It's the "Off Topic" forum, not the flaming troll

[jmq]

Easy there Pete. Here is another way to put it:

Jeez – it’s not the WHAT was being said, it’s the HOW it was said. It’s about using words to deliberately incite, it’s about not letting stuff go.

It’s not about quashing or suppressing points of view, its about Anthony trying to control the uncivil discourse that the political threads inevitably mutate into. Nothing more, nothing less.

And, also consider that the conspiracy theory insinuations that imply that Anthony has ulterior motives regarding a particular ideology kind of disparages his business acumen and good nature.

[XOXO]

shut the fuck up already

So, you don't agree with the conservatives questioning the motive and this is how you decide to respond. Classy.

Gina

[soxfan22]

Anthony, very politely, was asking all of us to shut the fuck up already about the politics. He wasn't trying to "silence the conservative voice."

There are plenty of places on the internet where the conservatives can find their voices, as well as the liberals.

Not here, is the point.

Thank you for the profanity, Johnny Cochran.

[California Girl]

Pete & jmq - Some people just don't get it and won't give up. It's rather a slap in Anthony's face to continue these discussions on a thread he posted to calm things down and it's downright rude.

I think I'll take a break from the forum all together. I'm really tired of it all.

[XOXO]

It’s not about quashing or suppressing points of view, its about Anthony trying to control the uncivil discourse that the political threads inevitably mutate into. Nothing more, nothing less.

And, also consider that the conspiracy theory insinuations that imply that Anthony has ulterior motives regarding a particular ideology kind of disparages his business acumen and good nature.

Fair enough. So, jmg, and anyone else, are you going to find a political forum??

[California Girl]

Fair enough. So, jmg, and anyone else, are you going to find a political forum??

Gina, no disrespect intended, but you need to answer your own question.

[donkey-boy]

Anthony, very politely, was asking all of us to shut the f*ck up already about the politics.

that's the take home i got, mr. marcia# so i was amazed to see a political discussion spring from the very post intended to proscribe such# as stated before, i moderate a special interest forum just like v-i-o-l, but, instead of island life, we discuss donkeys, and trade donkey pics# we don't allow political or religious threads 'cause they always spin out of control, and someone's feelings get hurt# the way we see it, there are thousands of forums for discussing politics, but only a precious few dedicated to donkeys#

~db~

[soxfan22]

Pete & jmq - Some people just don't get it and won't give up. It's rather a slap in Anthony's face to continue these discussions on a thread he posted to calm things down and it's downright rude.

I think I'll take a break from the forum all together. I'm really tired of it all.

CG...I believe this is just the double standard many of us are speaking about...Pete can drop the F-bomb into the middle of a thread, but then you call ME out because I made a comment about it?

And now it appears you have deleted your comment to me, something to the effect of "and just when I thought you "got it", sox.

You guys are really unbelievable.

[California Girl]

Sox, I re-thought that about calling you out and deleted it because I was wrong. My apologies. You are right.

I'm completely done here.

[soxfan22]

but, instead of island life, we discuss donkeys, and trade donkey pics#
~db~

Hmmm...Is this a joke? You trade donkey pics? Really?

Not judging...Just never heard of such a thing before. I guess I have to get out more.

[donkey-boy]

Hmmm...Is this a joke? You trade donkey pics? Really?

Not judging...Just never heard of such a thing before. I guess I have to get out more.

i'm quite serious# there is a big, beautiful world of donkeys out there#

you need only open your heart and mind to find them: http://images.google.co.vi/images?hl=en ... 1&ct=title

~db~

[verjoy]

Sox~

Maybe you should start an elephant forum. You know-trade pics etc.?

[XOXO]

Sox, I re-thought that about calling you out and deleted it because I was wrong. My apologies. You are right.

Well done . . . shows class.

[Lex]

I thought that Anthony made a reasonable request. I'm disappointed to see that it's been disregarded and that , in fact, Anthony's integrity has been called into question. Things are getting weirder and weirder here.

i've always respected the way Anthony has managed the forums. He's always seemed fair, tactful and patient. This strikes me as another example of him attempting to get things back on track without using a heavy hand. He's appealing to the good sense and decency of reasonable people. It's an approach that has worked in the past, but it seems this is a different crowd .

I don't really understand how it came to be that people began coming to a travel forum to debate politics. Certainly for some people that's their primary reason in coming here. They have little or no involvement with travel/vacation threads and a large majority of their posts are political. There are certainly lots of websites that would seem more appropriate places for political discussion, where it would be welcomed and encouraged. I posted a couple of links on another thread and will post them here also:

http://www.topix.com/forum/state/ok/T6LC6ESI3S0DET45G

http://www.antiobama.net/anti-obama-websites.html

I understand that some people spend a considerable amount of time on this forum and may feel a bit lost if they can't use it for political debate, but there are sites where they may well feel more comfortable and certainly more welcome. I do hope that people will respect Anthony's request to refrain from the sort of stuff that's been going on here. I also hope that this forum can get back in balance.

[Anthony]

Hey - I was just asking everyone to chill out. I am not silencing the left or the right or the center. You guys want to continue to do this, fine. If it is bothering some, you have to stop reading.