Straight up answer, a forum for political discussions can do nothing but harm, especially on a medical site.

There is no such thing as objectivity and polite discourse when the subject is politics. Political differences breed anger, and "discussions" invariably deteriorate into name-calling, personal pot shots, harsh words and disrespect. It’s just the nature of the beast, and that beast does not stay locked in a forum just because its name is on the door. It would be led on a leash to every single forum the political participants visit. The acrimony would influence the personality of the forums, arguments would surely erupt, and members could be badly hurt, if for no other reason than from loss of respect for others.

You can’t resort to "just don’t read it." That works when you can’t stand the thought of having one more encounter with specific posters. It is irrelevant in a situation where an entire forum is contaminated with bad feelings, and a sense of family is damaged.

There are plenty of venues on the Internet for spirited, rock 'em/sock 'em politics, snarling and shredding of political candidates. BrainTalk2 shouldn’t be one of them.

TCC