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Post by Cecil Harvey on Mar 25, 2020 4:50:19 GMT -5
PLEASE do not infuse politics into this thread. Factual and real information are what we all should strive for here. This is affecting people across the world. Factual medical information is encouraged.
Having pointed out the caveats to political pitfalls, I would encourage all posts here to stay on topic to the virus that is affecting and killing people across the world.
Getting down to 'brass taxes', I would also like to point out that looking at information released about March 24th, 2020 data points that the USA is now far outpacing all other countries in NEW COVID-19 cases.
(source and image)
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Post by AFCTUJacko on Mar 25, 2020 5:36:38 GMT -5
Getting down to 'brass taxes', I would also like to point out that looking at information released about March 24th, 2020 data points that the USA is now far outpacing all other countries in NEW COVID-19 cases.
(source and image)
The problem is Bob, the reasons for that being the case are overtly political.
It's difficult to have a frank discussion about something this big without veering into politics just a little bit. As ever, 2 or 3 people being overly personal got the thread closed down. Most of it was perfectly civil and quite interesting.
Agree with what you said in the shoutbox. If the admins don't want difficult and potentially fiery discussions to take place, perhaps the off topic board shouldn't be there.
If it is going to be there, putting a great big warning sign on the thread saying "this thread might get political. Enter at your own risk" is a better road to go down than shutting things down IMO.
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Post by TimB on Mar 25, 2020 5:42:05 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this Bob.
I was dismayed to see the other get closed. Wasn't a big poster there. It wasn't so much the politics that killed that thread but rather how it devolved into name calling and mud slinging.
As someone who has underlying health issues and hate to say it, somewhat terrified of this virus and at time feel overwhelmed with all the news coverage. Coming here to read the thread and another forum or two I lurk on helps to alleviate the anxiety or gain a better perspective.
I suspect this thread wont be allowed to continue as there is a political aspect to C19 that can't be avoided. Name calling, mudslinging should get instant time outs. If admins don't want any part of it, appoint someone who is part of the discussion, someone level headed, mature and respectful to moderate this thread only. Not the rest of the forum.
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Post by Cecil Harvey on Mar 25, 2020 5:47:59 GMT -5
Getting down to 'brass taxes', I would also like to point out that looking at information released about March 24th, 2020 data points that the USA is now far outpacing all other countries in NEW COVID-19 cases.
(source and image)
The problem is Bob, the reasons for that being the case are overtly political.
It's difficult to have a frank discussion about something this big without veering into politics just a little bit. As ever, 2 or 3 people being overly personal got the thread closed down. Most of it was perfectly civil and quite interesting.
Agree with what you said in the shoutbox. If the admins don't want difficult and potentially fiery discussions to take place, perhaps the off topic board shouldn't be there.
If it is going to be there, putting a great big warning sign on the thread saying "this thread might get political. Enter at your own risk" is a better road to go down than shutting things down IMO.
I don't mean what I said to influence admin here at all, but I think that there needs to be some kind of off-topic area (private?) here is members actively elect to participate in. If that is not an option, then all Off-Topic threads should be denied because ANYTHING could be eventually moved to politics.
I only mention this because the actions have been to close threads when things become intensely political and NOT to moderate actual political posts from individual members.
Perhaps this way is 'best' and perhaps not. I am certainly not here to judge, but when hundreds of thousands of people are infected at the moment around the world (and rising), a civil thread shouldn't be unheard of to have here in a sub forum labeled "Off-Topic'.
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Post by Cecil Harvey on Mar 25, 2020 5:51:36 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this Bob. I was dismayed to see the other get closed. Wasn't a big poster there. It wasn't so much the politics that killed that thread but rather how it devolved into name calling and mud slinging. As someone who has underlying health issues and hate to say it, somewhat terrified of this virus and at time feel overwhelmed with all the news coverage. Coming here to read the thread and another forum or two I lurk on helps to alleviate the anxiety or gain a better perspective. I suspect this thread wont be allowed to continue as there is a political aspect to C19 that can't be avoided. Name calling, mudslinging should get instant time outs. If admins don't want any part of it, appoint someone who is part of the discussion, someone level headed, mature and respectful to moderate this thread only. Not the rest of the forum. I really do not know how to put forward the threat I feel is to the elderly and the immuno-compromised in the world. I am not trying to subvert a political ban that was put in place. I really feel for those who feel that they are at great risk and also to those who may become infected by those who show no symptoms.
This is very important to me and I hope to enough people elsewhere that this gains traction.
No, I do not know how to combat the political trolls, but people will become infected and lives will become affected regardless of a forum ban. Perhaps we will be allowed to discuss things around this, perhaps not. There should be an outlet, and I think an outlet devoid of politics should be the way forward, but that is my 2 cents.
(Edit: added a lot at the end here)
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Post by cliffs on Mar 25, 2020 7:05:33 GMT -5
It wasn't shut down due to politics but a certain somebody that loves to troll. No matter, come on over to the Politicos forum. You can say whatever you want for the most part and surprisingly, the trolls have stayed away. How to get there ---- tgct-politicos.proboards.com/I do agree that we should have a virus thread, just leave your emotions (and political preferences) at the door and act like adults. This is about the only way most of us have to keep in touch with the community. I don't want to start seeing obit threads without knowing we had some of our friends infected. |
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Post by LKeet6 on Mar 25, 2020 7:48:47 GMT -5
I stand by the claim, 100%, that the other thread was deliberately hijacked to get it shut down. You only have to look at the racial slur that was used once I (finally!) Got out of the thread.
Agree with others who have said it's impossible not be political/opinionated about this. But hope this thread is allowed to continue.
I admit I find it VERY hard not to bite back. I apologise for playing my part in getting it shut down. I believe I also showed, with my debate with Catcherman, that I can stay on topic and debate passionately but respectfully with someone who has the opposite opinion to me.
However, it is probably best if I pretty much stay out of this thread, in order to keep it alive. I may post links to stuff that I think is important about Corona, but I PROMISE that is all I will do, even in the face of provocation đź‘Ť
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Post by Crazycanuck1985 on Mar 25, 2020 7:59:08 GMT -5
You are fine to create another thread. I shut the main one down primary due to insults and attacks which are against forum policy. I know these are stressful times but please try to abide by the rules.
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Post by Crazy Croc on Mar 25, 2020 8:21:33 GMT -5
Cannot for the life of me understand why a COVID-19 discussion should have anything to do with politics at all. Unless people want to make it a political issue.
There are 190+ countries in the world, yet the only time when a topic starts going political it just about always has to do with the US, invariably Trump. Don't know why this is, I suspect it has a lot to do with the state of the media in the US, but then i'm just a stupid South African, what do I know? Cannot recall any topic ever where a few French or Japanese or Somalian guys were at each others' throat about the price of bread in their countries or what ever.
I believe that all leaders everywhere in the world do have the best interest of their population at heart and are trying their utmost best to manage this crisis. They have the input of scientists, doctors, economists and other bright sparks and no decision will be taken lightly. Hard and difficult choices will have to be made and time is a luxury the world does not have. In the next few weeks some countries will make bad decisions, some will make good decisions and we will learn from each others mistakes and successes.
This virus affects all of us. Over the next few days, weeks or months people from this community will be infected. Some will die. I hope any discussion here can be void of petty party politics.
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Post by AFCTUJacko on Mar 25, 2020 8:27:47 GMT -5
Cannot for the life of me understand why a COVID-19 discussion should have anything to do with politics at all. Unless people want to make it a political issue. Easy. Because the effect it has on any given country and its people, is largely determined by decisions taken by politicians.
The difference between the impact of the virus on the US and say, South Korea, is proof enough of that.
I generally find that the phrase "don't politicise it" is code for "I am a supporter of the government that are messing this up and I'd rather people didn't draw attention to it"
If you can't challenge the decisions/motives of your elected representatives at this time, when it is literally a case of life and death, when can you? 
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Post by LKeet6 on Mar 25, 2020 8:40:30 GMT -5
Cannot for the life of me understand why a COVID-19 discussion should have anything to do with politics at all. Unless people want to make it a political issue. Easy. Because the effect it has on any given country and its people, is largely determined by decisions taken by politicians.
The difference between the impact of the virus on the US and say, South Korea, is proof enough of that.
I generally find that the phrase "don't politicise it" is code for "I am a supporter of the government that are messing this up and I'd rather people didn't draw attention to it"
If you can't challenge the decisions of your elected representatives at this time, when can you?
I wanted to make a similar point, but decided I would do it by PM to croc, so I sent a very friendly, and I hope appreciated, reply directly to him. |
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Post by AFCTUJacko on Mar 25, 2020 8:42:43 GMT -5
Easy. Because the effect it has on any given country and its people, is largely determined by decisions taken by politicians.
The difference between the impact of the virus on the US and say, South Korea, is proof enough of that.
I generally find that the phrase "don't politicise it" is code for "I am a supporter of the government that are messing this up and I'd rather people didn't draw attention to it"
If you can't challenge the decisions of your elected representatives at this time, when can you?
I wanted to make a similar point, but decided I would do it by PM to croc, so I sent a very friendly, and I hope appreciated, reply directly to him. Here's a thinker.
Is my post telling him why it's political in itself a political post? 
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Post by LKeet6 on Mar 25, 2020 8:48:02 GMT -5
I wanted to make a similar point, but decided I would do it by PM to croc, so I sent a very friendly, and I hope appreciated, reply directly to him. Here's a thinker.
 Is my post telling him why it's political in itself a political post?
Yes! Only mildly, but definitely yes. And especially when you said about people supporting leaders. Now obviously you know I agree and have no problem with it, but by the "rules" and the likelihood of people reacting badly and hijacking, it could be problematic... I'm going to go with my PM approach. And I'm already breaking my promise!  but we're still establishing this thread and I'm only replying to a friend  Starting from page 2!  |
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Post by nevadaballin on Mar 25, 2020 9:17:11 GMT -5
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Post by Crazy Croc on Mar 25, 2020 9:23:49 GMT -5
Cannot for the life of me understand why a COVID-19 discussion should have anything to do with politics at all. Unless people want to make it a political issue. Easy. Because the effect it has on any given country and its people, is largely determined by decisions taken by politicians.
The difference between the impact of the virus on the US and say, South Korea, is proof enough of that.
I generally find that the phrase "don't politicise it" is code for "I am a supporter of the government that are messing this up and I'd rather people didn't draw attention to it"
If you can't challenge the decisions/motives of your elected representatives at this time, when it is literally a case of life and death, when can you?
Appears like you stopped reading my reply at the point where you stopped quoting me. It is unfortunate. |
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but we're still establishing this thread and I'm only replying to a friend 
