I’m noticing a great many OT posts, in particular the poll/discussion on religion. Is it not thought that the two topics that will generate the most debate, and sometimes arguments, are religion and politics?
I see the religion thread has gotten 110 replies, which leads me to wonder why a thread on religion, would be allowed to stay, yet a post about politics was locked. Could it be perhaps it was locked because it proposed the idea of Bush a 
Fascist?
I smell hypocrisy . . . .
no-one has attacked anyone elses beliefs in the religous thread, its been an informative exchnge of info.
there’s nothing wrong with political threads, but when they degenerate into attacks on people and their beliefs, they gotta be locked. simple as that.
besides, there have been religous threads locked in the past (although it think it was in relation to seperation of state and religon)
Good point, Marko.
It seems to me that most of the time when religion is discussed on this board everyone seems willing to listen to everyone else’s viewpoint, no matter how opposed they may be to that belief. But when it comes to politics, it doesn’t take too long for the gloves to come off.
~Larry
Unless my memory escapes me, my thread didn’t generate any heated discussions regarding politics. The majority of the replies basically just said that I tend to post off-topic discussions and never really post about things related to pennywhistles.
The bottom line is that if off topic posts that are likely to generate arguments are locked or deleted, all of them should be. A thread regarding politics shouldn’t be locked when a thread about religion is allowed to stay. It’s hypocrisy.
You’re right. The problem in your thread must be everybody else.
Sara, your thread wasn’t locked merely because it was political.
Your post was locked because, as you admitted, you were playing li’l ms. activist. The intent is what got it locked, not the subject matter.
That thread was heated the moment it was opened.
It began with a link to a piece of political spam, indeed one that claimed the US president was a fascist, like Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini—really just a step away from calling the prez a child molester, a serial rapist, or a werewolf.
It wasn’t locked for being off-topic, it was locked for being what we call “flamebait.”
Caj
“Hypocrisy” does not simply mean doing one thing but not doing another, similar thing. There is no reason why it would be hypocritical to lock a really nasty thread while not locking some other, non-nasty thread.
Caj
Caj, you fellow Jersey dude or dudette!! You hit the proverbial nail on the head Any thread that starts off as a potential “flamer” should definitely be locked
~Larry
Salutations all, This is Alcona’s husband. Sorry couldn’t resist saying a few words.
Define Fascism: Oppressive, dictatorial control. These are broad words that have many meanings. They are words that are thrown about instead of a logical and pragmatic debate. Sound bites, if you will. Critical thinking suggest that one word or phrase isn’t a true judge or measure of an ideal.
By bringing up a topic that has been locked and using the same broad rhetoric it seems to be another way to force your certain ideals on this forum. Now, Sara, I’m sure you have a good reason to your line of thinking and that should be heard. If you want ot have a debate on President Bush I sure it would go farther and not get locked if you didn’t use broad and unsupported words. I like most people enjoy a good debate of ideas. It is a good learning experience and keeps all of us from remaining ignorant.
The remarks above are the responsibilty of the author and do not necessarily reflect views and/or beliefs of Alcona-My all Knowing and beautiful Wife.
Thank you.
That’s how it is in the US. In Brazil, it would be sex and football. Ooops, that’s the same thing, isn’t it? 
There’s also a spelling thread and another one that seems to be dedicated to dog pictures!
Glauber, kindly resist promoting your avatarist agendas on this Board. Thank you.
I submit for your consideration that there are possible discussion topics that combine religion and politics.
Or, for that matter, topics that combine politics and geography!
Proceed with caution!
He’s not a werewolf 
No, he’s Austrian, i think.
Frankenstein: Wherewolf?
Igor: There, wolf! There, castle!
Frankenstein: Why are you talking this way?
Igor: I thought you wanted me to!
Frankenstein: No!
Igor: Suit yourself! I’m easy!
Caj,
Since when is simply posting an article stating the characteristics of a Fascist regime “political spam”? If I posted something and said, “Vote for this person . . . . George Bush is a Fascist!”, that would be spam. My thread was simply an informative article to make people think. Because of free speech, a person is allowed to call the president just about anything they wish. And would not a thread regarding religion be considered “flamebait”?
Alcona’s husband:
Actually, the true definition of “Fascism”, taken from Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is: a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race and stands for a centralized autocratic often militaristic government.
Could you deny that definition resembles George Bush’s administration? I am in no way trying to “force my ideals” on this forum. My entire goal is to merely make people think, to challenge what is currently thought, to bring to light other possibilities.
I would suggest people become a bit more open-minded so political threads won’t have to be locked because they can’t handle a debate without it getting heated. Fascist is just a word . . . . to anyone who was offended by it: lighten up and become more open-minded.
Peace.