[Talk Host]

Since it was considered, by some, to be a gray area, I moved my thread on terrorism and profiling to the political forum. However, I am still not clear on why it was thought to be a discussion of political parties.

My partners and I created the "political forum" for discussion of party politics. Not as a repository for all matters pertaining to world affairs. Every day, there are hundreds of issues that, in some way or another, touch on government, but are important to our social responsibilities. That's why there is a "Non Villages Discussion" forum.

There are many issues that transcend politics. I think this is one of them. As Billethekid pointed out, "political correctness" is not politics.

So, since this topic had to do with government policies and was thought to be political, so should discussions of:

Social Security
taxes
improving the educational system
dealing with the economy
protecting the environment
creating jobs
improving America's image abroad
Health care
Immigration

Our local homeowners associations in The Villages are governmental bodies and set policy for us all the time. Would their rules and covenant enforcement, since they are policy, be considered political too?

I think that they become political when one side or the other pins the theme on the actions of a political or philosophical leaning. It's easy to make is political. All you have to say is "those damned democrats/republicans/tea partiers. One of the reasons the political forum was created is because there are people who cannot control themselves.

I'm thinking that there needs to be an other subscription forum: "World Affairs."

BTW, It could be said that this thread, too, belongs in the political forum.

JLK

[mulligan]

I agree 100% with your assesment of political issues. It would be a stretch, but almost anything we as members discuss could in some way be considered political. In the interest of keeping the conversation as open as possible, I would support your continuing discretion and good judgement (IMHO), and reserve political to party politics, and not all topics involving government intervention of some sort.

[l2ridehd]

I also agree with your assessment. Terrorism is not a political topic but one of safety and security. The problem is that it can very easily deteriorate into a political discussion. It goes back to the age old belief that the worst member of my party is head and shoulders above the best person in the other party. A very stupid and naive way of looking at things but nevertheless believed my most avid party supporters. When you see politicians re-elected while sitting in prison, or caught with "cold cash" or a smoking gun, you have to realize that really x*&#@*^ are still allowed to vote.

[RichieLion]

I've "crossed the line" myself on occasion, and have had a post moved to political in the past, but sometimes it's hard not to.

If, as you suggest, you're discussing Social Security which is a concern to many in TV and the subject of the freeze on COLA is brought up. We can discuss "our feelings" on this aspect of the subject until the cows come home, but if I were to mention that a certain Representative/Politician is in favor of implementing a COLA and we should write him letters of encouragement to show our support for his proposed bill, does that now make it a political post?

It's hard to discuss world affairs and speculate on possible proposals or outcomes without mentioning our governmental representatives who will have a hand in the practical application of any action.

All we can do is bitch and moan and wish that someone would do "something". If we have knowledge of a representative who is of our mindset, we must not mention him or we've become "political".

[billethkid]

or rebutal or challenges constitute being qualified for political....I still don't understand the reasoning by some that the political forum is for disagreements.

I think TOTV admin is managing the situation as well as can be expected with so many varying participants vues on any given subject.

There is no way to please everybody and they have a daunting task in that regard.

These are the sole opinions of one who frequents the differing forums for the opportunities to gain/exchange information...not character categorization!!

btk

[EdV]

We may be seeing the root of the issue here.

If I am interpreting TH’s post here and in the other thread correctly, his intent for the political forum was for any discussion that was started or drifted along party lines.

My understanding of the political forum was that it was for discussions about how our government was running the country. The intent of the thread in question was not so much about terrorism and how despicable it is but more about how our government is dealing with it and whether or not racial profiling is an appropriate measure to take.

[Pturner]

I also was not aware that the TOTV definition of political is if one of the political parties is mentioned. Who knew?

To be honest, I thought it was more like Potter Stewart's definition of pornography. To be honest, I wish it were-- with the admins being the "deciders".

I say that because I would not be surprised now to see some of the Poli-Thread regulars trying to retest the boundaries; and as a result, TOTV non-subscription discussions becoming mean-spirited spit-fests as oft found in Poli Thread.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I also was not aware that the TOTV definition of political is if one of the political parties is mentioned. Who knew?

To be honest, I thought it was more like Potter Stewart's definition of pornography. To be honest, I wish it were-- with the admins being the "deciders".

I say that because I would not be surprised now to see some of the Poli-Thread regulars trying to retest the boundaries; and as a result, TOTV non-subscription discussions becoming mean-spirited spit-fests as oft found in Poli Thread.

What is the demographic that owners of TOTV would like to concentrate on? Is it the people who might be looking for contractors, services and advice? Are they the people that found this little piece of paradise and are anxious to get started on a life that has fewer of life's miseries than they sometimes found in their pre-retirement years? What would draw advertisers to use TOTV to reach potential customers. I seriously don't think that a serious business person is looking for the negative side of everything to improve his lot in business. I find it very hard to believe that TOTV hasn't grown in a more positive spreadsheet kind of way since they took action to sweeten the environment of the forums.

I honestly believe that testing has been going on for the past few months. It's pretty easy to pick out. All one has to do is look for the 6 to 10 posters in Political and look back to see if they haven't been pushing the borders a bit. I think the theory may be that if they keep the push on a bit that the Administrators will just let a few slip by every now and then and eventually not pay much attention at all.

I do believe that there can be serious discussion about non-political topics of interest to everyone without getting into the biases, bigotry, hate mongering that often followed before the Political Forum was a membership only area. You could profile the posters! That was meant to be humor. I think.

Xavier

[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by Xavier

What is the demographic that owners of TOTV would like to concentrate on? Is it the people who might be looking for contractors, services and advice? Are they the people that found this little piece of paradise and are anxious to get started on a life that has fewer of life's miseries than they sometimes found in their pre-retirement years? What would draw advertisers to use TOTV to reach potential customers. I seriously don't think that a serious business person is looking for the negative side of everything to improve his lot in business. I find it very hard to believe that TOTV hasn't grown in a more positive spreadsheet kind of way since they took action to sweeten the environment of the forums.

I honestly believe that testing has been going on for the past few months. It's pretty easy to pick out. All one has to do is look for the 6 to 10 posters in Political and look back to see if they haven't been pushing the borders a bit. I think the theory may be that if they keep the push on a bit that the Administrators will just let a few slip by every now and then and eventually not pay much attention at all.

I do believe that there can be serious discussion about non-political topics of interest to everyone without getting into the biases, bigotry, hate mongering that often followed before the Political Forum was a membership only area. You could profile the posters! That was meant to be humor. I think.

Xavier

If I were you, I would avoid trying to cubbyhole people. Most people who post on this blog are pretty well-rounded with opinions in many areas, and expertise on topics that other posters might have less knowledge of.

Some people cannot seem to hear an opinion that differs from their own, in a rebuttal, without feeling they've been marginalized and disrespected. It would be very tiring to constantly try to qualify a statement so as to attempt not to offend the easily offended.

A serious discussion about any topic that attracts diverse ideas is bound to be a little contentious, at times, by definition. The trick is to get what you can out of the conversation without calling the person who has the differing opinion a "bigot" or a "hate-monger" or any other unfair epithet because of a disagreement on that issue and thereby turning the discussion into a personal conflict.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

If I were you, I would avoid trying to cubbyhole people. Most people who post on this blog are pretty well-rounded with opinions in many areas, and expertise on topics that other posters might have less knowledge of.

Some people cannot seem to hear an opinion that differs from their own, in a rebuttal, without feeling they've been marginalized and disrespected. It would be very tiring to constantly try to qualify a statement so as to attempt not to offend the easily offended.

A serious discussion about any topic that attracts diverse ideas is bound to be a little contentious, at times, by definition. The trick is to get what you can out of the conversation without calling the person who has the differing opinion a "bigot" or a "hate-monger" or any other unfair epithet because of a disagreement on that issue and thereby turning the discussion into a personal conflict.

I'm sorry Richie, did you think I was somehow referring to you? My quote was of Pturner's post. Sorry you got mixed up. You did notice that in the last paragraph I was talking about a time before the Political Formum was made membership only?

Xavier

[brostholder]

What frightens me is how polarized we have become as a society. I feel the post about profiling is a legitimate topic for debate among adults and does not belong in the political forum unless it devolves into and exchange that often sounds something like this: "you conservatives want a police state where we give up our rights" and answered by "well, you bleeding heart liberals want to search grandmothers and babies just so we don't offend anyone." We have become so rigid, that we cannot see any worth at all in the other sides argument. I have full faith that the people in TV could have had this discussion on profiling in it's original forum, and that the moderator would have warned anyone who would make it political. I also think that the discussion it birthed, which is whether or not it should be moved to political should have proceeded with a more civil tone.

[billethkid]

According, once again to the beholder. And some beholders have a pretty vivid imagination.
There must be a perceived bounty for testing the limits? Pushing the threshold?

I suppose the thread posted by the TH could be viewed as "pushing the limit" or testing the boundries. NOT!

btk

[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by Xavier

I'm sorry Richie, did you think I was somehow referring to you? My quote was of Pturner's post. Sorry you got mixed up. You did notice that in the last paragraph I was talking about a time before the Political Formum was made membership only?

Xavier

I'm sure I'm not mixed up. You mentioned 6 to 10 posters, and from a previous post of yours in a different thread you've made your point very plain. I have also been a member of this blog longer than you have officially, and was a lurker from up north long before that, so I'm well aware of the blogs changes.

[Talk Host]

Advertisers are more interested in the number of times that people see their ad, not necessarily that the posters might be mad at the TSA or are in favor of profiling.

BTW, very little slips by Tony. He knows everything that is going on on this forum.

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Advertisers are more interested in the number of times that people see their ad, not necessarily that the posters might be mad at the TSA or are in favor of profiling.

BTW, very little slips by Tony. He knows everything that is going on on this forum.

I also know that you get a whole bunch of people posting, thereby viewing ads, when the topic is just a little controversial. As I pointed out previously, I believe your visiting numbers have improved significantly since you and your partners made the Political Area membership only. That successful attempt to improve the tone of the topics and posts made TOTV so much friendlier. I would hazard a guess that most visitors really don't come here for the bawdier back and forth that used to be in full view right in the middle of everything. Just my observations and opinion. As some other poster says, "I could be wrong!"

Oh, I know that Tony is forever vigil. I no longer post in larger print and in colors because of his strong suggestion that people may think I'm yelling at them! He may be out shoveling and pushing snow a lot. I see they've been getting blasted! Randolph has had over 6 foot of snow in December and that's not too far east of him in NY State.

Xavier