Politics, religion and other volatile topics

[Julian]

We've discussed this within a few threads, but not had a thread dedicated to this topic.

As forum "operators and moderators" @Bruce, @txav8r , @Murf'n'surf , @OperationROL in discussions with the founding members decided that divisive topics were not healthy for the operation of a boating forum. As such, we have discouraged such topics from being discussed. We've not "banned" or "prohibited" this <UPDATE BELOW-WE NOW HAVE BANNED THIS>, but when we see something that starts heading in this direction we politely ask the members involved to stop and/or delete the references.

Thus far this has been taken very well and we've received good feedback that this policy has made the forum a friendlier place to hang out.

As the "operators and moderators" it is our pledge to run this forum for the MEMBERS. Not for us, a vendor, a store etc. So if there is an overwhelming desire to re-visit this decision, here is the place to discuss it.

I have added a very simple Poll on this topic. We can get more elaborate if there seems to be some ambiguity on the outcome.

Discuss

UPDATED / EDITED-- The Membership has decided we don't want these divisive types of discussions here on the forum.

Partisan Political comments/photos will not be allowed. Keep things generic. Saying something like: "The federal government is doing a bad job" is ok. Saying Politican ________ is an idiot is not ok as this would be a "partisan" comment. Also, posting obviously partisan photos or MEMEs will be considered partisan as well. This would include a photo of your boat with your favorite politician's flag feature prominently.

This is a fine line to walk, but please do your best. We (moderators/admins) don't want to spend our time policing this.

Posting a Partisan Comment will result in a warning from a moderator.

If you see a partisan post, image, flag etc, please use the REPORT link at the bottom of the post. This is only seen by administrators and helps draw our attention to posts that violate this rule so we can delete them and warn the poster.

EDITED July 28, 2020:

More clarifications as we approach an election: Political flags in photos/videos are not permitted. A brief glimpse in a video where it isn't the focal point of attention...fine. But a video of lots of partisan flags ... not acceptable. Pretty simple....there are plenty of places for us to discuss and stump for politicians....this is not one of them.

If you are wondering if your post is partisan....it probably is. That said, feel free to ask an admin/moderator BEFORE you post it. Otherwise you will get a WARNING.

 

[Boat Crazy]

I like it just the way it is. WHY add controversy? IMO

 

[Lspeedss]

These are topics that can and will get out of control very quickly. Political humor and cartoons in themselves are OK in my book, but unfortunately can be the start for aforementioned discussion complications. Best to walk away.

 

[Impelled]

I blame President George Bush for this thread!!

 

[octavio3311]

Religion and politics can and usually does get feisty.

 

[Bruce]

@Impelled and @SuperJetDan, that seems like politics to me.

Politics have destroyed many forums. I prefer to discuss boats, their modifications, accessories and passengers.

 

[Raphael]

I Blame the worst president ever Obama.

 

[octavio3311]

I blame President George Bush for this thread!!

Here we go!!!! We need a smiley for "dukes up - we're throwing down".

 

[BigN8]

This is probably the #1 reason I don't even look at the other forum anymore. Too much BS. In fact I can't even remember the last time I logged in. If you open up politics over here it won't take too long before you have a resident hardliner who only posts rhetoric, aka Steve45. My vote is keep those topics off which will allow a more fact based forum vs opinion based

 

[Julian]

This forum is nothing but a distraction to cover up Benghazi!

Go about your business! Nothing happening here.....

@Impelled stirring things up are ya??? LOL

@BigN8 Right on!

Glad we all agree on something!

We now return to "Drain Plugs", "Oil" and "#3 Plugs" and "MEGA SQUIRT GUNS!"

 

[jetboater4life]

I feel the same way as several above have commented. Let's keep this about boats and having fun with them. A place where Democrats and Republicans, Muslims and Christians, Gay and Straight can hang out and enjoy their passion for boating together without being pressed on social, political, or religious issues. If someone wants to discuss these types of things, send them to YJB

 

[Suchawittygal]

I can go to my debate board if i feel the need to talk about politics or religion. We don't need it here.

 

[jdonalds]

My best friend and I have had to stop talking politics. We were on a course not to be friends at all even though we remained civil toward each other during the discussions.

I think it best to keep those volatile subjects in check.

 

[Lspeedss]

I feel the same way as several above have commented. Let's keep this about boats and having fun with them. A place where Democrats and Republicans, Muslims and Christians, Gay and Straight can hang out and enjoy their passion for boating together without being pressed on social, political, or religious issues. If someone wants to discuss these types of things, send them to YJB






View attachment 5811

@jetboater4life What about Independents, Atheists and Bisexuals..Where are they to go for their jetboating needs?

 

[2devine]

As long as we can keep the most heated topic facing the world today included. DO YOU FOG YOUR ENGINES?

 

[OperationROL]

I agree with keeping these subjects off of this site. While I love debating, I realize that most people argue instead. Because they argue, it usually gets personal and feelings get hurt. Let's keep this forum about jet-boating and light peripherals. If anyone wants to argue about my Cowboys vs. the Redskins, we can do that.

 

[BoaterGuy]

If you dont have a place for it on the site, I think you'll find that it will come out anyway.

Its better if you designate a sub forum for it. Then if a topic does go that way you have an easy out to move the thread there to keep it categorized correctly, or you can stop the debate and tell them to open a thread in that section.

Otherwise you may have to start locking threads, or editing posts. I know that you definitely dont want to do that...

 

[Julian]

If you dont have a place for it on the site, I think you'll find that it will come out anyway.

Its better if you designate a sub forum for it. Then if a topic does go that way you have an easy out to move the thread there to keep it categorized correctly, or you can stop the debate and tell them to open a thread in that section.

Otherwise you may have to start locking threads, or editing posts. I know that you definitely dont want to do that...

So far we've not had a problem. As we get bigger, we will add more moderators. We coach the moderators to respectfully ask those who post topics that start going in this direction to focus on the topic and stay away from Politics. Thus far, I think I've been the only moderator to have to make that request (think I've asked 2 people) - and it has been taken very well (post up if you disagree!). If this doesn't continue to work, we will move to a "split thread" approach (where we move the questionable content somewhere)- but this takes more involvement from moderators and is more disruptive. We WILL NOT edit people's posts unless there is a clear violation of the code of conduct (and then we will post that editing occured, by whom and for what reason). Transparency is our creed.

Again, the purpose of creating this thread was to ensure the membership knew the rules (hard to follow rules otherwise), and that the members weigh in on how the site is run - because the forum is about the members and boating first!

The vote count looks pretty compelling though. >90% in favor of the way we have it set up now. Enjoy - and lets go discuss a few more ways to spend time and /or money on our pastime!

 

[Glassman]

Should the forum allow Politics and religion etc to be discussed in posts?


Only if I can post up George Carlin videos in response to every argument!

 

[Cory]

I find it interesting that y'all are scared to argue politics or religion, but practically fall down over yourselves in a rush to invite someone to link up their porn to the forum.