[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Advogado

I wholeheartedly agree with you and totally disagree with the ban on political discussions or references.

Few issues of any significance can be discussed without some "politics" working its way into the discussion. Unless TOV is content to be relegated to a meaningless bit of fluff-- discussing only issues such as parades, favorite beaches, and dog poop on lawns, I would say bring back the political forum and let political references creep into other areas, where relevant. When was the last time anybody came up to you and said, "Hey, you won't believe what I saw on Talk of the Villages"?

If one wonders why such a tiny percentage of Villagers log in to TOV and why a handful of members seem to be responsible for the majority of the posts, I think the answer is because TOV is generally boring and very seldom discusses anything of real significance. My suggestion to the administrator: Don't be so sensitive about somebody's possibly getting upset because somebody else disagrees with him or her. Liven up TOV. Allow discussions of politics and other controversial topics and let the chips fall wear they may. Just keep the discussion civil by not allowing personal attacks on other members.

you are right and this is not the first time these suggestions and disappointments about removing the political forum had been expressed.

Hurt feelings or resentment issues can be managed. simply stated by TOTV itself. Address the contents of the post not the poster. For those offenders boot them out. By what happen to stick and stones will break my bones but names ill never hurt me?

[Chi-Town]

We've all been told to not discuss religion and politics at social gatherings. TOTV is a social gathering and as such it's more like a neighborhood party. Lots of things are discussed and interesting topics are part of the discourse. Throw in one or two party goers who want to pull politics into the mix and the whole atmosphere changes.

That's why a political forum would be most beneficial; it would provide an outlet for those sidebar conversations.

[Xavier]

[tomwed]

Why not set up your own political forum for Villagers to join? It's free and easy and you decide who can join and who to exclude. I'm guessing you would exclude non-villagers.

I set up a yahoo groups site for 2 different groups. It wasn't hard. Neither one worked out because no one wanted to join. Not everyone wants or needs to chat online. I like TOTV because at least for now, I live alone and this takes the place of conversation when I'm alone. It's like a faculty room [sorry, ex-teacher] that I can always visit.

I belong to 2 Village yahoo groups that have worked out and they are very old. One is for birding and one is photography. They are wonderful.


It's easy to do click here to learn more about yahoo groups and click here to watch a video about starting your own political forum yahoo group.

[justjim]

If I remember correctly, the political forum was closed during the Presidental election year. I think it just got too time consuming for the moderator and the adminstrator. The emotions and opinions of TOTV posters ran completely off the charts. All the negative ads run by both political parties tends to create negative opinion by the electorate IMHO.

Unfortunately, some people can't agree to disagree and then move on. We need more of the electorate and politicians who take more of a compromise and middle of the road approach. Dwight Eisenhower probably said it best. "I despise people who go to the gutter on either the right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center.".

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by justjim

If I remember correctly, the political forum was closed during the Presidental election year. I think it just got too time consuming for the moderator and the adminstrator. The emotions and opinions of TOTV posters ran completely off the charts. All the negative ads run by both political parties tends to create negative opinion by the electorate IMHO.

Unfortunately, some people can't agree to disagree and then move on. We need more of the electorate and politicians who take more of a compromise and middle of the road approach. Dwight Eisenhower probably said it best. "I despise people who go to the gutter on either the right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center.".

You captured and articulated my sentiments precisely. Thanks Jim!

[B767drvr]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Say what you will about the network news and traditional print media, they usually try, tried, to report the facts and let the consumer make up their minds (aside from columnists and editorials, which were usually clear in their slant).

That's one of the funniest things I've read in a l-o-n-g time! Good one!

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

That's one of the funniest things I've read in a l-o-n-g time! Good one!

Glad I could provide you with a laugh. Let me guess.....you think Fox News is fair and balanced - right?

[B767drvr]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Glad I could provide you with a laugh. Let me guess.....you think Fox News is fair and balanced - right?

One group of folks believes in relying on your neighbor (gov't) and the other group believes in being self-reliant. 81% of journalists polled align themselves with relying on their neighbors. There's really no dispute. Simple statistical fact.

Merry Christmas to your neighbors... and you!

PS Eric, you really should pray for your neighbors health, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because they help so many!

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

One group of folks believes in relying on your neighbor (gov't) and the other group believes in being self-reliant. 81% of journalists polled align themselves with relying on their neighbors. There's really no dispute. Simple statistical fact.

Merry Christmas to your neighbors... and you!

Another painter with a VERY broad brush.

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

One group of folks believes in relying on your neighbor (gov't) and the other group believes in being self-reliant. 81% of journalists polled align themselves with relying on their neighbors. There's really no dispute. Simple statistical fact.

Merry Christmas to your neighbors... and you!

One group says that they want to be self reliant and not rely on government, but they don't want to give up Social Security, Medicare, driving on the Interstate Highway System, the FDIC. Remember how nice the GI Bill was? How helpful FHA loans were? The Consumer Products Safety Commission? The CDC? The list goes on.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

One group says that they want to be self reliant and not rely on government, but they don't want to give up Social Security, Medicare, driving on the Interstate Highway System, the FDIC. Remember how nice the GI Bill was? How helpful FHA loans were? The Consumer Products Safety Commission? The CDC? The list goes on.

Many would say that it's more a matter of degree.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by Advogado

I wholeheartedly agree with you and totally disagree with the ban on political discussions or references.

Few issues of any significance can be discussed without some "politics" working its way into the discussion. Unless TOV is content to be relegated to a meaningless bit of fluff-- discussing only issues such as parades, favorite beaches, and dog poop on lawns, I would say bring back the political forum and let political references creep into other areas, where relevant. When was the last time anybody came up to you and said, "Hey, you won't believe what I saw on Talk of the Villages"?

If one wonders why such a tiny percentage of Villagers log in to TOV and why a handful of members seem to be responsible for the majority of the posts, I think the answer is because TOV is generally boring and very seldom discusses anything of real significance. My suggestion to the administrator: Don't be so sensitive about somebody's possibly getting upset because somebody else disagrees with him or her. Liven up TOV. Allow discussions of politics and other controversial topics and let the chips fall where they may. Just keep the discussion civil by not allowing personal attacks on other members.

This is rifle-shot, spot on ...

Someone said in an earlier post they can readily tell a poster's political leanings. I agree with that. What's interesting is, by reviewing the posts in this thread, most people from across the spectrum seem to be agreeing with the idea of having some type (details TBD) of a moderated political forum where people can discuss things that truly matter. This is actually a non-religious miracle of sorts ... a consensus.

From a business model viewpoint, I also fail to understand why "boring" is a clever marketing strategy for TOTV. I can see the point of not allowing politics to intrude onto discussion threads relating to "...parades, favorite beaches, and dog poop on lawns," as that would be intrusive and not-applicable. But, this is all the more reason to have a political forum. The excuse of not wanting people's feelings to be hurt no longer applies because, with a political forum, that's where the political comments will end up. Thus, if someone has tender feelings, don't go to the forum. Pretty simple, plus it also diversifies and spices up the market appeal of TOTV, something we would presumably all want (ie a more financially successful TOTV to be precise)

One other note ... the moderator's reasoning and timing on closing threads for being too political sometimes seems, at least to me, opaque. It’s a difficult job in some cases. But, the recent thread on interrogations and the Senate report did not have any postings for several days ... ie dormant and then all of a sudden Admin says it had to be closed for becoming too political. What?? Maybe if they were able to focus resources on a political forum, they would find this job easier to do and more efficient … ie by not having to police the entire TOTV board or whatever.

[B767drvr]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Many would say that it's more a matter of degree.

Exactly Polar Bear. IF the free-loaders and the load-bearing can't agree, then NO new program! Unfortunately, there are (predictably) more "reliant on their neighbors" than producers!

I truly don't understand the fear and incapacitation that many in the "rely on their neighbor" crowd feel. I do understand it's real. It must be scary.

From early childhood, I was always the "Alex P. Keaton" in a liberal upbringing (nurse and doctor parents). Rugged individualism always appealed to me and always seemed natural, not something to fear.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Glad I could provide you with a laugh. Let me guess.....you think Fox News is fair and balanced - right?

Please read my post above. Somebody is incredulous and fires a shot. Someone invades someone else's values with their values. Then comes back a zinger. THAT IS NOT DEBATE. I know. I do it myself.

And on the subject of Fox News. Is Fox News still the most watched 24 hour network? If only, if only someone would report the news and stop telling us what to think or what they think. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/category/cable-news/

I so dislike hearing a speech from the president and then having commentators from ALL three major networks tell me what he said.

AND I agree with Polar Bear as I often do. In my opinion... It is a matter of degree.