[gomoho]

I have always found political discourse to be stimulating. You will never change anyone's mind, but just might sharpen your own in the process!

I would also be interested in knowing how to access a political forum on line.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Forums can be a little power thing for some moderators. As long as things don't get personal most don't mind discussion. However pure political posts can get quite heated and personal no doubt. Just my opinion which only really matters to me.

[kittygilchrist]

It is not an easy job as the world turns.
I respect overseers to integrate world shifts.
Today is not yesterday or tomorrow.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by gomoho

I have always found political discourse to be stimulating. You will never change anyone's mind, but just might sharpen your own in the process!

I would also be interested in knowing how to access a political forum on line.

gomoho: The most popular thread on this forum was the political thread.
It surprised me when they removed it. I mean we are all grown ups here.
If Admin believed someone is being too>>>>>>>>then remove their post. If they are persistent then suspend them. If it becomes apparent that they can't control their tempers remove them from the thread for good.....but don't punish the rest of us.

Now we are going to hear from that percentile that repeatedly respond with ïf you don't like it move" "don't log on to TOTV", etc

It is what it is?????/

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by Admin

Skybo - this is a fair question to ask but no one on the site can answer it for you. If there is a question regarding moderation/administration anyone is welcome to send us a PM or Email and we are happy to discuss.

Where to start in response.....

First there are hundreds of posts every day that a number of moderators/administrators attempt to review. We try to stay as close to the published site guidelines as possible but sometimes there are grey areas. Sometimes a thread has been responded to so many times with guideline violations that it would not be practical to 'prune' the thread so the entire thread is closed. We don't typically offer explanation because we have found that no matter how we explain the moderation someone wants to argue the point and there isn't enough time in the day for that. Do we always get it right - no way, we are human and make mistakes. We apologize in advance for when we do and our goal is an attempt to keep the site a positive civil place for discussions.

In almost 99% of the time moderation is done due to a comment being directed at another user, an inflammatory post, or a political post. We outline in detail in the site guidelines what is being moderated.

We don't moderate opinions, or manners, or the content of the post. We don't always agree with someone's post or comments but if it doesn't violate the site guidelines then we let it stand.

It is all a manual human process and we appreciate everyone's patience, understanding, and support of the process.

It can't be an easy job to have to read all this....I wouldn't want it!!

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by Sophie11

....There is more to life than golf carts and people having sex.

There is??....damn!!!

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Sophie11

At what time in our history did we lose the ability to speak open and freely? No two people ever saw eye to eye on politics but thats no reason to stop. It is just another way to own the media! There is more to life than golf carts and people having sex.

If you had read the political forum when it was alive, you would have been exposed to some extremely vicious comments directed at individuals. It was not a productive forum and certainly not conducive to a "community" forum.

IMO you will find that most of those forums dedicated to discussions of religion and politics are nothing more than various posters preaching to the choir and feeding their own ego. It is a rare occurrence when you can change someone's mind on a forum.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by karostay

censorship is alive and well on TOV

Apparently, you did not have a chance to read post #11.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

If you had read the political forum when it was alive, you would have been exposed to some extremely vicious comments directed at individuals. It was not a productive forum and certainly not conducive to a "community" forum.

IMO you will find that most of those forums dedicated to discussions of religion and politics are nothing more than various posters preaching to the choir and feeding their own ego. It is a rare occurrence when you can change someone's mind on a forum.

While much of what you say is true, keep in mind it was an opt-in forum. No one that was thin skinned or didn't want to discuss political issues, needed to be exposed to it. If one did not opt in the threads would not show up on their screen. In other political forums I have seen (I don't participate in any currently) it is often a no holds barred free for all. The mods tried to keep this one somewhat civil and it was taking all their time to monitor it. If it came back I would participate.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

While much of what you say is true, keep in mind it was an opt-in forum. No one that was thin skinned or didn't want to discuss political issues, needed to be exposed to it. If one did not opt in the threads would not show up on their screen. In other political forums I have seen (I don't participate in any currently) it is often a no holds barred free for all. The mods tried to keep this one somewhat civil and it was taking all their time to monitor it. If it came back I would participate.

It is my understanding that the real downside was that the animus spilled over into the regular forum (same screen names and all) which often colored the normal dialogue to which all were then exposed.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

It is my understanding that the real downside was that the animus spilled over into the regular forum (same screen names and all) which often colored the normal dialogue to which all were then exposed.

Hi Indy: As I recollect there were only a few bad apples. Perhaps the forum could have been saved if Admin dealt with them , a three strikes and your out rule would suffice . As I recall, and from a micro view we had far more posters who offered some very interesting point of view. From a macro view there are far too many people organizations etc stifling free speech.

How can we solve our problems if we do not have a venue in which we can speak freely. Debate is quickly becoming a lost art. today's college educated, thanks to their universities, believe that name calling is their argument.

Sorry, I momentarily went off script

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Hi Indy: As I recollect there were only a few bad apples. Perhaps the forum could have been saved if Admin dealt with them , a three strikes and your out rule would suffice . As I recall, and from a micro view we had far more posters who offered some very interesting point of view. From a macro view there are far too many people organizations etc stifling free speech.

How can we solve our problems if we do not have a venue in which we can speak freely. Debate is quickly becoming a lost art. today's college educated, thanks to their universities, believe that name calling is their argument.

Sorry, I momentarily went off script

Certainly is true that name calling and attacks have supplanted solid information and facts as the most oft used tool when discussing politics.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Rags123

Certainly is true that name calling and attacks have supplanted solid information and facts as the most oft used tool when discussing politics.

Unfortunately that is true among "real" politicians. The discourse has become so vicious and attacking that working together has become impossible. The political climate today is toxic and allows no room for common sense solutions. When the "other side" is seen as vicious, ugly, untrustworthy, and working to undermine the country, it allows for no compromise or teamwork. I live in Missouri, but we get the political ads from Kansas as we are on the state line and the ads are embarrassing- on both sides. The far left and far right have stolen the parties and not for the better. Politicians should work for the people, but instead they work for monied interests and re-election.

[Skybo]

Originally Posted by Admin

Skybo - this is a fair question to ask but no one on the site can answer it for you. If there is a question regarding moderation/administration anyone is welcome to send us a PM or Email and we are happy to discuss.

Where to start in response.....

First there are hundreds of posts every day that a number of moderators/administrators attempt to review. We try to stay as close to the published site guidelines as possible but sometimes there are grey areas. Sometimes a thread has been responded to so many times with guideline violations that it would not be practical to 'prune' the thread so the entire thread is closed. We don't typically offer explanation because we have found that no matter how we explain the moderation someone wants to argue the point and there isn't enough time in the day for that. Do we always get it right - no way, we are human and make mistakes. We apologize in advance for when we do and our goal is an attempt to keep the site a positive civil place for discussions.

In almost 99% of the time moderation is done due to a comment being directed at another user, an inflammatory post, or a political post. We outline in detail in the site guidelines what is being moderated.

We don't moderate opinions, or manners, or the content of the post. We don't always agree with someone's post or comments but if it doesn't violate the site guidelines then we let it stand.

It is all a manual human process and we appreciate everyone's patience, understanding, and support of the process.

Thank you Admin for responding to my question. And I apologize for whatever part my post may have played in shutting down that thread.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by karostay

censorship is alive and well on TOV

If you want no censorship, go over to Topix or Twitter. They're so unmoderated all the bullies have taken them over, teenagers and adults with no self control or social skills. and in one case they have contributed to the death of a teenager, Skylar Neese,by two of her sociopathic "friends."

I'll take the rules and regs on TOTV any day.