[weegot5kiz]

Doc hats off to you for at least allowing it so far, but what are you going to do when prime ministers are being elected in Canada France England and Downunder?

Like Cindy mentioned there are a number of places to go and debate for who you feel is the right choice, I have barely ventured into any of these sites, I normally don't because people i like sometimes get a bit tiffed and say things that aren't nice.

you have been kind enough not to boot some of us for killing the data feed last month, lol. and you have given us a place to have a nice time get to meet people and even casual chats about light bulbs, great ideas ect.......

My wife Deb was talking to me here, what about newbies coming and reading some of those heated arguments, they need us, and thats what we all are here for not to just be helped but to in turn turn around and reach out and lift someone else up that is down.

by allowing it to continue are we scaring some of them away, if you notice when most join its late at night, wouldn't doubt if apprehension plays a part in that, and or they have a night like a lot of us no answers no clue and no one to reach out to. I feel this place is a godsend to all of us and should be respected as thus


My dad rest his soul, told me a long time ago, if you want to keep certain friends your fiends, don't discuss politics or religions, i have follow his advice whole heartedly

[Chemar]

Originally Posted by barb02

I'm confused. Are we talking about threads on politics or the election 2008 subgroup? If it is a subgroup, can it be limited to just those who want to be involved in the discussion?

Hi
and thanks for asking that important question

we are voting here *only* about the political threads posted on the forums NOT the political subgroups

the election 2008 subgroup would be welcome to continue just as it is, nomatter the outcome of this poll

[ewizabeth]

Thanks DocJohn,

I voted yes. I know there are other forums, but the people I care about are not at those forums. I like to discuss these things with the people who matter the most to me. I hope I haven't hurt anybody's feelings with my posts. I'm not normally so politically involved. This particular election is so especially important given the state of our nation.

[Becky21]

I voted no.

I personally believe that this is not the forum for political discussions. There are certain things that bring out the worst in people and politics and religion are two of them.

We do not benefit from attacks on the nominees or NT members who post their opinions. We are not going to change each others minds. We are all old enough to make our own decisions on who we will vote for President.

I have seen more snide remarks and bickering in the last few days than I have seen since I joined NT in January.

Thank you Doc John for starting this thread so we can have our say about the political thread.

[GladysD]

DocJohn,

I tip my hat to you for allowing us members to have a say in this. It show's how much us members at NT mean to you and the hard-working, diligent moderators.

I voted for limited political discussion. I understand that politics are a topic that can get very heated and very personal, very quickly. Though I personally enjoy good heated debates and discussions, I know that a place like this, NeuroTalk-- where many of us have some serious things going on with our health-- the added stress of political discussions is probably not in the best interest of this board.

Though, maybe it's not so much those who are participating as it is those who are just lurking and reading. Those trying to mentally 'escape' for a few moments at a time, getting really upset by the words sitting in front of them?

I know that with my illness, trying to reduce stress is the #1 rule of thumb.

Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion on the matter. I really enjoy your board, either decision.

[DM]

Thank you Doc John for looking out for your members. And, thank you Mods for doing the same. I agree w/AMN whole heartedly. *if you tell her, I'll deny it*

(grin)

I have tried to shy away from posting on political threads, as ~~ well, people who are otherwise friendly online, tend to get upset w/each other's comments and/or candidates. Is there a right or wrong answer??? I dunno!

I vote NO. Let's just vote to get along and respect each other!

[clouds z]

whoever wins we have live with that choice and who we vote for

whats so great about being an ostrich and denying what these candidates have said and what they stand for ?then let the chips fall where they will

i think we are adults to figure this all out , so whats the problem?

if you dont like politics then go read something else get used to the fact there are other opinions than your own

i have family members for obama and i dont hate them,but some of my" friends" seem to ignore me i think

[glenntaj]

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.)

[Chemar]

Hi Glen
yes politics is an important aspect of our lives, and especially so this year. That is why Doc eased the normal restriction calling for only "limited" political discussion here and allowed more extensive ones

Not sure if you have been following the political threads on social forum over the last few months, but some have been getting very heated. And not just those posting have been getting upset by it....many who just read them have too, as they saw their board buddies argue etc. Many confess that it is hard not to retort when someone posts something that denigrates their party or candidate. Something about political discussion seems to turn even cool heads into hot heads sometimes

That was why some members have formed the Election 2008 subgroup to discuss politics. Only those who choose to go there can and the discussion is open and forthright.
Here is a link to that group
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/group.php?groupid=10

By voting "NO" in this poll one is *not* voting to close that group! Only to limit politics on the *other* community boards, especially social forum.

So, by possibly keeping the in depth political discussion in the social group settings here at NT, maybe the social forum can return to just be a place for chit chat and other non medical discussion, where members can relax more. Currently many are avoiding it because of the P icon threads. We wouldnt be prohibiting all political mention there if this poll goes in favor of option 1.....only returning to limiting it there, while the in depth debating takes place in the political subforum.



so this poll is NOT about censoring political discussion here but rather is about voting to keep it limited on the main forums and focused more in the groups

[Twinkletoes]

Thanks, Chemar.

I've been torn on how to vote. Your post helped me to decide.