[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

The big talkers in political....even when they are out...they still make me cringe.

My problem with that forum is that people don't seem to speak from common sense. They all parrot stuff they have heard on some network or some web site. They seem to swallow things whole and belch back rhetoric.

For those bossy and stubbornly opinionated folks, you have to be all or nothin'. That just doesn't make sense to me.There is no reason that an intelligent person can't like or dislike things from both sides. That doesn't even make them an independent. That is MY biggest two beefs about my very few sojourns into the fray. The lack of real thinking and the harshness.

Good post graciegirl.

I was kind of a link addict trying to get people to actual do research on subjects. Usually just ended up with attacks by others on Wikipedia articles which I often linked. I still find Wikipedia a good resource.

Rescues by my like-minded friends on the TOTV Political Forum kept me from opting out even though I thought about it quite often.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

I am copying this post for one part of a sentence that came screaming out at me..... "FREE POLITICAL SPEECH IS SQUELCHED". That is absolutely chilling to me!!!

I haven't been in the political forum much for the past couple of years, and, yes, I do understand this is a private enterprise -- That said, I have just read through almost 300 posts in this thread trying to make sense of closing the Political Forum. I cannot. As stated, it was an opt-in format and yes, it was not always "nice" and it was not always "balanced", but it was always passionate and informative. Even if I wasn't posting, I was still going in from time to time just to see what the latest debate was about.

Sometimes I'd go in just to "rattle a cage" (as Bucco can attest too! ) And over the years, I was beaten to a pulp many times. But, it never occurred to me to take this personally. I genuinely liked the people that thought I as a elitist liberal or a flake! Passionate discussion is what politics is all about!

And I certainly do not understand the people that have never been in the forum, participated in the forum, or just lurked in the forum, complaining about anything! I am soooooo lost on this! Perhaps, being a good old Chicago gal didn't make me beloved, but I honestly never felt hated for my views. I'm from the "Bring it on" school! Conversely, I don't think I made anyone ever feel like I disliked them personally. Even in the smallest of towns, politics is not a pleasant business. But, some of us LOVE IT!

So, I'm going to say something I never thought I'd hear myself saying in a thousand years..... I AGREE with Billy the Kidl Bucco, Njbchbum, Richie Lion (let's pause to take that in for a moment ) and all the others that say "bring this forum back to the people that enjoy it and can handle it." And please, do it before the election! I can't remember who, but someone gave some wonderful examples of how to manage if the moderating was too over-whelming.

BTW, for those who think the Political Forum is where all the "nastiness" lies... I've seen quite a few jabs of sarcasm in other forums too. It's just human nature. People will be people......... will be people.

Chels, my keyboard is fighting with me as I type this

Good to"see" you.......and....oh my.....I agree totally with you !

When Chels was in the forum, particulary during the 2008 primary and election, we traded barbs, but directly with each other, on subject, and survived.

I DID IT CHELS....we agree on this !!!

[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by lovesports

Oh Boy! I love people who think their complaining is fine but others shouldn't.

Start your own Political Forum and stop being a complainer.

Originally Posted by lovesports

It is a private forum. You get that now. Like a private party. I don't have to invite you...get it--- private.

I party a great deal here in the Villages and we talk politics. Civility

I'm going to bed so argue and complain all you want...

You make my point very well.

What's your motivation is criticizing my freedom to my own opinion. This is a perfect illustration of what happened on Political. You criticize my posts, I respond to you specifically to assess your motivation for this view, and then you complain to the Moderators.

Thank you for the illustration.

P.S. I don't remember even seeing you on Political.

[billethkid]

I find another benefit of this thread going on so long.....there is, in some, the very distinct, familiar pattern of baiting....nahhhhhh that couldn't be right this is General Discussion.....eh?

Whenever one of the observers that state how the political forum corrupts the entirety of TOTV.....PLEASE, PLEASE share your knowledge of this profound proclamation by providing a couple of examples.

We all know one would not make such statements without proof or minimally some clarification or incident.

btk

[magpiemare]

One more instance of free speech being obstructed.

Thinking admin might be liberal.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by magpiemare

One more instance of free speech being obstructed.

Thinking admin might be liberal.

NOW you've done it!!!!!

Let's not start on the admin. He didn't post.

For pete's sake, good night shirt, and boy howdy.

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by lovesports

This thread has gone on a long time. I know I will get stoned by some for saying this. Most everything I say had been said many times in this thread.
The Admin pay for this private forum. They clearly stated that they were sick of handing all the reports and nastiness on the political. It took them 24/7. Now that's not a few posters.
I remember back in 2007 on-- when it was open and the things that were said were very upsetting to many. It then went to an opt in and the same people complained and complained about it going opt in. That was under the old owners. In time it was accepted.
There are a TON of political forums and many are listed in posts on here. Try them or start your own. Also, you can start a club or join one already started etc.
Seriously there are many places you can post about politics.
I repeat-I think everything to be said has been said on this thread. What don't you get about the fact that the Admin pays for and puts a ton of time into running this private forum. I guarantee the people complaining and complaining have no idea how much work, money or time it takes.
Start your own board or join one of the many others rather then complaining.

I agree,how many posts in one thread do some of you people need to try to get your point across.............. 20,25,30??????????Enough is enough is enough is enough is enough.Any wonder after reading all these post why political forums have the reputation they so rightfully deserve.

[Sally Jo]

Chels, Now we agree on two things. Chicago is a great city and the political forum shouldn't be shut down. Spent last week at Wrigley Field. I know you are a Sox fan, but hey, we don't want to over do this agreeing on things. lol

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I think there are a large amount of folks that log into Political with interest, but feel the climate is just too HOT to give personal opinions. Often when someone gives an opinion, they are hit on all four sides at once by the opposition. Please note that many people feel that Sarcasm is considered a form of being insulted. SO: not posting but reading the forum, is a form of Participation, and I respect those opinions also without them having to take the witness chair to defend their opinion. Please folks, lets have a TOTV where everyone is welcome, where you do not have to have thick skin or be a cleaver writer to meet the criteria needed to survive a conversation with your fellow Villagers.

golfingnut - what you post may be all well and true about folks lurking and NOT participating. reading is PASSIVE participation; subsequently denigrating, disparaging, bemoaning, chastising, etc on a different forum thread is an ACTIVE attack on a forum and its posters by someone who did NOT have to stick around when they had become OFFENDED!

the person put themselves out here with their opinion - i did not disparage, condemn, nor denigrate either the post nor the poster for that, nor did i dispute the opinion. i SIMPLY asked that augie explain his position/opinion.

and now, if as you so clairvoiantly suggest, augie may have participated by reading political posts that offended him i want to know why he did that from him - rather than someone who has an opinion on his opinion, thanx.

[gomoho]

So we can add another 3000 posts going round and round, but if you are really serious about wanting to get the Political Forum back then call the advertisers on this forum and tell them you are boycotting them because TOTV is suppressing freedom of speech. THAT will get someone's attention. Now I am going to hide under the bed before y'all start beating me up!

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by kentucky blue

I agree,how many posts in one thread do some of you people need to try to get your point across.............. 20,25,30??????????Enough is enough is enough is enough is enough.Any wonder after reading all these post why political forums have the reputation they so rightfully deserve.

kentucky - just the fact that lovesports posted a statement re the admin that i could not verity after fact-checking - and a statement that no one else has found, nor that lovesports has corrected me on is reason for adding a post that calls lovesports on that.

for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction - is there not? it's kind of like voting...you never want to lose by just one.

if you have had enough of the posts in this thread, please OPT OUT in order to not be frustrated further!

[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

kentucky - just the fact that lovesports posted a statement re the admin that i could not verity after fact-checking - and a statement that no one else has found, nor that lovesports has corrected me on is reason for adding a post that calls lovesports on that.

for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction - is there not? it's kind of like voting...you never want to lose by just one.

if you have had enough of the posts in this thread, please OPT OUT in order to not be frustrated further!

Opt out??.........what an intriguing idea.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by gomoho

So we can add another 3000 posts going round and round, but if you are really serious about wanting to get the Political Forum back then call the advertisers on this forum and tell them you are boycotting them because TOTV is suppressing freedom of speech. THAT will get someone's attention. Now I am going to hide under the bed before y'all start beating me up!

please don't think that your recommendation has not been considered; however, i for one [and i cannot speak for others from political] have no intention to engage in such retribution. the admin did not get where he is today by doing dumb things [yet ]. by allowing posters to vent, express themselves, and then consider all that is said, the admin has a 50/50 shot at returning political to totv - and we have that same 50/50 chance - and a second chance, too.

[Barefoot]

Golfing Nut, Augie and Loves Sports
Since only members who enjoy Political would OPT IN to the Political Forum and continue participating, then how could an OPT IN Forum possibly negatively affect the rest of TOTV?

[Xavier]

Hey, it's great to be back. It's been a long time.

I just heard the good news regarding the closing of the Political section of TOTV. GREAT news! I will probably miss being called an idiot or a moron on a regular basis, but I'll survive. TOTV is now truly the best it can be.

I'm lovin' the smell of fresh air.

Xavier