I think we should initiate a moratorium on the Political Thread. I think the thread is out of hand and can only lead to damaged friendships. It is plain to see that members cannot or will not hold back their rhetoric and vitriol. Members are now cutting and pasting page long tirades. If one were to look up the word forum the meanings given would be discussion, debate and roundtable. We are now bordering on attacks on members for their beliefs. Members are being sarcastic to each other. I feel the Administrators should close down the forum for a one month period and let things cool down. If I am over ruled, at least I can say I tried to do something to stop the madness.... JohnnyM

I agree with Johnny.

I usually just ignore the political thread, but I think its out of control and when we start calling our "neighbors" names, there is NOTHING to benefit from that. We're also not going to change anyone's mind, so its a useless waste of time and not what I want from my fellow villagers.

Cut the thread, for now, until after the elections. OR, Folks, let's behave with human kindness and let the votes decide... What's say?? Wanna give it a try?

That's the reason I NEVER read or look at it.

I don't read it.

some people love to argue

I so agree with Kathie and John and Johnny and rhoffer. I am so disappointed at a side of people that I see on the forum. I can't believe that it is a form of patriotism. It is just plain ugly.

This is the ONLY time I have replied to a "political" thread. Perhaps, because it isn't exactly one. Thanks JohnnyM.

Those who wrote that they never read them have the right idea for themselves. There are others, however, who get a charge out of them (not me that's for sure). I doubt that as long as these threads are permitted on this forum they will cease to exist. Just as those who like movies, sports, music, etc post, those who wish to discuss politics will do so, too. Let's hope that a thread on why one's religion is the best or another's is not does not start.
Excuse me now; signing off to go to church. bye

I don't read it and probably never will, although occasionally I will see a topic on the front page that interests me and I get there without realizing.
Why even bother TALKING about staying away form it? Just stay away.

I am hoping that the new and improved version of the Forum software that TalkHost announced will include some customizable filtering features.... e.g. each member can select forum areas or individual member posts that they wish to ignore.

I, too, try to ignore the political posts and most certainly very rarely ever respond to them. Our national politics have become so polarizing in us vs them, red vs blue, liberal vs conservative, etc conflicts. Unfortunately, these political conflicts spill over and turn into personal conflicts and attacks on people who otherwise are or could be good friends.

All that being said, a moratorium seems like a suppression of free speech, something most of us would discourage. Better yet, ignore political or if you choose to participate please re-read your posts before hitting SAVE and try to smooth out the rough edges and remove personal attacks of both TOTV members and the candidates. It's all about the Issues.

On the other hand, it's a beautiful morning in The Villages and a great day to be alive and enjoying the good life.

You are right 07 It is a beautiful day in TV's!!! Hoping the rain will hold for a little longer!

AS for Johnny's post...fine....I will give it a try. However I will say the one good thing that has come out of this forum. I was never involved much....nor did I care much about politics....
This forum TOTV's has brought to light so much....whether true or not...that it has made me become more aware of what is going on in our country. Certainly I knew about the war...and several other issues, but I never really took the time to educate myself about a lot of them. I heard the news and typically took it for truth.

So Johnny....as you said in a previous post that it would be shameful for people not to vote....well my friend I am now registered to vote here in FL and will be voting in the presidential elections this year for the first time in many, many years.

so while I can not stand how nasty people have been and I know I have voiced my opinion as well...I have opened my eyes and heart to a new mind set. I will educate myself this year....listen to the debates....and VOTE for my choice.....

Thanks Johnny for this thread...but I also wanted to let you know that there is one more voter in the world!

I'm new, but I ventured over there.
Neighbors are just unbelievably mean spirited there. not everyone, some post intelligent, balanced, thought provoking posts.....but some are rabidly attacking others. It shows a side of The Villages I hoped and never thought existed.

I don't know what the answer is, but I'm a moderator on another BIG forum, and we there have a "Terms of Service". It outlines common sense rules. If someone violates those rules, Mods can delete a post, delete a thread, close a thread for a time, violate the poster and "ban" then for so many days, or even permanently.
Yes, it has the result of being a bit less free, but every river needs banks or else you have a flood. Some people just cannot "play by the rules", and sadly must be policed for the betterment of all.

It is amazing how some can be so bold and rude hiding behind a monitor...they (I think) would never be that way face to face.

With most here actually knowing each other and being neighbors, it adds even MORE concern.

Do you have "Mods" here ??

Frank D.

Frank you seem a gentle soul, and for that I commend you. Because of that I also don't want you to have wrong impressions of The Villages.

1st...TOTV is not The Villages.
Many who contribute to this Forum live in TV, but I would venture to guess that
there are more wanna-be's than residents. I would also bet that there are several
who will never move to The Villages and just like to stir things up on whatever forum
they visit.

2nd... I believe that the membership size of this forum is only about a 1/16th of the
population of TV...(and remember there are many who don't live in TV at all). Of
that 1/16th who belong to this (Club) there are probably only about 1 -2% that
post regularly.

My point ... you can not judge The Villages by a few ornery opinionated people anymore than you can by the rose colored glasses of those who have drunk the Koolaid.
Now I respect you enough to know that you know that.

I am also going to assume that you and everyone else knows that anywhere in the world when you talk religion or politics there is war. Literally!

Mankind's innate need to be right is one of mankind's biggest downfall's. It closes minds, opens mouths to hurtful words, devastates families and ravages countries. Why would it be any different here? If you are going to have a political forum it is going to be ugly at times...maybe most of the time. Same thing if we had a religious forum. People just want to be right and the less they know the more they slander.

My last last opinion...I think our Admin's do a great job. I would not vote for censorship, I would however vote twice for "maturity". Funny how that is not necessarily a guarantee in the aging process.

I do have one request...perhaps the new posts as listed on the Home page could have one more identifier besides the Topic headline. Maybe the Forum that it is in could also be identified.

I know I am amazed that I have been posting in the political forum, but I keep thinking I am going to learn something from the accumulated wisdom of the members. So far it has been pretty slim pickin's.

Excellent post Susan.

Susan&Tom, well said. We don't need censorship. What we need is a little more empathy and concern for our fellow neighbors. Not just our neighbors in TV, our neighbors in a much broader sense. Let's try to show our neighbors from across our country and perhaps across the world that we can be civil to each other even in the face of controversy. Surly we can all agree to disagree and walk away friends. I would vote, not to close this thread. I would also ask anyone who posts to this thread to check their information. Too much of what is being posted are just out and out lies and half truths. Do your homework, and let's play nice.

I only posted once in there and haven't really followed it. It is very easy to ignore, I just don't go there. I say leave it open and let people hang themselves. If they want to make enemies then so be it. If it were a true friendship, as opposed to just a Forum friendship, then it would never happen.

When I get down there I'll find out soon enough when I talk with people, play golf with them etc. what type of person they are. If they are 'my type' then we will become friends. We can't be real friends with everyone! But we can be civil towards one another and respect each other - even on a Forum.

I am sure some of you will be delighted that I choose not to post in The Political Forum at this time. This is an extremely heated campaign and as said by others, and I've said myself, we're not going to change each others minds.

With that said, I do not agree with censorship of this nature. That's just wrong and quite frankly, un-American. (Not speaking to you directly Johnny because your great love of our country is evident.)

As Susan points out, many of these people do not live in The Villages. They may be wannabe's, but that has yet to happen and may not happen at all.

I never discuss politics in a social gathering, EVER, or religion for that matter. Just my own rule of thumb. My personal friends are not chosen by the candidate or party they are affiliated with. I agree with Russ's comment about True Friendship versus Forum Friendship.

So, I am asking the admins to leave up the Political Forum strictly on the stand of Freedom of Speech, and I am also asking the people on BOTH sides of the political aisle to take the "higher road".