Should we outlaw any and almost all PP type discussions

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I sure hope this poll comes out the way I want it to...

[wilson]

I could not be any louder or more vociferous with my "yes, let's outlaw them" vote.
I like all of you, and I want to keep liking you.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I don't necessarily think they should be outlawed, but I think the folks over yonder were correct when they said there are better sites for PP discussions.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I just joined the votes for leaving such discussions off this board. While I doubt this group of people as I know them would get into the harangues which have doomed such a board elsewhere, why find out?

[cl15876]

Hmm, public policy discussions .... I think outlawed is kind of strong as I suspect there are both conservatives and liberals on this site like any other and we here seem to be able to regulate ourselves accordingly whether through self control, self restraint or via a lot of good mentoring!!!! I for one am open to other's thoughts and opinions on all matters as things are different for us all and I don't definitely look for controversy (although it is fun at times), but invite constructive interchanges and dialogues as I am not an expert in any 1 thing specifically (well maybe a couple), but I am always open to some learning as I don't have a corner on that market ..... YET!!!!!! ;)

[wilson]

How about we make a rule that all political discussions must be in binary?

[cl15876]

Oz, I will say though, I am proud of you!!!! As I read this finely constructed poll, I think this is the first poll that I've seen you create!!!! Bravo man, bravo!!!!!

[cl15876]

How about we make a rule that all political discussions must be in binary?

01010111 01001111 01010010 01000100 00100001 00100001 00100001 00100001

[OZZIE4DUKE]

How about we make a rule that all political discussions must be in binary?

01010111 01001111 01010010 01000100 00100001 00100001 00100001 00100001

01000001 01000111 01010010 01000101 01000101 01000100 00100001

[throatybeard]

The original draft of the "hey, we're shutting it down" message directed posters interested in PP discussions over here and a couple other specific places. That made no sense to me whatsoever.

I said I'm not sure the CT folks would welcome that, so we really shouldn't mention CT or any site specifically. Fortunately that got edited out. I don't know what y'all's feelings are, but I wouldn't wish a Shammrog/BD80/Mudge v Duvall crap storm on anyone.

Anyway, the DBR-PPB takedown was a long time coming.


(ps- I've been busy. I'll get to outstanding questions directed towards me sometime soon).

[DukeUsul]

I think the fact that, since April, everyone here has avoided posting anything PP-related is a good thing and means that no one really wants to get into that stuff here.

[CameronBornAndBred]

The original draft of the "hey, we're shutting it down" message directed posters interested in PP discussions over here and a couple other specific places. That made no sense to me whatsoever.

Thanks for that...it seems a bit strange they would even mention CT as an option. Anyways, I said it earlier on the LTE, but I liked JK's post. It was sound reasoning that folks shouldn't have too much to argue against.

[DukeUsul]

The original draft of the "hey, we're shutting it down" message directed posters interested in PP discussions over here and a couple other specific places. That made no sense to me whatsoever.

Thanks for that...it seems a bit strange they would even mention CT as an option. Anyways, I said it earlier on the LTE, but I liked JK's post. It was sound reasoning that folks shouldn't have too much to argue against.

I wish -jk had explained in more detail what was expected now of any PP-related topics that might get posted on the OTB. I'd expect the owners wouldn't want anything PP-related on the OTB, but he left it open that maybe things will be allowed, but on a shorter leash.

[windsor]

I said I'm not sure the CT folks would welcome that, so we really shouldn't mention CT or any site specifically. Fortunately that got edited out. I don't know what y'all's feelings are, but I wouldn't wish a Shammrog/BD80/Mudge v Duvall crap storm on anyone.

Anyway, the DBR-PPB takedown was a long time coming.

I thank you for that also. There are some posters I wouldn't mind having over here and others -- well, not so much .
I posted on PPB once in a blue moon and had noticed the time from first comment to thermonuclear meltdown had decreased exponentially recently.
There were occassional insightful well thought out posts there, but he name calling and the screaming overwhelmed them.

I do not want to ban PP type conversations - we've touched on religion here and managed to live. No lemurs were harmed during the debate. I am not wild about specifically banning any type of post (binary or otherwise) with a broad brush. There are so many shades of grey - where is the line between Sue being upset because her Dad's insurance company is jerking him around (this is an example - no basis in fact) and a discussion on insurance and a one on healthcare reform. So banning no, please no. But I do NOT want this turn in to DBR PPB Annex. JK is right, there are plenty of places on the web where you can rant with like minded bible thumping neo-cons or bleeding heart socialist liberals I don't want that place to be here. I would deal with PPBesque debate on a case by case basis.

Or make them post in binary. The time to takes to decode then encode your response might keep things civil.

[wilson]

...bible thumping neo-cons or bleeding heart socialist liberals...

This sounds like an ad hominem personal attack to me. ;)

[windsor]

...bible thumping neo-cons or bleeding heart socialist liberals...

This sounds like an ad hominem personal attack to me. ;)

if the slander fits.....

[CameronBornAndBred]

bible thumping neo-cons

They are just making sure the one they are holding is ripe.

[windsor]

bible thumping neo-cons

They are just making sure the one they are holding is ripe.

[knights68]

I am kinda late to this discussion, but for my ...
"Should we outlaw any and almost all Public Policy type discussions"
My answer: NO!
If any type of discussion was outlawed, regardless of the motivations or intent, it is a slippery slope that I do not think anyone would want to attempt if this was thought out to it's natural conclusion.

So let's say (in the wonderful world of theory) PP discussion were verboten and most everyone is ok with it.
Perhaps we will then start going down the same road DBR did and start cherry picking what is or isn't acceptable in topics of discussion, or perhaps how things are disccused.
Who will it be to select future topics or even ways topics are disccused? A select handful of roating mods? Majority rule?

In my opinion once a decision is made to "ban" one thing or one way... it will only be a matter of time before more things will fall to the same such restrictions.

I, in my naive state perhaps, would like to think that we're all 'growd up here, can be civil and well mannered, and share the common goal to make this joint a success!
This would mean we all have to pitch in together and make it work. And yeppers, it may even mean we have to watch out for our fellow posters and those who do not share the same opinions and outlooks as others.

We may not encourage PP discussions, but to "forbid", "ban" or otherwise have it unacceptable in this wonderful world of crazietalk is just something bad waiting to happen.

So to the "deciders" of whom are considering this, my vote is NO!

Thanks for asking

[TNTDevil]

The original draft of the "hey, we're shutting it down" message directed posters interested in PP discussions over here and a couple other specific places. That made no sense to me whatsoever.

I said I'm not sure the CT folks would welcome that, so we really shouldn't mention CT or any site specifically. Fortunately that got edited out. I don't know what y'all's feelings are, but I wouldn't wish a Shammrog/BD80/Mudge v Duvall crap storm on anyone.

Anyway, the DBR-PPB takedown was a long time coming.


(ps- I've been busy. I'll get to outstanding questions directed towards me sometime soon).

Wow. I don't know whether to insulted or happy that my UserName wasn't included in the "crap storm" reference above.

I had been posting on the DBR PPB since the "code" days and I couldn't really say, definitively, that it had gotten that much worse. I seem to recall a few threads from the "code days" involving "Anabasis" that got down right nasty. The "community" may have gotten a good bit larger (having to wait for your approval code put a lot of folks out). Therefore, I'm somewhat confused about the shutdown and why it happened now. I was most confused about the mods periodic complaints about the "lack of civility" (although I just got a, well-deserved, 3-point pop-in-the-kisser). I realize that things could get testy, however, that's gonna' happen when discussing the topics of race, religion and politics et. al. To think otherwise is, IMO, naive. But, the PPB was nothing like some other boards I visit from time-to-time.

I also didn't see the name-calling (other than liberal v. Conservative), that everyone else references so often. I'm not saying it didn't happen but usually the "flame-throwers" didn't last too very long on the PPB, regardless of their political persuasion. Also, some posters tended to get a bit snarky (I plead guilty) but, I also did my very best to stay on topic and add to the discussion whenever I posted.

If there was any real reason to shut it down, it was that it was pointless. You could make the most reasoned argument, backed with supporting evidence out the wazoo, only to have someone post: "...well, I don't believe that" or, "XYZ.com is completely biased" etc. It would seem to me that if the mods had a problem with posters on the DBR it was those type of intellectually dishonest "crap storms" that should have been continually referenced and not "lack of civility".

That being said, I'll miss the PPB. It was a very fun place to discuss politics that was free of a lot of the BS that goes on in other PP-oriented forums. I learned things, even from people with which I didn't agree and, it really forced me to think through my points before finally clicking "Submit".

As for should it happen here-- I don't really see CTN's "Our House" board as a very good medium for PP type discussions. There seems to be a real, if you'll allow me to steal a DBR reference, "neighborhood pub" interaction at work on this board. And anyone knows, if you go to your neighborhood pub, you're never gonna' bring up politics or religion unless- you've had one too many or, don't ever want to go back again.