I don't make many posts, but...

1. I have learned a lot from the various threads that I have read.
2.  I have learned a lot from some of the off topic rants and discussions by users.
3. I stop reading a thread when it becomes a pissing match.

I really think that the moderators ought to have a wide but firm hand.  Allow the conversations go where they may, but when accusations and ARGUMENTS ensue, then have a firm hand in stopping it, and/or punishing the bad and very bad offenders. 

If a topic gets too far outside of the topic, it would not be unthinkable for the moderator to suggest a new topic (if appropriate).  Sometimes it is easier to find information, if there is a thread for it.

As far as the general board, I do not see any problems with religious or political conversations, but would need a moderator (or 2) to stay on top of the discussions and reign in problems early.

My Opinion (for what it's worth)

Squirrels/Cats -- I have a number of the first running across my roof all day & in my trees all night, and one of the second asleep in the house all day (and apparently awake all night).

What's the big difference?






(Did we just highjack this thread?)

Quoting rmaginn:

Quote:
I promise to make my squirrels look more like cats in the future! 

I spend about $30+ a month feeding all the squirrels on my property. Far more than my cat eats in a month!

To accomodate Ken's request in this thread, and because I genuinely would like an answer to the question I asked, I'm copying my post from that thread to this one:

--

While I'm not sure I agree with the complete banning of religious and political threads, in the end, I think the ban on those discussions is (should it become permanent, which it is not at this point) overall a good thing. Call it collateral damage in the struggle for a more civil and enjoyable forum experience. While collateral damage is never desireable, it's often times an unfortunate side effect of progress.

I have to ask one question of those of you who find the ban on those discussions unacceptable:

Is discussing those topics one of the primary reasons you come to this forum?

If it is, I think you'd probably be happier in a political and/or religious forum. One that exists primarily to discuss those topics. If it isn't, I'm curious why this ban upsets you so.

I mean, there's got to be something more than just the principle of free speech, right? Free speech doesn't exist in this forum any more than it would exist in Ken's living room. He is our host, and he is completely within his rights to set any rules he wants to.

KM

Could you please move that photo to the lolcat thread and not hijack this one? It's pretty distracting when we're trying to discuss the moderation trial.

KM

Quoting hal9g:

Quote:
I agree that freedom of speech is not guaranteed on a forum such as this.  But it most definitely is censorship.

Sure, I agree. Just like it's censorship when my grandmother ask that I don't curse in her house.

That doesn't answer my questions though.

KM

Cats don't eat nuts, but the squirrels do drive the cats nuts.

Quoting Unicus69:

Quote:
Whispering already answered your question here.

No he didn't. He answered why he'd like for P&R threads to be allowed, and why joining a separate forum isn't conducive to just discussing the odd politically related topic. And I agree with him on that.

But he also mentions that he can go on without them. And I agree with him on that too.

My question was directed at those who find it unacceptable and is thinking about leaving or cutting back their participation because of the lack of those threads. It seems to me that if you take such a hardline approach to the lack of P&R threads, you must really enjoy such discussion and perhaps have it as your primary purpose for coming here.

And so I asked a question, just to see if I was right in my assumption or if there's another line of thinking that hadn't occurred to me.

KM