Political Threads

I guess Martyn hasn’t gotten around to or isn’t able to take them off the RSS again, but it was my understanding that he was going to try.

Maybe he could set it up so that users can choose in their account settings which forum categories get shown on their home page.

Just don’t click on them if you don’t want to read ‘em, it’s really not that big of a deal… I personally don’t mind them being there… It’s better than heavy-handed moderating or closing the off-topic forum and having the off topic stuff all over the place.

Just my $.02

-- Scroll saw patterns @ http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com ... Pens @ http://www.finestylus.com

The politics is not for me either. However, I realize people like to talk about it. So like all things in life I respect their ability to say/think/talk about whatever they want. I just often tune it out or change the channel rather than listen to the noise or fuel the fire. Just because you or I may not care for it doesn’t mean that others should not be able to partake. But I understand where you are coming from.

I, for one, like having this area where one can get off topic ocassionally. There are times, and subjects I might want to discuss with others that are not directly related to woodworking. It’s very nice to have a place I could discuss these things with people I have a common interest with.

Having said that, I get a little uneasy when the political discussions get heated. I have commented a time or two in some of these debates, but when the banter starts to get personal, directed at another Lj directly,i just get out of the exchange. Frankly, I regret gaining the knowledge of some member’s political orientation. Some folks I formerly held in high regard, now, . . not so much so. And that doesn’t do any of us any good. On controversal subjects I don’t mind a little back and forth over the issues, but I really don’t like it when one member starts to demean and belittle another member, name calling and such.

I really hope these exchanges don’t escalate to the point we loose this forum. Come on people, let’s don’t make it personal and negative. Keep it light and positive, or just keep it to yourself.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

i’m in agreement with Keith—no one is forcing anyone to read all topics—i myself just don’t read them thus steer clear of the junk and focus on the real intent of this wonderful site

-- Jeff - Bell Buckle, TN

Yes, it is sad. I’ve never looked, but I bet there are Politics forums out there on the internet. It amazes me that they won’t take the chatter over there. Now I see that the OT threads are labled with a generic title. That seems to work for me in flagging what I don’t want to participate in.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

no one is forcing you to read anything. read what you want to and stop whining about what others want to write and read!

-- dan "insert pithy woodworking coment here"

Crank, you nailed it (to use a woodworking metaphor).

I’ve said what I wanted to say. I’ll shut up now.

-- Altruism is, ultimately, self-serving

Politics does not belong here, Just woodworking…...................................

-- TheOldTimer,Chandler Arizona

I see there is an option to turn off the off topic stuff.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

This Lumberjocks community is every bit as diverse as the general population, yet held together by the common thread that is woodworking… and there seems to be something for everybody.

However, the same diversity when applied to the polarizing aspects of politics (and religion, sexual orientation, etc.) immediately divides and splinters the commonality of the community. You can see it and feel it. To what end ? There will never be a concensus, but if there were then for what good ? To reveal who is in the majority and who is in the minority ? Not a good idea, really. It has nothing to do with free speech or censorship. Just not a good idea.

Gotta go. Dairy Queen closes in 13 minutes.

-- If you're going to stir the pot, think BIG spoon or SMALL boat paddle. David Grimes, Georgia

The mouse in your hand is a powerful thing. It allows you to quickly remove yourself from any conversation that is going on or to not even click on a topic at all.

I have friends and coworkers that belong to all political affiliations and that doesn’t necessarily mean that I judge them based on that alone. Just because someone is a Dem or Rep or Ind or whatever doesn’t mean that we can’t have common goals and ideas at times. We don’t have to agree on everything to get along. If we were all alike this world would be a boring place. I find that conversations get heated in many topics on this site – not just political issues.

-- Kevin, South Carolina

Not being an American but rather an International member, as are many others who enjoy this site. it is interesting to come across the odd topic on LJ’s where US politics are being “thrashed out”, the text can very easily slide into verbal abuse & some rather nasty name calling.
Dont get me wrong, we in NZ are also capable of rising to the bait so to speak, but generally do so thru a medium dedicated to our level if interest, I have been known to add my twopence worth to the Daily press editors letters section, or to the “have your say” option with on line news stories etc. & to me that’s where they belong.
There may be some here who see this as an easy option to digress away from wood skills however the instances are few relative to the traffic on the site, and for that LJ’s is still a great site to share knowledge & learn some.
Plus there is always the “next” button :)

-- Pete G: If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got

I personally enjoy a good debate every once in a while but yes, they do occasionally get out of hand. I like to debate but I like to keep it civil. Name calling, verbal abuse, and basic rudeness are all unnecessary. Don’t tell people they are wrong and stupid for believing what they believe. They are entitled to their own opinion. Simply state what you believe and why you believe it and leave it at that. If someone calls you a name or something, ignore them. Don’t let them pull you into a heated argument. They have already made a horses a$$ of themselves and everyone has seen it. Don’t make an a$$ of yourself too and learn not to take jokes personally. They are just jokes.

Have a nice night everybody. :)

-- Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein

Yes I agree that discussing politics in a public forum cam be as volatile as playing with gasoline while a fire burning nearby but as long as everyone can keep their discourse civil and respectful I don’t have any problem with it on LJs.

Some will stoop to name calling but doing that and repeating historical inaccuracies in public only shows the rest of the world how smart you really are.

As long as there are no personal threats I see no harm. I like a healthy debate from time to time no matter what the subject.

-- Darrell, making more sawdust than I know what to do with

What folks seem to not understand that many of the Off-Topic posts are not easilly identifiable from their title alone. So NO, I don’t necessarilly have the option of just ignoring them. At least now with the “Off Topic Content”, I can now willfully choose to not have to wade through it any more. Thank you to the mgt. for this change.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--