It wasn't really viewed terribly negatively Vator, not by me (who pointed it out), but it was viewed as detrimental and not really constructive. A basis to the decision I believe, that Chris and the staff here have made.
I'd like to take this moment to point out that if you DO have major disagreement with this decision, that it's not the other guy's fault so much as I am the one who's pushed for this "rule" more than anyone I think.
I believe the W&P thread, and any spin-offs frm it, have been major "problems" at Rebelscum for some time now.
It's not that the people here (or there for that matter) aren't mature enough to handle discussion of these topics, but rather that absolutely nothing good ever comes from them. Nobody makes anyone change their mind once. I've never seen that happen ever in any of those threads.
They simply breed hatred between opposing viewpoints, or at least a general dislike of each other, be it liberal vs. conservative, religious vs. atheist, etc...
A major point I've always made is that I have lots of very conservative/Republican friends. My best friend whom I grew up with and went to Cub Scouts with even, is a die-hard Republican. We fight if we discuss politics... There's no way around it. I'd do anything for the guy, but things get ugly if we discuss politics.
So, we make the MATURE decision NOT to discuss it... We don't change each other's minds, so nothing positive is gained in an argument, so we don't discuss it.
Generally the W&P type discussions are discussed maturely overall, but that doesn't mean they are positive. They do nothing but to breed ill-will among you guys, and that's not constructive here in the slightest as I see it.
I just spent a day hanging around Bill Cable and Bobafett14 at Pittsburgh's Toy Show & Comic-Con... They're great guys, and I had a blast hanging around both of them, but I can safely tell you I agree with you most of the time (politically) Force Guy, and I disagree with Bob and Bill 90% of the time.
I had a blast with those guys today because I don't talk politics with them though. They're both fun guys, great to hang around, and Bob's become a really nice friend to me... Even if I truly dislike his political opinion. I'm not gonna change it though, and he's not able to change mine, so why push each other apart debating a moot point between us?
Sure we can do it maturely, but it still fosters anymosity no matter how mature we both may be. It does the same between yourself and members you debate with.
I think if it were Star Wars related (not that that should foster anymosity, but often it does... Myself included), the site wouldn't take any measure because it's what we're here to discuss and disagree on.
These topics are so serious though, that the anymosity isn't simplistic, and it becomes deeper, and it ruins what otherwise is a strong harmony in the community... If that makes sense. I think that's our intent with the rule. And we're just asking that you guys respect it, and if you really want to keep the discussions going then Rebelscum's got a whole thread devoted to it there, and they can deal with the consequences. It's their problem, and one I feel they've negligently perpetuated, personally.
We won't though... We want all you guys to get along as best you can, even if you disagree politically, and just avoid that stuff so you CAN get along as best you can.
You'll inevitably still disagree with each other about various things, but maybe to a lesser degree, and for other reasons that aren't as serious or "hurtful" in the long run, as they are in topics like War, Politics, or Religion, and the like...
Again, if you really are upset about this, don't be as upset at the rest of the staff here as much as you should be at me. I pushed this a little harder than the rest did for certain. I do not, however, disagree with the decision Chris ultimately made, and I feel it's entirely correct.
