While I understand how many people like to shy away from discussions about politics and religion, one certainly can't deny they are among the most important, and far-reaching, aspects of our lives, and certainly worthy of discussion.

I think, as long as the section in which most of this discussion goes on is seperate, available to those who want to go there, but arranged so that those who want to avoid it can, such discussion is fine, even if high-spirited. I would extend the same line of reasoning to other hot button issues, such as the economic situation.

After all, the whole idea of our country is that there shall be no "official" censorship, either from without or within. That hasn't always been the way things have worked at times, but that's supposed to be the ideal. As long as the communication is not slanderous or libelous, it's supposed to be free to take flight.

(My opinions on this are well--sweeping things under the rug only lumps up the rug, and people trip over lumps, sunlight is the best disenfectant, etc. But I have no objection to their being a certain specific place for these discussions to occur, so those who wish to avoid them can.)