What's wrong with the Politics section

[I D Shukhov]

First of all, there's never any discussion about religion. It's just about politics, so it should be renamed Politics.

Secondly, the average age of group members is 50-55. Nobody of this age is much interested in arguing with other people of a similar age about political beliefs. It would be a lot more pleasant if one could just hang out with people with similar beliefs and engage in the TA pastime named "Ain't it Awful."

I've suggested it before and I now suggest again: break the section up into Politics/Left and Politics/Right with the rule being that you can't go to the wrong section and stir up trouble.

[The Gorn]

Wow, everyone's got an opinion these days. So there.

Just kidding. Damned good points.

I think I will strongly consider what you're saying. But I'd like to hear the downsides.

[Origisaurus]

I'd like to hear the downsides.

I disagree.  If you don't like what's being said, don't read it.

I also take exception to the statement that religion is never discussed - we have all to many "global warming" posts.

[The Gorn]

We have certain members here who have a track record of poisoning their argumentation opponent's threads with condescending statements and put-downs.

Example: just for once I'd like to see a thread about health care legislation that doesn't have you (Dino) using your pet phrase, "Kool-Aid". I am sick of it. I really mean that I wish at times that you would STFU about topics that someone wants to discuss without being railroaded into the ground. And that applies to a few others at times. Just because you're a moderator doesn't mean that you don't have shitty judgement at times about what constitutes ad hominem.

The converse would apply, too. You'd be entitled to channel R. Lee Ermey style tough military talk all you want without having me or JM snipe at you.

I know what you're saying about global warming, but it has nothing to do with spirituality, and that's my  narrow working definition of "religion".

I'm going to do it. I will leave this section as a "blended" section.

[Aussie]

Well, we could talk about football.  Close enough.  Of whatever code.

In Australia, we have four codes, Australian Rules, Soccer, Rugby Union and Rugby League.  In other words, AussieBall, GirlieBall, Where'sTheBall?, and BoganBall.

[John Masterson]

I like your idea, ID.

I say do it, GB.

[Origisaurus]

OK, I will come up with another expression meaning "article of faith".  Going to bed in a few minutes and may come up with it in my sleep.  Meantime watching an August rainstorm that shouldn't be happening according to the gullible Gorons.

This of course is why I think you should keep politics and religion together - most political arguments we see here fit JM's sig line, which in my (intellectual, not spiritual) view is the very definition of religion.  And it comes up wrt health care, "global warming", corporate bailouts, "the cars people want to buy", etc.  If you ask, nothing, repeat nothing, no new information could possibly change their view.  Yes, I know JM says the same of me, but only after offering lame, easily refuted, stories to "convince" me.

I don't expect much in the way of spritual discussion, and that's another reason for not having a separate section.  We all pretty much know where we're coming from wrt the big social (and by definition, spiritual) issues, and the discussiom has died down.