The Politics thread

[Wes]

While these might be somewhat generalizations when it comes to the politics threads, they are pretty much accurate.

95% of the politics threads are started by the same 4-5 people, and those same 4-5 people are responsible for probably 75%+ of the responses.

The overwhelming majority of the threads are trolls, finger pointing or chest thumping - there is little to no in good faith open dialogue - just people who want to stir up the pot or get on their soap box.

And, truthfully, the political threads are nearly always negative. And there is already enough negative political rants on the web, we don't really need any more here. It would be one thing if the threads that were started were more the just regurgitating whatever was on the cable news show last night - probably half are just links or quotes to some other site, so they would fit right in on the links thread.

There are plenty of other sites forums that you all can take part in politics, where it is even welcomed. Truthfully, while I like Larry, and had a great day climbing with him when he came back to the red a couple years ago, I have no idea why he even comes here - since 99 out of a 100 posts has nothing to do with climbing or the red, or even local politics, just national stuff that he can discuss on any number of websites that would love to have it page hits. Same with Alan, though he does post something else every once in a while.

This is not a set in stone action, there is always the option to change things around again and either open the suck forum back up, or start a politics forum, or something like that. But, I want to give this a go for a few weeks at the least. And if the number of total posts drops off, or if a couple people "quit the internet" over it, then that is OK with me.

[pigsteak]

wes is getting soft....and too nice...

tell us to stfu and go elsewhere if we don't like it.

you all have a thankless job....and thank you.

[Jeff]

Good call Wes. The political s**t has been getting out of hand.
There are plenty of other places for that.
I don't need someone forcing their views/beliefs down my throat on here. That's not why I come here. I get enough of that by owning a television.

Sorry if that was too political

[Shamis]

95% of the politics threads are started by the same 4-5 people, and those same 4-5 people are responsible for probably 75%+ of the responses.

Not sure how that is relevant to anything.

The overwhelming majority of the threads are trolls, finger pointing or chest thumping - there is little to no in good faith open dialogue - just people who want to stir up the pot or get on their soap box.

Hello wes, how's your soapbox today? Is this the "You suck, I suck, Everything sucks" forum? Or did I make a wrong turn somewhere? obviously the most active posters on these forums enjoy the healthy banter you've described as trolling/chest thumping. Probably because it makes people like you so upset...

And, truthfully, the political threads are nearly always negative. And there is already enough negative political rants on the web, we don't really need any more here. It would be one thing if the threads that were started were more the just regurgitating whatever was on the cable news show last night - probably half are just links or quotes to some other site, so they would fit right in on the links thread.

Politics is rarely not negative, be it here or anywhere else. Nobody talks about politics if they are happy with the state of things. Also, Why are links to other sites bad? And how does a link to an article supporting your stance on an issue belong in some other thread that is not related to your post? That seems like a rather disjointed way of presenting things. How can you make a convincing political argument without citing some sources...and surely people would rather see the original source than take your word for it?

There are plenty of other sites forums that you all can take part in politics, where it is even welcomed. Truthfully, while I like Larry, and had a great day climbing with him when he came back to the red a couple years ago, I have no idea why he even comes here - since 99 out of a 100 posts has nothing to do with climbing or the red, or even local politics, just national stuff that he can discuss on any number of websites that would love to have it page hits. Same with Alan, though he does post something else every once in a while.

Why do you post pictures of your dog on the forum? Why not post them on a dog site? Could it be that you want to share pictures with your friends? Do the opinions of people you know matter more to you than the opinions of a complete stranger? For me they certainly do. I think climbers tend to share a closer bond as a community than just about any other hobbyists or sports fanatics I can think of...it only makes sense to want to talk about things with people who have similar interests.

This is not a set in stone action, there is always the option to change things around again and either open the suck forum back up, or start a politics forum, or something like that. But, I want to give this a go for a few weeks at the least. And if the number of total posts drops off, or if a couple people "quit the internet" over it, then that is OK with me.

The number of posts will definitely drop, since its pretty clear that the political and religous threads make up at least 25% of all the posting on this site. (I mention religious threads, because that is the next logical topic to be regimented).

I still don't see what the purpose is. The only thing I can come up with is that all the political threads make it harder for you to see when there are new posts, and you don't want to have to keep clicking on those threads to make them not show up as new. Which would be hilarious and disturbing, if true.

[Shamis]

you all have a thankless job....and thank you.

Yeah its hard work constantly having to lock and move threads. Not sure why he would want to waste his time on it.

[Wes]

Wow, that is a lot of writing, and so well formatted! It is cool that you took some time to convey your thoughts on the changes and all. Like I said, it isn't set in stone, but I really am trying to make things a bit more positive around here, and while you and perhaps a couple others, will not like the changes, that doesn't mean many others will be happier this way. It really isn't all about you, sorry.

[Shamis]

Wow, that is a lot of writing, and so well formatted! It is cool that you took some time to convey your thoughts on the changes and all. Like I said, it isn't set in stone, but I really am trying to make things a bit more positive around here, and while you and perhaps a couple others, will not like the changes, that doesn't mean many others will be happier this way. It really isn't all about you, sorry.

If this is what Ray wants, then just say so. I won't say another word. But I would be shocked if the majority of the active posters here were upset about a bunch of random political threads in the 'you suck' forum.

[ynot]

Good call,Wes. I for one have nothing good to say about politicians.

[charlie]

Kinda lame IMO. Granted, tons of one post threads about political bs just to get people rolling is also lame but killing that kind of conversation may be a bit much. If everyone understood this is not the place to troll concerning politics we wouldn't have this problem but it is an election year and there is a place for intelligent political discourse, even within the climbing community.

Going from one extreme to the other may not be the best solution, but warning everyone about the political crap is totally called for (especially lately). If you are just trying to get people moving, about some fringe conversation not related to anything useful, take it somewhere else.

Now, can we start warning the n00bs not to weigh in like they know what they are talking about when it concerns climbing/belaying/gear? That may not be a trend in the positive direction though.

[L Day]

Sorry Wes, but I really think you've got it wrong. What I've seen here is lively, and I think healthy, debate. Provocative ideas are put up for comment, discussion, and yes, ridicule. Links are provided to a wide range of media from the left and right, and I think all of us have been exposed to ideas that we may not have found on our own, because of the very human tendency to surround our selves with ideas that we are already comfortable with.

Personally I think that it's a lot more fun to have these discussions among a group of people that I have so much in common with in terms of the Mountain Lifestyle (climbers, skiers, boaters, mountain bikers, etc.) than it would be for me to spend time on a forum populated by pure political animals. While I have purposely been provocative in my posts on this forum, it's only because I want to challenge what I perceive as orthodox and sometimes lazy thought. I think that Evil and tomdarch may be somewhat similarly motivated. Sorry if I've made things a little bit too uncomfortable for you, or anyone else, but I never dreamed that could happen on the You Suck, I Suck, We All Suck - Discussions Full of Rage! forum.

When I look back through the forum, I really don't find the discussions to be all that "negative". I will admit that I haven't been that easy on Obama, but I really don't think ANYONE should ever have an easy path to the presidency, and I did kind of worry that that was exactly what was about to happen. I do wonder if that's really what this ban is all about. I'd be more than happy to leave this forum with no hard feelings for you, or anyone else, if that's what's going on.

Besides, nobody is compelled to follow any of these threads, ever. The SUCK forum has always been open to anything, as far as I can tell. If it's been mostly politics lately, maybe that's what people are interested in. I mean, no threads every get squeezed out by the political BS, do they?