Will this forum remain Politics-free?

[KKLoco]

Considering the name of the website ‘DenyIgnorance.com’, would we not be doing ourselves an injustice by having political topic forums?

Speaking for myself only, I’ve received about 98% of my daily news from ATS. What is a good portion of daily news - things that affect us personally. Unfortunately, most of those deal with politics. 

I did not come to ATS for anything political related. However, in my older and wiser years, politics are where the current conspiracies reside. Think about’Disclosure’ if that ever will happen. Where would it come from? = Governmental politicians. It sucks, but it is what it is.

limiting that discussion on this site is a huge mistake, IMHO.

[DBCowboy]

That's why I'm not afraid of political debate because I can focus on policy and not personality.

[FlyingClayDisk]

Ah...and so I've said my peace here, I honestly have.

I will drift off into the 'aether'...i never meant to have a big presence here; I don't even know this place.

I am not required here.  My input is not relevant any longer.  I am old.

I wish all of you the best of luck here.

[putnam6]

That's why I'm not afraid of political debate because I can focus on policy and not personality.

Yes you can DB but most people can not, most people have one or two points and either keep banging those 2 points or resort to the inevitable name-calling and sarcasm.

Not to mention some just like to argue.

Once I found myself arguing more than actual learning it was when ATS lost its value.

[FlyingClayDisk]

It's okay, I guess I was mistaken.

Have a great day everyone.

Thanks!

[Byrd]

Considering the name of the website ‘DenyIgnorance.com’, would we not be doing ourselves an injustice by having political topic forums?

Speaking for myself only, I’ve received about 98% of my daily news from ATS. What is a good portion of daily news - things that affect us personally. Unfortunately, most of those deal with politics. 

I did not come to ATS for anything political related. However, in my older and wiser years, politics are where the current conspiracies reside. Think about’Disclosure’ if that ever will happen. Where would it come from? = Governmental politicians. It sucks, but it is what it is.

limiting that discussion on this site is a huge mistake, IMHO.

The problem is that it's NOT discussion.

It's op-ed, it's memes, it's music vids, it's name-calling, it's title-slinging... nothing of discourse in there.  A number of us do try to engage, but it's hard to have a dialogue when you're being called names and accused of being commie/socialist/snowflake/etc (hop over to some of the closed topics on ATS about politics and the Mud Pit and you'll see how toxic it got.)

It would be interesting to have a "dueling op-eds" thing (rather like the debate forum) or something similar.  But a free-form political arena...?  Nope.  Didn't work last time and unlikely to work in a new setting.

[Blaine91555]

Didn't work last time and unlikely to work in a new setting.

Exactly right.

[LogicalGraffiti]

My two cents worth on this is that, in my opinion, politics in any forum discussion certainly has a place as long as it's on topic.  For example, if someone posts a topic titled "the sky is too blue and we don't get enough rain", people should talk about that specifically like, why is it too blue, what's the real effect, what can we do about it, etc.  What kills a thread for me (and is prevalent on the "other site") is that someone comes in and says "it's [insert your most hated president's] fault because he's not my guy".  That triggers a response to address the accusation and the discussion can easily devolve into political trolling which brings the whole "the sky is too blue" discussion to an end.

[VulcanWerks]

I do not want to feel censored.

I've always spoken my mind, much to the chagrin of Mods, but I've never tempered my tongue.

Thr biggest conspiracy going on right now is the god-damned government gaslighting all of us.

If I can't say that, and say that honestly, then, I won't be here.

I like a forum where I can just write and not worry about deadlines or grammar or nib-shit editors.

 

I don’t think anyone here would materially disagree with the need for lack of censorship.

Or, as you note, “speak your mind”.

I’ve read your posts for years and tend to agree with your take more often than not. But, I also don’t see you as someone who simply pops off and doesn’t have any substance to their commentary on an issue.

The “mud pit” got way out of control IMO and ultimately lacked a lot of substance. It also seemed to literally make up emotionally charged talking points, ongoing. Speech, and most other things, don’t “offend me” but instead become annoying commentary when it’s just mud slinging without much thoughtful commentary alongside it.

When the posts become “FJB!!!!Reeeeeee” I don’t care to “censor” anyone but that also gets annoying.

The study and understanding of politics, history, “narratives”, law are all crucial to understand (at least I think so). I’d rather draw the line at substantive conversations vs. outright mudslinging. You’re not “censored” in that model but rather there’s some expectation of insightful/thoughtful/intelligent commentary - which offers a range of perspectives for us for us all to consider and grow from.

[Raptured]

Totally agree with Byrd's comments a few replies up.
I found myself participating less and less on ATS simply because of the "tribal" mentality of many of the posters there.  Discussions degraded into name-calling, finger pointing, gaslighting and inuendo. 
If someone didn't agree with something you say or want to discuss they label you this or that and then their like-minded buddies focus on you in a pile-on.  It got so tiresome.
A good number of people now base their thoughts and ideas on soundbite-politics and have seemingly lost the ability to think for themselves.  It's really sad