[ceejay]

Originally Posted by billethkid

for me it was easy to manage not having to deal with posts from people one would rather not deal with....the forum does provide a blocking feature that takes care of 90% plus.

My own personal opinion is that between the need to OPT IN to get to the political forum and the feature to block as many members as needed and just ignoring that with which I feel is offensive......what else does a person need. Maybe a little maturity to help with the complaining about that which some feel is offensive or disagreeable to their likings. But even here again....all they need do is just not go there or do not open and read the posts.

If my suspicions are correct in that the issue could be complaint driven, then I think the action to suspend is really not fair (I know it is the owner's game!!!).

My suggestion would be for the admin to consider drafting a set of rules of decorum (that almost all of us have anyway)....then provide notice to those who opt in a "warning" of some type the admin is not responsible, etc for content....enter at your own risk sort of caution (how ridiculous is this for senior citizens?)

Then let those who opt in have at it. It is so easy for participants to set aside the very few loose cannons whose only purpose is to bait, aggrivate and taunt folks. Eliminate the need for admin monitoring!!!!

As for commentary and complaints from those who have only negative comments about the political forum, it is sort of like you go to an R rated movie and then come out and complain about what you saw. And then go to another R rated movie and complain again. Well all one has to do is determine it it not to your liking, like political, then do not go there...do not read the posts....and please do not continue to refer to the majority of us as bullies, thugs, nasty and what ever else.....because it is just not true.

I totally and completely disagree with the position of a closed political forum. Whether some like it or not, it is a part of what some of us are interested in here in TV.

I wonder how other political forums do it without a problem?

And in closing, I wonder why it is OK with so many to watch the same level of lack of civility every minute of every hour of every day in the media and television coverage of the current campaign for POTUS????

That is my $3.75 ( my 2 cents adjusted for inflation).

Smile it really helps

btk

Well said, BTK.

[ilovetv]

I think the political forum is good to have here, so that people see the true diversity of opinion in TV.....that TV is NOT all far-right only old f*rts as people in other areas are led to believe.

Maybe it could be re-opened and to avoid personal attacks, remove the "Quote Post" function (so the poster quoted is not a target instead of their comments), and prohibit referral to other posters' names. Comments could be written by starting with "regarding the comment above about ____, I disagree and think this:"

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Admin

The political forums have been suspended due to a number of ongoing factors and the decision was not taken lightly. A decision has not been made as to if it will be permanent but likely through the elections. At this time we prefer to reserve those various factors that lead to this decision from open discussion because regardless of the reasons we felt compelled to make the change, some users and not implying you at all, will continue to argue and debate even our most articulate and thought out responses.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause any user and we are focused on continuing to improve Talk of the Villages as a resource for current residents to find and share information about The Villages and everything that is centric to life in The Villages.

Thanks for the update.

[njbchbum]

I am one of the members of ‘political’ who supported the temporary suspension of the forum because of the sniping and lack of civility there. I fully supported the need for a cooling-off period.

But I am overly disappointed to read that my support for this suspension would mean that the forum might not return until AFTER the election; and then return in a format that would PREVENT the discussion of things political that are NOT "centric to life in the villages”.

Well, YIKES! If issues such as voter fraud and medicare are not issues that are centric to the lives of residents in the villages, are we stuck with the issues of signage, dog poop and saving seats that the admin posted can be discussed in the general forum.

I always counted on ‘political’ as a place where I could go to understand the viewpoints/opinions of the honorable opposition, present the other side of the coin for discussion and learn from the serious material posted there. The loss of that opportunity to learn and to grow - even at my age - is a serious disappointment.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

I am one of the members of ‘political’ who supported the temporary suspension of the forum because of the sniping and lack of civility there. I fully supported the need for a cooling-off period.

But I am overly disappointed to read that my support for this suspension would mean that the forum might not return until AFTER the election; and then return in a format that would PREVENT the discussion of things political that are NOT "centric to life in the villages”.

Well, YIKES! If issues such as voter fraud and medicare are not issues that are centric to the lives of residents in the villages, are we stuck with the issues of signage, dog poop and saving seats that the admin posted can be discussed in the general forum.

I always counted on ‘political’ as a place where I could go to understand the viewpoints/opinions of the honorable opposition, present the other side of the coin for discussion and learn from the serious material posted there. The loss of that opportunity to learn and to grow - even at my age - is a serious disappointment.

Mother knows best. (he said sarcastically)

[BobKat1]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

Mother knows best. (he said sarcastically)

In many cases, yes, she does.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

I am one of the members of ‘political’ who supported the temporary suspension of the forum because of the sniping and lack of civility there. I fully supported the need for a cooling-off period.

But I am overly disappointed to read that my support for this suspension would mean that the forum might not return until AFTER the election; and then return in a format that would PREVENT the discussion of things political that are NOT "centric to life in the villages”.

Well, YIKES! If issues such as voter fraud and medicare are not issues that are centric to the lives of residents in the villages, are we stuck with the issues of signage, dog poop and saving seats that the admin posted can be discussed in the general forum.

I always counted on ‘political’ as a place where I could go to understand the viewpoints/opinions of the honorable opposition, present the other side of the coin for discussion and learn from the serious material posted there. The loss of that opportunity to learn and to grow - even at my age - is a serious disappointment.

Some of the other message boards I have been on have had volunteer moderators who did a good job of keeping things civil while also being objective about removing offensive posts and the like. Not sure if this would work on the TOTV's Political Forum as you would need someone who has a lot of time available, would work for no pay, and be objective. Very few people are really objective when it comes to partisan politics.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by billethkid

for me it was easy to manage not having to deal with posts from people one would rather not deal with....the forum does provide a blocking feature that takes care of 90% plus.

My own personal opinion is that between the need to OPT IN to get to the political forum and the feature to block as many members as needed and just ignoring that with which I feel is offensive......what else does a person need. Maybe a little maturity to help with the complaining about that which some feel is offensive or disagreeable to their likings. But even here again....all they need do is just not go there or do not open and read the posts.

If my suspicions are correct in that the issue could be complaint driven, then I think the action to suspend is really not fair (I know it is the owner's game!!!).

My suggestion would be for the admin to consider drafting a set of rules of decorum (that almost all of us have anyway)....then provide notice to those who opt in a "warning" of some type the admin is not responsible, etc for content....enter at your own risk sort of caution (how ridiculous is this for senior citizens?)

Then let those who opt in have at it. It is so easy for participants to set aside the very few loose cannons whose only purpose is to bait, aggrivate and taunt folks. Eliminate the need for admin monitoring!!!!

As for commentary and complaints from those who have only negative comments about the political forum, it is sort of like you go to an R rated movie and then come out and complain about what you saw. And then go to another R rated movie and complain again. Well all one has to do is determine it it not to your liking, like political, then do not go there...do not read the posts....and please do not continue to refer to the majority of us as bullies, thugs, nasty and what ever else.....because it is just not true.

I totally and completely disagree with the position of a closed political forum. Whether some like it or not, it is a part of what some of us are interested in here in TV.

I wonder how other political forums do it without a problem?

And in closing, I wonder why it is OK with so many to watch the same level of lack of civility every minute of every hour of every day in the media and television coverage of the current campaign for POTUS????

That is my $3.75 ( my 2 cents adjusted for inflation).

Smile it really helps

btk

As with most btk posts, this is well thought out and hard to argue with. Whether there is a political forum or not, will not affect my life greatly either way. I enjoy going to political and reading what the current topics and arguments are, but I don't take it too seriously. It seems logical to me that the forum should be offered, and since it is "opt-in", should not bother anyone who doesn't care to participate. One political board that I have participated in will banish unruly members for one day if they cross the line, and for good, if they do so continuously. That said, it is a tough job for the moderators to determine what is over the line, and what is passible, and becomes very subjective. As I said before, the moderator(s), and administrator probably had to spend an inordinate amount of their time and attention to the poli board and decided it was not worth it to them. I can think of a few regular poli board members who may have lowered their blood pressure several points over the last few days. Stay well! Ed

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

I am one of the members of ‘political’ who supported the temporary suspension of the forum because of the sniping and lack of civility there. I fully supported the need for a cooling-off period.

But I am overly disappointed to read that my support for this suspension would mean that the forum might not return until AFTER the election; and then return in a format that would PREVENT the discussion of things political that are NOT "centric to life in the villages”.

Well, YIKES! If issues such as voter fraud and medicare are not issues that are centric to the lives of residents in the villages, are we stuck with the issues of signage, dog poop and saving seats that the admin posted can be discussed in the general forum.

I always counted on ‘political’ as a place where I could go to understand the viewpoints/opinions of the honorable opposition, present the other side of the coin for discussion and learn from the serious material posted there. The loss of that opportunity to learn and to grow - even at my age - is a serious disappointment.

After re-reading the post from Admin, I don't believe that is what was said. It has not been determined whether the political forum will return, but it will likely be suspended through the elections. The last paragraph appears to be a general mission statement that TOTV (as a whole) exists to be a resource of information regarding The Villages. Nowhere do I read that the political forum, if it returns, will be restricted to TV issues only. Instead I read a statement that differentiates between discussion of TV issues (allowed outside the political forum) and partisan national political issues that were restricted to the political forum.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

I am overly disappointed to read that my support for this suspension would mean that the forum might not return until AFTER the election; and then return in a format that would PREVENT the discussion of things political that are NOT "centric to life in the villages”. If issues such as voter fraud and medicare are not issues that are centric to the lives of residents in the villages, are we stuck with the issues of signage, dog poop and saving seats that the admin posted can be discussed in the general forum.

I always counted on ‘political’ as a place where I could go to understand the viewpoints/opinions of the honorable opposition, present the other side of the coin for discussion and learn from the serious material posted there. The loss of that opportunity to learn and to grow - even at my age - is a serious disappointment.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by mikeod

After re-reading the post from Admin, I don't believe that is what was said. It has not been determined whether the political forum will return, but it will likely be suspended through the elections. The last paragraph appears to be a general mission statement that TOTV (as a whole) exists to be a resource of information regarding The Villages. Nowhere do I read that the political forum, if it returns, will be restricted to TV issues only. Instead I read a statement that differentiates between discussion of TV issues (allowed outside the political forum) and partisan national political issues that were restricted to the political forum.

glad to see that your opinion differs from mine, again. i get where we agree that the admin is likely to suspend the board after the eletions. i get that the mission statement is to make totv all about an info resource and point of sharing.

but i guess we differ on the interpretation of "everything that is centric to life in The Villages" with centric being defined as something that is pertaining to or situated at the center or central re life in the villages and not outside of it. guess we'll find out if 'political' returns; and if it doesn't our interpretations don't mean you know what!

[Serenoa]

now, now, now kiddies. TOTV says we been bad, so they must take our toy away......and teach us a lesson about how to behave like good little boys & girls.

Are you kidding me? How friggin ridiculous. Whover complained just needs to stay out of the political forum if they can't take the heat. If this type of heavy-handedness is common in TV it makes me wonder if I really ever want to live there.

for heaven's sake people...LIVE & LET LIVE!

[ewstanley]

You can't judge all of TV by this forum. The Villages is a community. This forum has members that don't necessarily live here in The Villages. I don't see any heavy handedness in our little community and it really isn't common.

[BobKat1]

Originally Posted by Serenoa

now, now, now kiddies. TOTV says we been bad, so they must take our toy away......and teach us a lesson about how to behave like good little boys & girls.
Are you kidding me? How friggin ridiculous. Whover complained just needs to stay out of the political forum if they can't take the heat. If this type of heavy-handedness is common in TV it makes me wonder if I really ever want to live there.

for heaven's sake people...LIVE & LET LIVE!

No disrespect intended, but heavy handed goes both ways.

[createquilts]

What is really interesting is seeing how many members this forum has, and how many regularly post. The people who have posted over 100 times for instance are a very small slice of the total population, and many may not even live here. No way of knowing. Who knows, there could be a few troublemakers that have nothing to do with The Villages who try to stir things up!

So maybe the people posting on the political forum are those that are most active on the forums or most adamant about their feelings on the issues whether or not they live here.

No matter what, I have come to the conclusion that no matter what I say, I am not going to change anyone's mind about the major issues that people argue about, like religion, abortion, whether or not the stimulus program was good or bad, if Romney will do a better job than Obama, if Obama will do a better job than Romney and so on.