My main problem with it is that political arguments don't seem to get dropped, and those differences aren't just chalked down to differing opinions. Things get ugly, and they basically stay ugly.

I see that, really, but political issues and how I feel about them have become such a central part of who I am the past few years that I hate having to bite my tongue. And, I really hate to see whole topic areas be forbidden--that's why I suggested a separate thread.

I can't quite put my finger on why, but I'm a little bit annoyed at the categorizing of natter into threads. We can't really ever stop nattering, we do it everywhere til a stompy foot comes down to steer the conversation back to the thread topic.

Like the rape convo that evolved in the Buffy thread, it began as a discussion involving BtVS events, but as it evolved, it moved away from show discussion and more into political and personal debate. I like that sort of loose adherence to thread topic.

Maybe I'm concerned that we'll have 83 different threads, Cooking, Job Bitching, Birdwatching, Hairdos, My God I'm Fat and Depressed and No One Likes Me Please Stroke My Ego, and Various Styles of Clog Dancing.

I understand that threads evolve when a specific topic consistently comes up in Natter, until it becomes a subject all its own, but the natter that evolves from it then has to move back to natter, and it seems to squash the conversation that was evolving naturally.

I have no solutions, and could be imagining shit.

Maybe I'm concerned that we'll have 83 different threads, Cooking, Job Bitching, Birdwatching, Hairdos, My God I'm Fat and Depressed and No One Likes Me Please Stroke My Ego, and Various Styles of Clog Dancing.

Heh. Once, we were one thread. Just Buffy. I can barely remember what it was like.

Politics, like Religion, is often based on faith and passion. While it is possible to discuss such things politely, it is extremely difficult to actually make "progress" in such discussions with strangers. The urge to be "right" and to win people over to your way of thinking dominates the wary and unwary alike.

Myself, I love talking politics (and religion, actually). I'm a non-crazy non-rabid Libertarian.

If political discussions are a problem on Natter, it could be handy to have a place to shunt such discussions off to. People that join that thread would then have the advantage of getting to mentally prepare themselves for discussions that can be passionate, and will be better equipped to not take opposing opinions personally.

Nah, that's as good a reason for not making new threads as any.

I see the same problem, Allyson, and don't have a solution either: other than to debate each case individually, be aware of the problem, and see where that takes us.

I do believe it's possible to discuss politics politely, as I have on many occasions and will likely continue to do in the future.

I'm sure you can. I guess I should rephrase what I said -- while individuals can respectfully discuss politics, I've never seen an online political discussion where someone's feelings didn't get hurt eventually. There are just SO many strong feelings -- witness the discussion Caroma linked to. I don't think we need to always stay away from controversy, but I also don't think a political forum is needed on this site at this time.

I'm really, really, really strongly against a politics thread for the reasons I already articulated. I don't care how girded people think their loins are, it's just asking for trouble and hurt feelings. Also, I'm really strongly against extra threads, even if I did give in on Music. At some point, it becomes re-cock-u-lous.

Also, I'm really strongly against extra threads, even if I did give in on Music. At some point, it becomes re-cock-u-lous.

Ditto.

OK, then my question is: Does anyone know of a political forum, liberal-leaning or otherwise, where one can get in some actual discussion and venting? i.e., one that hasn't been taken over by longwinded opinionated trolls who never engage in actual discussion but just recycle the same harangues over and over again?

Because that's why I prefer talking politics here than on places like Table Talk or The Perfect World. Even when it gets heated, it still feels like actual human interaction rather than canned rants.