To what extent is political discussion banned?

[webny99]

I was considering starting a thread about a certain news site, but thought it might be interpreted as too political, and/or lead to political discussion. So I thought I'd ask.

I gather that when it comes to politics, facts are usually OK, opinions/banter not so much? It would be good to get some official confirmation before I do something foolish 

[jeffandnicole]

I was considering starting a thread about a certain news site, but thought it might be interpreted as too political, and/or lead to political discussion. So I thought I'd ask.

I gather that when it comes to politics, facts are usually OK, opinions/banter not so much? It would be good to get some official confirmation before I do something foolish 

While I'm far from an official person here...

This is road forum.  A roadgeek forum.   It's really the only one that exists.  While we do have an 'Off Topic' forum, there are a gadzillion other forums and groups out on the Internet if you'll like to talk politics that will be better suited for your purpose.

Besides...'facts' are often opinionated facts.

[webny99]

While we do have an 'Off Topic' forum, there are a gadzillion other forums and groups out on the Internet if you'll like to talk politics that will be better suited for your purpose.

Of course, and it would have been in the Off-Topic board, and not directly related to politics anyways. I'm just interested in the answer, even if I decide against posting anything remotely politics-related.

[hbelkins]

Given that roads are generally built by political entities, avoidance of politics cannot be completely accomplished here.

If one wants to discuss the politics behind a certain decision to build or not build a project -- see any of the Breezewood threads -- then that's generally acceptable.

But a "Trump Bad, Hillary Good" discussion would be shut down pretty quickly. And a "Trump Good, Hillary Bad" discussion would be shut down even quicker, given what I've observed of the political leanings of some of the powers that be.

[webny99]

But a "Trump Bad, Hillary Good" discussion would be shut down pretty quickly. And a "Trump Good, Hillary Bad" discussion would be shut down even quicker, given what I've observed of the political leanings of some of the powers that be.

Well, at least in your case, you've been allowed to keep your profile message
[zips lips and discards key]

[NE2]

Welcome to the anti-Trump resistance.

[J N Winkler]

The way to have a successful discussion about politics (broadly defined) is to confine it to policy and avoid referring to the people or parties that might carry it out--certainly not in an emotionally arousing or morally charged fashion.  As a group we are strong in STEM and English composition (not surprising among roadgeeks), but weak in the social sciences.  As a result I find policy discussions tend to run aground from the lack of a detailed understanding of how the economy works, though this is certainly not a reason not to keep pushing forward with them.

I don't think a discussion of media providers is likely to prove productive, largely because the cable news networks are widely seen as the propaganda arms of their respective political tendencies, and propaganda is all about attracting an emotional response.

[webny99]

I don't think a discussion of media providers is likely to prove productive, largely because the cable news networks are widely seen as the propaganda arms of their respective political tendencies, and propaganda is all about attracting an emotional response.

Well, in so many words, that's what I was afraid of. Very well put. I think this is proving to be a valuable discussion, so I'm glad I did this before diving into something controversial.

Welcome to the anti-Trump resistance.

So thankful for this right now:

[zips lips and discards key]

[roadman65]

I don't think a discussion of media providers is likely to prove productive, largely because the cable news networks are widely seen as the propaganda arms of their respective political tendencies, and propaganda is all about attracting an emotional response.

Well, in so many words, that's what I was afraid of. Very well put. I think this is proving to be a valuable discussion, so I'm glad I did this before diving into something controversial.

Welcome to the anti-Trump resistance.

So thankful for this right now:

[zips lips and discards key]

Don't mind him. 

Yes its a touchy subject these days as the rift between the two sides is farther than it ever was before.  Anyway, always stay away from religion and politics anyplace you go nowadays, and there are plenty of forums out there where you can talk about these.  Do not ask me what which ones as I do not use them as to me I do not get into politics these days.  Heck I do not subscribe to cable anymore and am glad for it so I do not have to listen to either CNN or Fox rant about what they think is the real news and hear the news anchors and commentators opinions on typical propaganda.

[Beltway]

Given that roads are generally built by political entities, avoidance of politics cannot be completely accomplished here.
If one wants to discuss the politics behind a certain decision to build or not build a project -- see any of the Breezewood threads -- then that's generally acceptable.

But a "Trump Bad, Hillary Good" discussion would be shut down pretty quickly. And a "Trump Good, Hillary Bad" discussion would be shut down even quicker, given what I've observed of the political leanings of some of the powers that be.

In terms of occurrence ratio here, it is about 90:10 in favor of the first option.

[NE2]

Dump is at least 20 times as bad as Clinton, so there's still too much shite.

[SSOWorld]

The point has been made.  Read the guidelines.