In a politics thread there would be the illusion that people were only arguing the issues. In Natter, it would always be clear that politics are personal, and that when you're arguing an anti-abortion position directly with somebody who has had an abortion, you must take that person's experience into account as you discuss it.

I don't see why that wouldn't be the case in a politics thread, unless it attracted posters and conversations of a very different sort than the rest of the board.

One thing that really makes me hesitate about opening a Politics thread is the whole Caroma debacle. It could easily happen again.

That possibility does scare me; not even necessarily Caroma, but someone feels like her political views aren't being respected, gets pissy about it, and ends up bringing unnecessary ill will into the board. (Or even someone who doesn't get pissy, but simply leaves.)

Of course, that could happen without a politics thread, too. So, I dunno. It does seem the potential for can-of-worm openage is higher in a dedicated thread, though.

And my thread-nanny suggestion is withdrawn. Thanks, Fred Pete.

Thanks, LJ. Apologies if I came on too strong.

If you do this, it's totally Beep Me. IJS.

What. flea. said.

Um, not addressing my issue.

Sorry, Fred Pete. Yes, we weren't addressing your issue, just expressing we'd be really happy to hear the news and would want to see it in Press, but your point is well taken.

I'd be against thread nannying if the thread passed, but again, I'm leaning against voting for the thread because I think Natter would be a more natural place for it.

(Edited to uncapitalize "nanny")

So political discussions that grow naturally out of personal or show related issues will continue in Natter. There will be some natural draining, but not a ton of pressure to "take it to politics" at the first sign of political discussion?

Okay I'm confused.

Let's say a Buffista is trying to decide whether to have an abortion, and wants to bounce things off fellow Buffistas. Natter/Bitches/Unamerican, or Politics?

To my way of thinking, there's a big difference between "I want to discuss the issue of marriage/abortion/etc." and "I am getting married/considering having an abortion/etc." In the first instance, it's a political discussion where you're talking about an issue in a general sense. In the second, it's a personal matter that is happening in your life.

I mean, if I got a job on Angel tomorrow, I don't feel that I would have to limit my posting about that new job to only the Angel thread. I'd want to talk about it in Natter because that's where we talk about what's happening in our lives.

Um, Lyra Jane has withdrawn the idea. Though based on the comments above, I'm more comfortable that personal-life matters that coincidentally involve political issues could be discussed outside Politics.

Okay now I'm even more confused. I think I missed Lyra Jane's post.

So political discussions that grow naturally out of personal or show related issues will continue in Natter. There will be some natural draining, but not a ton of pressure to "take it to politics" at the first sign of political discussion?

There's rarely ever any pressure in Natter to take any discussion anywhere. I think I've seen movie discussions occassionally get the cough*moviethread*cough treatment, but for the most part politics that flow out of other issues will probably stay in Natter unless they get really involved at which point probably one of the conversants would suggest taking it to Politics.

To my way of thinking, there's a big difference between "I want to discuss the issue of marriage/abortion/etc." and "I am getting married/considering having an abortion/etc." In the first instance, it's a political discussion where you're talking about an issue in a general sense. In the second, it's a personal matter that is happening in your life.

Wrod. If I was considering an abortion, I'd want chocolate and hugs, not a debate. And if I was to marry my same-sex partner, I'd want congratulations and celebrations, not a debate.

The personal implications of politics would most definitely fit in other threads. I'm seeing a dedicated Politics thread as being primarily theoretical. In fact, personal implications would probably be best discussed elsewhere--hey, I can dream--unless they clearly inform the person's political stand.

So far the arguments against the thread seem to boil down to
bad people may come, and
we can't be trusted to have a civil discussion about politics

What am I missing?

Kristen, Lyra made some suggestions here: Lyra Jane "Voting Discussion: We're Screwing In Light Bulbs AIFG!" Apr 2, 2004 8:32:24 am PST

Her third caveat was:

We become huge thread nannies and all political discussion goes there.

Fred Pete responded here: Fred Pete "Voting Discussion: We're Screwing In Light Bulbs AIFG!" Apr 2, 2004 8:55:06 am PST

And the how do we differentiate between life+a-dash-of-politics from politics conversation started from there.

Then LJ withdrew her 'net nanny' suggestion/request.