Controversial Topics: Yea or Nay?

There's definite reasonable misgivings about addressing potentially controversial subjects here (and I specifically mean "Discussions not related to Music" rather than the entire forum). Things like religion and politics, sexuality and drugs, loungewear and exotic cheeses. Are they the type of conversations that destroy happy homes? Or are they an inspiration for self-expression? Can we be trusted to handle heavy topics, or should we stick to music, drinking, and Mariah Carey?

Despite my tone, I'm serious about this. I'd like to get a real idea of everybody's position on this, and I'm willing to put my big fat mouth on the line...if a majority of the people say NO, I promise to refrain from any non-musical discussion henceforth . However, if we get a resounding YES result, I don't want to hear "that's inappropriate for this forum" again (except, of course, for obviously unreasonable, offensive, and inflammatory cases).

Absentee or provisional ballots may be obtained from your local election headquarters. Isn't democracy grand?

James, I am happy to discuss politics,religion or any potentially contraversial topic in this section of the forum.

My problem with the drug addict story was that we were talking about a private individual not a rock star or politician or a forum member. Some of the posts were nasty and aggressive in a manner that would not be tolerated if it had been targeted at another forum member.

I dont want to have to go to another forum, and interact with another set of strangers every time I want to talk about things other than prog. We have a pretty good cross-section here, although the lady's are a tad outnumbered,and once you get used to who's who it can be fun.

The "discussions not related to music section" is our version of stress management. Anyone who doesnt want to get involved can just browse and not join in..

James Lee wrote:  or I'll have to get Bill Clinton to call you up and remind you to vote! (hey, it happened to me on Nov. 2nd...pre-recorded, of course ).

I still have the one from Arnie saved during the recall voting in California. My daughter thought it was really cool to hear him on our phone.

I'm of two minds on this important issue:

Yes, we're adults, and should be able to maturely discuss almost anything, but this is a music forum, and a nice "escape" for many of us. I don't want to always see/confront ugliness here. Even if I don't respond, I must read/peruse the contentious material first,to see what I'm not responding to.

Religious/political topics also have an enormous potential to degenerate into sl*gging matches, and cause people to leave in a huff. This has happened here before -- we lost (permanently) at least one great, funny, witty member this way.

Therefore, I voted "Yes, but keep it civil," but will people keep it civil, faced with a post that attacks not their favourite band, but their nation, culture, religion, sexuality, or morals?

danbo wrote: The main problem with discussing volatile subjects in this format is the attacks that occur on the individual who has a different opinion then the majority. It's happened before. Don't call me or anyone else, stupid, ignorant or any other accusation that is hurtful and demeaning, especially on subjective issues. We do not all share the same perspective. Generalizations are dangerous. Because I live in the US, doesn't mean I agree with every issue stereotyped as AMERICAN. I'm a man, a damn sexy one, according to my wife, and I have my own personal views on the world at large and how it affects me. Keep it above board, no hitting below the belt. Discuss, don't attack. Support your claims or keep your mouth shut, or is that fingers to yourself?

Surely this is one area where we can hit below the belt? Why not Dan? I'm happy to be ridiculed for living in a ridiculous society.Why is wrong to attack if we all concede that it is a likely outcome for posting in this area? Sometimes the only way to draw some emotional, genuine and informative opinions out of you lot is to attack you.Most of the people who post in this area are intelligent and eloquent enough to fight their corner. Obviously if the consensus is to keep it polite I will observe this (probably by not posting) but I think it would be a big mistake to move towards debating society rules.

No. Why bother. Why have an interesting conversation when we can go to Main Discussions and find out if The Knack was prog or not.

Thizz blooooozzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!

   What is a "Serious Topic" ?  And why not support TOTAL ANARCHY !

_________

Lunar 

Danbo, you are making more of this than is necessary. I am not feeling highly emotional or volatile about this debate.   If the issue is inextricably linked to the authors view of it you cant attack one without the other.

I am not suggesting all out war or anything, but in the heat of an argument we should all be big enough to take "you're talking crap" on the chin.

I quote my previous post re "the rules:" "Obviously if the consensus is to keep it polite I will observe this "

In response to your "It appears this topic about whether we should engage in discussing world topics is somewhat volatile itself if we can't agree on the rules of debating to begin with." I quote my last post again:

"but I think it would be a big mistake to move towards debating society rules"

It is not about lighting fuses it is about being passionate!!!!!!

Some of you are like babies. Civil this and civil that. Who defines what is civil ? If some of us are over-sentive,then offence will always be taken.

What a namby-pamby world we live in.....I say old boy that's a bit strong isnt it?

After you sir, no....after you! No sir, I must insist, you first Sir......................................................... ......!

Reed Lover wrote: It is not about lighting fuses it is about being passionate!!!!!! Some of you are like babies. Civil this and civil that. Who defines what is civil ? If some of us are over-sentive,then offence will always be taken. What a namby-pamby world we live in.....I say old boy that's a bit strong isnt it? After you sir, no....after you! No sir, I must insist, you first Sir......................................................... ......!

In that case:

Get the F*** out of the way!!!!!

Is that better Reed?