Politics here

[Jack Michaud]

Well, that didn't take long.

I agree that picture in the other thread is hilarious, but I just want to state my opinion about politics at BOL once for the record. I am speaking for myself here. It has been decided to allow politcal discussion in this forum. I think that is a huge mistake. In my 14 years of being online, I cannot recall witnessing or participating in a single political debate that changed anyone's mind. At best, you walk away in "respectful disagreement". At worst, you create enemies. It serves no purpose here.

<b>I would like to ask the community to consider two things before making political arguments here, if you must:</b>

1. Is your position a <i>fact</i>, or is it something you <i>choose</i> to believe on faith? And if you think it's a fact, is it really, truly a fact? Or is it a statistic? Or poll data? Was your opinion formed by your own research, or the media?

I've found that the vast majority of political arguments I've heard on the internet or anywhere else are things that people <i>choose</i> to believe. Bush is evil. Global warming is a scam. We never put a man on the moon. Republicans want to starve old people. Democrats are rooting for Al Qaeda. It blows my mind that people can state these things like they are cold hard truths. It's all conspiracy theory if you ask me.

2. Do you really want to find out that people who you thought you respected here are actually your political enemies? I've been reading one other forum for 9 years now, where anything goes. That forum has generated sworn enemies for life. There are people in that forum who if they ever meet each other in person, will punch each other in the face. Even though BOL hasn't been around as long, I feel much closer to this community. I think BOL is a much friendlier place and a closer knit community. I hope it stays that way.

Thank you.
-Jack

[ncermak]

I agree with Jack.

Few things in this world are as divisive in nature as Politics or religion. I think we would all be well suited keeping those beliefs off of thhis board.

If want political or religous debate, there are places I can go.

-NBC

[big mario]

I carve and come here to get away from that. I will stay away from those discussions, and I think this is a sad devolpement.
mario

[utahcarver]

...a dark day for the BOL forum.

This forum is a reprieve from all the daily dissension in the media, work, and local community. I come here to 'ride in your boots' so to speak. Each of your personal carving and boarding experiences is what drives me from monday to friday, putting up with all the excrement that happens day to day, to finally end up dreaming and talking what I love most about winter: riding on a bluebird sky day, powder or cord. I consider each of you 'brothers/sisters in arms' and I've rued this day.

Please don't think I'm unarmed in the political or religious arena, I have many weapons at my side. Weapons that will remained sheathed here because I'm among friends. There are myriad other arenas for our political opinions and positions.

Now, pass the ale so that we may speak as friends,

Mark

[RDY_2_Carve]

Very well said Jack. Can't agree with you more! :biggthump

[ncermak]

.

Please don't think I'm unarmed in the political or religious arena, I have many weapons at my side. Weapons that will remained sheathed here because I'm among friends. There are myriad other arenas for our political opinions and positions.


Mark


as long as you don't realease the bunny on us...

[utahcarver]

...is a powerful ally ("...And has HUGE fangs!!!!"). :D

[Jutta]

I happen to work at a place where the general political view is quite opposed to my own, so it's either pretending not to hear very well or getting caught up in endless arguments. That's annoying at best and occasionally it can be absolutely exhausting.

I don't mind - in fact I enjoy - a political conversation now and then, but like many others I appreciate a place where politics isn't on the agenda. :biggthump

[snow|3oarder]

I agree....this is NOT the board for political jibba jabba :flamethro

[Erik J]

1. Is your position a fact, or is it something you choose to believe on faith? And if you think it's a fact, is it really, truly a fact? Or is it a statistic? Or poll data? Was your opinion formed by your own research, or the media?




During my intergalactic janitorial position last year, I unfortunately witnessed several disgusting acts by both George Bush and Bill Clinton. I had just finished ionizing my regular batch of space rocks when the 2 of them come motoring along in their 500 bazillion dollar space suits - they cornered me against a crater! I fought but to no avail. They had their way with me in more than a few disagreeable ways. I was touched inappropriately by the president. That's a fact. Recent polls show that I am not alone. These monsters must be stopped.

[ike]

didnt mean to start anything:eek:

[Jon Dahl]

No, wait, that's a political statement!!! Har,har,har, but Jack has a good point. I too am glad to go somewhere that politics are a no no. Religion on an internet forum is a hard thing too, and I have some very specific beliefs. It is hard to make any sort of point, tie all things together, and make a conclusion in this format, at least for me, w/o wearing out my typing finger!

[Tim Tuthill]

Jack is right on!!!

[dantheman0177]

All the wars in the history of mankind have been fought over three things:
1. Money
2. Religion
3. Politics (though this seems to be more of a 20th centuary thing)

I am a lifetime member of a surf life saving club at home and it is full of a variety of people from all walks of life. It is an almost unwritten rule that there are three things that are not discussed around the club:
1. Money
2. Religion
3. Politics (unless it is intra-club politics, and then it is on for young and old).

The very good reason why everyone steers clear of these is that the cross section of wealth and political and religious beliefs is so broad that it would definately affect friendships which are otherwise based on common interests. I know one particular group of long time friends that includes a judge, estate agent, detective, nurse, housewife, surgeon, teacher, sporting coach, etc. I know that they all have different political views, they definately have different religious beliefs, and they most certainly are in different financial situations. But they are friends because of a common interest in the beach and surfing and don't let other differences affect this.

The same is the case with BOL. Everyone here gets along because of a common stoke from carving and that should remain the pivotal basis on which this community thrives. To allow debate on positions of potential division will only lead to the demise of this forum as a constructive and enjoyable community to be a part of.

Good on you Jack!

[Dan]

All the wars in the history of mankind have been fought over three things:
1. Money
2. Religion
3. Politics (though this seems to be more of a 20th centuary thing)


Whoah now, what about the Trojan War? I believe you need to add "4. Women" to your list.

[Galen]

What's the big deal? I have no problem with people expressing they're views on religion or politics, as long as they are the same as mine....scratch that, then they would just bore me. :rolleyes:

[pebu]

Discussing politics/religion/money/women isn't the bad part. It's getting all worked up about it that turns it bad. If everybody can remain civil then it can be a very educational discussion. I know I can remain civil. Even if I can't fathom how someone can think a certain way, it doesn't remove any bonds that I've made made with that person.

[jnshapiro]

Whoever made the decision to allow political discussion, well, I'll just say that I think it's a really bad one.

If folks want to talk politics, there are other fora for that. The potential for really ugly confrontations is high when politics comes into the mix.

[C5 Golfer]

Ok so I changed it to "Woman of the Year" and it does not change the title in the forum list. So I tried.

Guys it was meant as a joke -- no political statement inferred, suggested, implied, or otherwise recommended. Take a chill pill….it is Friday – we are supposed to be winding down not getting all wound up tight. It is almost like I used the word “frontside or something”

Please accept my humble apologies to those I offended.

[Blue Bird]

Whoah now, what about the Trojan War? I believe you need to add "4. Women" to your list.

#4 is what we are after with #'s 1,2 and 3

[Pow]

well said Jack:cool:

[hooknbounce]

I just thought the razorback joke was funny. Two pigs for any two politicians is a good trade to me. I figured off topic eh why not. I do however see your point Jack. I guess I never get too overworked about right or left as I usually end up falling way short of either side to do much to or for either.
all apologies to any I offended.

[Jack Michaud]

Hey, there's a big difference between political jokes and political arguments, snipes, attacks, etc. If someone gets offended by political jokes, well, that's their problem, imo. I just hope I can get those visions out of my head of female Bush and Clinton C5 posted so I can stop gagging.

[Gecko]

and the fools on both sides of the isle are playing games with the lives of our military (myself included). My previous political leanings have changed, though I'm still rather centrist, I am regularly disgusted with the pecker measuring contests that make the news from DC. What bothers me more than anything is the fact that neither side has an actual solution (published) that will result in fewer people getting wounded or dying, so I refrain from arguing politics online and rarely in person except to play devils advocate (I like discourse).

[Tim Tuthill]

This should start something? Each side is told what to do by those up above!

[bartron]

Very well said Jack.

If anyone wants to see just how bad a forum can get, just checkout the messages in the USENET group rec.sports.soccer from the late 90s. Nevermind, enemies for life, those idiots were spewing death threats !

'later...

[tex1230]

after the scolding I got for making some "over-moderated" comments, I'm amazed you'd allow this. I'll be in the corner with the NRA guys taking aim at the tree-hugging hippies.

[Gecko]

I'll be in the corner with the NRA guys taking aim at the tree-hugging hippies.

are those the same hippies who wanted a 2 year deer hunting moratorium in CT??? Not enough deer was killed in eastern CT this season, we are having a lot of Deer vs Car accidents during the day

[D-Sub]

after the scolding I got for making some "over-moderated" comments, I'm amazed you'd allow this. I'll be in the corner with the NRA guys taking aim at the tree-hugging hippies.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

you were SCOLDED? Literally?

man....

[Justin A.]

I'll be in the corner with the NRA guys taking aim at the tree-hugging hippies.

What if you're a member of the NRA and a tree-hugging hippy? Am I gonna get shot at now? :confused: :o

[tex1230]

Only if you don't shower. :AR15firin

[carvedog]

I hate all politicians. Politics suck. People who hate politicians suck. People who whine suck.

If you don't have anything good to say don't say anything. People who don't shower suck.

People who make jokes about politics suck.

That is why on my last car I had an NRA sticker on one window and a Grateful Dead dancing bears sticker on the other window. Just to f with people. Had more than one person scratch their head looking at the back window.

Shoot em all and let God sort em out. I am going to send myself a death threat off list.
:AR15firin :smashfrea :AR15firin :smashfrea :AR15firin :smashfrea :AR15firin :smashfrea

:freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3:

I'm done.

[pebu]

I blame the media blamers.

[C5 Golfer]

I hate all politicians. Politics suck. People who hate politicians suck. People who whine suck.

If you don't have anything good to say don't say anything. People who don't shower suck.

People who make jokes about politics suck.

That is why on my last car I had an NRA sticker on one window and a Grateful Dead dancing bears sticker on the other window. Just to f with people. Had more than one person scratch their head looking at the back window.

Shoot em all and let God sort em out. I am going to send myself a death threat off list.
:AR15firin :smashfrea :AR15firin :smashfrea :AR15firin :smashfrea :AR15firin :smashfrea

:freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3: :freak3:

I'm done.

"Sounds like someone has a case of the Mooundays" Office Space quote of the day. :smashfrea :smashfrea :AR15firin

[carvedog]

"Sounds like someone has a case of the Mooundays" Office Space quote of the day. :smashfrea :smashfrea :AR15firin


Maybe. Havn't been on my board since January 9th. Maybe I will be well enough to get out next week and get rid of this bad attitude.

[pebu]

Maybe. Havn't been on my board since January 9th.

Oh, my gosh... I don't think I could live with myself! As it is I just went to a hill that's twice as big as I'm used to and it was awesome and I'm still just waiting till the weekend so I can go back to my crappy little hill!