New Forum Area

Discuss recent changes, make suggestions, etc.
pelmut
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by pelmut »

I think we must be careful to distinguish between issues of policy and party politics. Where policy decisions might affect us as skirt-wearers, we need to be able to discuss them, but there is no place for partisan promotion, haggling or name-calling at all - not even in 'Off-topic'.
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crfriend
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by crfriend »

pelmut wrote:I think we must be careful to distinguish between issues of policy and party politics.
That's actually a nice distinction. Thank you for publishing it. It's certainly "food for thought", but begs the question of, "Can `we the people' accurately and precisely make that distinction?"
Where policy decisions might affect us as skirt-wearers, we need to be able to discuss them, but there is no place for partisan promotion, haggling or name-calling at all - not even in 'Off-topic'.
Hear, hear!
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denimini
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by denimini »

SkirtedWelshman wrote:Just my thoughts, for what they are worth. Why politics? Most people get politics all the time. It's nice not to go to a place where it is free of such 'stuff' . You can get that down the pub/bar.

You start off adding politics, than other topics start to feed in and the website loses the things that make it special and unique.
Political debate encourage strong feelings, then insults and 'put-downs'. Not a good way to go, I would suggest.
Quite so. It is great to find a forum about men wearing skirts and there is plenty of discussion and differing opinion within that theme, but we have a basic common interest which keeps us together, engendering the encouragement and support that I personally am so grateful for.
Threads on gun control and politics could diminish that sharing and respect, they will happen but not to be encouraged as in a special area. Railways and boats are OK for off topic; no one can be offended by these wonderful creations of mankind.
SkirtedWelshman wrote:The membership of this site is international, why would we in Britain, want to hear tied U.S. moans and vice versa. Why you Americans want the boring details of British politics?
Actually, I am interested (horrified) about the looming US election but I have nothing to offer and would prefer to listen to expert analysis.
Anthony, a denim miniskirt wearer in Outback Australia
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oldsalt1
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by oldsalt1 »

You are right . We should use this site for its main purpose men and skirts. While I have kept up on my postings about our true subject. I have wandered off into this minefield (a LOT). I guess men who are passionate about skirts are also passionate about other things. I feel I have developed a few friendships among the members and do not want to destroy them with other topics. For me at least no more off topic.
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Pdxfashionpioneer
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by Pdxfashionpioneer »

I feel the key words are "friends" and "respect."

Making the distinction between policy and partisan politics sounds great, in practice I feel the line disappears.

We do a good job of keeping the conversations on a positive plane. It is important that these conversations take place between friends because democracy relies on reasoned discourse, and in fact disagreement, on the issues.
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moonshadow
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by moonshadow »

I think adding a "Politics" board could be problematic. It's loosely tolerated in "Off Topic" provided it remains civil, yet is technically "against the rules", so I think that holds the lid (and tempers) down. Nobody wants to be the one that gets the old mod hat called out.

You add a "Politics" board, and it's like a license to mud sling. It will just serve as a magnet for such discussion, and most of the post on the entire site will be in the political forum. I can see new members now- One post for "hello I'm new here", and the rest of the time they're in the political forum.

I seem to recall the another forum I used to frequent many years ago, it had it's own political sub-forum, and it had to be shut down pretty quickly. It got nasty.... FAST. Afterwards, due to all the extreme name calling and mud slinging, the remainder of the forum went on an "ultra-moderated" status to the point of being practically useless. Even the mere mention of God or a politicians name got your post edited by a moderator.

It was very crippling, and thus, that's why it's a forum I used to frequent. Not any longer.
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Disaffected.citizen
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by Disaffected.citizen »

It occurs to me that aside from passing general interest in topical issues, the whole political bent will rapidly dissipate soonish after 9/11 (that's 11/9 to our US brethren!) and remain so for a further 3-5 years.
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crfriend
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Re: New Forum Area

Post by crfriend »

My suspicion is that it'll continue to simmer for a little bit while the the half of the population that thinks they "lost" cools down, but it's important to not lock the lid down lest the cooker become a bomb when the internal pressure exceeds the bursting-point.

Until proven wrong, I'm going to hold to the point that no matter which politician wins, 100% of the general public this time around will lose. (And I sincerely hope to be proven wrong, I just don't think that's going to happen.)
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