A question regarding the political forum.

[Andy A]

In the sticky on information regarding posting in the political forum Kurt has this to say as the last admonishment. "You have sent a PM because you are "too nice" to post it in public".
So here is my question. Why is the political forum private, like the lounge, now, when previously it was open? The forum is entitled "Politics & Current Events". If it is what is going on outside SoWal, why is it private. I may be dense but I don't understand. I realize it is a website owned and operated by an individual and it is definitely a successful and useful one for our area. However, it is a form of censorship IMHO, to make the political forum "private" If this post is in error, please understand that I saw the "private" at one time recently when my computer shut down and I had to log in.

 

[Douglas the Intrepid]

My guess is that Kurt is hesitant for casual surfers to correlate the petty and childish squabbling that takes place in the political forum with our area and Sowal in general...and I can't say that I blame him.

 

[Teresa]

Hi Andy. Private means that part of the forum is reserved for registered members, just as the lounge is reserved for registered members. Absolutely anyone and everyone is welcome to participate or view content if they are interested. There are many active participants and observers (lurkers) so I would say it is far from "private".

The other forums - outside of Lounge and Political - are more general topics, providing area information, events, dining info, shopping info, etc. These can be viewed by anyone coming to the site for general information.

If visitors decide to stay and participate more fully, then they gain access and then they choose to participate as posters or observers, or both. Participation in the lounge and political forums is for those who choose to be more involved in the online community. So, I guess you could say its a choice people make. Its taking an extra step.

 

[LuciferSam]

How could it be censorship when all it requires is becoming a member, which is a trivial matter? Doug hit it on the head.

 

[Andy A]

How could it be censorship when all it requires is becoming a member, which is a trivial matter? Doug hit it on the head.

Maybe because I didn't understand it as it is until Teresa explained it more fully. Why is it some of you must turn everything posted into a confrontation? I asked a civil question and received a civil answer which is definitely more than I got from you.

 

[Andy A]

Teresa, upon re-reading your explaination, it occurred to me that to even lurk or view the political forum you must be a member. This was not previously the case, was it? You cannot access the forum, as you can All About SoWal, if you do not register as a member. It is no secret, as I've said many times, that I post on many occasions experiences, thought and facts that are for those who are not members. It may encourage some to become members but I think the fact remains that posting for the likes of Poppy, Bob, LS, AC and some others is spitting in the wind as far as changing any opinion or philosophy is concerned. That is fine. Their posts are not going to change mine, as a rule, either and I certainly recognize their right to their opinions. If my assumption is correct, I still feel the political forum should be open for all to view, whether a member or not. If it isn't, I would imagine the number of lurker only members to be relatively small but I am only going by the number of those posting lately which seems to be on the wane. This applies only to the political forum, of course.

 

[poppy]

My guess is that Kurt is hesitant for casual surfers to correlate the petty and childish squabbling that takes place in the political forum with our area and Sowal in general...and I can't say that I blame him.

I see no difference between what happens here and what would take place amongst a group of friends sitting around discussing a wide range of topics. Everyone has an opinion and it is only natural not to agree on every subject. Discussions will sometimes heat up but in the end it always seems to work out. What you view as petty and childish I view as human emotion desiring to stress a point of view in a forceful manner. We are all guilty of it and most of us let it slide and take no offense, it's all part of the fun.

 

[poppy]

Maybe because I didn't understand it as it is until Teresa explained it more fully. Why is it some of you must turn everything posted into a confrontation? I asked a civil question and received a civil answer which is definitely more than I got from you.

Andy when you falsely accuse people of being uncivil and confrontational you better be prepared to defend yourself. Meet me out back in 5 minutes and we'll settle this. Make it ten minutes, I need time to practice falling down.

 

[Teresa]

I think Andy's question is a good one and helps clarify how the discussion forum works for members v. nonmembers. this is a good topic - you may have an opinion or a suggestion, but really it is not a controversial matter. its only an administrative tool - to give members a place to be involved in the online community to chat and play and inform and debate and share their resources.

Do you guys ever go to the Home page for articles and videos, etc? Did you know that's a good place to also be involved by making comments on SoWal.com content? The home page is for everyone, along with the rest of the area info content, and most of the forum.

I guess the lounge and political forums are special places for play, for sharing opinions and becoming more informed, and yes, for bickering. The lounge used to be a lot more playful and even inappropriate at times, in a good kind of way. I'm glad to see so many participating in more meaningful ways. But, play is good for the online folks who like to participate daily! Where is Ms DD? All of the political posters need to be sent to the lounge for a lot more play and funn!

 

[LuciferSam]

I see no difference between what happens here and what would take place amongst a group of friends sitting around discussing a wide range of topics. Everyone has an opinion and it is only natural not to agree on every subject. Discussions will sometimes heat up but in the end it always seems to work out. What you view as petty and childish I view as human emotion desiring to stress a point of view in a forceful manner. We are all guilty of it and most of us let it slide and take no offense, it's all part of the fun.

I think it can get petty and childish, and that's most likely to happen in the political forum. If you are trying to reach out to the casual lurker, you might not want him to get into the more controversial areas until he's good and ready. So he has to create an avatar, wait for approval, then he can lurk just as he's always done. For most of this this is trivial, and for a lot of us, the obnoxiousness and childishness is of little concern or consequence.