How Incredibly Sad...

[scooterbug44]

.
I have learned much from SoWal's political forum. Having been on here long enough to know the players, I read more carefully some posters' thoughts than others and there is usually a decent balance of info from these folks. I find it more educational than TV news with their snippets and talking points. (except I do like the gamut of Sunday morning news programs).

The links provided by SoWal members in discussions point me to articles that I may have missed and I use them selectively, as I don't have time to hunt and find everything on my own, let alone read everything.

There are certain members whose posts and links I always try to read because I know I will gain something.

I find the fake articles that some inject into the discussion to be quite annoying and personally feel they belong somewhere else besides SoWal. (imo nowhere! Ha!)

Bottom line - I have grown intellectually from SoWal political discussions and love when both sides are presented rationally. I trust the opinions and thoughts of many of you guys over other news sources!
.

I also enjoy discussing national events and have gotten some great articles and opinions from fellow Sowallers. IMO we have some good discussions and get some interesting perspectives we might not be aware of or consider .................. as long as there aren't talking points out there. Then we just get trolls, rudeness, and the same old partisan dead horses show up and ruin it.

 

[gardening1970]

It's all about respect. One can disagree without being disrespectful. That's how great debate happens... and sometimes you get the added bonus of seeing things in a different light if the opposing view is presented in an acceptable manner. I just ignore the rest.

Posters whose motive is to convert others to their way of thinking should remember the old adage about drawing more flies with honey.

This is still a wonderful board. I'm still hooked even if the population has changed a bit.

 

[GoodWitch58]

...and, it's not really difficult to tell the difference between talking points and something one might want to read.

Once the players are known, it only takes a minute to glance at the post; or hit the ignore button...

I have learned a lot and would hate to see a forum shut down just because of some postings that are annoying.

 

[DD]

Once again, if the topics and threads outside the lounge are not your cup of tea, don't go there. I hate seeing y'all that loved the Sowal of 20 people in the lounge keep mourning. We have local and national issues that affect us and a place to discuss them. Sorry but the political forums don't have to be "funn"!

Did not realize this thread was in lounge, but once again, people have the choice not to read. Sorry friends, but tired of the complaining about what is discussed, argued, and debated on SoWal. I pick and choose what threads to open, read, and respond to- it is not hard.

Jenny, Let me preface this by saying I luv ya. I have been mulling this over in my mind and as they say.."the guilty dog barks first" so....
I feel like you might be speaking to me since I have done my fair share of whining and moaning about the demise of the lounge. I do mourn the fact that so many old time SoWallers who were actually funn have disappeared from SoWal.com. The list is long. I feel they just got tired of all the politics that inevitably drifted over even to the lounge. We all enjoy reading healthy debates, but the debates got way out of hand and still are, imho. And God knows they've never been funn--sport for some maybe. Yes, there's been new blood and most of it is good. Some...not so much. But, I think we lost some good, wonderful people because we became consumed with "who's right". Of course, some just naturally moved on, found the loves of their lives, etc., but some were run off by trolls, politricksters, rats and bat turds. Some just now lurk.
I felt when Kurt appointed moderators, he did so very deliberately. Each mod has a certain forum that's their strong point--some mods are multi talented, but me...not so much. I just stayed in the lounge and tried to keep an eye on things there. I typically don't read many of the politics threads, but I do read and consider the threads about current events, all about SoWal, etc. These threads have broken my heart more than once.
I haven't been posting much in the lounge, because...no one else is either. I've caught myself answering my own posts. :shock: I haven't started threads because I fear that it will seem that I am insensitive to the events of late. Nothing is further from the truth. But, I'd like to think maybe a little chuckle doesn't hurt anyone--even in desperate times. I always felt the lounge was my little escape from the harsh realities of the world today. God knows I see enough of them online and on TV. I have always valued the opinions of so many here about current events and yes, even politics. I learned a lot. But somewhere along the line, things got a tad bit too uncomfortable for me and maybe some other folks too. It's true I don't have to read the threads that aren't my cup of tea and I need to get over my mourning period, just like I had to get over my animated 'tar being ripped from me like a child from it's mother. I am certain the debates will go on but I hope the lounge will too.
So, perhaps I'll take Murray's advice and start some funn threads. You don't have to read them, but I sure wouldn't mind if you did.

 

[STL Don]

Jenny, Let me preface this by saying I luv ya. I have been mulling this over in my mind and as they say.."the guilty dog barks first" so....
I feel like you might be speaking to me since I have done my fair share of whining and moaning about the demise of the lounge. I do mourn the fact that so many old time SoWallers who were actually funn have disappeared from SoWal.com. The list is long. I feel they just got tired of all the politics that inevitably drifted over even to the lounge. We all enjoy reading healthy debates, but the debates got way out of hand and still are, imho. And God knows they've never been funn--sport for some maybe. Yes, there's been new blood and most of it is good. Some...not so much. But, I think we lost some good, wonderful people because we became consumed with "who's right". Of course, some just naturally moved on, found the loves of their lives, etc., but some were run off by trolls, politricksters, rats and bat turds. Some just now lurk.
I felt when Kurt appointed moderators, he did so very deliberately. Each mod has a certain forum that's their strong point--some mods are multi talented, but me...not so much. I just stayed in the lounge and tried to keep an eye on things there. I typically don't read many of the politics threads, but I do read and consider the threads about current events, all about SoWal, etc. These threads have broken my heart more than once.
I haven't been posting much in the lounge, because...no one else is either. I've caught myself answering my own posts. :shock: I haven't started threads because I fear that it will seem that I am insensitive to the events of late. Nothing is further from the truth. But, I'd like to think maybe a little chuckle doesn't hurt anyone--even in desperate times. I always felt the lounge was my little escape from the harsh realities of the world today. God knows I see enough of them online and on TV. I have always valued the opinions of so many here about current events and yes, even politics. I learned a lot. But somewhere along the line, things got a tad bit too uncomfortable for me and maybe some other folks too. It's true I don't have to read the threads that aren't my cup of tea and I need to get over my mourning period, just like I had to get over my animated 'tar being ripped from me like a child from it's mother. I am certain the debates will go on but I hope the lounge will too.
So, perhaps I'll take Murray's advice and start some funn threads. You don't have to read them, but I sure wouldn't mind if you did.

I really have to agree with you. It isn't just the lounge. Many of the folks who have disappeared from sowal.com spread their humor and "funn" in the other forums. I still visit very frequently, but I have to say that it is not the same nor is it as enjoyable.

 

[seagrovelover]

I'm an ole' time sowaller , still funn, and coming to Seagrove in two weeks !!!!!! WOO HOOOOOOO

I love the lounge because everyone has heart, lots of opinions right or wrong who knows and *****in and moaning...yeah;-)BUT TONS OF HEART we all love the same place, just show it in different ways

 

[TreeFrog]

Jenny, Let me preface this by saying I luv ya. I have been mulling this over in my mind and as they say.."the guilty dog barks first" so....
I feel like you might be speaking to me since I have done my fair share of whining and moaning about the demise of the lounge. I do mourn the fact that so many old time SoWallers who were actually funn have disappeared from SoWal.com. The list is long. I feel they just got tired of all the politics that inevitably drifted over even to the lounge. We all enjoy reading healthy debates, but the debates got way out of hand and still are, imho. And God knows they've never been funn--sport for some maybe. Yes, there's been new blood and most of it is good. Some...not so much. But, I think we lost some good, wonderful people because we became consumed with "who's right". Of course, some just naturally moved on, found the loves of their lives, etc., but some were run off by trolls, politricksters, rats and bat turds. Some just now lurk.
I felt when Kurt appointed moderators, he did so very deliberately. Each mod has a certain forum that's their strong point--some mods are multi talented, but me...not so much. I just stayed in the lounge and tried to keep an eye on things there. I typically don't read many of the politics threads, but I do read and consider the threads about current events, all about SoWal, etc. These threads have broken my heart more than once.
I haven't been posting much in the lounge, because...no one else is either. I've caught myself answering my own posts. :shock: I haven't started threads because I fear that it will seem that I am insensitive to the events of late. Nothing is further from the truth. But, I'd like to think maybe a little chuckle doesn't hurt anyone--even in desperate times. I always felt the lounge was my little escape from the harsh realities of the world today. God knows I see enough of them online and on TV. I have always valued the opinions of so many here about current events and yes, even politics. I learned a lot. But somewhere along the line, things got a tad bit too uncomfortable for me and maybe some other folks too. It's true I don't have to read the threads that aren't my cup of tea and I need to get over my mourning period, just like I had to get over my animated 'tar being ripped from me like a child from it's mother. I am certain the debates will go on but I hope the lounge will too.
So, perhaps I'll take Murray's advice and start some funn threads. You don't have to read them, but I sure wouldn't mind if you did.

The Politics section has more threads than any other, except the Lounge, which whacks it 4X. That's good and bad news, as I see it. I'm happy the lounge is the champeen. But fer cryin out loud, it's the beach! Shouldn't All About Sowal and Events and Rentals trump national politics on a forum ostensibly focused on local issues? And the much-needed and much-appreciated open discussion of local government is only 1/4 the threads of national politics.

 

[Deli Love]

I might have to get one of those Smiling Fish Cafe shirts - "Be Nice Or Leave".

I am asking for all good people to come to the aid of our community, because it could be our finest hour. To help also this website which is your place. Step up and take control of your community and make it the way it should be. If you're not part of the solution, then you are ....

First, I want a shirt too!!! "Be Nice Or Leave" would make my deli a happy place!
Second, thank you! We don't have to agree on everything to love this place! (both site and place.)
I am going to work at Modica and try to keep our visitors and locals up beat. I will take my walks on the beach in the evenings and send photos to my friends who are still coming and playing on the beaches and shopping and eating all over the place.
If I am needed to help clean those beaches I will. If I am needed to pirate a ship to clean the Gulf then Arg! I'm here and you can't make me go back to Tennessee!
I have learned to read the threads that I want, comment when I want and leave when I want.
Emotions run shallow right now so remember the words of John, "Give Peace a chance."

 

[Lake View Too]

I also enjoy discussing national events and have gotten some great articles and opinions from fellow Sowallers. IMO we have some good discussions and get some interesting perspectives we might not be aware of or consider .................. as long as there aren't talking points out there. Then we just get trolls, rudeness, and the same old partisan dead horses show up and ruin it.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[GoodWitch58]

The Politics section has more threads than any other, except the Lounge, which whacks it 4X. That's good and bad news, as I see it. I'm happy the lounge is the champeen. But fer cryin out loud, it's the beach! Shouldn't All About Sowal and Events and Rentals trump national politics on a forum ostensibly focused on local issues? And the much-needed and much-appreciated open discussion of local government is only 1/4 the threads of national politics.

please remember that some of us live here. While it maybe all about the beach (as in vacationing) and rentals and Events to enjoy...for visitors. For those of us who live here and love it...we do not have a daily newspaper or the kind of community of exchange of ideas that one finds in a more established city.

There is something for everyone here in the forum, just as there is something in South Walton for everyone...I just ignore what I don't want to participate in...and I hope others will do the same if they don't want to read anything I write. It doesn't bother me if people disagree; I just prefer they do it in a civil manner. I prefer the same in a face to face community.

Part of the reason the local government section is smaller, IMO, is first of all, it is smallerthan national or state government...secondly, it is really hard to get much local information if one can not go to meetings...we have a real lack of media here--which is another reason that this Forum is so important to many of us who live here.

People come and go...usually trolls leave if they aren't fed; and just as in real communities, some people find other interests and move on...Be nice or leave is a great greeting...they mean it at Smilin' Fish.
Maybe it's good here too.