Politics

[+ FrankR]

I dont miss it. Would rather folks like@RadioRob spend what time they have available, getting the review site up and running, instead of babysitting that particular pit where reason goes to die. 

[pubic_assistance]

On 4/21/2023 at 1:41 PM, EZEtoGRU said:

Whilst I miss the politics forum, I don’t miss the right wing extremists on this site having a platform to push their hate and lies

And there you go.

You've just demonstrated why there can't BE political discussions here.

Instead of recognizing that people have different viewpoints in life and focusing on the viewpoint, it immediately gets personal and name-calling ensues.

 

[pubic_assistance]

On 4/21/2023 at 5:00 PM, RadioRob said:

Ultimately I would want it to be a gentleman's discussion without it resorting to simple political talking points or name calling, trolling or over generalization to try to paint the other side into a corner.  

How can we drive that sort of conversation here ?

I don't think it's possible.

There are too many people in this country who's political viewpoints are formed in echo chambers and  they treat opposing viewpoints as attacks on humanity.

The current political climate in the US is extremely polarized and getting worse by the day. Sadly, the gentleman's discussion is a thing of the past.

[pubic_assistance]

On 4/21/2023 at 7:28 PM, SouthOfTheBorder said:

I spend months at a time in southern Europe - I’ve yet to meet anyone that self-identifies with a political party as Americans do.  Meaning, Americans will say I’m a Democrat or Republican as central to their very being….it’s very common.  

Because most Europeans have more than two political parties. THIS is a big part of the problem with American politics. But if you suggest someone vote third party you're immediately called stupid for *wasting your vote". Yet again another opportunity for the vitriol of name calling to ensue.

It my observation that people are being trained (and tricked) into HATING "the other side" to prevent them from finding a middle ground.

That hatred ruins any chance of discussion.

[pubic_assistance]

On 4/21/2023 at 8:15 PM, SouthOfTheBorder said:

...many of the more toxic have moved to the other site….and good riddance

What "other site" ?

I've noticed this site is more civil lately and it's true some of the trolls have been missing. I hadn't thought about that until you just mentioned it.  There were several members who had zero ability to disagree without ridicule.

I get spanked from time to time when I forgot myself. But I DO always try to think more carefully how I phrase my opinions when I return.

I imagine there are others who don't learn anything from being disciplined.

[SouthOfTheBorder]

1 hour ago, pubic_assistance said:

What "other site" ?

gayguides.com

its entertaining in small doses & completely unmoderated (but very little traffic) - so the folks over there can post whatever they want, including their political manifestos.  some of the more prolific posters seem to have migrated there

and, there also seems to be a number of people active on this site & that one who are pushing for the reinstatement of the political forum here.  I don’t get it - they have a place to rant on gayguides, but don’t seem satisfied with that option for whatever reason.  Unless they just want a larger audience for their performative posts ??
And there’s always Facebook for those who can’t disconnect from political discussions - plenty of argumentative folks over there all the time.

the obsession with partisan politics/talking points is the sure sign of a simple mind. 
 
get a life, read a book, learn a new language, start a hobby, volunteer - anything that is actually productive.  anything but divisive political rhetoric.
or maybe just enjoy a site about escorts without your political thoughts 

 

 

Edited April 23, 2023 by SouthOfTheBorder

[pubic_assistance]

38 minutes ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

some of the more prolific posters seem to have migrated there

Thanks

Interesting.

I used Gay Guides many years ago when preparing for a trip to Thailand. I had no idea there was a "Forum".  Amusing to note that they're over there continuing to rant about politics.

I was a member of my high school debate team for 4 years. The first rule of debate is to stick to facts and never make personal attacks other than pointing out WHEN the opposing team uses them ( it's a penalty so you want the judge to notice ). Politics was a topic of the competition frequently and I always found the flow of information fascinating in how the same facts could be met with such different viewpoints. I wish people had more ability to use facts to discuss and avoid name-calling in the absence of evidence.

[SouthOfTheBorder]

23 minutes ago, pubic_assistance said:

I used Gay Guides many years ago when preparing for a trip to Thailand

I read that forum for laughs a few times each year - basically what not to do when traveling abroad. some of the mishaps posted are really quite something 

usually older gay men in search of younger/desperate locals and willing to put all common sense aside in that pursuit.  kind of like one of those bad reality shows where you know how it’s gonna end up
 

Edited April 23, 2023 by SouthOfTheBorder

[pubic_assistance]

1 minute ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

usually older gay men in search of younger/desperate locals and willing to put all common sense aside in that pursuit.  delusions running rampant in foreign lands basically.  

Thailand does seems to have a huge population of young men making themselves available for whatever to score a few bucks to send back home. It's all very sad.

I found that the professional spas did a good job vetting and were well populated with young men who were more confident and professional in their choice to serve the needs of gay men. I was still quite young and fit when I was there so there was always a lot of effort to get me as a client. Met a few incredibly good looking young guys at these places and the services were above and beyond most every experience I've had in other countries.

[+ José Soplanucas]

14 hours ago, BSR said:

What prevents an OP from blocking people simply because they say things the OP dislikes or disagrees with?

Nothing.

14 hours ago, BSR said:

how about getting participants in a revived Politics forum to enter at your own risk? 

I am all for it.

[Stormy]

I miss the Politics Forum.  There are a number of topics such as Supreme Court ethics I would like to discuss and debate with opponents.  I even miss the members who expressed right wing views.  If we are agreeing with each other on every issue, we are clearly not thinking 

[+ DERRIK]

I too miss the politics forum but I suspect our volunteer moderators have to spend a lot of time on it

I appreciate thier service but I suspect its unreasonable they end up spending hours on it 

thus I defer to judgment of those in charge

[samhexum]

On 4/15/2023 at 1:49 PM, José Soplanucas said:

Are you admins going to reassess the Political forum cancellation?

 

On 4/21/2023 at 5:00 PM, RadioRob said:

Since I'm not sure how to contain this from blowing up, let me put this out to the community for ideas.

 

On 4/23/2023 at 3:13 PM, Stormy said:

I miss the Politics Forum.  

Is there a way to make it a monthly subscription feature?  Charge a nominal fee, which you could use for the site or donate to LGBTQ causes ($2/mo = $24/yr) and then don't moderate it and let the folks rip each other to shreds, since they know what they are paying for and could opt out at any time.

It could be your choice whether non-payers could view the section (but not reply, of course).

Edited April 26, 2023 by samhexum
just for the hell of it

[BSR]

On 4/21/2023 at 12:35 PM, SouthOfTheBorder said:

aren’t there like a million websites to engage in political trolling ?

Can you recommend an LGBT forum with an active Politics subforum?  The other site's Politics section is all but dead. 

I started engaging in political discussion in Men's Tennis Forum (not LGBT obviously but it has a ~20% gay membership).   At first it was kinda fun because conservatives actually outnumber liberals at MTF, but I quickly grew bored because the liberals cave so easily, no challenge at all.

[+ augustus]

On 4/22/2023 at 8:19 AM, SouthOfTheBorder said:

 In general, that site has very little traffic & it’s poorly maintained.  Sometimes only 3-4 people logged on.

That's not true.  

[marylander1940]

On 4/21/2023 at 4:20 PM, EZEtoGRU said:

Ain't that the truth.  I have lived in Colombia, Chile, and Brazil.  They are just as obsessed with politics as the US.  Same with many European countries.   

At least nowadays those countries have politics instead of guerilla, terrorism, dictatorships, coups, etc. 

On 4/21/2023 at 4:28 PM, SouthOfTheBorder said:

I spend months at a time in southern Europe - I’ve yet to meet anyone that self-identifies with a political party as Americans do.  Meaning, Americans will say I’m a Democrat or Republican as central to their very being….it’s very common.  
Our experiences may differ as I just don’t see the same polarization in Europe as in the US.  My European friends think political discussions are the height of boorish behavior.  All opinion and doesn’t go anywhere.  Isn’t there something better to talk about than corrupt politicians ? 

Here Independents and those who call themselves moderates as not as they claim to be as a badge of honor and to make their opinion matter most. 

[SouthOfTheBorder]

fyi - the political keyboard warriors are alive & well at "the other site"  

some of the more passive/aggressive are at war amongst themselves (surprise)

definitely the right move to purge the toxic politics from here

[+ José Soplanucas]

[pubic_assistance]

16 hours ago, SouthOfTheBorder said:

definitely the right move to purge the toxic politics from here

I think the toxicity was more about certain people than the subject.

Several regular hecklers seem to have disappeared along with the politics forum which has improved conversation across all topics.

[ICTJOCK]

I have been a member of "Realjock"  (RJ as we long time members call it)    It has had a politics forum since the beginning and has gone nothing but downhill.    It used to be reasonable conversation (but heated),  then gradually changed through the last 6 years into each side tossing out their views and not commenting on the other in a reasonable manner.   Today,  there are only a few participants,   still throwing out their  "sock it to em"  approach and generally not much said to the other side,  except for name calling and demeaning comments.    

I think the removal here was wise.   No minds changed,  no reasonable conversation and a lot of negative feelings.  Probably best to move on.

[+ tassojunior]

Religion used to be the topic most avoided. Politics is the new religion in divisiveness. (and just as meaningless).