What to do with the Politics?

[Alsiony]

I thought I saw it alive and kicking still, right at the bottom of the index page...

A
x

[ladydi]

Hello Merton,

It's still there! Politics still exists. Personally I feel that there is no problem having a separate section for politics. I feel this gives individuals an opportunity to express their views, whether one may agree with them, or not. It's sort of like having a porno channel on your tv....you have the option of viewing, or not. And in this case, if you view, you have the option of becoming involved in the discussion, or not.

The problem seems to occur when members enter the Forum and click on "view new posts", without double checking which section they are entering.

Yes, some comments in Politics (depending upon one's belief or credo) may be racist, sexist, rightist, leftist, and unfortunately some bordering on anti-semitic. BUT....we in the western world have been granted freedom of speech. In multitudes of countries this does not exist and any opinion, except the approved one, would be obliterated to the point of death. Freedom of speech is important.

I do agree with my friends that this being a Leonard Cohen Forum, certain comments touch the edge of being too anti-semitic. There are many in the Politics section who never contribute in any other area. However, there are those who do. Even though they are at complete odds I think of seadove and liverpoolken. We may not agree with one or the other of them but I support their freedom of speech...within the Political format.

If one does slip into the Political thread, and if one does not agree, and feels vehemently, then they should comment. Otherwise, my best advice is to stay away from this thread and allow it to be the "home" of those who wish to never be able to convince the other of the rightness of their cause or belief.

Hopefully I have not upset some dear friends, but freedom of speech must be allowed. And..if we do not like what we hear, then we also have the freedom to have our say. But voices should not be silenced.

Diana

[lizzytysh]

Excellent commentary there, Diana . Great pints, as well, Merton... even though they don't happen to apply here, since Politics is, as Alsiony noted, still alive and kicking.


~ Lizzy

[merton]

Hi,

I don't wish to prolong this but I'm obviously tunnel -visioned. I usually head for the "jump to" facility at the end of the page. I can't see Politics. Help me if you can I'm feeling down .........

All the best,
Merton

PS. Eureka!! I live and sometimes learn. The Politics section seems to be visible only if one logs on. Is this right?

[Evie B]

Well said, ladydi.

Evie B

[margaret]

It helps to always remain logged on to the main forum index page http://www.leonardcohenforum.com and have a permanent bookmark if you are on your own secure home computer, so you can go direct to the main index page, then visit whichever section you want. Then navigate by choosing you next section by clicking at the bottom left of the screen at the end of the thread and choosing to return to the same section to view another thread in the same section eg. news, or clicking on board index again(which is lower down on the left) to choose another section eg. the politics section, if you really must

[lizzytysh]

Great pints, as well, Merton...

Perhaps, I was feeling like one, what with all this talk of Politics.

Points is, of course, what I meant. Glad you got it sorted, Merton.

[mutti]

I agree freedom of speech is important Diana
I am the last person to deny someone the space to express their feelings, thoughts and opinions...but as I said in the 'disappearing thread' area
"My opinion is its great to have a political forum to discuss different opinions...everyone is entitled to their view...
but when it gets hateful with name calling, to me it reeks of anti semitism, racism, sexism...as I have seen heavy words written about women as well as Jews
and that is not ok with me!
This is a Leonard Cohen forum...need I say more..."

I am not joining the political discussion on any issues other than the strong feeling it brings up in me knowing what is going on in there. I was shocked to read some of the posts...
If I am to stay on this forum I need to know that it is a safe place and that there is not a lot of hate going on in the political section.
That being said I know that 'anything goes' is also a good thing but why here?

Forgive me for wanting to state my spiritual view on this...

Darkness is in all of us, and going there is good as that way the light gets through. To be happy you must experience sadness...the paradox of life continues.
It brings to mind the term The Lotus Paradise... the path to More Light.
To borrow an allegory from Zenbuddhism. The lotus is a plant that takes root down below, beneath the surface of water, in the dark, in the mud, and starts growing upwards. As soon as it raises above the surface, a lotusflower unfolds under the intense rays of the Sun.
I mention this as those who are angry and expressive in the political forum are just doing their thing..and although I would like to ignore them and let them rant and rave...(I usually don't open that thread but when I do) I am shocked it is going on in this forum of all places and to hear the anger...
All I am saying is putting down a fellow forum member or someone or a group of people to get your point across reeks of something I think is inappropriate for this forum.
Thanks for listening to me vent.
Mutti

[mutti]

one other thing...please do not close the Politics thread.
I do believe it has a place here and obviously a lot of people are using it and like it.
I am but one forum member stating my views...and don't want to cause problems..
but will be a watchdog as thats my nature when I see wrongdoing..
guess thats why I ended up a social worker instead of in business where I would have done better...
medical social work is now my field and keeps me in the moment as my mind is full of chatter and wonderful love songs by
Sir Leonard!!!
a fellow Canadian I have grown up listening to all my life.
Cheers!

[MaryB]

"My opinion is its great to have a political forum to discuss different opinions...everyone is entitled to their view...but when it gets hateful with name calling, to me it reeks of anti semitism, racism, sexism...as I have seen heavy words written about women as well as Jews
and that is not ok with me!
This is a Leonard Cohen forum...need I say more..."

I am shocked it is going on in this forum of all places and to hear the anger...
All I am saying is putting down a fellow forum member or someone or a group of people to get your point across reeks of something I think is inappropriate for this forum.

Leslie,
I also have stopped reading the politics section, it can be so filled with vitriol, but when I saw that you posted there, I wanted to see what you had to say. Your post echoed my sentiments exactly, especially the above quotes. Like you, I feel the politics section should remain. If some of these posters refrained from using the personal attacks and slurs, I would pop in there from time to time because I do like to hear people's feelings on political issues. Some of these posts are so very informative and insightful. People there many times do make very persuasive arguments to defend their positions. I just don't like having to come across the hate-mongering statements. This seems like the antithesis of LC behavior.

Kindest regards,
Mary

[Tony]

This site existed for years without the Politics section as there seemed to be an unwritten agreement not to introduce such matters here. However, given human nature and its desire for conflict and argument, I suppose that it was inevitable that the subject would eventually visit us with its inevitable disruption. Let those who want to live there do so and continue to count the number of angels on the pinhead. We all become dust eventually.

[Mabeanie1]

Once again, Politics is dominating the New Posts listing. The posts come primarily (exclusively??) from just 2 members with views that are polar opposites. There is no debate - just a succession of posts. I suppose it's not really surprising given recent events but I don't want to read it on a Leonard Cohen forum. Surely the members concerned can find somewhere else to go and slug it out?

Wendy

[Susy]

Friends,
yes, freedom of speech IS important all over the world,
but ( for me ) words like ...assholes,idiots and so on, have nothing to do with freedom of speech.
I know that I don`t have to read the Politics, but sometimes,and right now I`m just
interested what these 2 or 3 members have to say!
Do they know the word " Respect "!?!
Susanne

[brightnow]

Once again, Politics is dominating the New Posts listing. The posts come primarily (exclusively??) from just 2 members with views that are polar opposites. There is no debate - just a succession of posts. I suppose it's not really surprising given recent events but I don't want to read it on a Leonard Cohen forum. Surely the members concerned can find somewhere else to go and slug it out?

Wendy

Exactly... what Wendy said.

[Roy]

I noticed that only forum members can see the Politics section. If you are not logged in, it does not show on the Board Index. That takes care of it!