Who wants Politics on Kahrtalk?

[Jeremiah/Az]

I really study politics a lot, not the popular media, but I dig deep into it. I voted no, because no one is going to change another's mind on this subject. It just causes hard feelings, but I don't think it should be outright banned. I just skip those threads. Religion & politics are subjects that I will not discuss on an open forum.

[popgoestheweasel]

I voted "No", but...

I don't know if I would agree with any rules against it for "free speech" reasons. That being said, I came here to learn and talk about guns. Technical stuff, style stuff, popular opinions, real-world scenarios as opposed to what the media propagates, and help understanding and finding gun-related laws.

When I see political discussions that are far beyond the scope of guns, I stop reading and unsubscribe the thread. I almost got sucked into one a few days ago but exercised self-restraint and bowed out.

Posts involving politics as they are directly related to guns are inevitable and I consider those to be relevant, even if I don't enjoy reading them. But posts about the validity of someone's birth certificate, while they could be remotely, through an extended chain of reasoning, be relevant to guns, are not DIRECTLY relevant to guns, and I don't care to read about anyone's opinions regarding that subject here.

When I see extreme posts that are bashing our "leaders", and those posts go beyond reason, proof, or civility and turn into hate posts, that really turns me off. When I see that kind of post from users whose opinions about other subjects I have respected in the past, and who have input that I consider valuable on other subjects, it saddens me and my respect for those people goes down a notch with every foaming-at-the-mouth political post.

My computer gaming friends have wildly different political and religious backgrounds and opinions. When we get together to play games, we talk about game-related stuff, and we don't talk about politics and religion. Why not? It's not because we've made any rules restricting freedom of speech in our gaming sessions, it's because everyone understands without having any formal rules that we'll all get along better and have positive interactions if we choose to avoid those subjects.

If we were getting together for the purpose of discussing politics, well, then it would be a different story. There are plenty of forums online where you can go and discuss politics until you're just as full of **** as the politicians are. But that's not the purpose of this forum.

Like another member already said, I could not agree more...particularly with the following:

" When I see extreme posts that are bashing our "leaders", and those posts go beyond reason, proof, or civility and turn into hate posts, that really turns me off. When I see that kind of post from users whose opinions about other subjects I have respected in the past, and who have input that I consider valuable on other subjects, it saddens me and my respect for those people goes down a notch with every foaming-at-the-mouth political post. "

i might add, when the name calling (particularly about Obama) reaches a point that is clearly RACIST, it makes me want to puke.

[Bawanna]

Sadly in my own mind I think the only reason Obummer hasn't been tarred and feathered and deported is the race card.

Any one who complains about him must be a racist.

[popgoestheweasel]

in my opinion, mr. moderator, complaining about obama certainly doesn't make one a racist. what reasonable person believes THAT? it's the racist words and names (WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEY ARE), used all too often on kt (typically by the same people) that scream of racism. let's keep it real...stop pretending it doesn't exist.

[Scoundrel]

While I don't think we should have a ban on discussing politics, I DO believe that we should have a flagging system, like on CraigsList. Sure, we can click the little exclamation mark thingy at the upper right and "report" a post, but that's not the same thing.

A flagging system lets every user flag a post as inappropriate - and if enough users flag it, then it gets ixnayed - or in the case of some media sites, "collapsed by the community" and you can click the + sign if you really want to read it anyway.

I wonder if vBulletin has a flagging module that our fearless forum admins could install.

[Scoundrel]

This post, [censored], illustrates very well why it would be better if we did not discuss politics. It can/will sidetrack ANY and ALL threads. This thread is about the merits of discussing politics in the KahrTalk forum - but people are using it to push their political agendas, dig at each other, etc. instead of discussing the topic at hand, which is "should we discuss politics".

People with opposing views all feel insulted for their beliefs. It is likely that neither party will be able to refrain from a hot-tempered reply, other people will probably jump in, and NOTHING will be accomplished except to get some people hot under the collar and irritate others who'd rather not watch it happen.

I'll probably get jumped on next. It will probably be something like "if you don't want to watch it then unsubscribe the thread" or something even less civil/polite. The irony is that I am still on topic - discussing whether or not we should discuss politics - and I will probably get told to butt out by someone who is off-topic, flaming, attacking, and discussing politics.

[Bawanna]

My apologies Old Lincoln but I've had a belly full of this one too. Maybe I'll see about getting a speed thread closer to save time.

[Bawanna]

OK boys and girls, at the suggestion of another member I deleted a few personal post involved in a little Hatfield and McCoy feud and reopened this thread. Since it was Mr. Old Lincolns thread to start, no reason he should be shut down for others actions. I don't want to be a referee here, it's no fun and with a tiny bit of effort on everyone's part there is no need for one.

Lets try to be nice, lets keep personal conflicts off the forum. Life hands us enough enemies and hurdles to jump over, we don't need to seek any out here in our little oasis.

OK?

[TheTman]

I see it's 2-1 against, I'll try to refrain from posting some of the political stuff unless it involves the RKBA.

[JFootin]

Thanks, Bawanna! Sorry, OldLincoln and everyone.

[knkali]

OK boys and girls, at the suggestion of another member I deleted a few personal post involved in a little Hatfield and McCoy feud and reopened this thread. Since it was Mr. Old Lincolns thread to start, no reason he should be shut down for others actions. I don't want to be a referee here, it's no fun and with a tiny bit of effort on everyone's part there is no need for one.

Lets try to be nice, lets keep personal conflicts off the forum. Life hands us enough enemies and hurdles to jump over, we don't need to seek any out here in our little oasis.

OK?

I like when people calmly explain their political views and why they have them. I really listen and have tempered some of my past beliefs and adopted new views on things from some members here. I call it growth. Yelling and chest pounding has the oposite effect with me and probably most people too. I hope that we continue the political type threads here with minimal hate. After all, most people want the same thing in the end. A great country where we can live in peace and prosper.

[OldLincoln]

I must have been elsewhere in my head when I posted the poll. thinking folks would just vote without much comment. However, now I believe my point has been made.

Politics today seem to divide families and best friends but the damage doesn't always repair itself after the heat is gone. I consider you all like family and it's painful to read things said to defend a position.

It became obvious in several posts promoting one candidate or another and was worse than most caliber wars I've read over the years. The sad thing is I believe most have decided on their candidate of choice so no minds change position, so I consider it pointless but destructive. America has a secret ballot for reasons, and this is possible one of them.

I hope all who feel it necessary to discuss politics can do so taking into consideration that those who don't share their views are not their enemy, and appreciate the freedom to make a personal decision. If nothing else, think about those who gave their lives and won't be voting any more. Don't disappoint them, vote for sure, but don't fight over it.

Okay I'm done.

[Ubaldo99]

I voted "no". Remember, folks, we're trying to have a civilization here. Arent we?

[Scoundrel]

"Now was that civilized? No, clearly not. Fun, but in no sense civilized."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysdX3e22WLQ

[Bawanna]

Seems your right by an even 2 to 1 margin.

Sorry folks, 4 more years of bawanna unless my contract expires. Do I have a contract? Think I need one?