<p>I think political debates are both fun and elightening. Sure, no one really does a 180 rotation of beliefs. But with so much interest, experience, and evidence among CC memebers, discussions can be influential. We can certainly discuss any other issue, but I don't see why political discussions (provided they have a modicum of respect) can't happen.</p>
<p>I'm somewhat less interested in the political as such, except wherein the political has direct cultural/educational consequences and thus relates to a forum nominally dedicated to college selection.</p>
<p>However, I voted YES.</p>
<p>Political discussion often relate to the OP's question and/or comments. If abuse of the right to discourse is apparent, then why not try to find a solution instead of getting rid of the entire concept of political discussion? Getting rid of it would seem as if one is running away from the problem rather than trying to solve it.</p>
<p>Here are some suggestions that may help in continuing political discussion without the non-courtesy, flaming, etc. that may occur:
1) Threads based solely on politics with no regard to an issue relating to the purpose of College Confidential are closed. Another option is to have a political forum where political threads are placed there. Moderators finding political thread on other forums will move the post over or close it.</p>
<p>2) Those who act discourteously in their post (flaming, etc.) should be warned by private message once. The second time their profile is deleted from College Confidential.</p>
<p>Those are only suggestions and of course they're far from perfect. But it should be a good start in trying to rectify the issue, not runaway from it.</p>
<p>I never enter political discussions as they have big weird words and are boring.. but since people enjoy politics, as people enjoy science, clothes, books, etc.. i think we should have them.
Therfore, I voted YES</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, why was the thread titled "The TRUE reason behind terrorism, this is the most brilliant article I ever read!" recently closed? It seems to be a great example of the kind of political discussion we've been talking about here.</p>
<p>someone made a very anti-Islamic comment..something along the lines of..."if thousands of innocent Muslims have to die to stop terrorism then so be it"...and "they follow an evil book of bs called the Quran"...</p>
<p>I've realized that a few ppl can actually debate coherently, while an immature few resort to biggotry and harsh comments...</p>
<p>You should report that person to the Moderators if you want to make sure that person won't be making racist statements on cc.</p>
<p>I just went through the topic and don't see the "Quran is an evil book of BS" post - maybe it was removed - at any rate, it's not there. </p>
<p>The "if thousands of innocent Muslims have to die to stop terrorism then so be it" statement (which you paraphrased very roughly) is definitely in the thread, but it's the attitude of many Americans. There's no reason we shouldn't talk about this, as it's become a basic tenet of American foreign policy in the war on terror. And if you look back in the context of the thread, he wasn't insulting Muslims in any way; he was just taking a more utilitarian approach to the issue.</p>
<p>Just ignore the cheap people in society. They're the people who are the most racist. If you go into a poor town in Alabama who're mostly White, odds are the town is extremely racist against Blacks. Class distinction in America has a huge correlation with people's expressions. For example, the rich people are usually very sophisticated and professional about things like these. The middle class aren't bad about things like these; most of them will be courteous. And even though they may voice harsh things; in the end, they're just concerned and not truly racist. However, the lower class are the people (there are exceptions) that are; most of the time, going to be extremely racist. Crime and the struggle for basic survival is very high in the lower class of America. Many of them grow up in a violent environment and they've just seen the world as a painful place to grow up in.</p>
<p>One CANNOT separate politics from education. Political moves affect the way we are educated in school, the amount of funding that federal financial aid gets, etc. PLEASE do not prevent us from discussing something that has such a strong influence on our education.</p>
<p>^I respect your opinion but I feel like your post was incomplete. </p>
<p>In the federal government, there are things called checks and balances. The judicial system keeps has authority over the legislative branch and the leg. branch has the authority over the exec. branch which in turn has the authority over the jud. branch. This keeps the power in the federal government balanced. The federal government makes sure to give the states adequate voting power depending on the number of citizens in each state. This ensures that the states have fair representation in the fed. government.</p>
<p>Now every state has people who vote for their governer who in turn determines things. THE PEOPLE have a right to get rid of the governer (recall) if they don't like him after a certain period of time. If indeed, the people feel like the schooling system is falling, they can simply have a governer in office in favor of giving money to the schools. You see, the people in America determine things around them. This country truly is democratic. I think that because of that, politics regarding something as serious as schooling will be in the hands of the people over the long run. The people are the backbone of the government - their voice is the most powerful. Therefore, changes in politics - in the long run - won't affect things like schooling because it will stabalize. And if the people do something stupid (like they did when they voted in the state that they want to stop immagration in the state), the jud. system can reverse the order. </p>
<p>The point is that our government is a one that has the backbone of democracy and balances and checks; these things will make our country's educational system stable regardless of changes in the government. Therefore, PLEASE KEEP POLITICS DIFFERENT FROM EDUCATION. If anything, it is the economy that has the effect on education. Especially the education after high school. </p>
<p>So focus on things like economics and not politics. If you want, go join the a bunch of people in spa in your local swimming pool and you all can talk as much politics as you want. Just keep it out of CC.</p>
<p>Eternity_hope:
Your email really was the epitomy of what i said when I talked about the perspective of adults. We are not in an ideal democracy..just look at all the voter problems in the last elections. In the areas where democrats are more numerous everything was done to disenfranchise them and keep them from going to the polls. We do not have a balanced power anymore, everything is leaning over to one political side, so there is more power to help continue the swing over. ?Think of Tom Delay gerrymandering Texas to ensure the continual return of the Republicans to congress. The White house and Congress are already over on the right..the court will be the last one to go over and all our checks and balances will be gone The media is already heading "right" wing and if something does come out that is important in the news the white house jumps on it and calls it "ridiculous" and makes sure the media pays for even bringing it up. The White house has learned that if you repeat lies often enough most people will believe it. We, who were brought up years ago and lived through Deep throat and other important times know the differences, you can not see the changes that have come. You have not lived through history. Anyone who does not like politics and thinks it has nothing to do with education, does not understand that with the proliferationn of lobbyists we are being controlled by corporations, not corporations controlled by the government. It is all so different and very scary. With no free media (not owned by those same ruling corporations) you have no real idea what is really happening in government. Government should be more transparent..We pay the salaries of all these people, they are supposed to be our representatives and care what we have to say, but they only care for what the lobbyests or well funded religious leaders say, because they pay the re election bills. Did you see the poll show the popular support for stem cell reseach, abortion (yes the majority back it) etc? But we are losing it, because a select few don't like it! It's "we" the people, but something has gone terribly wrong. How can we not talk about it. AND for the writer who felt that politics is boring and had too many big words in it, why are you going to college, if even a simple fact about the current situation makes you yawn. You go to college, not just to get a job but to open your mind and use it like a sponge to gain information from every prof. in the school you're lucky enough to get into. It may be the last time you are in a place surrounded by great minds who have so much to tell you. My husband is a prof and he said so many of the students shouldn't even be there.</p>
<p>Re: the discussion of Islam. I'm sorry, but I just finished reading the morning news...explosions in Enland, again, Iraq, Egypt. Let's see, who is doing it? In an idealistic world one can avoid pointing to any one group, but I think most people are getting pretty tired of waking up to more blood. Everywhere. Yes there are many other people who are violent and going into Iraq was always the wrong idea and probably instigated more violence...but it was there way before we went there. We had to go first and free the people of Afghanistan from the Taliban and that was necessary. I happen to have friends who are Muslims, but even they're getting mighty tired of the news and the radicals who have hijacked their religion, but at least they understand why people may be a bit frustrated.</p>
<p>
[quote]
popular support for stem cell reseach, abortion (yes the majority back it) etc? But we are losing it, because a select few don't like it!
[/quote]
I'm not sure that is a fair assessment, to legitimize policy on these issues based on public opinion. At least for stem cell research, the vast majority of Americans are relatively undeducated on the issue, as to why it is necessary, why EMBRYONIC stem cells, etc. And most importantly when relating it to abortion, where the embryos which produce these stem cells come from. And abortion, well, im not going to argue about it. Moral objection to destroying life. If I go on, we'll get into an argument about abortion, and those are no fun.</p>
<p>Okay people, how about sticking to the topic! And how about NOT attacking Roger Dooley when he is only trying to ask of some people's opinions. What does his religion have to do with anything? Geez. I mean seriously people! Enough with the attacks! This is not debate. It's just a bunch of idiots who go around making unfounded statements and attacking others. Anyone who has actually been involved in real debates would know that CC is full of a bunch of ignorant high-schoolers who are rude and unable to fully contemplate a logical argument.</p>
<p>I should add, I like to hear different cultural and social views, but I could do without the ad hominem attacks.</p>
<p>Someones race, religion, age, gender, education and economic status should have no bearing on the rightness or wrongness of their ideas/views; they should stand on their own (obviously anyone of these distinctions COULD affect someone's views, but how would that be specifically determined without a professional psychological profile being done; only the views themselves should be 'fair game'; someone's ethnic origin is as likely to affect their views as their age or gender, however, few here would have the chutzpa to bring race or gender up in a discussion of intellectual ideas or beliefs; could someone really say (with grace), you think that because you are black or Jewish or Arab or Indian or could someone say thats your belief because you are poor or uneducated or could someone say, you are a women, or a silly girl).</p>
<p>Yet, these ad hominem attacks seem to recur on a regular basis; it seems a cowardly and lazy way to defend your views and beliefs and I would hope that the educated people on this forum would realize that and desist. If you disagree with someones view say so, and say why theres no need to add your personal opinion or observation of them.</p>
<p>Yes, the ad hominem attacks are repulsive. It's one thing to make a bad argument, and another to unfairly insult people. I would also like to stress that a good debater/writer proves their assertions. While I know that some posters constantly say that there's proof of their statements, then never actually give it.</p>
<p>Roger, we have CC Terms of Service:</p>
<p>Courtesy. At College Confidential, we expect discussion to be courteous even when disagreement may be vigorous. When writing your messages, please use the same courtesy that you would show when speaking face-to-face with someone. **Flames, insults, and personal attacks will not be tolerated.* It's fine to disagree with opinions, ideas, and facts, but always with respect for the other person. Also, note that messages express the thoughts of the writers, not the board or its moderators. Visitors who post discourteous messages will be warned; repeat offenders will lose posting rights.*</p>
<p>Go ahead and enforce the TOS, and the general climate of civility will be maintained. </p>
<p>It is my understanding that the editors of any forum have the power to enforce usage rules. If defamatory comments are allowed to occur repeatedly, then the TOS become arbitrary, and the responsibility lies with the editors who allow these libelous comments to stand. Having said that, I also think that the mods should not have to babysit these discussions. Moderate, yes, babysit, no. Boot the trolls.</p>
<p>Many of my posts are in the political threads.</p>
<p>Of course, I don't ever argue, just commentate hehe</p>
<p>well I vote yes, but certain people should be warned</p>
<p>his post got deleted...that's why you don't see it</p>
<p>yeah, i think it got deleted really quickly too (as it should have been - it was pretty off-topic as well)</p>