Where is the Current Events forum?

[poppy]

The local issues are still alive and well in their forum, and that is what is important on SoWal.com. This is a community message board, not a national political board.

Yes, I have participated in the political forums and have learned some, been entertained, and been completely disgusted (and sometimes horrified by what I read), but I do see the value of not having these types of exchanges on a local website whose focus is NOT politics, but promoting our community and fostering strong local participation.

This could describe me or my family and friends at times but we still love and respect each other and enjoy engaging in conversation and debate on a wide range of topics.

Politics was just one of the forums, let's have a "free speech" forum with a warning before entering that will be a lot like a family reunion.

 

[poppy]

I would thank these posts but I see no "thanks" icon.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I for one will miss the political forum, but I imagine Kurt got sick of people whining to him about being picked on, discriminated against or you name it. Im sure he has better things to do with his time than police people hurling partisan talking points at one another.

 

[Em]

Jdarg hit the nail on the head. I'll add that on the politics forum, I rarely have seen an original thought. Most of the so called, "debate" isn't debate at all. It is nothing more than repeating what is already brought up by the talking heads on TV and radio. In most of the "discussion," we don't see discussion at all. What we see is people digging in on their side of the talking points.

Rita correctly mentioned that there are plenty of political forums which specialize in this. SoWal is not a national political forum. (Insert Jdarg's comments here.) Personally, I prefer not to filter through the hateful remarks and finger-pointing threads to find the community-oriented threads. Politic points push people apart rather than bring people together. Government discussion is one thing, politics is another.

I'm thankful that national politics are not longer separating the wonderful and diverse people of SoWal.com.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Jdarg hit the nail on the head. I'll add that on the politics forum, I rarely have seen an original thought. Most of the so called, "debate" isn't debate at all. It is nothing more than repeating what is already brought up by the talking heads on TV and radio. In most of the "discussion," we don't see discussion at all. What we see is people digging in on their side of the talking points.

Rita correctly mentioned that there are plenty of political forums which specialize in this. SoWal is not a national political forum. (Insert Jdarg's comments here.) Personally, I prefer not to filter through the hateful remarks and finger-pointing threads to find the community-oriented threads. Politic points push people apart rather than bring people together. Government discussion is one thing, politics is another.

I'm thankful that national politics are not longer separating the wonderful and diverse people of SoWal.com.

Kudos to you and jdarg. I must also point out that the "thanks" and "rep" button have left the building. All good steps in a good direction for sowal.com, imo.

Thank you, Kurt, for saving us from ourselves! I appreciate the time and thought that goes into decisions like this and wish you nothing but the best!

 

[Geo]

No politcal discussion forum to sanitize a discussion forums website is kinda like removing TV's from bars to protect the view and culinary experience.

Very disappointing.

 

[LuciferSam]

Jdarg hit the nail on the head. I'll add that on the politics forum, I rarely have seen an original thought. Most of the so called, "debate" isn't debate at all. It is nothing more than repeating what is already brought up by the talking heads on TV and radio. In most of the "discussion," we don't see discussion at all. What we see is people digging in on their side of the talking points.

Rita correctly mentioned that there are plenty of political forums which specialize in this. SoWal is not a national political forum. (Insert Jdarg's comments here.) Personally, I prefer not to filter through the hateful remarks and finger-pointing threads to find the community-oriented threads. Politic points push people apart rather than bring people together. Government discussion is one thing, politics is another.

I'm thankful that national politics are not longer separating the wonderful and diverse people of SoWal.com.

All of your points are arguable and debable. Unfortunately, the forum fo such discussion is no longer available. I'm curious, If you stay out of the political forum, why is ther a need to filter anything? I would think with the elimination of the playing field as would call it is going to lead to the interjection of such discuaion into other areas of the board. Then the filtering process is goint to be a daunting task.

 

[poppy]

Thanks to posts #16 & #17

 

[Alicia Leonard]

kudos to you and jdarg. I must also point out that the "thanks" and "rep" button have left the building. All good steps in a good direction for sowal.com, imo.

Thank you, kurt, for saving us from ourselves! I appreciate the time and thought that goes into decisions like this and wish you nothing but the best!

omg!!!!!!!!!!! Where's my buttons??????????

 

[Carol G]

When we first started discussing it, I couldn't imagine eliminating the politics forum altogether, but after some thought and some folks bringing up very valid points (see jdarg's, skunky's, murray's & Miss Kitty's posts below) I changed my tune. This is a community-based website, chock full of Sowal resources for locals and visitors alike, and that's where the focus needs to be. There are many other online forums for national political discussion and debate, and there is still the lounge if something absolutely must be brought up.

I know there are a few posters who really enjoyed the back-and-forth and the snarkiness in the political forum, but there are a good many who dont; the whining, complaining, bitterness, passive-aggressiveness and ad-nauseum rehash of partisan talking points are big turn-offs, and the results are distracting to kurt and the mods and takes away from the focus of the site. I'm sorry to those who always tried to maintain authentic discussions, and I am sure there are times when I will miss it myself; I have learned a lot over the years, and enjoyed some lively debate. But when it comes down to it, this is just not the right place for it. I know it's disappointing for some of you, but it's a relief for many others.