Are politics off limits?

[Longhorn248]

So what's the deal? Another thread has been closed without an explanation of why. This seems to be a recurring theme around here. Can we get some transparency from the admins/mods? Or is that too much to ask?

It doesn't bother me if there are going to be topics that are off limits since this is obviously a private website. However, it's ridiculous to continue "ninja modding" without even as much as a "against forum rules" comment before the close.

Edit:

Sorry for initially throwing this into the OT section. Now that I've had some time to organize my thoughts a little better, here's what I was really trying to get at.

Are we going to allow threads that deal with politics and religion on the forum? Are we going to establish a terms of use/rules for the forum? Can mods or admins please make the "last post" in a thread before it's locked so we know how to PM if we have questions about it?

I know it would be great to just be able to say, "everyone play nice and we won't have any problems". But as a forum grows that usually doesn't work, and I don't want to see a unequal use of the mod/admin hammer without something to back the actions up.

[Capt Canuck]

Regardless of how well informed we are or how bonkers our opinions are, I'd much rather the occasional raucous thread on a 'serious' subject, than a Tits or GTFO thread.

Not that they are mutually exclusive though, lol.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by Capt Canuck

Regardless of how well informed we are or how bonkers our opinions are, I'd much rather the occasional raucous thread on a 'serious' subject, than a Tits or GTFO thread.

Not that they are mutually exclusive though, lol.

I tend to agree. As long as other members aren't being directly insulted or threatened I don't see a problem with people having differing opinions.

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

I tend to agree. As long as other members aren't being directly insulted or threatened I don't see a problem with people having differing opinions.

Definitely The standard forum rules should always apply, regardless of the thread topic, but yes it shouldn't mean those topics that might get people's back up should not be allowed.

If not by the first post in a thread, pretty quickly thereafter I know whether its a topic who's people's opinions I'll find annoying. Easily enough avoided.

[Dave-ROR]

I was monitoring it to see if any personal attacks started. I didn't see any.. stayed Civil. I'm not sure who closed it, sorry.

[MF_DEUCE]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

I tend to agree. As long as other members aren't being directly insulted or threatened I don't see a problem with people having differing opinions.

Im guessing they wanted to prevent it from even starting, but i think they should state whether or not we're allowed to.

[M-17]

You know what, I'd really hate to see anything that might tear this community apart imo. Cause some have different opinions, faith, or politics. And yeah people can choose not to look, but its hard to not to look and see what your fellow member are saying. Some can take it and others can't roll with it. So it probably be a safe bet to just keep that kind of stuff out I guess.

[blu_]

^Politics is inherently divisive.

I don't think these debates offer anything on a car forum.

[S2kphile]

Lets try to keep it to cars, funny s*** and beautiful women

[Dark_Angle]

You think that it is bad now with people. Wait a couple more years when the rif raf start to show up and then it will really get interesting. I am apart of other forums and it is ridiculous how people talk sh*t on other people. I spend more time on this forum because this is a clean place. SO FAR.

It is sad when the OT is the most viewed area of a forum.

OT= Bashing 99.9% of the time

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by blu_

^Politics is inherently divisive.

I don't think these debates offer anything on a car forum.

Plenty of forums to discuss those other things...

[Dark_Angle]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

Plenty of forums to discuss those other things...

^^agreed

[IntenseDVDA]

Perhaps we can try to act like mature adults? We can disagree without being disagreeable. I love hearing from people who think differently than me. Even if they're batshit crazy, lol

[Zaku]

Not this again has anyone ever tried you know messaging the admin you know "the source of the issue" It's like posting this is to cause a rukus and get a mob going to burn down the king's palace, cause the populace isn't happy.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by M-17

You know what, I'd really hate to see anything that might tear this community apart imo. Cause some have different opinions, faith, or politics. And yeah people can choose not to look, but its hard to not to look and see what your fellow member are saying. Some can take it and others can't roll with it. So it probably be a safe bet to just keep that kind of stuff out I guess.

So just in case someone is offended by someone else's opinion we should prevent people from being opinionated? I know this is a pretty "extreme" case of just staying away from politics, but it's the slippery slope you go down when making things off limits.

I'm not arguing that it should be a free for all. For example we don't need to tolerate, sexism, racism, excessive profane language, etc. But I think a little discourse every once in a while is healthy.

I would like to think that the majority of people visiting are going to be adults and be able to handle it, but that's probably hoping for too much.

Personally I like people being allowed to express their views, even if they contain religious or political connotations. This may need a bit more heavy handedness from the mods to nip something in the bud if trouble is brewing, but I wouldn't be opposed to that.

[blu_]

Its a car forum....

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by Zaku

Not this again has anyone ever tried you know messaging the admin you know "the source of the issue" It's like posting this is to cause a rukus and get a mob going to burn down the king's palace, cause the populace isn't happy.

I'm not trying to cause a ruckus, I'm trying to get the mods and admins involved in the conversation. So far the couple of times I've brought it up there hasn't been an answer.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by blu_

Its a car forum....

So then lets get rid of "off-topic".

[blu_]

Thats a strawman argument. Chat about video games and movies doesn't cause instant drama and offense. You can argue we need to be adults, but adults in general can't even talk about politics without getting worked up.

[Zaku]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

I'm not trying to cause a ruckus, I'm trying to get the mods and admins involved in the conversation. So far the couple of times I've brought it up there hasn't been an answer.

I'm going to be as blunt as possible in the hopes that they do come out and talk.

But basically your not answering the question here,

Have you even messaged him? Have you tried? to message any of them because if Dave is out here confused and apologetic about it and he has no idea. Seems like no one took the proper steps to be civil about it, was there a PM to Ichi? Hachi? Guff? Dave? Wing?

"Hey you guys, why was this thread deleted? is politics off limits? you should let everyone know that it's not allow please" etc.

It's a little hypocritical when your thread is basically fighting for people to be allowed civil disputes.

When it's a thread here basically

Happen so many time?! Hey Guys everyone else notice like me? Ninja?why no explanation?

I don't know about you but every time I took the proper steps I've gotten answers. Admin and mods are people like us, they have reasons and you never know who hits the report button, what seem like something not offensive to you could be offensive to someone else and they would report it.

Seriously, Not this again

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by Zaku

I'm going to be as blunt as possible in the hopes that they do come out and talk.

But basically your not answering the question here,

Have you even messaged him? Have you tried? to message any of them because if Dave is out here confused and apologetic about it and he has no idea. Seems like no one took the proper steps to be civil about it, was there a PM to Ichi? Hachi? Guff? Dave? Wing?

"Hey you guys, why was this thread deleted? is politics off limits? you should let everyone know that it's not allow please" etc.

It's a little hypocritical when your thread is basically fighting for people to be allowed civil disputes.

When it's a thread here basically

Happen so many time?! Hey Guys everyone else notice like me? Ninja?why no explanation?

I don't know about you but every time I took the proper steps I've gotten answers. Admin and mods are people like us, they have reasons and you never know who hits the report button, what seem like something not offensive to you could be offensive to someone else and they would report it.

Seriously, Not this again

I haven't sent a PM because I think it's a question that needs to be answered publicly. In hindsight I probably worded the initial post wrong, but the main premise is whether or not someone simply being offended should be cause for closing a thread, or if we're going to establish some forum rules with regards to what's cool and what's not cool. The more members we get the more this is going to be a problem.

[SVTSHC]

It's more that political and religious debates always have a way of devolving into shouting matches filled entirely with personal attacks. You may be able to promise to keep it civil but emotions run deep with those sort of topics and when someone who doesn't have your level of self-control is moved to anger on an emotional level that's when the attacks start. It's inevitable and should be avoided in places not designed for that sort of thing.

I've seen good friends become bitter enemies because of politics and religion.