Political Threads !!! Do they really suck ?

TAPPY · 03-21-2007

If I knew how to do a poll I would.

How do you feel about them ?

(and please try to just state your own opinion and dont bash any one else)

Hate them, love them, could care less, secretly read them and laugh at all the rightous indignation going on !!

Do you think political threads add value to this forum ?

Do they cause you to have ill feelings towards other posters ?

Have they ever turned you off that you had to just "take a break" from the forum for a few days (weeks) ?

Do you learn something from them and consider them informative debates ?

Do you think that some peeps go over the edge and need a spanking ?

Do you think they are started just to stir things up on the forum or to bash a certain country, group, or belief system ?

Just curious as to what other peeps think. I think there have been a few lately that were started with the intent to just stir things up (my opinion) and that sucks. A good debate is always fun - but lately it seems the politcal threads have a bitter personal edge to them.

Doggiemom · 03-21-2007

I think they go over the edge sometimes, are started sometimes just to stir things up, they get too heated sometimes (ok, alot, IMHO) and leads to peep bashing.....most of all, I don't care! I will read the first post and that's about it!

NorthMinnesota · 03-21-2007

Usually don't bother to even read them!

lolabella · 03-21-2007

I tend to stay away from them, but sometimes the curiosity gets the best of me and I'll wander over to see why a thread has 20 plus pages or more. And then I wished I would have stayed away.

I cringe sometimes at the total lack of respect that some posters have towards other. It's the 'I'm right and your wrong' mentality that gets me. As well as the name-calling.

And yes, I do form opinions about others. I could totally agree with what a poster is saying, but if it's done in a manner that is disrespectful, then I form a negative opinion about that poster.

I like the Weekday Party Threads, the Girlie Girl Threads, the Trip Reports and so on. I'm on this board for entertainment purposes, not to be educated on someone else's politics. So, I guess that is where I'll stay.

JoanieBlon · 03-21-2007

I avoid reading political threads. That being said, if people here want to get on soap boxes and argue with one another, fine. I just don't care to read this type of information. I come to this forum to "get away" from "real world" things that I constantly hear on radio and TV.

Brent & Kim · 03-21-2007

There very popular and alot of fun. To many are on the defensive if their posts are contridicted or challenged. It all in fun! BTW, it hard to understand what a peep means by their post, but if they would put a smiley or frown after the text, at least we know what their intent was.

Thor Henning · 03-21-2007

I like the political threads. They are lots of fun, and I learn a lot about other people's meanings and ways of thinking. The most important content on this forum for me is Playa, but I enjoy the General Off-topic Stuff and the political threads. I don't like name calling, but we all should tolerate that others have different meanings than we have over selves.

jamesblonde · 03-21-2007

I log on to the forum for fun and entertainment. The political threads, while being informative, just don't do it for me. But that's just me.

Jimmy-James · 03-21-2007

There's some serious political bullies in this forum. I don't mind talking politics with people who have an open mind and really listen to eachother, but there's a lot of closed minded self-righteous (on both sides) "I'm right and if you don't agree with me you're obviously an idiot" types on this forum. It mirrors alot of the partisan politics taking place in D.C. right now that I can't stand.

Not exactly conducive to a free exchange of ideas and thoughts so for the most part I try to stay out of the political threads but I do get baited from time to time.

Rissask · 03-21-2007

I like them.

I really have never been much for small talk or girl talk...certainly not sports talk

....I like talking about movies and books, current events and politics and world news much more, I just find it more interesting.

I like to hear others' point of view even though I don't usually change my mind, but I have...although I think a lot of the threads just rehash the same old tired arguments, I do think there has been instances where people have changed their opinions on things.

It might be coincidence but I have become more middle of the road since I came here, I started off as a raving liberal. So maybe Mark and others have had an influence on me, more than I thought.

I don't get hurt or upset if people disagree with me, whatever...I might rip a cyber strip off someone and then retreat a bit to lick my wounds, but I am back right away.
I have never taken a 'break' from the forum that was related to anything negative.

I think people who do get hurt feelings should stay far away from political threads, if you know you are sensitive, don't put yourself in a position where you are going to get worked up, it's pretty simple.

I don't think I am INsensitive, exactly, I am just tougher than some maybe, I don't get mad if someone doesn't agree with me, we can't all agree on everything after all, how boring would that be?

To me this is a fun place to hang out but my real friends are IRL, you know?

I like the variety of this forum, if the 'interesting' threads disappeared, I would likely leave. I think it's good to have a well rounded selection of topics in the Off Topic board...people can open what they want and leave the rest. It irks me a little when people go in and post in a political thread complaints about the goings-on...I don't go into a basketball thread and complain how dumb it is.

I have been on many message boards and this one beats them all for having the lowest number of trolls and very few people who really make it not a nice place to be. And if someone 'needs a spanking' once in a while, well, usually they get one!

And so what, that's life!
I don't believe in censorship, if someone bothers you, there is a green dot for that. Some have managed to ignore me quite nicely, and we are all happy.

The people here have differing views, that is a good thing, it reflects real life.
We have oddballs and bigots and right wingers and lefties....moms and dads and childfree people and singles and gays....blacks and whites and.... well, okay mostly WASPS, but that is to be expected

....atheists and believers....etc.

It's all good.

Ginger · 03-21-2007

Yah!! What Riss said!!

and what thor said

I don't take part in the political threads all the time, not because I dont have strong opinions (which I certainly do!) but because I don't feel sufficiently armed with knowledge to debate. However I quite enjoy reading them. And I learn A LOT. Sure, the name calling that happens can be a little bit of a turn off, but it's a written text area of life and so its so much easier to let off an insult than in real life, it's going to happen of course.
I'm a lifetime member of the "if you don't like it, don't do it" club. Don't read the political threads if you don't like them, but don't complain either. Just move on.

Eileenintex · 03-21-2007

I don't usually bother to read them. While I consider myself open minded, I just don't enjoy the directions they tend to go. JMHO

**SunKneeMarie** · 03-21-2007

I read through some of them, even though I don't really ever post on them. I have learned quite a bit from them. Some informative things about the issues... and some informative things about the posters. I agree with Lollabella when she said that sometimes a bad impression is formed by reading how a person presents their point, especially if it's at the expense of another poster's feelings. There are various ways to say everything--some people go out of their way to take the shot at the poster, rather than sticking to the issues.

And those people that are just flat out mean (well that's how I see them) simply to get a rise from people on the forum really bother me. It's even worse when they're almost encouraged to do it by others saying "Oh, what a spooner."

But because I lack the suitable info to back up my opinions and the suitable armor against the shots fired, I stay away from posting. But I don't begrudge anyone else who wants to debate and discuss the issues. To some that is their idea of a good time.

There's something for everyone around here.

Kellyk · 03-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginger

Yah!! What Riss said!!

and what thor said

I don't take part in the political threads all the time, not because I dont have strong opinions (which I certainly do!) but because I don't feel sufficiently armed with knowledge to debate.

What Ginger said

On occasion, if it's a topic that interests me, I'll read a little...hoping to learn something. Then someone will say something that gets to me and I'll get sucked into posting and then I'm like a wounded bunny in a lion cage

.....or worse...I'm ignored

I barely have time anymore to read the threads I'm actually interested in...I'll skip the politics.

itsmysecondtime · 03-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy-James

There's some serious political bullies in this forum. I don't mind talking politics with people who have an open mind and really listen to eachother, but there's a lot of closed minded self-righteous (on both sides) "I'm right and if you don't agree with me you're obviously an idiot" types on this forum. It mirrors alot of the partisan politics taking place in D.C. right now that I can't stand.

Not exactly conducive to a free exchange of ideas and thoughts so for the most part I try to stay out of the political threads but I do get baited from time to time.

More cowbell indeed.

03-21-2007	#1 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,942	Political Threads !!! Do they really suck ? If I knew how to do a poll I would. How do you feel about them ? (and please try to just state your own opinion and dont bash any one else) Hate them, love them, could care less, secretly read them and laugh at all the rightous indignation going on !! Do you think political threads add value to this forum ? Do they cause you to have ill feelings towards other posters ? Have they ever turned you off that you had to just "take a break" from the forum for a few days (weeks) ? Do you learn something from them and consider them informative debates ? Do you think that some peeps go over the edge and need a spanking ? Do you think they are started just to stir things up on the forum or to bash a certain country, group, or belief system ? Just curious as to what other peeps think. I think there have been a few lately that were started with the intent to just stir things up (my opinion) and that sucks. A good debate is always fun - but lately it seems the politcal threads have a bitter personal edge to them. Last edited by TAPPY : 03-21-2007 at 09:07 AM.

03-21-2007	#5 (permalink)
JoanieBlon añejo Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 1,792	Political Threads I avoid reading political threads. That being said, if people here want to get on soap boxes and argue with one another, fine. I just don't care to read this type of information. I come to this forum to "get away" from "real world" things that I constantly hear on radio and TV. Last edited by JoanieBlon : 03-21-2007 at 09:21 AM.

03-21-2007	#10 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 18,418	I like them. I really have never been much for small talk or girl talk...certainly not sports talk ....I like talking about movies and books, current events and politics and world news much more, I just find it more interesting. I like to hear others' point of view even though I don't usually change my mind, but I have...although I think a lot of the threads just rehash the same old tired arguments, I do think there has been instances where people have changed their opinions on things. It might be coincidence but I have become more middle of the road since I came here, I started off as a raving liberal. So maybe Mark and others have had an influence on me, more than I thought. I don't get hurt or upset if people disagree with me, whatever...I might rip a cyber strip off someone and then retreat a bit to lick my wounds, but I am back right away. I have never taken a 'break' from the forum that was related to anything negative. I think people who do get hurt feelings should stay far away from political threads, if you know you are sensitive, don't put yourself in a position where you are going to get worked up, it's pretty simple. I don't think I am INsensitive, exactly, I am just tougher than some maybe, I don't get mad if someone doesn't agree with me, we can't all agree on everything after all, how boring would that be? To me this is a fun place to hang out but my real friends are IRL, you know? I like the variety of this forum, if the 'interesting' threads disappeared, I would likely leave. I think it's good to have a well rounded selection of topics in the Off Topic board...people can open what they want and leave the rest. It irks me a little when people go in and post in a political thread complaints about the goings-on...I don't go into a basketball thread and complain how dumb it is. I have been on many message boards and this one beats them all for having the lowest number of trolls and very few people who really make it not a nice place to be. And if someone 'needs a spanking' once in a while, well, usually they get one! And so what, that's life! I don't believe in censorship, if someone bothers you, there is a green dot for that. Some have managed to ignore me quite nicely, and we are all happy. The people here have differing views, that is a good thing, it reflects real life. We have oddballs and bigots and right wingers and lefties....moms and dads and childfree people and singles and gays....blacks and whites and.... well, okay mostly WASPS, but that is to be expected ....atheists and believers....etc. It's all good. __________________ My trip reports- to Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo, Sayulita, Huatulco #1 and #2, and Holguin, Cuba. Barra in February '09! *until 2 weeks in Playadise!*

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03-21-2007	#2 (permalink)
Doggiemom Canine FANatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Humble, Texas Posts: 5,983	I think they go over the edge sometimes, are started sometimes just to stir things up, they get too heated sometimes (ok, alot, IMHO) and leads to peep bashing.....most of all, I don't care! I will read the first post and that's about it!

03-21-2007	#3 (permalink)
NorthMinnesota añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,599	Usually don't bother to even read them!

03-21-2007	#4 (permalink)
lolabella Playa'd Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: One foot in WI, the other in PDC Posts: 4,621	I tend to stay away from them, but sometimes the curiosity gets the best of me and I'll wander over to see why a thread has 20 plus pages or more. And then I wished I would have stayed away. I cringe sometimes at the total lack of respect that some posters have towards other. It's the 'I'm right and your wrong' mentality that gets me. As well as the name-calling. And yes, I do form opinions about others. I could totally agree with what a poster is saying, but if it's done in a manner that is disrespectful, then I form a negative opinion about that poster. I like the Weekday Party Threads, the Girlie Girl Threads, the Trip Reports and so on. I'm on this board for entertainment purposes, not to be educated on someone else's politics. So, I guess that is where I'll stay.

03-21-2007	#6 (permalink)
Brent & Kim añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 4,827	There very popular and alot of fun. To many are on the defensive if their posts are contridicted or challenged. It all in fun! BTW, it hard to understand what a peep means by their post, but if they would put a smiley or frown after the text, at least we know what their intent was.

03-21-2007	#7 (permalink)
Thor Henning añejo Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Drammen, Norway Posts: 3,268	I like the political threads. They are lots of fun, and I learn a lot about other people's meanings and ways of thinking. The most important content on this forum for me is Playa, but I enjoy the General Off-topic Stuff and the political threads. I don't like name calling, but we all should tolerate that others have different meanings than we have over selves.

03-21-2007	#8 (permalink)
jamesblonde No longer an intern Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South of Seattle Posts: 7,599	I log on to the forum for fun and entertainment. The political threads, while being informative, just don't do it for me. But that's just me.

03-21-2007	#9 (permalink)
Jimmy-James gotta have it Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Southern, CT Posts: 803	There's some serious political bullies in this forum. I don't mind talking politics with people who have an open mind and really listen to eachother, but there's a lot of closed minded self-righteous (on both sides) "I'm right and if you don't agree with me you're obviously an idiot" types on this forum. It mirrors alot of the partisan politics taking place in D.C. right now that I can't stand. Not exactly conducive to a free exchange of ideas and thoughts so for the most part I try to stay out of the political threads but I do get baited from time to time.

03-21-2007	#11 (permalink)
Ginger none Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 10,162	Yah!! What Riss said!! and what thor said I don't take part in the political threads all the time, not because I dont have strong opinions (which I certainly do!) but because I don't feel sufficiently armed with knowledge to debate. However I quite enjoy reading them. And I learn A LOT. Sure, the name calling that happens can be a little bit of a turn off, but it's a written text area of life and so its so much easier to let off an insult than in real life, it's going to happen of course. I'm a lifetime member of the "if you don't like it, don't do it" club. Don't read the political threads if you don't like them, but don't complain either. Just move on.

03-21-2007	#12 (permalink)
Eileenintex way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 140	I don't usually bother to read them. While I consider myself open minded, I just don't enjoy the directions they tend to go. JMHO

03-21-2007	#13 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 26,324	I read through some of them, even though I don't really ever post on them. I have learned quite a bit from them. Some informative things about the issues... and some informative things about the posters. I agree with Lollabella when she said that sometimes a bad impression is formed by reading how a person presents their point, especially if it's at the expense of another poster's feelings. There are various ways to say everything--some people go out of their way to take the shot at the poster, rather than sticking to the issues. And those people that are just flat out mean (well that's how I see them) simply to get a rise from people on the forum really bother me. It's even worse when they're almost encouraged to do it by others saying "Oh, what a spooner." But because I lack the suitable info to back up my opinions and the suitable armor against the shots fired, I stay away from posting. But I don't begrudge anyone else who wants to debate and discuss the issues. To some that is their idea of a good time. There's something for everyone around here.

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