I ran a poll, I didn't get the 100 total votes I wanted, only 67, but throughout the voting the results were fairly consistent, about 1/3 of the voters feel political topics are OK, 2/3 don't approve of political topics.
I've sat back and read members expressed feelings, watched the goings on, reflected on what has gone on here historically, and I've come to a decision. Nothing radical or surprising. My goal is to keep the peace, to maintain the friendly atmosphere we have here, to avoid making anyone uncomfortable. However, I think the "Pub's" mission as a place where non automotive content is allowed adds value to our community. We've all enjoyed the jokes, the bikini pictures, the announcements of births, etc, etc. I agree with a recent comment by David Berman that things can get very boring at times if it weren't for the topics found here in the pub.
If you walk into a real pub and start bragging how your candidate is better than another, or your party and its platforms are better than another, or rant the other party's position is idiotic you'll end up in a fight. Somehow people are wise enough to avoid insulting others when they are in a real pub. Until recently that has been the case here in Alejandro's pub as well. We all need to be sensitive to the positions of those around us. It would be inconsiderate to say that business owners are getting fat off the work of others, when our forums have several members who are business owners. So each of us need to conduct ourselves with consideration towards others.
The Pub is the one and only forum where non-automotive content is allowed. Since our avatars, custom members titles & signatures can be seen by everyone in every forum and in every thread we post in Mark and I shall not allow even a hint of political content in your avatars, custom member titles or signature lines from this time forward.
Keep in mind the terms of service say no politics, and that is not being changed. So lets define what constitutes a political topic. Posts stating that one candidate is better than another, one party is better than another, one platform is better than another will not be allowed. Posts deriding a candidate, a party or a party's platforms will not be allowed. Posts pitting liberal against conservative will not be allowed. What has been allowed in the past and what shall continue to be allowed is the same kind of topic that you would talk about in a real pub. Example: What do you think of Obama's last speach? Do you think Obama's bail-out plan will succeed? Has the economy hit bottom yet? Have you seen the latest unemployment figures? Should the nation go into debt bailing out the mortgage industry? In other words, the topics that are in the news and on everyone's mind. Topics that invite people to chew the fat, instead of becoming defensive or insulted. As a guideline, we should remember to communicate with one another in Alejandro's Pub the way we would communicate amongst strangers in a real pub.
Each of us have self control, the ultimate "veto" machine is the left button on your mouse. If there is ever a particular thread that bothers you, or makes you uncomfortable, don't read that thread, navigate away. You are always welcome to PM me and express your feelings and concerns, or alert me or Mark to a violation of the forums' policies & terms of service.
If you burn out on the pub and want to focus strictly on car topics, its very easy to just avoid this forum for a while until you are ready to come back. You don't have to abandon the entire community because of one forum.
cowboy from hell
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