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Yes

33 (53.2%)

No

29 (46.8%)

Total Members Voted: 44

[henryd]

I haven't voted either way as it doesn't bother me,if a thread on any topic doesn't interest me I don't bother to read any more and move on to another,seemples 

[albitz]

I haven't voted either way as it doesn't bother me,if a thread on any topic doesn't interest me I don't bother to read any more and move on to another,seemples 

I do the same with quite a few subjects which dont interest me. Particularily tyre threads.

[CaptainZok]

I've been a newbie more times than most (usually due to victimisation by a certain nasty admin) do I count?
I can see how these political threads are becoming a pain for you admins to police and yes the infighting can come across as rather negative to new members but personally I'd rather certain members were told to grow up when a discussion hits playground level than ban a topic from conversation entirely.

[Nickbat]

Nickbat -

I understand why some pub landlords ban politics and religion, but that's an entirely different issue.

Why different?

Pub landlords want civilised educated discussion (perhaps) in their bar and subjects that are pleasant for others to join into rather than have to jump into the arguing affray afterwards with a pick axe handle and bash heads and ban folks?

Bit like on here sometimes then....   

Because this is online!

You talk of civilised educated discussion, but posts quoting "shite on foreskin" and "bashing the monkey" (from one of tonight's threads) go unremarked. I'm not saying that such posts should be banned — far from it — but I think it hypocritical to single out political arguments as offensive when others are, to some I suggest, rather more unpalatable.

But maybe that's just me.

[hotel21]

I haven't voted either way as it doesn't bother me,if a thread on any topic doesn't interest me I don't bother to read any more and move on to another,seemples 

I do the same with quite a few subjects which dont interest me. Particularily tyre threads.

But how often does it discourage newbies when they see the 'adults' squabbling in a corner of the playground?

[henryd]

Not sure that anything needs changing here tbh,I'm a member on a few forums and this is the best by a country mile.

[05omegav6]

Would it be plausible to limit post size? Say to 500 words

It might help to keep discussions fluid rather than allowing them to stagnate in verbosity.

I have voted in favour of allowing continued political discussion, as I feel an outright ban to be the top of a slippery slope.

With regard to entrenched arguements, it is quite frustrating to post any given topic, only to be met with pages of quotes, the contents of which are either misleading or plain irrelevant. Perhaps not allowing oneself to be drawn in to such exchanges is something that a few of us, myself included, might benefit from.

[hotel21]

Nickbat - missed the foreskin type things you refer too, been preoccupied with this thread (via mobile, not lappy or PC) and other tasks at the same time.

Regarding the pub/OOF comparison (without a divert onto foreskins) I suggest that the format is entirely similar.

Every journey needs small steps to start with. Perhaps OOF has simply been allowed to range too far out of line of the accepted norm and needs reigning in substantially. To do that needs boundaries and norms established and confirmed.

But then, we are into the realms of big bad mods rather than the Oof membership policing what's acceptable?

[hotel21]

Al - dunno about post limit size. Would need other reference points from more cleverer peeps before commenting back fully. 

[hotel21]

Cap'n - your point about folks growing up somewhat is forefront in my mind.....   

[05omegav6]

Al - dunno about post limit size. Would need other reference points from more cleverer peeps before commenting back fully. 

That thought did cross my mind, as I don't know if it would need to be applied across the forum, which in turn could impact the maintenance guides

[Sir Tigger KC]

General Discussion should be what it says on the tin and if you don't like it don't read it! 

I think that the Maggie Thatcher thread has been an exception as she inflamed passions (Steady Lovelength!!!  ) much more than most politicians do and it has been a historic moment in our nations history. 

So in my opinion things are fine as they are and if the discussion gets a bit overheated then lock the thread! 

 

[Nickbat]

I've been a newbie more times than most (usually due to victimisation by a certain nasty admin) do I count?
I can see how these political threads are becoming a pain for you admins to police and yes the infighting can come across as rather negative to new members but personally I'd rather certain members were told to grow up when a discussion hits playground level than ban a topic from conversation entirely.

..and who decides what constitutes "playground level"? 

[hotel21]

I've been a newbie more times than most (usually due to victimisation by a certain nasty admin) do I count?
I can see how these political threads are becoming a pain for you admins to police and yes the infighting can come across as rather negative to new members but personally I'd rather certain members were told to grow up when a discussion hits playground level than ban a topic from conversation entirely.

..and who decides what constitutes "playground level"? 

See reply #52

 

[dbdb]

Can you take political discussions off "Show unread posts since last visit" ?  Then people who want to chat (or argue) about non omega stuff have to select the category to do it.  That would help keep the forum omega focused. Ditto for all 'general discussion' category posts.  Otherwise this forum will become more of a clique and less about migs.