[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Gracie my issue is with the general characterization of the political forum based ONLY on the few in political that caused you and others to feel the way you do about your experience in political.

Some of us have learned to either have those who offend us blocked as well as ignore the stone throwers.

I for one am not willing to deny myself participating in what most of us enjoy in political.....thoughtful and yes differing opinion discussions.

And in a more civil manner than is presented to us all every day by the media and the politicians.

I think the administration should have pulled the plug on the offenders and not task, like many in this thread, the entire membership of the political forum.

btk

But......But; who are the offenders??

Are they the people expressing views that some people don't like?

Or are they the "thin skinned" complainers who don't tolerate these opposing viewpoints and subsequently try to trap these political "adversaries" into a personal comment by mocking their posts?

That's the question.

[RichieLion]

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.

That's your opinion, and you have a right to it, absolutely.

The fact is that the TOTV forum is the only forum that is centered in The Villages, with Villages' posters talking about issues from the perspective of Villagers.

It's really that simple, and easy to understand.

[lovesports]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

But......But; who are the offenders??

Are they the people expressing views that some people don't like?

Or are they the "thin skinned" complainers who don't tolerate these opposing viewpoints and subsequently try to trap these political "adversaries" into a personal comment by mocking their posts?

That's the question.

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.

[lovesports]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

That's your opinion, and you have a right to it, absolutely.


It's really that simple, and easy to understand.

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...

[njbchbum]

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.

lovesports - i have read every post in this thread an do not recall a statement made by the admin as you post above.

now i know this thread has come a long way since post #1, but i would appreciate your giving me the post # of that statement that the admin posted. thanx

and as far as monitoring political, many worthwhile and well thought out suggestions have been made which the admin is free to consider - or not. many of us from political hope he will; and that he and the mods will develop a new direction for us.

ps - who are you to tell any of us what to do?

[njbchbum]

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...

lovesports - political was like a party, too. all were invited - but no one was required to come in or to stick around...attendance was not mandatory. we in political did have our moments, but we, like you and your partyin' friends discussed topics civily as well.

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by lovesports

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.

This is SO NOT TRUE. I know exactly how much it would cost to set up a board...$00. I've set these things up before, a common idiot could set one up in maybe 4-5 hours, I could probably do it in less than 2, but that would cut into my time being the self-appointed President of the Puppy Defense League.

The admin is making money off this thing, and he/she should. Hellooo, what do you think all the ads are? Getting the ads is time consuming, censorship (if you choose that route)is time consuming.

I enjoyed the political forum, was amazed at how bright many of the posters were and how appallingly stupid others were. The rest of this board is boorrring, what makes it boring is the censorship, but maybe that's what the vision is here, play nice, get along.

[njbchbum]

having stayed up way past when i should have put the lights out, i can say that i have reviewed all 292 posts and lovesports' claim that the admin posted "They clearly stated that they were sick of handing all the reports and nastiness on the political. It took them 24/7. CANNOT be found. rather, a similar post was made by fr ijusluvit "I can understand the moderator's concern that he/she has to monitor the political forum 24/7." [post#149 ]

the admin's posts can be found in political forum new thread post #1 and the villages general forum posts #157, #160. and there is a reference to an admin email to posh 08 in post #147.

now, granted, it is late for me - and if i missed the admin's statement i hope lovesports will advise me so that i might make amends. if the post is not there, i hope lovesports will apologize to the forum for posting incorrect information.

the admin does not have a simple decision to make, but it is one that i hope can be made soon so that we of the political forum can return to our debate and our exchange of political theory, political promises, political performance, and the political future that faces our country. it is important that we understand even if we never agree.

[Golfingnut]

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 think you are correct in your assessment.
Someone posted that they could set up a web site for the folks that want the board back in a few days for zero dollars. Please do that and Admin could direct folks that post anything political on TOTV to that web site. Everybody is happy. If the true intent of a political web site is to discuss political issues with no holds bared, I see that as a great fix. The very OPT IN OPT OUT option clearly indicates it should be a separate web site and not on TOTV.

IN MY OPINION:::: Americas Friendliest home town, The largest retirement community in the world, The Disneyland for Adults, The place where you see more smiles than the smiley face sticker factory etc. etc., should not sanction a forum that needs the WARNINGS: enter at your own risk, if you don't like it leave, if you can not take the heat get out of the kitchen etc. etc. Show those hazardous warnings to potential Villages retirees and you have their eyes bugged out. I hear comments about how negative, hateful, scary etc. that TOTV is at watering holes and on the golf course and I am convinced they are referring to the Political forum of TOTV and none of the many other forums. If you have an otherwise healthy vigorous body with a cancerous tumor growing on it, cut out the tumor and continue enjoying.

Added Note: I am very interested in Politics and if the P Board is reopened, I will be there, but I still feel it has a destructive influence on the rest of TOTV.

[chelsea24]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

I don't understand the reasoning of a good deal of these posts on this thread.

Under the original system, a large number of people got annoyed with the “passionate” banter of the political posts and bellyached until Tony decided, to keep the peace, he would institute an "opt in" to the Political Forum, so that if you didn't like the "heat" you could stay out of the "kitchen"; and you wouldn’t even have to see the “controversial” headlines when you clicked “New Posts”.

The only restrictions to the Political Forum were that you could not gratuitously insult another poster directly, and you couldn't post copywrited material without permission. You were otherwise free to debate as passionately in service to your ideals and views as you wished. That system was carried over with the new administration.

You don't like it?..........don't join, and don’t participate, and thus you have a custom made TOTV without a Political Forum to see. Case closed? Problem solved?

Nooooooo............people join, or opt in, and then continue to complain vehemently, over and over, about the "tone" of the political discussions. Discussions they have to "sign up" to see. It's the about the most ludicrous thing I've witnessed among otherwise level headed adults.

It’s like buying tickets to a prizefight and then complaining because the boxers are hitting each other too much, and too hard.

IMHO the Administration would have been better served to just have a ready “join at your own risk” reply to the naysayers of the Political Forum. Witness it and/or participate in it at your own choice or discretion.

For those that do join: “Don’t curse each other out, and don’t post copywrited material without permission”; period, end of the rules.

You can’t monitor people’s feelings. They have to monitor themselves. If you are “thin skinned” and otherwise don’t enjoy haven’t your views challenged to any extent, the Political Forum was probably not for you. Don’t join.

So now we have scads of members happy that free political speech is squelched because you drove the Administration crazy with endless complaints to the extent that they canceled the Political Forum to save their own sanity? Why; to what purpose does this injunction serve you?

I don't understand the reasoning of a good deal of these posts on this thread.

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.

[njbchbum]

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.

chelsea24 - thank you for your thoughts, your support and your post.

[Augie]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I think you are correct in your assessment.
Someone posted that they could set up a web site for the folks that want the board back in a few days for zero dollars. Please do that and Admin could direct folks that post anything political on TOTV to that web site. Everybody is happy. If the true intent of a political web site is to discuss political issues with no holds bared, I see that as a great fix. The very OPT IN OPT OUT option clearly indicates it should be a separate web site and not on TOTV.

IN MY OPINION:::: Americas Friendliest home town, The largest retirement community in the world, The Disneyland for Adults, The place where you see more smiles than the smiley face sticker factory etc. etc., should not sanction a forum that needs the WARNINGS: enter at your own risk, if you don't like it leave, if you can not take the heat get out of the kitchen etc. etc. Show those hazardous warnings to potential Villages retirees and you have their eyes bugged out. I hear comments about how negative, hateful, scary etc. that TOTV is at watering holes and on the golf course and I am convinced they are referring to the Political forum of TOTV and none of the many other forums. If you have an otherwise healthy vigorous body with a cancerous tumor growing on it, cut out the tumor and continue enjoying.

Added Note: I am very interested in Politics and if the P Board is reopened, I will be there, but I still feel it has a destructive influence on the rest of TOTV.

Can I get an AMEN? I certainly agree.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I think you are correct in your assessment.
Someone posted that they could set up a web site for the folks that want the board back in a few days for zero dollars. Please do that and Admin could direct folks that post anything political on TOTV to that web site. Everybody is happy. If the true intent of a political web site is to discuss political issues with no holds bared, I see that as a great fix. The very OPT IN OPT OUT option clearly indicates it should be a separate web site and not on TOTV.

IN MY OPINION:::: Americas Friendliest home town, The largest retirement community in the world, The Disneyland for Adults, The place where you see more smiles than the smiley face sticker factory etc. etc., should not sanction a forum that needs the WARNINGS: enter at your own risk, if you don't like it leave, if you can not take the heat get out of the kitchen etc. etc. Show those hazardous warnings to potential Villages retirees and you have their eyes bugged out. I hear comments about how negative, hateful, scary etc. that TOTV is at watering holes and on the golf course and I am convinced they are referring to the Political forum of TOTV and none of the many other forums. If you have an otherwise healthy vigorous body with a cancerous tumor growing on it, cut out the tumor and continue enjoying.

Added Note: I am very interested in Politics and if the P Board is reopened, I will be there, but I still feel it has a destructive influence on the rest of TOTV.

Originally Posted by Augie

Can I get an AMEN? I certainly agree.

augie - you are one of the totv members who is least vocal and who never participated in the discussions of the political forum...may i ask you to please explain your position/opinion that you express now with an amen to golfingnut's post?

i have yet to see an answer from other posters who hold similar opinions having never participated in political. on what is your opinion based, hearsay?

[ceejay]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

augie - you are one of the totv members who is least vocal and who never participated in the discussions of the political forum...may i ask you to please explain your position/opinion that you express now with an amen to golfingnut's post?

i have yet to see an answer from other posters who hold similar opinions having never participated in political. on what is your opinion based, hearsay?

Another reincarnate...as is the poster he is responding to (who has fully admitted it).

[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.