That is absolute BS. Because a few people think that they should have total control of all threads and that they have some god-given right not to be offended, a thread is locked with no notice. How many had composed responses, possibly even well written and pertinent, only to have them disappear when they hit the post button?

Politics is a contact game. Everybody just wants to get along. like Rodney King, but when the Speaker say "If Bush is for it, we're against it.", how do you compromise?

If one cannot discuss the many vagueries of politics, then it's best he or she hide under a rock or bury his head in the sand. You may not like it, but politics impacts every aspect of your life.

Muncle, I am completely with you on this one. (side note: hope you're feeling better)

Let's hope they don't lock this one. chels

Although I don't condone mean spirited posts in the Political Forum, I'm afraid it's a way of life or the nature of the beast. If one can't stand the heat then get out of the fire, I say. If one doesn't like the television program, they invented switches that turn off as well as on.

Censorship is OK when vulgarities are rampant but to censor a political forum for the reason that it's getting heated is over the top in my opinion. I'm well aware of the censorship that goes on in TOTV, I have been deleted more than once, and threatened to be banned. Lets see if this post flies

Handie :joke:

Originally Posted by Muncle

That is absolute BS. Because a few people think that they should have total control of all threads and that they have some god-given right not to be offended, a thread is locked with no notice.

I agree with Muncle, Chels and Handie. I don't like censorship in any form. Although I rarely post on political, I believe the Political Forum fulfils a useful purpose and helps to educate a lot of us.

People are offended at comments and therefore want to stifle the free speech of others who may well have something very valid to say, or a fresh viewpoint. If you don't like reading Political Threads, in the words of Russ Boston, "It is very easy to ignore, just don't go there".

IMHO...this may be a case of restricting our rights to freedom of speech. If true, this would be a case for legal litigation.

just curious, who is the heavy handed one that decided censorship is ok?

One of the administrators...either Talk Host (Jan), Tony, or dklassen (Darrel).

I've been told that since this is a privately owned forum freedom of speech doesn't apply because all of us are "invited" guests. I was also told freedom of speech only applies to public forums..."Only in a public forum are you protected by the first amendment."

So there it is in a nutshell....according to one of the administrators!

somehow not suprised at that attitude.

funny though, don't these very "guests" essentially make the forum?

In this instance, I think freedom of speech is a concept, not a legal issue.

I don't believe adults should be censored or sent for a Time Out, or to the "Naughty Room" , because someone objects to a post or a thread. The person objecting can move on with one key stroke.

If there is no interest in a thread, it will die a natural death. If peeps are having fun with it, why not let them?

Hmmm...not sure what the indignation is about. As best as I can reconstruct...

A topic/thread was begun in General Villages Forum regarding a suggestion for moratorium on political posting. That led to a number of replies, many of which ventured into political and freedom of speech issues.

Admin (Jan/Talk Host) decided to lock THAT thread in THAT forum before it unravelled and degraded any further and he moved some of the hijack spinoffs to the rightful political forum. Admins have locked controversial threads before to preserve the peace. It's never an easy call and I'm sure they do their best.

Perhaps the subject line of his 'moved' post led to misinterpretation. It's not like the admins have locked the entire Political forum...is that what y'all think happened? As far as I can tell, it's business as usual.

Did I miss something here???

well stated barefoot. seems pretty darn logical when you look at it with that perspective.

Originally Posted by villages07

Hmmm...not sure what the indignation is about.

Seven, there was a post by JohnnyM suggesting that there be a moratorium on the political thread, and that the political forum be closed down for one month. I think the comments pertain to his suggestion.

It was MOVED, not locked where you can no longer post. CHILL! Go to political and find it there. I think that is where the moratorium thread should have been to begin with (not really a General Villages discussion about The Villages, right?) and agree with the adm. moving it there. NO BIG DEAL!! I don't post there, but do find it entertaining reading, to say the least!! LOL PEACE!!

Originally Posted by serenityseeker

somehow not suprised at that attitude.

What exactly do you mean by that. We have 79673 Posts in 8404 threads on Talk of The Villages, and the administrators have "locked" threads two, maybe three, times in the past three years. We have given the members more latitude than most forums do. We stay out of discussions more than most administrators do. This forum is privately owned by the three administrators with an investment that exceeds $10,000. Anything that compromises the integrity of our investment needs to be controlled.

I see that you have been a member since May and have 22 posts. I suggest that you check with our "veteran" members and learn that the "attitude" of your administrators here is one of extreme patients. At least we try. Our job is to keep the peace. Anything short of that leads to anarchy.