THANK YOU Moderator

[uptownmike]

Thank you for keeping this board true to its stated purpose and content.

There's a board for political junk and this isn't it.

[Rick Munroe]

>There's a board for political junk and this isn't it.

 

I'm sorry you feel that gay families under attack by the federal government is "political junk."

[HotdadENYC]

I am sorry that Rick's thread got moved to the political forum, but I understand why it was done.

 

For the record, not only do I think Rick did an excellent job laying out, very simply, the issue, but he also made an eloquent plea for treating this as a "non-partisan" issue and further directed us to links to get more information.

 

In my opinion, this transcends gay lifestyle issues and borders on censorship.

 

And I also apologize for my crack, in the beginning of my response, that compared this situation to 1930's Berlin. Wasn't my intention but I believe that might have bordered on political.

 

Live and learn. And Rick, thanks for trying to "learn" us a little bit.

 

Regards,

hd NYC

[Fit In LA]

A simple observation of the posters on this site shows the large majority of people do not come to this site to view or post on

religion or political issues.

 

For the minority who do come here for those issues, the webmaster and moderators have provided an easy to find and use area called the Religion, Politics, and War Board.

 

Please respect every member here and post topics on the correct board. In this way you automatically associate with those who have interests and everyone should be happy.

 

I join in saying THANK YOU to the webmaster and moderators for running and excellent and orderly site.

[+ Lucky]

I don't think the moderators deserve a thank you here. There are times when they just need to look the other way. The Politics forum has turned into a cesspool of vicious infighting that most here want to avoid. The information that Rick provided is valuable and needs to be known by every gay person. For those of you that don't want to know how fragile your rights are, just ignore the information and concentrate on your own narcissistic lifestyle until it is no longer available to you due to the actions of government officials such as the one Rick mentioned.

[Boston Guy]

I agree.

 

I've always felt that people should be able to post pretty much anything in the Lounge that they felt belonged there. Putting something in the Politics forum is to consign it to a quick and silent death, unless it becomes yet one more thread in which the same few people rehash the same arguments over and over again.

 

I've been here since the beginning but I'm not so sure what people come to view and post here. We are a very diverse group and some, at least, come because it's a group of guys who they can talk about gay issues with -- sometimes the only such group in their lives. Yes, this site is about escorts or, at least, it was at the beginning. I think today it represents something a bit larger than that.

 

Finally, I've never really understood guys who get worked up over a thread being posted to the "wrong" forum. For God's sake, if you don't want to read one, don't read it. Skip over it. It's easy to do. What's the big deal?

 

BG

[HotdadENYC]

>A simple observation of the posters on this site shows the

>large majority of people do not come to this site to view or

>post on

>religion or political issues.

 

I don't mean to counter your opinion, or refute your assertion, but do you have ABSOLUTE statistical evidence that THIS is the case? I thought not.

 

>For the minority who do come here for those issues, the

>webmaster and moderators have provided an easy to find and

>use area called the Religion, Politics, and War Board.

 

And, Yet, sometimes what is seemingly political MIGHT have other implications that transcend the delimited categories on this forum.

 

>Please respect every member here and post topics on the

>correct board. In this way you automatically associate with

>those who have interests and everyone should be happy.

 

While I agree that there is often a good deal of disrespect on this forum, and I am not completely innocent or absolved of that behavior, this particular post reached out to the majority of people who either respect the right to portray gay people as mainstream, or for those of us who abhore censorship. Or both.

 

A good deal of us, I believe, read the papers and watch the news every day, but MIGHT have missed this particular item. While I am saddened that it took on political tones, prompting not only your post, but my response as well, the fact is, some of us might not have known about this scar on free speech were it not for Rick's post.

 

>I join in saying THANK YOU to the webmaster and moderators for

>running and excellent and orderly site.

 

I also thank the moderators for ultimately making the switch and making the right decision, but I'm not sure if it was for the same reasons you hold.

 

 

In my opinion, the issue previously raised was important enough to get out to the forum members. If as you say, only a minority read the political category, then it was certainly fortunate that Rick posted it, originally where he did, so that more of the readers could see what's happening. Its unfortunate that unwittingly or without malice or intent, some of us (myself included) might have turned this important thread into something which it was not originally meant to be.

 

Whatever. Free speech dominates. Which I guess was one of the underlying reasons why the boy posted what he did.

 

Regards,

 

hd NYC

[Muscle Lover]

Can some of you guys read? Go back and read on the Forums listing page.

Under THE LOUNGE it says " No Politics, No Religion, No War. Please take these topics to the appropriate place." How hard is that to understand.

 

I get plenty of politics pushed at me in my daily newspaper, on TV, and the two news magazines I subscribe to.

I come here for MEN and SEX, not politics.

 

Simple, if it's political, put it on the political board.

 

The webmaster and mods do a great job in keeping this site from turning into pure chaos. I for one truly appreciate you mods for the great job you do. You deserve more praise and recognition.

[HotdadENYC]

Lucky and Boston Guy, thanks for the show of support and you each make excellent points.

 

Are you two getting together, or getting married, or something?

 

OR, God forbid, did I raise an issue that should have been posted somewhere else?

 

Like in the "oh yeah, right" category?

 

....BIG STUPID GRIN....right about now....

 

 

 

Thanks again, fellas.

 

hd NYC

[+ deej]

>Finally, I've never really understood guys who get worked up

>over a thread being posted to the "wrong" forum. For God's

>sake, if you don't want to read one, don't read it. Skip over

>it. It's easy to do. What's the big deal?

 

BG, I adore you and always have. But the fundamental flaw in "don't read it if you don't like it" is that you have to read it to decide whether you like it.

 

There ARE things I don't read. I don't read the LA TIMES for instance, but mostly because I got tired of having them delivered and throwing them away unwrapped. ;-) In that case, I truly skipped over what I didn't want to read.

 

But on a message board, you don't have wrappers. You don't know whether what sounds interesting may actually be interesting. You have to read it first to make a decision.

 

On a message board, you may be subjected to unnecessary bile because someone is having an off day. (Or more likely becaue they're making a surgically accurate strike while cloaked like a Klingon Warbird.)

 

Rick's original post had nothing to do with partisan politics and it was left here with good reason. Nobody had any objection to it. It was a VERY good post.

 

As soon as it became people beating each other about the head and shoulders over Bush, Condi Rice and Nazis, it was moved. The thread was hijacked. It went where most political threads go, so it was moved to the political forum where people can feel free to be as hostile as they want.

 

Feel free to go over there and read the thread. I won't be joining you.

 

If the thread had stuck to topic, it would still be here.

[noviceny]

Just re-read Rick's thread and posted.

 

Very very informative

 

Thanks Rick

 

BTW just read some of the other stuff over there...what is up with some of that psychotic shit ??? Its kind of cool though...Im gonna go back :-)

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

A Modest Proposal

 

Its

>unfortunate that unwittingly or without malice or intent, some

>of us (myself included) might have turned this important

>thread into something which it was not originally meant to

>be.

 

But hardly suprising. Upon its inception it was clear to me and I suspect to most that is was only a matter of time, and not much at that, before the thread would devolve into a political food fight. (The author recognized that hence HIS plea.) It ALWAYS does, pleas notwithstanding. As sure as night follows day.

 

> If as you say, only a minority read the

>political category, then it was certainly

>fortunate that Rick posted it, originally where he did, so

>that more of the readers could see what's happening.

 

It is of interest to, and the benefit of, the community to be exposed to some news items/notices that utimately will generate heated political discussion. Recognizing the benefit to a wider audience and the disinterest of many in that audience to wade through the idealogic and dogmatic slings and arrows that are soon trotted out, and whereas consigning the thread to the Politics Forum is viewed by some as a death sentence or at least consignment to the closet...

 

Maybe the time has come for an new forum dedicated to the posting of New Items/Notices/Announcements that are locked at the outset. If anyone wishes to pick up a discussion they can post in the the forum of their choice and take their chances where it ultimately ends up. That puts the information out there for all to see and at the same time permits whatever discussion people want to make of it.

 

An alternative within the current forum lineup allowing the thread orginator to lock his own thread on inception would accomplish the same end. (I suspect that would require a software modification.) No new forum needed and the originator controls the possible fates of his progeny -- a sure thing or a roll of the dice.

[Guest zipperzone]

>A simple observation of the posters on this site shows the

>large majority of people do not come to this site to view or

>post on

>religion or political issues.

>

>For the minority who do come here for those issues, the

>webmaster and moderators have provided an easy to find and

>use area called the Religion, Politics, and War Board.

>

>Please respect every member here and post topics on the

>correct board. In this way you automatically associate with

>those who have interests and everyone should be happy.

>

>I join in saying THANK YOU to the webmaster and moderators for

>running and excellent and orderly site.

 

Isn't it time to wipe the brown stuff off your nose?

[Guest zipperzone]

>Finally, I've never really understood guys who get worked up

>over a thread being posted to the "wrong" forum. For God's

>sake, if you don't want to read one, don't read it. Skip over

>it. It's easy to do. What's the big deal?

 

I guess some people are just born "anal" and have nothing better to do in life than point out every possible digression from the norm.

[Boston Guy]

Deej,

 

Just to clarify: my "I agree" up above was meant to signal agreement with the idea of being able to post things in the Lounge that have some political comment -- not signalling agreement with anything having to do with the particular thread in question or it having been moved or, in fact, with the moderators at all. I most certainly wasn't expressing any discontent with the moderators -- there's a reason I haven't volunteered to do that thankless job all these years. :-)

 

I hardly ever go to the politics area. That's disappointing to me, because I enjoy a good political discussion. I discuss politics often, with friends of all political persuasions, and often learn something or even change my position on a subject after listening to someone else.

 

My basic philosophy about government and its relationship to its citizens isn't likely to change; it's almost part of who I am. But I've been wrong on many issues, small and large, and hashing them through with people I respect sometimes helps me to understand an issue better, learn new facts or -- sometimes -- become more convinced that the position I do hold is the right one for me.

 

Unfortunately, the politics section here seems to be more of a slugfest. When I do go read threads there, it seems to be less about constructively discussing some of the important issues of the day and more about bashing those who disagree with you and anyone who might be construed as being on their side.

 

I'm a liberal guy. Oddly, I was more conservative when I was younger; most people grow more conservative as they age but I've grown progressively more liberal, especially on social issues. But there are issues where I hold a "conservative" point of view. For example, I believe the US should maintain a strong military. How that's achieved and whether any particular administration is helping that or hurting it through its policies is always up for discussion. But I'm not likely at all to abandon the underlying principle about keeping a strong military.

 

However, I'm willing to listen to one and all who think that's wrong. Maybe they know something I don't know. Maybe, someday, someone will cause me to really rethink it. In the meantime, I may disagree with people but I can still respect their beliefs. I don't have to agree with someone in order to respect their positions -- and the fact that they've taken time to think issues through for themselves.

 

In the political forum here, the shouting seems to drown out all -- or at least most -- reasonable discussions. It often seems more like "my daddy is bigger than you're daddy!" kind of discussions. I don't know why. But posting something there is a good way to have it not be seen by most people.

 

And that's why I like to see important issues of all kinds posted in the Lounge.

 

BG

 

ps: I'm a big fan of yours, too. ;-)

[+ Charlie]

Almost any thread in any forum can be hijacked and turned into a political debate or screaming match. I'm not sure that it is appropriate to then turn the whole thread over to the "Politics etc." forum. Perhaps all that is needed is some icon (like the question mark and flame) at the beginning to warn that the thread has turned political. I have stopped even going to the Politics forum for the very reason that Lucky mentioned, so I could easily miss altogether posts that might interest me but that have been hijacked and moved.

[duke37]

I guess the question now is...Why does the Politics board suck? And it does SUCK and not in a good way. It seems the opinion of some here that anything posted there will die a flame filled death. And be ignored by most.

 

So... why?

 

Why do is it happen this way? And does it have to?

 

Jeff

[Rick Munroe]

>Rick, thanks for trying to "learn" us a

>little bit.

 

I learn an awful lot from you guys, too. That's why I love this place.

[Rick Munroe]

>BTW just read some of the other stuff over there...what is up

>with some of that psychotic shit ???

 

It's called online masturbation.

[Rick Munroe]

RE: A Modest Proposal

 

>Maybe the time has come for an new forum dedicated to the

>posting of New Items/Notices/Announcements that are locked at

>the outset.

 

I like that idea; I've seen it on other boards and it works.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

>I guess the question now is...Why does the Politics board

>suck? And it does SUCK and not in a good way. ...

>

>So... why?

>

 

There are only two possibilities: the subject material or those discussing it. ;(

 

It seems that there is a critical mass of posters that prefers to generate more heat than light. A natural progression when the discussion turns from the issues to personalities -- politico's or board member's.

[+ deej]

You forgot the third factor: testosterone. :9

[Barry]

>You forgot the third factor: testosterone. :9

 

Or estrogen.

 

Barry

[Rick Munroe]

LOL, Barry. :7

[HotdadENYC]

Deej, you did your job and you did it well. No contest here.

 

I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to navigate the decisions to keep these posts in check.

 

Inasmuch as I think Rick's original posting was certainly worthwhile, your reaction shouldn't invite any further untoward responses and I once again (for possibly the 3rd time) apologize if I contributed to your action by making an offhand remark about Berlin.

 

Sometimes a comparison from the past is a good thing. Sometimes its isn't

 

hd NYC