Members decide

**mib** · July 15th, 2004, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by NooNoo

Political threads have caused problems.

Do you want to:

a) Ban ALL political threads
b) Ban electioneering threads
c) Leave it be

If you choose b) please post defining what constitutes an electioneering thread.

I'm a newbee, so I don't know if I have a vote here, but I'd go for "c) Leave it be".

I have always disliked politics, and keep away from it best I can. I expect most people with the same sentiments do the same thing. So, this will not actually be a distraction at all. People who involve themselves on political debates (actually, I prefer to call it discussions) do it because they like it, and that is very difficult to stop. That's like saying to a kid, "you cannot have a candy!"

Besides, if we do ban political threads now, who's to say we will not ban religious debates tomorrow, or any other form of debate for that matter?

By the way, this thread about farting is a great stress-reliever! I think I will join it, or NOT!

**Cave_Dweller** · July 15th, 2004, 05:36 AM

Just ignore political threads and let them die

**Archer** · July 15th, 2004, 06:08 AM

Just have the thread titles begin with the word Political then all the old war horses can argue away to their hearts contents and us norms can get on with life

Another thought: Have an extra selection criteria [drop down menu]appended to the lounge post routine that gives an indication to which area it covers i.e. Political,trivia,WOTPP etc.

**King Grover** · July 15th, 2004, 06:51 AM

i vote for boobies!

**Ya_know** · July 15th, 2004, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Orangeman

This all from a prime offender in the political arena....But I'm not as bad as Ya_know....

Orange...you really are sexually attracted to my :butt: aren't you...you sweet sweet pumpkin head... *kiss*

I say leave the damn threads alone. What's the big idea anyway? As some famous hick said just a few days ago, this is the most fun we've had around these parts in a long time...so let's just let it cultivate all on it's own...and as Trip would say, Grow into something special...

**Ya_know** · July 15th, 2004, 07:03 AM

Oh, and another vote for boobies! @@

**Orangeman** · July 15th, 2004, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Ya_know

Orange...you really are sexually attracted to my :butt: aren't you...you sweet sweet pumpkin head... *kiss*.......... Grow into something special...

That's IT!!!!

That DOES IT!!!!

That's the last time I'm goin' ta spend the night with YOU!!!!

and no more of that Metamucil either !!!!!.....

**ilovetheusers** · July 15th, 2004, 07:28 AM

OK, my $.02

This is like the thing your boss does when 1 person screws up but he/she doesn't want to single them out. Who's creating the issue here and what did they do? Find that person and smack them with a ban for a couple days.

I know the intent is to get to the root of why people are having issues with each other in the first place but honestly this could be any topic. It's usually been politics in the past that have caused most of the turmoil but it's also politics that bring a hell of a lot of us to the lounge. Let's be honest, without some fire, this place just isn't as fun. People aren't coming to the lounge to see me post about farts, they are here to break from work and politics and argument provides an outlet for emotion and a distraction from troubles that are closer to home.

I say let politics stay and expect people to act like adults and not get in a fist fight once they dissagree about something.

**Ya_know** · July 15th, 2004, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Orangeman

That's IT!!!!

That DOES IT!!!!

That's the last time I'm goin' ta spend the night with YOU!!!!

and no more of that Metamucil either !!!!!.....

I told you from the begining, I was only in it for the sex.

**TripleRLtd** · July 15th, 2004, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by NooNoo

>I put the thread up to find out what people thought. Interesting that Triple should comment on almost every post, I wonder why he felt it necessary?

>Why Triple kept saying it would be the death of the tech lounge is beyond me...why are you arguing at all? This is a request of what people think and in one case provide a definition. It is not a request to comment on other people's views.

>If you walked into Walmart and the first stand was Sex Toys shop with the items on display and available to try out would you be taking your family to shop there? Would you be screaming censorship if people asked for it to ge shut down? And before you state that it is not the same thing, think again.... it is.
If BestBuy allowed a stand in the middle of the shop that sold religion and allowed the salesmen to approach you anywhere in the shop.
How about visiting your local your mom and pop tech shop and finding you first were questioned on your political allegiance? That any purchase came with a load of leaflets about a particular point of view?
Having a policy about what the shop sells or doesn't sell is not censorship. But the forums aren't a shop I hear you cry. True, but people visit the forums based on what the "theme" is. People will vote with their mouse.

>Triple, just try playing soccer in the rough at the golf club, see how long that is tolerated. It's in the rough, it's not in the way of golfing, it should be allowed! It is a ball game, what's the problem?

What I am trying to find out is whether a policy is needed or wanted. I am happy to accept views in private as well as publicly.

>You could always try asking me, but then again, I think I have made my points quite clear, have I not? If not, read them again and try to make believe it is not me making those comments. That may help a bit.

>So, now you're asking us (or just me?) to only click a choice and not provide commentary? At WD? Yeah, right.

I do find this to be an important question to have asked the community, and it will be interesting to see what the membership decides, if, in fact, our decision stands. Why would/could it be the death of the lounge as we know it? Any form of censorship is a form of death. This is not a store. How many times have you said that we are all nothing but a bunch of text and avatars? Well, if that is the case, why would you even consider banning anything that is being talked about?

>Those examples you say are the same thing??? Not! This is a forum/BB on the internet, and only one particular forum at that: the lounge, where people can choose to enter, or not. In fact, they can choose to enter and then choose to not even participate in any particular type thread. I myself don't even read certain types of threads, like WOTTP ones.

>Why you chose me to respond to in this manner I DO find quite interesting though. Sorry if my opinions have in any way irked you NooNoo, but they always seem to for some reason. That being said, I would like you to ask yourself this question:
"Would this or would this not be censorship??"
As someone else already noted: What would be next?

**NooNoo** · July 15th, 2004, 07:54 AM

So, now you're asking us (or just me?) to only click a choice and not provide commentary? At WD?

count how many times you posted in this thread, then count how many times other people posted.

As to the rest, I am reacting to peoples wishes and requests. What I need to guage is - "how strong among all members is this feeling?"

It is wrong to find out what is wanted from this site?

**Camaro80z** · July 15th, 2004, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by NooNoo

count how many times you posted in this thread, then count how many times other people posted.

As to the rest, I am reacting to peoples wishes and requests. What I need to guage is - "how strong among all members is this feeling?"

It is wrong to find out what is wanted from this site?

I think you are hadling it the right way. I do not know why, but a beatles song has been running through my head since I first started reading this thread!

**MobilePCPhysician** · July 15th, 2004, 08:03 AM

Put all political, and religious topics in an area where a separate password is required. The threads would be invisible to anyone just browsing the forum. They would see the "Political" area, but need a password to enter. The password could be given out through an email autoresponder.

Even with that, there still needs to be a strict policy on the forum rules. When one member calls another an "idiot", and "stupid", and it is over-looked, then some "regulars" may feel like you are "selectively" prosecuting people. Be fair, be firm, be equal.

**Archer** · July 15th, 2004, 08:04 AM

Just a query NooNoo ............
Ed ran a poll/enquiry recently on peoples feelings about the amount of lounge posts swamping the requests for assistance and hindering timely technical related responses.Several suggestions were made along the lines of separating new lounge posts from the new technical posts did anything come out of it at all or is it still being considered?

**amyb** · July 15th, 2004, 08:08 AM

After a good night of sleep, I have decided this: Let it be, let others state their opinions, but yet show respect for others (like know when to just stop with the discussion).