zog741 wrote:
Actually, I think Republic Hopefuls was one of the more interesting topics here. The reason I didn't post much in it was because it was political, and therefore apt to get out of hand.
I like freedom of speech, even with its occasional consequences. I don't think the political threads should have been shut down, but they should have been clearly marked as political, perhaps in a subcategory under "Free for All". Perhaps the subcategory could have been "Politics - Post at your Own Risk!"
-- RWM
I agree. I also think it was one of the most interesting, and I think there was a lot of good discussion there, in general, though it eventually spiraled out of control. Some of the other semi-political threads that didn't go out of control are some of the smarter debating I've seen in forums since the mass of men got on the internet (I do remember the days when it mostly intelligent, un-inebriating people heatedly discussing topics without attacking each other -- though it was mostly science back then).
I've debated the merits of exactly what you're asking. Nevertheless, I have long experience doing this gig, and I know how that one goes -- it ends up with you guys not having to deal with any of it, but the people running the boards still dealing with the same stuff, immaterial of any caveats.
Scar, being both older and wiser than I, was correct, years ago, in his initial assessment of even having a non-NTN/Buzztime section -- he thought it was a bad idea. Nevertheless, we added it, and posting took off, and membership increased significantly (this was on the old Scaratings). We carried it over when we started it back up.
There may be some possibility of what you mention, but for right now, it's unlikely.