Posted by Jost on October 29, 2006, at 21:59:56
I find myself really perplexed by one thing, which is the politics board.
In my mind, politics is a kind of rough and tumble thing-- not necessarily uncivil but often arousing passions, and invoking clashes of beliefs-- not things often easily resolved.
I wonder if it doesn't make sense to have somewhat different civility standards for one or two boards-- a kind of not enter at your own risk, but at least at somewhat greater risk.
It's not that people shouldn't be expected to be civil to one another-- that remains important-- or should be allowed to cast any aspersion on anyone else, but that there should be somewhat more leeway for intensity-- and even the casting of some doubt on the rightness of certain things, in general.
When it comes to issues of war, human rights, etc-- it seems that there;s also a moral imperative to stating one's view not simply as a feeling that one has, or a sense that it would be better for one if such things weren't happening.
Politics seems by nature to be a system of beliefs about what policies are right, for everyone, not for oneself, or in it effects on oneself. Politics is about what's right for a culture or society.
If I say that Person X (Political or Government Official X) has condoned, or even promulgated an abuse-- and the Person has-- it seems that I shouldn't be blocked for it.
I'm sure this has been considered before, but since a number of blocks are from that board, I wonder whether it's worth having-- unless it's subject to a different standard of civility than boards where individual feelings and experience are more key.
Because the blocks from that board are too frequent--particularly given the minimal number of posts--it seems as if that board, by its existence, is almost a soft entrapment for those who are really interested in politics-- and who are, probably, more committed to their viewpoints and more accommodated to the types of debate that are often seen about political issues (not on the mainstream media-- but say in the House of Commons).
Jost
poster:Jost
thread:698908
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20061018/msgs/698908.html