American Political Threads

[Bruno]

At last count there are 4 threads that have become politicised but purport to deal with a tragic shooting in America. To me they read more like blogs with all the connotations that word brings to mind these days. IHD is an international forum and I believe this has been one of it's strengths and whilst it it is fascinating (in a way)  to see American politics in action this member at least believes those threads would be better situated on their own forum. After all, there was one created for the Obama election, which is still sitting there. Call it 'American Politics' if you like.
Whilst 'talk about anything you like' opens the door I believe it comes with the proviso 'except religion and politics' because we all know those subjects bring divisions that most adults looking for a cordial conversation seek to avoid.

[MooseMom]

I must be missing something because I see only two "American politics" thread re the Arizona shooting.   I see more threads about American sports which I know must be more fascinating than American politics!!

I just want everyone to know that I am perfectly able to conduct a cordial conversation about politics because I'm a grown-up.

Don't worry, Bruno...this will all be over soon!

[Bill Peckham]

IHD is structured how the Epoman wanted it structured - the election forum is the confusing outlier.


I don't know why talking about politics is so uncomfortable? And, I don't understand why if it is uncomfortable you read the thread?

[MooseMom]

I really enjoy hearing about not only what people think but WHY they think the way they do.

I don't really know much about the details or specific beliefs about religions.  I just know I'm mad at God right now...

[okarol]

IHD is structured how the Epoman wanted it structured - the election forum is the confusing outlier.


I don't know why talking about politics is so uncomfortable? And, I don't understand why if it is uncomfortable you read the thread?

The Obama section was created because Sluff and I decided to put everything in one place and assign one moderator so we all didn't have to read it (admins and mod read all the board to move or edit posts, which are now at approx. 200 per day.) I can archive it now, but occasionally it gets posts, and it's still being read.

okarol/admin

[Bill Peckham]

IHD is structured how the Epoman wanted it structured - the election forum is the confusing outlier.


I don't know why talking about politics is so uncomfortable? And, I don't understand why if it is uncomfortable you read the thread?

The Obama section was created because Sluff and I decided to put everything in one place and assign one moderator so we all didn't have to read it (admins and mod read all the board to move or edit posts, which are now at approx. 200 per day.) I can archive it now, but occasionally it gets posts, and it's still being read.

okarol/admin

That makes sense, though the title wasn't exactly neutral.

What will IHD do about the 2012 election? The season will begin shortly if it hasn't already.

EDITED TO ADD: It is interesting that by this time in 2006 14 people had announced their intention to seek the Presidency
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/01/11/you-re-not-dreaming-the-2012-race-is-starting-slow.aspx

So maybe thinking about it now will be good so that once threads are started it doesn't ruffle feathers if they're moved to a separate, neutrally named forum - if that's the direction the moderators need to take.

[Hemodoc]

Sounds good Bill as long as you don't turn your crocodile on the opposition.

[Bill Peckham]

I just looked John Kerry declared his intention to seek the nomination in late 2002. That would be the last comparable of someone who was successful in getting the major party nomination to run against a President seeking a second term - so it is a pretty interesting question: Why hasn't any Republicans declared their intention to seek the Republican nomination? One assumes many of the contenders from 2008 will try again ... what's the explanation? Pawlenty seems closest to doing it but you'd expect several by now.

[MooseMom]

I just got the impression that so many Republicans are thinking of running that the party is sorta sifting through all of the possibilities.  I hope they pick someone really good.  I had been OK with Pawlenty until I saw him on The Daily Show last night; he wouldn't answer Jon Stewart's very pointed, precise question, but I guess that's politics for you.

I had had high hopes for Bobby Jindal, but I was very disappointed  in the way he tried to politicize the gulf oil spill.  He seemed to take a modicum of glee in the difficult position it put President Obama in.  BP is a privately owned company, but suddenly people were yelling for the government (the big bad government!) to "do something".  I used to work in the oil industry; I was an oil and gas reinsurance broker for underwriters at Lloyd's of London, so I know a bit about deep sea drilling, and the federal government just does not have the equipment nor the expertise to make BP step aside.  Anyway, I had been a fan of Jindal's until the spill.

I can't wait to see who steps forward to run!! 

[okarol]

IHD is structured how the Epoman wanted it structured - the election forum is the confusing outlier.


I don't know why talking about politics is so uncomfortable? And, I don't understand why if it is uncomfortable you read the thread?

The Obama section was created because Sluff and I decided to put everything in one place and assign one moderator so we all didn't have to read it (admins and mod read all the board to move or edit posts, which are now at approx. 200 per day.) I can archive it now, but occasionally it gets posts, and it's still being read.

okarol/admin

That makes sense, though the title wasn't exactly neutral.

What will IHD do about the 2012 election? The season will begin shortly if it hasn't already.

EDITED TO ADD: It is interesting that by this time in 2006 14 people had announced their intention to seek the Presidency
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/01/11/you-re-not-dreaming-the-2012-race-is-starting-slow.aspx

So maybe thinking about it now will be good so that once threads are started it doesn't ruffle feathers if they're moved to a separate, neutrally named forum - if that's the direction the moderators need to take.

I try not to think about it. 

[Bill Peckham]

IHD is structured how the Epoman wanted it structured - the election forum is the confusing outlier.


I don't know why talking about politics is so uncomfortable? And, I don't understand why if it is uncomfortable you read the thread?

The Obama section was created because Sluff and I decided to put everything in one place and assign one moderator so we all didn't have to read it (admins and mod read all the board to move or edit posts, which are now at approx. 200 per day.) I can archive it now, but occasionally it gets posts, and it's still being read.

okarol/admin

That makes sense, though the title wasn't exactly neutral.

What will IHD do about the 2012 election? The season will begin shortly if it hasn't already.

EDITED TO ADD: It is interesting that by this time in 2006 14 people had announced their intention to seek the Presidency
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/01/11/you-re-not-dreaming-the-2012-race-is-starting-slow.aspx

So maybe thinking about it now will be good so that once threads are started it doesn't ruffle feathers if they're moved to a separate, neutrally named forum - if that's the direction the moderators need to take.

I try not to think about it. 

Maybe if people were judicious about starting threads a few 2012 election threads in the off topic area would be manageable but I can see it getting to be overwhelming too. Epoman is laughing too.