regulate, take part in what you want to take part in and don't worry about the rest. Just leave the heavy artillery in the hands of the guys with the control panel. (Although I know. I know. I did BOOM! that troll. And there was that little snit I was in for a bit that I told you about. But I self-regulated.)

Boomer

[dklassen]

You must me talking about me.

Well, the political forum certainly does have some strong opinionated people that’s for sure. It should be considered like a television channel. If you don’t want to watch then skip over it, it’s that simple. Generally I think there is good healthy debate and I don’t believe for a minute folks over there dislike each other for their differing views.

I think everyone there respects each other for their views and willingness to take a stand for what they believe no matter what it is.

Sometimes it can get rather heated. Yes, you do have to be thick skinned to roll in the political forum but I think everyone knows that.

Do I intimidate folks there because I’m an admin? I hope not. I can take a shot with the best of them and I’ve certainly never use my veto power to shut down someone’s comments unless it was obviously inappropriate which in that case would happen anyway.

I’ve been on dozens and dozens of all types of forms and it’s not uncommon for owners or admins to participate.

Of all the posts that get reported to the admins on TOTV I don’t remember ever seeing any from the political forum. At least in a long time.

I’m waiting for the day when someone reports me to me. I’d have no choice but to ban myself from TOTV.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Hey! About that "Boom." I remember that. It was the day a very long time ago when I revealed that maybe my name Boomer does not always refer to my age. Boomer on that day turned out to be in reference to one of those Navy submarines that just glides along beneath the surface until it becomes necessary to launch a ballistic missile. So yeah. I did it. BOOM! But that was not being mean. I BOOMED a troll. That nasty snide troll was picking on people. Had not even picked on me I know. But ohhhh, that troll was mean......so I got a little carried away and the next thing you know this Boomer went BOOM! (But hey I told you all to back up first and stay out of the way so I could BOOM! that troll.)

OK, enough Boomer history. Who cares. Back to the topic at hand.

I just want to add that I hope we do not do a poll. First of all they are pointless. Statistically irrelevant. Meaningless.

But that is not the main reason I do not want to see a poll on this one.

Most polls are harmless fun. But a poll on this political thing is just wrong. (The admins really do a good job saving us from things getting out of bounds. I would not stay on a board where I felt like it could be open season and people could come in here and just attack others or post anything they felt like saying.) But c'mon. The members who like to go to political and express strong opinions know why they are there. They are finding what they want or helloooooooo they would not go there.

It is not my place to tell them what to do. I even go there sometimes, though I know it is pretty pointless. But going in I always know I run a risk. But sometimes it makes me feel better just to post my moderate opinion there. But I understand the territory.

And yeah, last night I wrote about my own little pout and told you what happened a while back when somebody went way too grumpy grouch on me in a thread that was not even in political. But I explained that I got over it fast. It's that old baby/bathwater thing.

But things could get into a real mess here if members start trying to make rules. Trying to control the board. That's the admins' job. Who needs it?

And if we start with polls for who should be allowed to say what, wellllll it is only a matter of time before we start trying to vote each other off the island. Just self-regulate, take part in what you want to take part in and don't worry about the rest. Just leave the heavy artillery in the hands of the guys with the control panel. (Although I know. I know. I did have to BOOM! somebody once. But it was just once. And I did get into a little snit like I said, over somebody being not nice to me, but I got over it. I self-regulated.)

Boomer

Well, you are almost perfect Boomer and I loves ya, you Cincinnati person!!!.....but I gotta hand it to you that after you explained yourself, and very well I might add, that you didn't say you had to walk your dog.

Everyone has a little mischief in them!

And Boomer.....(By the way glgene and Kathie are meeting us at the Grand Finale in Glendale,Ohio on THIS Saturday to have lunch and talk about TV. Wanna come???? It is at 1:00.)