for the record- i did not respond to that thread.

I used to agree with the OP's opion but realized I have to support everyone's right to discuss what ever they please and if I don't like it to just ignore it. I've even taken part in the economy thread.

One or two threads is ok but if the forum gets over run with polticial/religious/etc threads then the forum suffers and I believe that is something the people wishing to make such threads should consider. Posting your opinion is fine but think about posting it in an existing thread.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

I don't claim to know anything about anything that is going on in any of the political threads we've had lately.
I'm very happy in my ignorant little bubble.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

It's the lounge, just ignore what you don't want to discuss; politics, John Mayer, Gwar, Me....... There are some topics and members I ignore on the forum. I've been a part of the political threads, but as of tomorrow I'm just going to ignore them. Has nothing to do with this thread, I'm just getting bored with them. It's the same crap over and over again. I still won't try to infringe on someone's freedom to have an opinion or express themselves no matter what the subject. FMIC locks the thread if it gets personal or out of hand. It appears they generously have respect for its members opinions regardless of subject matter and I respect them for it.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I have quite strong (though mostly not very scary) political views.

I'm sometimes tempted to express them - and then in the nick of time I ask myself; "Why would anyone care what I think about this?"

Back to guitars...

Cheers - C

Phreddybee, I'm with you on this one. Politics, religion, and how much a person earns are 3 topics I never openly discuss; it is very personal and almost always brings about disagreements. Not worth it.

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

I've noticed a huge change in this place, over the past year or so. I used to love coming to this forum, hanging out with friends talking guitars and gear. It was my cyber santuary, a place of peace and friendship. More and more, all I find is threads full of petty name calling, and personal insults/attacks. I don't visit nearly as much anymore, and post rarely. I've tried to ignore the negative stuff, it's not always possible. The answer for me is to simply stop visiting the Fender forums, that decision is getting closer by the day. I'm all for free speach etc, but this is a guitar forum. If you want to discuss your politics or religion, go to another forum with like minded folks. I never discuss my spiritual views here, I have an appropriate forum for that. As for politics, I have no interest to even bother discussing the subject. But for those of you who do, find a forum designed for just that.

I've just realised, I'm becoming part of the problem I promised myself I wouldn't get dragged in to the arguements, and here I am I'm outta here guys, time for the Snowman to exit stage left

+100

There is Harmony Central for that stuff.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

the 2 previous points are spot on, and the reason i come to these forums.

i don't feel the need to talk politics here.

if others feel different, i have no problem-i will just not visit the thread.

yesterday i was waiting to get my hair cut. 2 older gents were there ahead of me, both polar opposites politically. both were convinced that their parties were right about everything, and the other guys were wrong. i actually walked outside for a few minutes because i just couldn't take it. i thought the 2 were going to fight- that's how loud it was.

i have my opinions- i just keep them to myself on certain issues.

I'm guilty of giving in to temptation. Hopefully I am not guilty of any personal attacks. I've seen one community forum COMPLETELY go away due to politics during the 08' election. Now nothing but crickets. My feelings are that i am among like minded folks and would rather discuss politics with music lovers than anyone else i can think of but i hate when the topics take a downward spiral to personal attacks from either side of the political fence. My philosophy on that is 'Facts Not Attacks' The nice thing too is that you can always count on a member to step in with a joke to lighten things up or a member to make a genuine attempt to step in when things get out of hand and bring things back to order.

That being said, i will do my best to avoid such discussions if that is the general consensus. I'd rather not have the majority of members decide to just split.

Fred,
The point I was trying to make was that when you said "i'd rather just talk guitar", it reminded me of my thread and I thought surely phreddybee would know the answer by now. - it's not about my thread, but I just it was kinda odd for someone to say "talk guitar" when the opportunity exists to talk guitar takes a backseat to griping about people discussing topics of a political nature.
I've seen that frame of mind before many, many times:
People want to talk about X subject but politics always comes up and they get angry over it.

politics, death and taxes are a fact of life.
Politics invades everybody's lives. Why? because everybody is affected in some way or another by politics.
Whether you choose to be a friend or foe, for or against, support or not, etc. have political underpinnings.
If you say you have 15 friends who like pizza and 1 friend who likes chinese food, it will be a personal political decision which you choose to have dinner with. However, that others are affected by your choice no longer means your choice was personal.
Again, we are all affected by politics and political choices, like it or not, are steeped in beliefs of the people simply making choices. Whether they be big or small, weak or powerful.
Politics will play a role in how much longer Fender remains an American company with a factory in the United States.
Dominoes, people, Dominoes - set em up and knock one down and watch the rest of 'em fall.
There is more to music than just guitars, every instrument has a player with something to say. but if we choose not to listen or reply, that is our choice but then, there goes one member of the band.

Nobody makes anyone answer a thread despite it's subject matter.
Wanna talk guitars and music???

i'm not angry about the posts. what i don't like is that we no longer can agree to disagree. we all have our viewpoints, and nobody likes a good conversation more than me. i just don't like it when someone tells you that you are not entitled to your viewpoint. btw- that has not happened to me on these forums.

i don't want these threads banned. there's a lot of great people here, and i'll just stick to my musical opinions. to everyone out there- have fun.

As much as I personally don't usually (if ever) respond in them, I don't mind them at all. We're adults. You simply don't have to read or respond to any. It really is that black and white.

Once you start leaning toward policing, where does it end? I'm interested in more than just guitars and amps, and I do like reading other peoples political and religious views from time to time. I find it fascinating. Once a forum turns into a pleasantville-type atmosphere is when I usually lose interest. Arguments are a part of our everyday society, and in their own odd way keeps it a healthy one.

All this will do is become more of a headache to Brad. Police your own I say. If we can't do that then we aren't being adults, we are being children who need an administrative dad. I'd like to think this forum is better than that.

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HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

+1

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riley

It is for that very reason I have no strong political opinions, I'm 15, even if I had them, no-one is listening to them.

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Rated "M" for meaty.