Originally posted by lineygoblue
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Now that I've covered that, I ask you: were the "gay" insults between the two of you any more or any less offensive than the "discussion" regarding race and violence, that precipitated today's debate? To some, I'm sure, those insults are very demeaning and insensitive. I have a former college roommate who I still consider a friend that came out of the closet years after we roomed together. Though initially that knowledge creeped me out, I eventually came to realize that Jeff is still a good guy and a true friend. I also have a 1st cousin that is gay; it doesn't make me love him any less than any of my straight cousins. So, if you must know, I find that kind of commentary out-of-line and somewhat offensive.
Back to the politics thingie. Like Liney wrote, NO WAY we're going to allow that. Several years ago, I was one of a few on the U of M WX forum that wanted to have a "politics" thread, thinking that we had a strong enough and mature enough group of regulars that it would be a good way to discuss and trade ideas on our political views. WAS I EVER WRONG!!!! The place didn't take long to break down into a slimy disgusting mess; unfortunately, though, I as moderator had other things on my plate in my personal life (separation and divorce), and the monster I had helped create, a Politics thread, was a monster I didn't take the time to moderate. We all learned a lesson back then: politics (maybe more than any other subject) is a subject that will piss otherwise normal people off to the point of irrational behavior. Bottom line on this forum is, and will stay---NOT HERE, take it to Deb's Politics Forum! Absolute. Final. Decision.
Like I posted a few hours ago, politics will often be intertwined inextricably from other discussions involving current events, religion, etc. As long as politics doesn't become the central and most explosive point of contention within such discussions, then I prefer to allow complete freedom of speech. But such discussions do require some amount of moderation at times to the point of even deletions, and I will do so (at last resort) once anyone steps too far out-of-line with interjection of politics (or, for that matter, any other kind of comment that is too blatantly out-of-line).
Liney, whatever you choose to do (regarding continuing as monitor/moderator/grand pooh-bah) at this point is OK with me. As I too know, it's a thankless job and one I've on occasion gotten close to the point of resigning from. But like others have said, it's a decision that would be best handled in a way other than a threat one pulls out when frustrated with the misbehavior of others; in other words, don't pull out the 'I'll quit' card when people push your buttons. This is my favorite forum to post at, and for a large part, it's because of the way you've run it over the years ( not to mention the mix of good, bad, ugly, and downright creepy members that partake in the shit-slinging and other discussion). If you do decide to no longer moderate, please stick around and post.
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