Should TDR Have a Political Forum?

[Wiredawg]

My two cents, I generally don't care much about political discussions/forums because there's too many who can't seem to respect each other, BUT I believe there SHOULD be a political forum with pretty much no profanity as a general rule. BUT, I believe keep politics OUT of all the other forums. When you get down to brass tacks. there are about 5 members who cant follow rules, cant keep from making it personal, and cry foul when called out.

So, for my vote, please RESTORE the political forum, and let members have their say.

Maybe someone aught to create a thread where members can cast a vote on this matter and have TDR abide by the results... majority vote wins. I actually like operating in a DEMOCRACY where majority rules. I jumped out there and made the poll... cant complain, then step out... dont quit, vote!

Cheers, Ron

 

[dieselshadow]

Politics are a major source of a PIA if you run a forum. I know... and I completely understand why the staff here doesn’t want to see it. What has worked well on other forums is the members who can’t follow the rules or be respectful lose the politics forum privileges. Some members can’t help but get wound up way too tight over politics. Once removed from it, they can calm down and still be a productive helpful member to the forum. Others, not so much. But that has to be handled on a case by case basis. And only if the staff feel they can/want to do that.

I don’t feel like the staff here does a bad job at all, but it would be nice to see them more engaged with the forum and posting a bit. It’s not an easy job to be a forum staffer sometimes. So my hat is off to these that volunteer their time to help keep the TDR a valuable resource.

 

[TFucili]

Honestly, I don't have a strong opinion, but I favor keeping it mostly to try to keep political comments from bleeding onto the general forum, but also just on principle. I can absolutely see, though, that it is like herding cats. Folks just need to learn to enjoy the debate and banter, but keep it in perspective. After many years, I learned that blocking a few key people eliminated most of the gray noise, and purposeful agitation that showed no real thought. YMMV.

Either way, I am here for the CTD knowledge I have sopped up, like gravy on a biscuit, from so many smart members.

 

[Jim W]

I agree with Ron and his policy, going one step further maybe. Re-start the political part of this forum with a bold print note: In this note the rules are set forth such as members must remain civil and so, forth. If they can't follow these simply rules, that member would lose his privilege to post in the political forum. Period that is his end to posting in the political forum.

Why let some bad apples ruin the entire bushel of apples? I was always taught that your actions have consequences and you are responsible for them, NO ONE ELSE. So, if your actions cause issue with the guidelines than you must answer for your actions.

Just my $0.02

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am seriously considering NOT renewing my membership after 19 years! No Political Forum and constant sniping about ones preferences it's gotten VERY old!

So TDR "PLEASE" open back up the Political Forum!!!

 

[jgillott]

I'll be the lonely vote NO. I've been around this forum for a long time. It is my opinion that the entire tone of this forum changed once political discussions and the political section of the forum came around. I've lost count of the number of former members that were great assets to TDR either leaving in anger or being banned over political comments, threads, and posts.

This is a site designed to be about diesel trucks and that is the reason I have paid a membership here for nearly 20 years. The members here are some of the most knowledgeable people on the net when it comes to these trucks and related diesel topics. There are plenty of politically themed sites on the net where you can go to discuss all the things that were in the now closed political section if you so choose. I don't feel that those discussion have a place here on TDR, especially when it spills over in to the other areas of the forum.

 

[DHayden]

I second jgillott. Discussion of politics is one thing, today there is no discussion and no changing minds or sharing intellectual thought. Its left or right, black or white, nothing in between. I see no advantage to this type of forum today, just arse pain for admin. Plenty of other places to go argue politics. I think by now most of us know where the others on this forum stand anyway. I would rather interact with fellow members on what the forum was designed for than separate ourselves on politics.

 

[Wiredawg]

JGillot,

You make a great point... perhaps if no political forum is the final verdict, then stronger enforcement of existing rules, three strikes, your out if you start down a political path. This isn't a public website in that part of paid membership includes abiding by forum rules.

Not just politics, but I have member friends who don't post here anymore because of being chastised and criticized. I know from the business side of the TDR they (we) want more contributing members, but they (we) need to also define and enforce the limit of how we conduct ourselves here.

So, great comments and input. I hope TDR watches this and ultimately comments on where TDR is heading from the interaction and attitude control perspective.

Cheets, Ron

 

[Bill Lins]

There are plenty of other places one can go to debate politics- I want to learn more about Cummins-powered trucks. As always, YMMV...

 

[AH64ID]

I don't really care one way or the other as I stray away from political discussions online and in person. That being said they are generally a used sub-forum. It lets people who have made acquaintances on the site discuss things in a separate sub-forum that stays away from other topics, as it should.

I do think that the forum is mismanaging their sub-forum topics thou. 4th gen is by far the most active forum with the least sub-forums. Either get rid of all sub-forums or give some to the 4th gen. I don't get it, and I think the missing political forum likely comes from the same decisions. It might seem good to some, but it's not a positive result for the forum.

 

[Tractorat]

Well.......... this is why I am banned.

You called someone naive.
If someone demonstrates naivety, should that not be called out ? It is certainly not calling them a name, it is pointing out an issue that they have

You called others "a holes" (and even said you knew that could get you banned).
Well, I guess that was over the line and Im sorry I hurt someones feelings there. However, I did not mention their names, and I really didnt believe I would be banned for that. Im sorry once again.

You took a shot at someone's master degree.
Well, when that someone points to his masters degree as making him an authority on something that has nothing to do with his degree, should that not be pointed out ?

You called someone a useful idiot.
Well, that was a slip. But Ive been called worse on here and never complained. BTW, it is people of that persuasion that allowed hitler to come to power.

You asked what clown college someone went to.
Once again maybe slightly over the line. But once again, if someone brags about their education but comes up with waco statements, shouldnt that be pointed out ? Isnt this America ?

You told someone to get a brain.
WOW !!!! I should be hanged for that one. I guess I shouldnt be allowed to use an American euphemism to ask someone to think a little harder about something.

You told someone you wonder about their low quality of education.
Wow again!!!! Something Ive seen on the tdr many times by those who Im pretty sure have been offended.

You said someone's education "indicates a low quality of graduate from the school" they teach at.
Are you serious ?
You asked how someone could get into college with their "obvious lack of ability in reading compression".
Well, it was an observation. Not calling names or anything like that.


So, as you can see. No profanity, no threats, no real name calling.

But that is why I am banned from the political forum.

BTW, my credentials.
Ex US Marine, vietnam vet Jan 1968 to Feb 1969
Family members have fought, bled, and died in every major war since the revolution
Direct straight line descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

And I am banned from the tdr political forum.

 

[brucejohnson]

Ex US Marine, vietnam vet Jan 1968 to Feb 1969
Family members have fought, bled, and died in every major war since the revolution

Tractorat,
One of my grandsons completed The Crucible yesterday...Proud grandpa here... - He "strongly believes" in the freedoms we enjoy!...like (was in) the friendly banter in the political forum. Heck, I'd sit and enjoy a beverage of choice and friendly chat with any of y'all despite any differences of opinion with NO HARD FEELINGS. I don't starch my undies..., and my hide is pretty thick from life experiences.

 

[Wiredawg]

Well.......... this is why I am banned.

You called someone naive.
If someone demonstrates naivety, should that not be called out ? It is certainly not calling them a name, it is pointing out an issue that they have

You called others "a holes" (and even said you knew that could get you banned).
Well, I guess that was over the line and Im sorry I hurt someones feelings there. However, I did not mention their names, and I really didnt believe I would be banned for that. Im sorry once again.

You took a shot at someone's master degree.
Well, when that someone points to his masters degree as making him an authority on something that has nothing to do with his degree, should that not be pointed out ?

You called someone a useful idiot.
Well, that was a slip. But Ive been called worse on here and never complained. BTW, it is people of that persuasion that allowed hitler to come to power.

You asked what clown college someone went to.
Once again maybe slightly over the line. But once again, if someone brags about their education but comes up with waco statements, shouldnt that be pointed out ? Isnt this America ?

You told someone to get a brain.
WOW !!!! I should be hanged for that one. I guess I shouldnt be allowed to use an American euphemism to ask someone to think a little harder about something.

You told someone you wonder about their low quality of education.
Wow again!!!! Something Ive seen on the tdr many times by those who Im pretty sure have been offended.

You said someone's education "indicates a low quality of graduate from the school" they teach at.
Are you serious ?
You asked how someone could get into college with their "obvious lack of ability in reading compression".
Well, it was an observation. Not calling names or anything like that.


So, as you can see. No profanity, no threats, no real name calling.

But that is why I am banned from the political forum.

BTW, my credentials.
Ex US Marine, vietnam vet Jan 1968 to Feb 1969
Family members have fought, bled, and died in every major war since the revolution
Direct straight line descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

And I am banned from the tdr political forum.

Thank you for your service! As for credentials, no one has more or less rights than anyone else on this website. I served too: 30 years active duty and 11 years Civil Service, I have Bachelor of Science Degree Industrial Technology. Associates Degree in Communications Technology, a crap load of Cyber Security Courses and Certifications, and several FEMA Certifications in Disaster and Incident Management. I've been a TDR member for twenty years. None of this makes me any better or worse than any one else on this website.

I'm no saint, but I never insult anyone on this website and there is no reason too insult anyone. Just agree to disagree and press on.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TDRAdmin4]

Folks the decision was already made Tuesday by the higher-ups and I was about to announce it but saw this thread first. We wanted a cooling-off period before I posted their decision, so the timing is a coincidence, not the result of this topic. I'll have a post up about it shortly in the announcements/feedback section.

 

[Tractorat]

As for credentials, no one has more or less rights than anyone else on this website. I served too: 30 years active duty and 11 years Civil Service, I have Bachelor of Science Degree Industrial Technology. Associates Degree in Communications Technology, a crap load of Cyber Security Courses and Certifications, and several FEMA Certifications in Disaster and Incident Management. I've been a TDR member for twenty years. None of this makes me any better or worse than any one else on this website.

Well..........it probably didnt come across exactly the way I meant it. I dont disagree with you at all.

 

[TDRAdmin4]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/politics-section.269201/

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I didn't serve, but respect anyone willing to wear the flag on their sleeve. I always say "thanks" when I see people in uniform as well. I also don't have a college degree (unless the school of hard knocks counts). Does this make me less American or manly than anyone else?

I put my pants on one leg at a time just like y'all. I try to respect everyone's position on most topics. I try not to get into political discussions because most are "no win". There's always 3 sides to any story (yours, mine, and the truth) so debates just roll on forever (regardless of topic) IMHO.

First and foremost, this is a forum about trucks. If you want to discuss politics and site ownership says ok, have at it. I'll be on this side of the fence figuring out what oil to run, how often to change it, and the merits of full or partial transmission fluid changes.

I have gained considerable knowledge about Ram and Cummins in my 3 short years here, and hope that continues.

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m really on the fence about this.
Part of me does not like the eventual bickering and “behind the screen” muscles we grow. This wouldn’t happen so easily if we were in person at a rally, let’s say.
Part of me thinks it should exist because this is America, and we should exercise our mature political opinions same as the folks in DPRK can. Oh wait- they can’t even move their eyes a certain way let alone put any opinion on the Internet!
So I just checked. Where IS that forum anyway?

 

[AH64ID]

This wouldn’t happen so easily if we were in person at a rally, let’s say.

It’s very easy to rest a post differently than intended, and that’s rarely beneficial.

It’s a big problem with modern communication, but then again most of us would never have any interaction 30 years ago. I think the benefits out weigh the negatives, but we still need to remember that.

I’ve been a part of many PM’s for clarification... and I’ve never come out of one of those with the same feeling I’ve gone into them with.

If we all remember than most of us are here for fun then in the end it’s going to be a great place. There will be disagreements and that’s life, but for the most part I think they aren’t as bad here as other places I’ve been on the internet. Heck the simple fact that I will post repeatedly with someone in a disagreement or “dislike” means I probably think highly enough of them to carry the conversation.

It sure would be fun to grab a beer with you guys some day. I don’t think the conversation would vary too much, but we would sure see the smiles and laughter that’s easy to miss with only written communication.

 

[Tractorat]

I don’t think the conversation would vary too much, but we would sure see the smiles and laughter that’s easy to miss with only written communication.

I had a couple of such pms with hbarlow.