I don't have a problem with politic threads really, even though I don't think we need them on here, and I particularly don't care for them, but sometimes certain things get my goat!
I do have a problem however with threads about Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears or whoever the hooker of the month is(thanks for that Lionel).
I wasn't around for The Soapbox, but, from what I've heard about it, I think I'm glad that I wasn't.
A few months ago, under a rather divisive title regarding the vertebrate characteristics of the female Clintons, a substantial political discussion took place here at the GDP. I found much of it incredibly informative, and evidence and opinions were presented that did alter my opinions on several subjects. However, between the ad hominem attacks, "gotcha!" argumentation and repeated posts from non-participants telling people they should stop the discussion, it fizzled out. I've seen nothing like it here since.
I actually met Sarah Palin briefly twenty years ago, I have a family member who worked with her and has been a resident of Wasilla, Alaska for almost as long as Sarah, but I have absolutely no interest in discussing the reproductive habits of her daughter or Mrs. Palin's relative hotness, (seriously, does anyone think that as VP, she's going to cast the deciding vote in a tough Senate debate and then whip off her clothes and start dancing around like an outtake from Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" video?). That seems to have been the theme for the two most recent 'political' discussions and I've been avoiding them like the plague.
I'm all for having a respectful political discussion here, but really have no interest in seeing either Party's talking points repeated ad nauseum or see things descend into name-calling. Fortunately, the thread titles are usually enough to deter the uninterested.
I have noticed in the last few months, however, even in many non-political threads, an erosion of the sense of mutual respect and decorum that, to me, made the GDP unique. It seems to me that we have enough "Dividing Issues" as it is and I really don't see something as charged as politics improving that situation.
There are good reasons for some of the political threads when you think about it. A large mass of material in rock history is political and questioning society as a whole. CCR, CSNandY made a living out of it. From the sublime "Give Ireland back to the Irish" to at the time radical but IMOHO bad "Don't call me N* Whitey"
Dissent and rebellion has always been a mainstay of RnR but here it only gets bad when it gets personal. It's good to disagree just avoid getting personal about it!
It may not be about Gretsch guitars but it is about music. Most of what we listened to from wayback when was about pissing off the establishment!
Timthom62: said: I actually met Sarah Palin briefly twenty years ago, I have a family member who worked with her and has been a resident of Wasilla, Alaska for almost as long as Sarah, but I have absolutely no interest in discussing the reproductive habits of her daughter or Mrs. Palin's relative hotness, (seriously, does anyone think that as VP, she's going to cast the deciding vote in a tough Senate debate and then whip off her clothes and start dancing around like an outtake from Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" video?). That seems to have been the theme for the two most recent 'political' discussions and I've been avoiding them like the plague.
Much to my dismay that would be a hell of a sight better then this teleprompter reading, gun toting, hockey mom routine that's been set upon us!
If a (any) topic bothers you on the Gretsch Pages, just go on to something else! Just look at the guitar pictures--no one is reqired to read or comment here. I threw in my two cents on the recent healthcare discussion then went on to something else. The GP's (or GDP's) is a real good place to chat and trade guitar info. I'd rather talk about 6120's and Duo-Jets than whether Sarah Palin is "hot" or not.
TAG4
the sad experiment that failed,even amongest the brothen.typal thred subject= begets labling.begets name calling wich begets nasty flaming&Hard feelings,don't miss it much.although the last couplle o political threds have been some what civil,i wouldn't call for to bring it back...once in a blue moon is fine with me.notice a lot of the hardcore muckraking soap boxers don't post here any more just as well....every one has feelings& opinions about any given mater i just asume talk guitar related things,yes i remember,also remember norm saying it was a bad idea,he called it! what a no fun mess......R.I.P. 
An internet forum is a curious hybrid. Although we feel like we know one another, the fact is we only know in part. I could be in an elevator alone with most of you folks and not realize who you were. The cloak of anonymity brings with it the freedom to show more direspect for others than would fly in person. If I was in that elevator with some of you and you showed the same level of contempt for me and my opininions that I see being shown to others on here....you'd be glad to get to the next floor.
Put a big cage up in the Walmart parking lot and the next thing you know you'll have a couple of fools in there going at it. That was the Soapbox. A place to get it on. Which sanctions and legitimizes getting it on, something I don't think our dear Bax was happy being party to.
I dont have a problem with political discussions---many here have given me much food for thought. But I'm not always in the mood for the personal attacks I have to read around. Sloganeering is bad enough, but I like you guys too much to want to learn some things about you.
I found the same thing in the Soapbox that I can find in my catbox.
"Seriously, does anyone think that as VP, she's going to cast the deciding vote in a tough Senate debate and then whip off her clothes and start dancing around like an outtake from Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" video?"Well, it would make C-SPAN a whole helluvalot more interesting...
Roadjunkie:
I have great respect for you based on threads you've commented on. However, don't knock Palin 'cuz she used a teleprompter.
They (left, right and in the middle) all use a teleprompter!
Soapbox was before my time, but i figured that's what misc. Rumbles were about, anything else.
Some of the comments of political and religious nature get a fire under me and I posted a rant, polite as it was, and that seemed to be the style here, which I like. You can voice opinions, and not get flamed for it.
I'm music crazy, and, to a point, guitar crazy, but I do like to talk of other things as well. I think as long as it is kept civil, why not? But then again, it's not my blog.
"Seriously, does anyone think that as VP, she's going to cast the deciding vote in a tough Senate debate and then whip off her clothes and start dancing around like an outtake from Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" video?"
Oh man, now there's a Youtube video idea that's just waiting for someone with some video imaging/enhancing talent.
If you want to really feel "neutered" on a forum, just hang out at the FDP.
Plenty of "do and don't" rules, deleted posts, and "special access" for those who contribute.
Nice little gang of boppers, living life within the rules, to support a "Greene Weenie".
ThereThat's not political, and I'm standing on a "SoapBox".
