This is NOT a political forum.

Hmmm...

It was my OPINION that the Dems would take both houses and shortly thereafter the real estate bubble would end. My OPINION based on my own research and conclusions. Happened, didn't it?

OPINIONS on politics, religion, the lock ness monster are our respective ways of talking. Be it Opinions about riots, food shortages, roaming gangs and whatnot. Be it the best way to help disabled people. Whether socialism or capitalism is the way we should head. It's ALL opinion.

It is my Opinion the Oz Govt is heading down the Chinese road as far as Internet Censorship goes. Because I am able to Extrapolate. Sharing my Opinion on the matter simultaneously Alerts people that is it going on - because the MSM is keeping mom about it. It is my Opinion that govt has said something to the MSM Asking them to keep mom.

The reporting of Opinions is a small piece of a trend. If a few people think it, then you can rest assured many more do as well. Maybe there is an angle which can be used here.

Posting. And posting on certain topics comes in bursts and spurts. It always has. There is no need for any heavy handed tactics on one topic or another. They lose their flavor of the month appeal all by themselves.

If you don't like someone's postings, don't read them. Simple.

If Obama is passing some kind of law, that is Politics. That is life. You cannot separate them because you don't like what you might Hear/Read. They go hand in hand. What the Politicians do effects us all. And we all have Opinions about it. If you don't like someone's opinion, put forth your own. Discuss. Debate. Whatever. A thread or two later the topic moves on. That's what a Discussion Board is all about, afterall.

As soon as you start pinpointing topics to not talk about, you really start down a diminishing road. Next it's religion. Then race. Then, maybe, country. Why not football teams. Red and blue color preference. There is so much stuff we can not talk about else it upsets someone's sensibilities.

We are all adults here. How about letting us decide if want to talk politics or not. If noone wants to talk politics, then the topic will change all by its ownsome.

Just go with the flow. You'll find it all adjusts itself in the end anyway. And you stay calmer too.

Michael Ross

Gordon, just answer this one question, please. How do you separate those who pass laws (or try to) from those who must live with the laws (people and businesses)?

All of life is about drawing lines...as in the buck stops here, as in 'go this far, and no further', as in 'the freedom to swing your fist stops at the end of my nose' and so on. So, where are we supposed to assume this forum, or you, are drawing the line? Life isn't square boxes (even tho' we live in them)...it's a continuum. Where upon that continuum do you wish us to stop and say 'no more discussion'?

The Warrior forum tried stopping here, stopping there and so on...and ended up ruining a vibrant, productive, community. It is now a shadow of it's former glory. A sad spectacle of 'thou shalt nots' run amuck. Sad. I'd hate to see Sowpub go down the same disgusting road. So the question remains, where do you stop on the continuum?

Sandi Bowman

I agree that this should not be a political forum, but I also agree that it is hard to separate politics and business. So, when talking politics, why not talk about how the current or future legislation can be used to a business advantage? Or ideas as to how a business can be formed to reap the benefits of new legislation?

I think it was David Ogilvy who said that a key to marketing was "entering the conversation already going on in their heads". If it doesn't get too carried away, these non-business topics can be a good reflection of what people are currently thinking. Very useful in designing direct sales letters and other marketing.

Again, IF it doesn't get out of hand.

- Kevin

Kevin I like how you found the positive in all of this.