I do. And I also remember being one of those who argued for its removal. Music is a big part of my life-- up until five years ago, it was my job. Now, the GDP is a welcome pitstop in my working life, where I can pop in for a moment and discuss my obsession with some like-minded others. I do not stop by to take part in, or even read, fractious political discussions, which-- in my opinion-- would be best conducted elsewhere (on another forum).
Whose with me?
I dunno, if you don't want to take part in a political discussion just don't.
That's what I do. Never caused me any problems!
You're right, and I've contradicted myself again today posting on one of those threads. But I have to say I'm not against the way the TDPRI (telecaster forum) does things : there's a rule that says "no politics - threads will be deleted, and repeat offenders will be booted".
Sorry guys... : (
Thanks, Walter. Tsar, I'm not against free speech, I just think that sorting through debates about relgion, sex, politics, whatever is kind of pointless on a GUITAR discussion forum. 
No personal offense taken, Al. And I don't mean to single you out at all...this is by no means the first time this has happened!
Agreed 100%! Keep the politics out of here!
I kinda liked the soapbox because it was designed to keep the political wars off the main board. It tended to keep new political threads from springing up. There people could wail and gnash their teeth to their heart's content and the only ones who cared were the ones who ventured therein.
It finally got taken out much to everyone's relief but I still think it was more benificial than not.
The next election is going to be, if nothing else, interesting and after the past eight years emotions are apt to get stoked.
Ya i love debates about politics and religion but it is starting to get in the way of whats really important in life...GUITARS! I totally understand why big al wants to have these discussions here, its a very level headed forum. I also understand what tsar is saying and generally agree but i think a lot of us including me are becoming distracted by the drama and thus not contributing to the guitar related posts as much. Does anyone know a good political forum we could join? btw al i still like you even though i only agree with about 30% of your opinions and i don't think your evil in any way for introducing politics infact i commend you for your effort and faith in us but i think it's an experiment thats slowly going south.
Good point norm but i know i for 1 usually check the latest posts and the political discussions usually show up there. Now on that note i really should have the discipline not to click on these topics but my curiosity gets the best of me and the group should not be censored due to my or others lack of self discipline.
I don't want to discuss politics or religion in forums where people only want to discuss politics or religion.
To the point I want to have such discussions (which differs from time to time), I prefer to have them with people with whom I know I share other connections.
I'm not a politics or religion junkie...and don't want the level of passion, anger, fear, and loathing those junkies generate. I like it that on the GDP, when we venture into those horrible subjects for awhile, and vent, at the end we can always say "well screw that...now, is that an Em7 there or a G?"
I too get drawn into some of these discussions against my better judgment, almost with a sense of dread – but it remains entirely true that we can avoid threads we find unpleasant.
Finally (yeah, I bet!), while it's an accepted maxim that no one's mind is ever changed in those threads, I know from experience that even intense and pointed discussions, if conducted with basic civility, goodwill, and mutual respect, can change minds. My own mind has been changed on numerous occasions, and I've heard from members who say they think about something differently based on something I've said.
So even when the discussions veer into rancor and get testier than we like, I think on the GDP they often have value.
very good point proteus thats probably why i have never ventured onto a political forum. It was probably a little short sighted of me to suggest such a thing but im short on time and late for work.
At least, here, all discussions are open minded and respectful---even if it isn't about guitars.
What if I ask a question about political or religious music
"Anyone remember 'The Soapbox?'"In the same way I remember the Holocaust, my parent's divorce and the Chevy Chase Show, yes.
No matter whether the subject is guitars, amps, politics, sports, etc., any online-forum discussion can be a powder-keg, simply because the participants do not have the ability to interpret tone of voice or body language in a text-based forum.
Civility (or a lack of) in tone is solely based on the poster's ability to translate his/her opinions, emotions, and thoughts into one-dimensional text format. Unfortunately, some people are not as adept as others when it comes to communicating via the printed word. To further complicate things, colloquial differences abound between different regions of the country and the world-- so individuals are left at the mercy of the various readers when it comes to interpretation of the intent or tone of their posts.
Although I usually avoid them, I'm not in favor of a "ban" on political discussions in a guitar forum. Along the lines of Proteus' opinion, I would rather discuss politics with people who share other common interests with me. No one is going to see eye-to-eye with everyone, and sometimes you have to be mature enough to "agree to disagree".... something that our political parties can't seem to grasp.
I am always surprised how amped up people get over this stuff. I truly believe that some of the ugly comments made when things start to take a personal twist would not be uttered if the two individuals were having the conversation face to face.
Of course, there is the rare individual who, when politically provoked, would grab a hammer, smash your skull in, and then do the same to your wife and children just for good measure. Those folks usually end up in jail or running their country. But that ain't any of you guys, right? Right? Hey,.......put that hammer down, man. That's not funny.
Ahh, the beauty of the internet. Gotta love having the ability to pontificate to your hearts content and have your emotions and two bit opinions hang on an electronic banner for the world to see, yet not have to confront anyone face to face. The worst that can happen is someone might "ban you." Oh, boo hoo!
I like to see different opinions, but in 100 words or less, please. And it floors me when the conversation takes a wicked turn into the personal insult arena. I prefer to keep it lighthearted. Why? Because your opinion doesn't really matter, it will result in no change and for all of the discontented souls that seem to hate the direction the country is taking, things aren't bad enough to provide that spark that ignites REAL change. You know the kind I'm talking about.
OK, how many words was that? 258? Damn.
At least, here, all discussions are open minded and respectful..."
They start that way...
Personally, Like Norm, I liked the soapbox but it tended to get a little ugly at the end....Soooooo....Bye bye. I respect Bax for that.
I'm not here long enough to remember the soapbox. However I do think there's room for political debate. It's unfortunate that some people can't control their emotions when dealing with certain issues, but that's a side effect of free speech, like it or not. I think the way the GDP is run is fine although it would be nice if people took a breath from time to time. A lot of opinions expressed in the political threads run completely counter to mine and I'll admit that sometimes I find it frustrating. However, I think that I manage to maintain a level of civility and do genuinely attempt to understand an issue from a different perspective. There's no point in slamming an ignorant or obviously stupid opinion / statement - more often than not it's best ignored.
Bigalthethird - don't sweat it man; I wouldn't judge you for wanting to discuss politics. I belive that if more people had an interest like yours we'd all benefit. Politicians wouldn't be able to get by on soundbytes anymore, that's for sure.
I would prefer a separate political discussion area...this would allow me to avoid political discussion by avoiding that part of the forum. a similar concept works quite well on the Grateful Dead forum i frequent, where eruptions of political warfare are greeted with "take it to the Politics folder." i really don't want to have political conversations with people in the current milieu; the preponderance of the time it only winds up making both parties feel less friendly to each other and obscures the things the forum members do have in common. and saying "you can avoid such discussions" ignores the fact that, as is the case almost everywhere, people have no hesitation about imposing their political views in utterly non-political discussions. and when someone dumps that stuff into a discussion, i sometimes can't help answering back. especially when i'm in as shit of a mood as i've been in this week.
I'm with Reverb11 -I've been a member for a long long time and there are in my opinion far too many non Gretsch discussions on 'The Gretsch Discussion' pages - I don't log on to read about anything other then Gretsch related topics -I certainly don't want to read about politics and religion - I really feel ill at ease when it is about some personal aspect of someones life or job or recent loss- While a lot of people on here like to consider many of the posters 'friends' a great many of us have never really met face to face- However as someone said 'you don't have to read them' and I don't - To each his own - I just want to read about that great Gretsch sound- I certainly mean no disrespect to those that post other topics- It is a well run site and anyone can post what they please- Just don't expect everyone to read it- And please don't get bent at my opinion- Monty
Ah'd much rather read about git tars and wimmins. I mean, after all, that's the reason we pick on them strangs a hopin' somethin' will sound good and impress the gurls.
In the same way I remember the Holocaust, my parent's divorce and the Chevy Chase Show, yes.
Well said. I'm not interested in stopping the occasional political discussion, but I'm not really interested in them being here, either. The soapbox was a fiasco, as far as I'm concerned. And the contentious threads that filled it are the reason why.
I've noticed on boards in general, not just this one, there's a handful of people who always seem to start them. It's trolling, really... just trying to provoke a reaction.
Yeah I remember the Soapbox. That's back during the time when John Kerry was going to cause gasoline to be $1.75 a gallon, and take everybody's bible. Oh, he played in some band too!
>>kidding
