Enough of the politcal crap!!

POSTED BY: NTXBROWNCOAT
UPDATED: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 05:58
VIEWED: 16080
PAGE 1 of 1

NTXBROWNCOAT

Friday, May 7, 2004 4:12 PM

I have been lurking for a while now and haven't posted yet because I didn't really have anything to say. Well that changed today when I came on to check the recent posts and saw not one but two new politically oriented posts. Come on now, don't we get enough of the politcal propaganda (yes I said propaganda) from both ends of the political spectrum everyday on the TV, radio, and every other form of media there is? I know that this won't stop the politcal messages here, but I hope that you can understand my frustration. Yes, I understand that Firefly was a show that was political in nature. I have no problem with discussions about the politics of the Firefly universe. I also think it is pertinent to discuss correlation between the Firefly verse and our own reality. I just suggest that all the purely politcal remarks that have nothing to do with any of Joss Whedon's worlds should find another forum. This is just my opinion. I don't write this to put down anyone's political affiliation. I just come here to as a welcome escape from the "real" world, and it really bothers me that some of the most active threads are the ones where people have endless arguments over who is right or wrong. As a veteran myself, I have one thing to add to the whole thing and I will never touch the political discussion again. Never assume you know the whole story. Never! That applies to everything. (Getting off my soap box) Well, sorry its taken me so long to participate. I hope to be more involved in the future.

HERO

Friday, May 7, 2004 4:27 PM

If you don't want to participate in the political discussions, don't click on them.

Seems to me we are just a bunch of good folk brought together by a common interest. Now that we are here we are doing what comes natural, talkin bout the stuff that interests us.

No nobody is gonna put a gun to yer head and make you take a side. But if we wanna talk politics, then we are gonna talk some politics. You may not like it, but thats the way its gonna be.

H

MCFLY

Friday, May 7, 2004 4:28 PM

Well, from another relative noob, welcome!!

I second that opinion. There's tons of other places that people can use to discuss their hearts out about politics.

On the other hand... we can just not read those threads...

Hack the planet!

KNIBBLET

Friday, May 7, 2004 4:29 PM

Welcome to the board.

1. I don't watch commercials.
2. I don't listen to the song, "More Than Words".
3. There's a poster on this board who I find offensive and ignorant to the extreme and I ignore anything with his name on it.

Why do I mention this? Because there is freedom of choice and I'm going to propose a radical course of action for you ...

If you don't like political threads - don't read 'em.

Again, welcome to the board.

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

TALVIN

Friday, May 7, 2004 4:39 PM

Well, I have already weighed in to say that I don't think the politics belong on this board either. If people *really* want to talk about it, move it to Troll Country and let them do so quietly.

"I give up. I admit it. I'm a Browncoat."

ASTRIANA

Friday, May 7, 2004 4:42 PM

There's no reason to move it to Troll Country, unless there is an actual Troll involved. For the most part, the debates are fairly respectful. One of the freedoms we hold dear in this country is the right to speak our minds and discuss the topics dear to us. I'm not a big fan of political threads, so I don't generally read them. If you don't want to be part of politicial discussion on this board, you have every right to ignore those threads as well; and that right would be supported by each and everyone who logs into this site.

If it really bothers you that much, you could send Haken an e-mail via the messaging system here, suggesting that he start a "Political Discussions" forum - much like the "Firefly Universe" for the role players, "Angelus Arcanum" for Angel fans, etc.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

TALVIN

Friday, May 7, 2004 5:21 PM

"Freedom of Speech" is often mentioned, but the First Amendment is there to protect the People from infringements by the Government (and by programs sponsored, funded, or controlled by the Government). It's a great thing, and I make use of it often.

However, a private entity has the right to regulate speech in its own environs. I submit to you that there already exists a clause by which the political threads do not belong here:

Quote:

General Discussions
General discussions and comments relating to Firefly.

Please explain to me how bringing the partisan squabbling that is already overloading our brains in the rest of the world onto this forum is relating to Firefly?

"I give up. I admit it. I'm a Browncoat."

ASTRIANA

Friday, May 7, 2004 5:27 PM

^^^Note distinct lack of snarky tone...

Perhaps you didn't see the second part of my post...

If it really bothers you that much, you could send Haken an e-mail via the messaging system here, suggesting that he start a "Political Discussions" forum - much like the "Firefly Universe" for the role players, "Angelus Arcanum" for Angel fans, etc.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

BADGERSHAT

Friday, May 7, 2004 5:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
Welcome to the board.

1. I don't watch commercials.
2. I don't listen to the song, "More Than Words".
3. There's a poster on this board who I find offensive and ignorant to the extreme and I ignore anything with his name on it.

Why do I mention this? Because there is freedom of choice and I'm going to propose a radical course of action for you ...

If you don't like political threads - don't read 'em.

Again, welcome to the board.

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

... and WHAT, pray tell, is wrong with the song "More than Words"????!?!?!?!

--Jefé The Hat

***************************
"I like smackin 'em"--Jayne

BROWNCOAT1

Friday, May 7, 2004 5:46 PM

I generally avoid the political threads for many reasons, not the least of which is that I do not like to read, discuss, or argue political beliefs or leanings. I have come to respect and admire several people on this board, and would not want any conflict of political interests or beliefs to jeopardize those friendships.

While I do not care for all the political threads cropping up, or the inevitable America bashing that always follows, I do still read them from time to time, to check links and articles people post to keep myself informed from multiple sources of info.

As far as whether they "belong" here or not, I don't think that is for us to decide. This is an open forum. If you do not wish to participate, don't.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

LIZ

Friday, May 7, 2004 5:58 PM

"more than words" is, esentially, the story of a guy trying to get a girl to sleep with him.
"...but if you only knew / How easy / it would be to / show me how you feel / More than words / is all you have to do / to make it real / Then you wouldn't / have to say / that you love me / Cos I'd already know"

ASTRIANA

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by liz:
"more than words" is, esentially, the story of a guy trying to get a girl to sleep with him.

That's an interesting take on it. What I'd always gotten from that song is a man trying to say that just saying "I love you" doesn't make everything alright again. ("Then you couldn't make things new/Just by saying I Love You"); however, I will concede that different people get different things from the same song.

More Than Words by Extreme
Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

More than words

Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

More than words

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

KNIBBLET

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
I don't listen to the song, "More Than Words".

Quote:
Originally posted by BadgersHat:
... and WHAT, pray tell, is wrong with the song "More than Words"?

My mother taught me to have respect for myself and taught me that any boy who told me that I should 'prove my love' didn't deserve my love.

The lyrics to "More Than Words" are of a male of the species telling a female that she should stop telling him that she loves him and instead, *prove* she loves him. I can only assume this proof would come in the form of her feet being at 10 & 2.

I do not appreciate the disrespectful message of the song and hope that young girls don't fall for the bull in it.

Lyrics to "More Than Words":

Saying 'I Love you' is not the words
I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you not to say
But if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do
To make it real then you wouldn't have to say
That you love me 'cuz I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

More than words
Now that I've tried to talk to you
And make you understand all you have to do
is close your eyes and just reach out your hands

And touch me hold me close
Don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say
That you love me 'cause I already know

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

DELIA

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:09 PM

Okay, this is me being relatively new to the posting world, but what is "Troll Country"?

As for the political threads, I ignore them, but if people want to talk politics, I'm all for it. I just don't chose to be a participant (ain't it great to have the freedom to do either?). I think I'd have a problem with it if threads were labeled "Thoughts on Our Mrs. Reynolds" and then had a post that was all about politics, but since those threads are clearly labeled (and thus avoidable), I'm not sure what the problem is.

ASTRIANA

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
I don't listen to the song, "More Than Words".
Quote:
Originally posted by BadgersHat:
... and WHAT, pray tell, is wrong with the song "More than Words"?
My mother taught me to have respect for myself and taught me that any boy who told me that I should 'prove my love' didn't deserve my love.

The lyrics to "More Than Words" are of a male of the species telling a female that she should stop telling him that she loves him and instead, *prove* she loves him. I can only assume this proof would come in the form of her feet being at 10 & 2.

I do not appreciate the disrespectful message of the song and hope that young girls don't fall for the bull in it.

Absolutely agreed, Knibblet. That's why I truly despise Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

EMBERS

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:16 PM

Bears repeating:

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
I generally avoid the political threads for many reasons, not the least of which is that I do not like to read, discuss, or argue political beliefs or leanings. I have come to respect and admire several people on this board, and would not want any conflict of political interests or beliefs to jeopardize those friendships.

While I do not care for all the political threads cropping up, or the inevitable America bashing that always follows, I do still read them from time to time, to check links and articles people post to keep myself informed from multiple sources of info.

As far as whether they "belong" here or not, I don't think that is for us to decide. This is an open forum. If you do not wish to participate, don't.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

I feel that getting into political (and of course also, religious...but we've done that here too) discussions run the danger of breaking apart this community for no good reason.

We have formed a community of people who wish to enjoy our obsession w/the Whedonverse, most importantly: Firefly, and to damage the friendships and fellow-feeling with bitter RL arguments seems to me to be counter-productive to our purpose here. I have avoided the threads because I could quickly see that I would learn to despise many of the people who find it necessary to beat up others with their opinions.

BADGERSHAT

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:30 PM

Actually, Gary Cherone wrote "More Than Words" from his girlfriend's point of view--it's supposed to be HER singing the song to HIM...

--Jefé The Hat

***************************
"I like smackin 'em"--Jayne

ASTRIANA

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:31 PM

Ah, there IS someone else who thinks it's about using more than the words to make things right.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

KNIBBLET

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:37 PM

As if we needed more proof that men have no understanding of women and no idea what women are thinking?
:)

Quote:
Originally posted by BadgersHat:
Actually, Gary Cherone wrote "More Than Words" from his girlfriend's point of view--it's supposed to be HER singing the song to HIM...

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

MERLINDREA

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:37 PM

Hi all,

a very good rl friend of mine is in the opposing political spectrum. We like a lot of the same things, including Firefly, but we can fight for hours about politics.

She taught me a very important lesson: You don't have to agree to somebody in all points to be friends. And if you are really good friends, you can even talk about these controversial topics and still be friends afterwards.

I think as long as people are respectful and polite, any discussion - and may it be over their favourite chocolate pie recipe - should be allowed, as long as it is clearly labeled. But the last decision should be Haken's - its his board, his work, his hardware we are using, so if he feels we should stick to Firefly topics, I'm fine with that.

Merl

My days of taking you not seriously are certainly coming to a middle.

BROWNCOAT1

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
Bears repeating:
Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
I generally avoid the political threads for many reasons, not the least of which is that I do not like to read, discuss, or argue political beliefs or leanings. I have come to respect and admire several people on this board, and would not want any conflict of political interests or beliefs to jeopardize those friendships.

While I do not care for all the political threads cropping up, or the inevitable America bashing that always follows, I do still read them from time to time, to check links and articles people post to keep myself informed from multiple sources of info.

As far as whether they "belong" here or not, I don't think that is for us to decide. This is an open forum. If you do not wish to participate, don't.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

I feel that getting into political (and of course also, religious...but we've done that here too) discussions run the danger of breaking apart this community for no good reason.

We have formed a community of people who wish to enjoy our obsession w/the Whedonverse, most importantly: Firefly, and to damage the friendships and fellow-feeling with bitter RL arguments seems to me to be counter-productive to our purpose here. I have avoided the threads because I could quickly see that I would learn to despise many of the people who find it necessary to beat up others with their opinions.

My point exactly Embers.

There is little in life worth losing the feeling of camaraderie we enjoy here, the least of which should be politics.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

CHANNAIN

Friday, May 7, 2004 6:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by NTXBROWNCOAT:
I have been lurking for a while now and haven't posted yet because I didn't really have anything to say. Well that changed today when I came on to check the recent posts and saw not one but two new politically oriented posts.

Hello NXTBrowncoat and welcome aboard. Don't let these folks scare you - they're passionate, and fearless, but pretty darn okay.

I guess if you've been lurking for awhile then it can't have escaped your notice that politically oriented posts have been part of FFF.net since the beginning. I posted once myself when the conceal carry law was passed in Minnesota, just to assuage my own silly little fears about the prospect of folks carrying handguns in my immediate vicinity. Not necessarily politically oriented, but certainly human interest. I bet the OB even has political messages on it - there's really no way to avoid them these days.

I think it's also fair to say that political posts are the ultimate side-effect of having intellegent people co-mingling online. Firefly has a tendency to attract people who have their minds divided by a plethora of current events and issues and sometimes they just need to let it out before it drives them River-crazy. I believe that they choose to do this on FFF.net in order to discuss their view or confusion with other intelligent people who's opinions they have come to value, much the same way as you have right now.

You posed some valid concerns and views yourself. FFF.net is indeed a public forum - a place for us to talk about all manner of issues. As Haken's advisement at the top of this reply page says, there is an open policy here. Luckily, those who chose to discuss politics often mark their threads accordingly, making it easy for the rest to avoid them. If you prefer to avoid in the political or religions discussions - don't click on them.

Funny thing is, it was the word "crap" in your title that drew me in here, and not "politcal" which I didn't notice was misspelled until I got here. Now what does that say, I wonder?

Something else - I'll readily admit to anyone that I'm a Christian and that I'll be 37 soon, but asking me about my political standing is a lot like asking me about my weight. That seem right to you?

Now then, back to the Firefly Universe to catch up on my RP posting!

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

BLACKOUTNIGHTS

Friday, May 7, 2004 7:43 PM

So, Channain...how much do you weigh? :)
Heck, I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. :D

KNIBBLET

Friday, May 7, 2004 7:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BlackoutNights:
So, Channain...how much do you weigh? :)
Heck, I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. :D

About half of what I weigh. I come in around 270 pounds. That makes Channain a mere slip of a girl at 135.

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

WREN

Friday, May 7, 2004 7:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Delia:
Okay, this is me being relatively new to the posting world, but what is "Troll Country"?

Haken has set the site up so the community section has different message areas. If you set up a thread about BTVS it should be in the Buffyverse area, if you want to discuss something in the news the thread should be set up in the News Headline area etc. My understanding is that the Troll Country area is for threads where people have been rude or offensive in someway, such as insulting Firefly. The following is an example of a troll thread:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=15&t=1188

However, at present everyone seems to be setting all the threads up in the General discussions area (which is only suppose to be for discussions and comments relating to Firefly).

TOMTBA2004

Friday, May 7, 2004 7:55 PM

i agree. i am getting tired of this crap. all against pres. bush. get over it. there is a war don't bitch about it.

"please, people need peace"

TOMTBA2004

Friday, May 7, 2004 7:55 PM

....

TOMTBA2004

Friday, May 7, 2004 7:56 PM

....go to a politcial site to discuss them.

"please, people need peace"

SPLIBERTARIAN

Friday, May 7, 2004 8:29 PM

Political discussions don't bother me.

Political discussions on this site don't bother me.

Firefly-relevant posts getting bumped off the front page of the "General Discussions" forum before I even get a chance to see them does bother me.

I would truly appreciate it if a "Non-Firefly Related Political Discussions" forum were added.

NTXBROWNCOAT

Friday, May 7, 2004 8:40 PM

OK, sorry I misspelled political in my thread subject title, also crap is probably inappropriate. I let my frustration get the better of me. I think I may have missed the mark with getting what I wanted to say across. In such a short period of time I have recieved several responses to my opinion. Unless its news Big Damn News about the Big Damn Movie, no other threads here get so much attention is so short a time. I come to this site to learn more about Firefly. I get disappointed when I see the most traffic on the political threads. I don't usually read the threads because the one time I did, I found myself getting very frustrated when I would read someone's opinion that I felt was uninformed. I am not trying to keep people from speaking their mind. To me its like turning on your radio to your favorite station and instead of finding music you find talk radio. I am not against talk radio, I just expected different content. I know I am not going to change everyones mind about posting political opinions on this site. Actually, I expect that some will do so out of spite. My suggestion to those who like to participate in such discussions is for moving those discussions to a forum more (in my opinion) appropriate, or creating a forum more appropriate. Thank you to all those who sent your welcome to me, it is much appreciated. Thanks also to Haken for providing such a shiny place for us all!

CHANNAIN

Friday, May 7, 2004 8:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BlackoutNights:
So, Channain...how much do you weigh? :)
Heck, I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. :D

Yeah! What Knibblet said!

No worries.

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

KELLAINA

Friday, May 7, 2004 9:52 PM

Isn't it kinda funny that this thread has become almost... political?

Anyway... I've always associated Firefly with the political threads, mostly because I originally lurked around the OB more than here, and at the OB most of the off-topic discussion tends to be political.

I have to agree with whoever (I'm sorry, I knew who said it when I started writing but the name has now completely slipped my mind) said that all of the political discussion is likely due to the sort of people who watch Firefly - people who tend to be passionate and intelligent (kind of like Serenity's crew .

Personally, I rarely participate in the poli threads but I do enjoy reading them and seeing different viewpoints. I find it interesting to see how people from different areas view different events. And I know that there other forums specifically for this, but they don't talk about Firefly and quite frankly tend to be kind of scary.

So, the point of this long and winding thread...
- if it bugs you, don't read it.

But feel free to disagree... that is afterall, the point.

Oh, btw - Welcome NTXBROWNCOAT!!!

MACBAKER

Friday, May 7, 2004 10:23 PM

I coun't agree more NXTBROWNCOAT! I've seen too many good boards ruined by political threads. One person starts his baited rant, slinging the latest political propaganda his (or her) party of choice is spewing. Those that don't agree, respond with their own propaganda, and the thread just continues and slips quickly into a flame war and petty name calling. It never accomplishes anything.

The fact is, I'm tired of hearing the lemmings spout their favorite party's spin on everything. Neither party has the answer, and the sooner we start demanding reform for both parties, nothing is really going to change. Until we have terms limits, a line item veto, income tax reform, and a viable third party, nothing will change. We'll keep shifting back and forth from a socialist party and a facist party, both trying to convince a gullible public that they are moderate.

There, I've given my rant, and you should note that it wasn't anti Bush or anti Kerry, it was anti politics over good government! I'll get off my soapbox, and avoid any other mindless political threads (and I recommend those with common sense to do the same).

Take care.

I'd given some thought to movin' off the edge -- not an ideal location -- thinkin' a place in the middle.

DARKJESTER

Friday, May 7, 2004 10:48 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
I don't listen to the song, "More Than Words".

Quote:
Originally posted by BadgersHat:
... and WHAT, pray tell, is wrong with the song "More than Words"?

My mother taught me to have respect for myself and taught me that any boy who told me that I should 'prove my love' didn't deserve my love.

The lyrics to "More Than Words" are of a male of the species telling a female that she should stop telling him that she loves him and instead, *prove* she loves him. I can only assume this proof would come in the form of her feet being at 10 & 2.

I do not appreciate the disrespectful message of the song and hope that young girls don't fall for the bull in it.

Lyrics to "More Than Words":

Saying 'I Love you' is not the words
I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you not to say
But if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do
To make it real then you wouldn't have to say
That you love me 'cuz I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

More than words
Now that I've tried to talk to you
And make you understand all you have to do
is close your eyes and just reach out your hands

And touch me hold me close
Don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say
That you love me 'cause I already know

Wow! Guess it goes to show just how different two takes on the same song can be. I LOVE the song. To me, it's someone saying to their partner that words have become shallow. Being in love means not having to constantly say "I love you". Just holding each other can express more than those three words. It never ocurred to me that it could be heard as an attempt to extort sex! Maybe because I'm a guy, and no-one ever tried to use the "If you love me you will" line on me.....

EDIT - That last line is in NO WAY an attempt to belittle Knibblet - sorry, typed first, re-read later!

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

AURAPTOR

Friday, May 7, 2004 11:17 PM

Quote:
I just come here to as a welcome escape from the "real" world, and it really bothers me that some of the most active threads are the ones where people have endless arguments over who is right or wrong.

I could not agree more. There is an entire net out there for folks to post their views on what goes on in the real world. This crap about " if you don't care to participate .....then don't click " is horse shit. This is a FIREFLY fans board. We're here to discuss FIREFLY and such related topics. If the owners would care to put up a politics board to discuss earthly matters, that's fine. But I see no reason to pollute this fine board with political myrmidons with their pointless hyperbole and posturing.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

ZOID

Friday, May 7, 2004 11:28 PM

NTXBrowncoat:

I'm totally with you on this one. Political and religious discussions -- apart from speculation about those systems in Firefly -- belong somewhere else. The worst part about tolerating these threads ('if you don't want to talk politics, don't read the threads'), is that people get pissed in those discussions and then cross-post or otherwise leak their filth inappropriately into Firefly-related threads. I 'deeply dislike' reading interesting discussion threads while fearing that some !@#$%(* will evacuate his/her opinion on how evil Party 'A' is, while Party 'B' are clearly the saviours of all that is decent and wholesome. It's like being forced to watch someone vomit spaghetti bolognese...

I thought of at least three other things to say, but every one of them would have made folks fighting mad, so I just won't say them. That's the exact same reason I don't like 'real world' political discussions.

And hey! Welcome to our big happy family! There are a bunch of us who like to speculate on Firefly-related topics here, and we seem to be at least grudgingly tolerated by those with aspirations to political punditry.

Respectfully,

zoid
_________________________________________________

"I felt sorry for River. If you can believe it, she was a frightened, confused child. Well... Things do change, don't they?"

- Zoë Warren, noted children's author, from A Child Shall Lead Them: A History of the Second War of Independence Wilkins, Richard

SHINY

Friday, May 7, 2004 11:36 PM

I recommend:

1) If you love political discussions with fellow browncoats (generally intelligent and well-spoken people with diverse experiences and viewpoints), spend lots of time at the OB: http://forums.prospero.com/foxfirefly

2) If you like to occasionally see/participate in political discussions, but want to spend most of your time (over)analyzing and (re)hashing Firefly episodes, characters, plotlines, and mysteries, spend lots of time here at FFF.net: http://www.fireflyfans.net

3) If you desperately want to avoid participating in or even seeing political topics/threads, spend most of your time at the Fireflymovie.com board: http://fireflydvd.com/phpBB2/

4) If you want to participate in a Firefly forum that BANS all political discourse...you may have to start your own site/board, because I'm not sure it exists yet.

Please help Haken keep this site running by occasionally clicking on some of the sponsored ad links on the side of the page!

LEMAT

Saturday, May 8, 2004 5:33 PM

NTXBrowncoat,

"Talk story
discuss what ever you want here"

Talk story seems to be the off topic board--especially since every other board has a topic. So it would make sense to me if political discussions were only in that area. Why don't you tell people who start political threads (like the Iraqi prisonner one currently on General Discussions) on the other areas to take it to Talk Story. Hell, if I notice it, I'll tell them to do so. That way, you can escape to one of the topical boards and not have to see the mudslinging.

But, people do have civil political discussions on this board--Ask Zoid, if you want to piss two people off, tell them they are being schrill; you will get a mutual telling off and both individuals will express their friendship to each other. Browncoats want to discuss/argue with smart folks, and who has more smarts than other Browncoats.

Jon

HKCAVALIER

Saturday, May 8, 2004 5:51 PM

I wonder if this idea, "I come to these boards to escape the real world" is a world wide phenomenon or peculiar to the U.S. borne of our isolation and the possibility of thinking that the conflicts in the world don't necessarily affect us. Seems to me that when the whole world is threatened as it is today, it would follow that some of that conflict would "bleed" into most public forums. I'm sorry if you want to escape from even being aware of the outside world, but this is an internet bulletin board, not your drug of choice.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 1:09 PM

Aside from what the Admins of this BBS might want...

*sigh*, why is it Right Wing fascists win in America? Prolly because weak, lefty, whiners don't have the guts to stand up for thier beliefs.

When I posted my 'torture' thread the lies just came a flyin' (who knew so many Firefly fans were lieing Nazi pussies?)... and all this week-end even the Right Wing CNN crap agreed with me about the "torture". But you look at that thread and the Right Wing Nazis are still at it.

Well, we need political threads because humans are getting BLOWN UP!!!

Buy a fuggin' clue people.

GRUESOME

Monday, May 10, 2004 1:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by splibertarian:
I would truly appreciate it if a "Non-Firefly Related Political Discussions" forum were added.

While my personal preference would be NO politics, I could probably live with getting them out of the general firefly discussions and into a little coccoon that would be easy to IGNORE...

RKLENSETH

Monday, May 10, 2004 2:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by NTXBROWNCOAT:
I have been lurking for a while now and haven't posted yet because I didn't really have anything to say. Well that changed today when I came on to check the recent posts and saw not one but two new politically oriented posts. Come on now, don't we get enough of the politcal propaganda (yes I said propaganda) from both ends of the political spectrum everyday on the TV, radio, and every other form of media there is? I know that this won't stop the politcal messages here, but I hope that you can understand my frustration. Yes, I understand that Firefly was a show that was political in nature. I have no problem with discussions about the politics of the Firefly universe. I also think it is pertinent to discuss correlation between the Firefly verse and our own reality. I just suggest that all the purely politcal remarks that have nothing to do with any of Joss Whedon's worlds should find another forum. This is just my opinion. I don't write this to put down anyone's political affiliation. I just come here to as a welcome escape from the "real" world, and it really bothers me that some of the most active threads are the ones where people have endless arguments over who is right or wrong. As a veteran myself, I have one thing to add to the whole thing and I will never touch the political discussion again. Never assume you know the whole story. Never! That applies to everything. (Getting off my soap box) Well, sorry its taken me so long to participate. I hope to be more involved in the future.

I guess you haven't been to the Official Board yet. If you think these Browncoats are a political bunch the Official Firefly Board is much, much more. Hell, even certain cast members (cough*Adam*cough) enters the fray from time to time over there. In fact Adam mostly starts the debates.

Any Firefly forum you go to you will usually hit the political stuff no matter what. It seems to be in the Browncoat blood. I don't see a problem with it. If you don't want to read then don't. I read them to get a good laugh at some of the stupid things that are said and then say a few stupid things myself just to liven things up.

Plus, political debate can lead you to better understand other people and where they are coming from. It can lead you to see the world in a different light which is not always bad.

And the main thing about arguing and debating is to never make it personal and never take anything personally.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

RKLENSETH

Monday, May 10, 2004 2:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
Aside from what the Admins of this BBS might want...

*sigh*, why is it Right Wing fascists win in America? Prolly because weak, lefty, whiners don't have the guts to stand up for thier beliefs.

When I posted my 'torture' thread the lies just came a flyin' (who knew so many Firefly fans were lieing Nazi pussies?)... and all this week-end even the Right Wing CNN crap agreed with me about the "torture". But you look at that thread and the Right Wing Nazis are still at it.

Well, we need political threads because humans are getting BLOWN UP!!!

Buy a fuggin' clue people.

People have been being blown up for a long time or killed or whatever. It is the nature of man as written in The Prince.

If you think you are going to change that by debating it then go ahead but infortuantely I don't think much will change.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

ASTRIANA

Monday, May 10, 2004 2:31 PM

Welcome, NTXBrowncoat!

Just an FYI, I sent a message to Haken asking him to start a forum for "Political Discussions." He's a really busy guy, so he may not be able to get to it right away, but be patient. If/When he gets it done, you'll still see the thread titles on the top 10 threads list on the home page, but they'll have the forum name above them, as with all the other threads and there respective forums. That should make them easier to pick out and avoid, if you so desire.

Keep flyin'!

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

HKCAVALIER

Monday, May 10, 2004 3:10 PM

Folks, I haven't made a formal survey of the "Our President" thread but I have been reading it since it was started and, if memory serves, there are only three major loudmouths on the right and maybe two rude boys on the left causing all the trouble. Oh, and a couple violently anti-conspiracy types yelling and puking for a few posts on the second day. The rest of the maybe 15 to 20 posters have all been pretty civil and informative, with urls and well-spoken arguments. Just as in the larger political arena, we shouldn't let the extremism of a vocal few define the discourse.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

BROWNCOAT1

Monday, May 10, 2004 3:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
Aside from what the Admins of this BBS might want...

*sigh*, why is it Right Wing fascists win in America? Prolly because weak, lefty, whiners don't have the guts to stand up for thier beliefs.

When I posted my 'torture' thread the lies just came a flyin' (who knew so many Firefly fans were lieing Nazi pussies?)... and all this week-end even the Right Wing CNN crap agreed with me about the "torture". But you look at that thread and the Right Wing Nazis are still at it.

Well, we need political threads because humans are getting BLOWN UP!!!

Buy a fuggin' clue people.

Ghoulman, while I respect your opinion and the right to express it, I find it in very poor taste to start the name calling. As you are entitled to your opinion, so are others, whether you agree w/ them or not, whether they are right or wrong. Name calling shows a lack of restraint and maturity, and I for one find it beneath those that post here.

Labelling someone w/ the name "Nazi" is ridiculous and insulting to say the least. You might wish to refrain from such outbursts.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 3:46 PM

^^^
Calling a person a Nazi is appropreate if thier POV parallels the Nazis. A lot of that is going on these days. And the worst thing about the Nazis were all the people of Germany who walked by the Ghettos and were silent. Guess those people didn't like to talk about politics either?

Yes, it's name calling. No, that isn't proper Netiquette at all. Sorry... oh wait, I'm not sorry as silence is nothing but agreement. Do you agree that torture and invasion are OK? Well, most of the world doesn't. Welcome to the backlash.

It's like this. This is not a 'mature' debate when people lie about what's important. People getting killed is important. People being tortured is important. The USA and Britain lieing through thier teeth and invading another country illegally is important. This is a very, very, very, important time. If people are even too afraid to talk about the truth I don't know what to tell you. If people are afraid to call a coward a coward, a liar a liar, or a Right Wing Nazi just that, I can't but wonder who is worse.

So you'll have to forgive me as I am not going to nurse maid liars. I have spent the last two years watching things go from bad to worse than the Vietnam War. Oh sorry... the Vietnam Conflict *pfft* and have had the army of online Right Wing liars calling me names (some on this board) since this whole Invasion of Iraq started over a year ago.

Hmm... well, I am a rather bitter guy. *chuckle*.

So, if political debate is OK with the Admins on this BBS I can't but think the Right Wing has already won as you people complaining about politics are cowards who just want to hide.

I'd love to thank the few who stode up (like Browncoat1 ! Great posts my brotha') and didn't let the Rush Limbaughs of this BBS just post page after page of horrific and murderous lies.

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 3:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Astriana:
SNIP!
If it really bothers you that much, you could send Haken an e-mail via the messaging system here, suggesting that he start a "Political Discussions" forum - much like the "Firefly Universe" for the role players, "Angelus Arcanum" for Angel fans, etc.

I can certainly see where the 'General Discussion' forum may not be the best place for political subject threads. Sure, you can avoid them but Haken may not like the feel of having that messyness somewhere he'd rather see nothing but Firefly.. er, goodness.

Troll Country might be good. Some BBSs like to have a 'Neutral Zone' forum for the wild and wolly bits of BBS life.

It's all good.

KELLAINA

Monday, May 10, 2004 4:09 PM

It seems almost like the discussion has moved from whether political threads have a place here, to whether any type of political discussion in any thread should be allowed.

I really don't see how the latter can be accomplished (and I don't really think it should be). All of us have our own opinions about Firefly and the stories and characters and so on. These beliefs are all influenced by experiences, values, morals, religion etc. Which are the same things that help define how we think about the Firefly world. Ultimately some politics tends to creep into most discussions (whose hotter threads notwithstanding ) but I think that is only natural. To me, Firefly is a fairly political show (Alliance vs Independents etc) which is one of many reasons why I like it. It doesn't 'play it safe' (for example: condemning companioning would be safe since its inline with current public opinion).

I still stick by my opinion that if you don't like it don't read it. If enough people do that the threads will probably start to disappear as their popularity wanes since the majority of people who have responded have indicated they don't participate.

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 4:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rklenseth:

People have been being blown up for a long time or killed or whatever. It is the nature of man as written in The Prince.

If you think you are going to change that by debating it then go ahead but infortuantely I don't think much will change.

Hey Cicero! *throws beer can* WHAP! right in the mellon heh heh.

btw, saying 'talk' will not change anything would be the opposite of Ciceros' philosophies, or so I believe. Politics are everywhere, as Cicero taught us. There is no place it doesn't exist. If we really got down to it, it's completely unavoidable and if you don't meet it head on in your life, mind, and spirit... someone will eventually drop a bomb on you. So don't look all surprised when it happenes.

KELLAINA

Monday, May 10, 2004 4:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
^^^
Calling a person a Nazi is appropreate if thier POV parallels the Nazis. Yes, it's name calling. No, that isn't proper Netiquette at all. Sorry... oh wait, I'm not sorry as silence is nothing but agreement.

Is there any other way to make your argument than by calling people coward and Nazi? I'm not arguing against your opinion, I'm just saying that it kinda demeans your position to resort to name calling. The names are what people tend to see and respond to, not the opinion. Isn't the opinion more important?

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 4:35 PM

^^^ there are lots of people I discuss things with and never call them names. There are trolls and liars who don't deserve that consideration.

As for calling the 'no politics' people something like a cat but not (*chuckle*)... remember this...

First they came for the Communists, but I was silent.

Then they came for the newspaper people, still I was silent.

Then they came for the artists and homosexuals, but I was quiet.

They came for the Roman Catholics and Jews, but as I was neither a Roman Catholic or Jew I said nothing.

And when at last they came for me there was no one to speak for me.
Anglican minister <1939 Germany>

BROWNCOAT1

Monday, May 10, 2004 4:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
^^^
Calling a person a Nazi is appropreate if thier POV parallels the Nazis. A lot of that is going on these days. And the worst thing about the Nazis were all the people of Germany who walked by the Ghettos and were silent. Guess those people didn't like to talk about politics either?

Yes, it's name calling. No, that isn't proper Netiquette at all. Sorry... oh wait, I'm not sorry as silence is nothing but agreement. Do you agree that torture and invasion are OK? Well, most of the world doesn't. Welcome to the backlash.

It's like this. This is not a 'mature' debate when people lie about what's important. People getting killed is important. People being tortured is important. The USA and Britain lieing through thier teeth and invading another country illegally is important. This is a very, very, very, important time. If people are even too afraid to talk about the truth I don't know what to tell you. If people are afraid to call a coward a coward, a liar a liar, or a Right Wing Nazi just that, I can't but wonder who is worse.

So you'll have to forgive me as I am not going to nurse maid liars. I have spent the last two years watching things go from bad to worse than the Vietnam War. Oh sorry... the Vietnam Conflict *pfft* and have had the army of online Right Wing liars calling me names (some on this board) since this whole Invasion of Iraq started over a year ago.

Hmm... well, I am a rather bitter guy. *chuckle*.

So, if political debate is OK with the Admins on this BBS I can't but think the Right Wing has already won as you people complaining about politics are cowards who just want to hide.

I'd love to thank the few who stode up (like Browncoat1 ! Great posts my brotha') and didn't let the Rush Limbaughs of this BBS just post page after page of horrific and murderous lies.

I for one try to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to news. It seems all we get is the watered down or slanted spin on matters of what is going on in the world. It is a well known fact that governments will filter or bury anything they do not want the public to know. When things do get out, like the torture in the prison in Baghdad, then the politicians scramble to throw up the smoke and mirrors, redirecting the blame and coming up w/ deniablity of any knowledge.

Personally, as I stated above, I think any and all parties responsible for the abuse of prisoners in U.S. care should be charged, tried, and sentenced to the maximum penalty of the law. The charges against Pfc. Lynndie England & six other U.S. soldiers is a move in the right direction for dealing w/ this issue. My belief is that anyone in Washington who knew about this abuse will get away without a scratch, unless of course someone higher up the chain of command sacrifices them to save themselves.

Seems the Red Cross had been making reports of problems for some time:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-05-06-red-cross-abuse_x.h
tm

Makes you wonder who took those reports from the Red Cross & why nothing was done.

I believe little of what the media or politicans have to say. Seems everyone has their own agenda and they are all experts at twisting and subverting the truth.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

NTXBROWNCOAT

Monday, May 10, 2004 5:17 PM

OK, this has gone far enough. I never said that political discussions should be done away with completely. I merely stated that there may be a more appropriate forum for those discussions. Enough said, that is my opinion and nothing more.

I do not use this site as my drug of choice. I ask that nobody read into my posts as I tend to write what I mean. I am not trying to allude to anything.

And to Ghoulman, you definately seem to be an all or nothing type of person. That is fine but know this, just like you are completely entrenched in your opinion so are the people you call Nazis. Yelling at them is like yelling at a brick wall. The wall is not going to move. The only thing that happens is you get a headache and others think the crazy person yelling at the wall should be quiet. I don't mean to be insulting with that comment.

If you were inferring that I am a Nazi because I don't want to see the political posts here, well you are mistaken. I do participate in political debates, but I try not to here (though it seems I am doing so right now doesn't it). I am not going to get into which side of the political arguments I am on, and I am not a Nazi for not sharing those opinions here. If you disagree, you and I have a much different opinion on what is a Nazi.

To those with strong political opinions who wish to be heard and think I, and those who agree with me, are trying to suppress your opinion I say this, a well thought out reasonable exchange of opinion is great, but if you really want something done about it tell your representative. Use your vote! Tell them if they don't vote in a way that reflects your opinion, you won't vote for them come time for re-election. Your only true power is your voice, what you have to say. Thank whatever God you believe in that you live in a place that you can express that as you will. You may want to be more productive with your voice though. I doubt you will hear about any major polical movement being started on this website, not until we get much more organized. Have a great day :biggrin !

RKLENSETH

Monday, May 10, 2004 5:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
Quote:
Originally posted by rklenseth:

People have been being blown up for a long time or killed or whatever. It is the nature of man as written in The Prince.

If you think you are going to change that by debating it then go ahead but infortuantely I don't think much will change.

Hey Cicero! *throws beer can* WHAP! right in the mellon heh heh.

btw, saying 'talk' will not change anything would be the opposite of Ciceros' philosophies, or so I believe. Politics are everywhere, as Cicero taught us. There is no place it doesn't exist. If we really got down to it, it's completely unavoidable and if you don't meet it head on in your life, mind, and spirit... someone will eventually drop a bomb on you. So don't look all surprised when it happenes.

The point I was trying to make that someone will drop a bomb on you for whatever reason not depending on what you say or don't say. Words can be powerful but does not resolve things Only action can do that.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

RKLENSETH

Monday, May 10, 2004 5:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
^^^ there are lots of people I discuss things with and never call them names. There are trolls and liars who don't deserve that consideration.

As for calling the 'no politics' people something like a cat but not (*chuckle*)... remember this...

First they came for the Communists, but I was silent.

Then they came for the newspaper people, still I was silent.

Then they came for the artists and homosexuals, but I was quiet.

They came for the Roman Catholics and Jews, but as I was neither a Roman Catholic or Jew I said nothing.

And when at last they came for me there was no one to speak for me.
Anglican minister <1939 Germany>

Oh, I am Roman Catholic. Does that mean there coming for me again? Damn it. Haven't they learned enough yet to stop screwing with us. Like the last time we kicked their arses.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

GRUESOME

Monday, May 10, 2004 5:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
^^^ there are lots of people I discuss things with and never call them names. There are trolls and liars who don't deserve that consideration.

As for calling the 'no politics' people something like a cat but not (*chuckle*)... remember this...

First they came for the Communists, but I was silent.

Then they came for the newspaper people, still I was silent.

Then they came for the artists and homosexuals, but I was quiet.

They came for the Roman Catholics and Jews, but as I was neither a Roman Catholic or Jew I said nothing.

And when at last they came for me there was no one to speak for me.
Anglican minister <1939 Germany>

Holy crap!

Can you NOT understand that this is a website dedicated to a TV show? Can you NOT understand that there is a difference between censorship and NOT wanting to wade through CRAP like the above trying to read about the TV show? There are 18 MILLION sites on the net devoted to politics... Can't there be JUST ONE that is dedicated to the thing it claims to be?!? JUST ONE?!?!?!?!?! Is that REALLY asking too much?

It seems to me that some people here, such as Ghoulman cannot distinguish the difference between people that prefer polite conversation from those that want to send him to a gas chamber...

Grow up and understand that not everything is about the world... Some people might come to a site called FireFlyFans and want it to be about FireFly...

I would think that the idea of having your own forum dedicated to whatever you want to spew about the world would be appealing for you...
And it would allow people that DON'T want to have to sift through topic after topic of idealogy to find what they are looking for...

KNIBBLET

Monday, May 10, 2004 7:35 PM

Quote:
.... It never ocurred to me that it could be heard as an attempt to extort sex! Maybe because I'm a guy, and no-one ever tried to use the "If you love me you will" line on me.....
EDIT - That last line is in NO WAY an attempt to belittle Knibblet - sorry, typed first, re-read later!

Don't dispair of my lack of self-worth.
You'd have to make an effort to belittle or insult me. I don't leap to conclusions or look for insult behind casual commentary.
Besides, I am uglier than a stump (morbid and creepifying is a good description as is corpsified and gross) so ... I'm not likely to get that coersion aimed at me.

"Just keep walkin, preacher man."

SIGMANUNKI

Monday, May 10, 2004 7:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gruesome:
Grow up and understand that not everything is about the world... Some people might come to a site called FireFlyFans and want it to be about FireFly...

As far as I can see, the most active threads tend to be politically related, but, there are more in number for the Firefly related topics. So, you might want to check any number of the other active threads. I think you'll be quite pleased by there Fireflyness.

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 7:56 PM

Quote:
gruesome said about Ghoulman:
Holy crap!

Can you NOT understand that this is a website dedicated to a TV show? Can you NOT understand that there is a difference between censorship and NOT wanting to wade through CRAP like the above trying to read about the TV show? There are 18 MILLION sites on the net devoted to politics... Can't there be JUST ONE that is dedicated to the thing it claims to be?!? JUST ONE?!?!?!?!?! Is that REALLY asking too much?

It seems to me that some people here, such as Ghoulman cannot distinguish the difference between people that prefer polite conversation from those that want to send him to a gas chamber...

Grow up and understand that not everything is about the world... Some people might come to a site called FireFlyFans and want it to be about FireFly...

I would think that the idea of having your own forum dedicated to whatever you want to spew about the world would be appealing for you...
And it would allow people that DON'T want to have to sift through topic after topic of idealogy to find what they are looking for...

*chuckle* I'm not sure what you missed about that post or the point of this thread... which is precisely that. I get the feeling you haven't read my political posts?

So, uh, you are right sir... though not about me. Much.

*too self*-> I post one article and suddenly I'm a raving beat poet or something.

RKLENSETH, you're a card! lol

and I certainly see your point even if I disagree somewhat. Nicely put.

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 8:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by NTXBROWNCOAT:

And to Ghoulman, you definately seem to be an all or nothing type of person. That is fine but know this, just like you are completely entrenched in your opinion so are the people you call Nazis. Yelling at them is like yelling at a brick wall. The wall is not going to move. The only thing that happens is you get a headache and others think the crazy person yelling at the wall should be quiet. I don't mean to be insulting with that comment.

If you were inferring that I am a Nazi ...

Good Goddess no!

And don't worry about me. I've taken down brick walls during lunch.

SPLIBERTARIAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 8:34 PM

Unfortunately, those yelling at the brick walls will never be satisfied with a separate place for their political debates because their target audience is not the wall they are yelling at, but those innocent bystanders who want no part of it. What they fail to see is that it is their own actions that turn people off to political debate, not the issues at hand.

And on a different note, (EDIT - but same chord), I love the irony of left-wingers describing right-wingers as Nazis. "Nazi", after all, is a contraction of the party name: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, i.e. National Socialist German Workers' Party.

Socialist leaning, gun control supporting leftists would do well to remember that, before the Nazis came for anyone, they came for their guns.

But that's a hazard of looking at politics along the right-wing/left-wing axis, rather than what I feel is a more illuminating libertarian/authoritarian axis.

(Edited for italics)

DUCESTECUM

Monday, May 10, 2004 8:37 PM

I can only say that I have stopped visiting the forums.prospero.com/Firefly site for that very reason. As I said in one of their threads, "Too much politics and not enough Firefly!" I love Firefly so much that I hate to see the threads besmudged with daily, ongoing mudslinging about politics which is something I try to avoid at all costs in real life. and yes, when the time comes I do vote and I vote intelligently but I don't like seeing or hearing anything about it when I'm looking for nuggets of Firefly.

Just my .02 cents.

"And I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling." Mal - Train Job

GHOULMAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 8:42 PM

^^^ that's the most integral two cents regarding this issue posted yet. Unlike the NRA Libertarian above *chuckle*.

SPLIBERTARIAN

Monday, May 10, 2004 9:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ghoulman:
^^^ that's the most integral two cents regarding this issue posted yet. Unlike the NRA Libertarian above *chuckle*.

That would be GOA Libertarian, thank you very much.

And while it is ironic that I slid into political discussion whilst denouncing unwanted political discussion... my point is that the nature and manner of said political discussion often deems it counterproductive anyhow. Using the Nazi reference as an example, the facist tendencies of the right do not out-weigh the facist tendencies of the left, but accusations of such do serve to turn off the casual observer to the discussion.

ASTRIANA

Monday, May 10, 2004 9:12 PM

For those with an interest in discussing politics - and for those wishing to avoid said discussions, please check out this thread:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=5&t=5142

Also, here's the link to the new forum:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/threadlist.asp?b=18

~A~
El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... Of Communications and Harems

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

ZOID

Monday, May 10, 2004 10:46 PM

Astriana:

Oh! My! God(dess)!

I just noticed that the "Our President" and "(blah-blah) Torture..." threads are gone from the General Discussion board. Can it be? Are we saved?

Thank you, thank you, thank you! (zoid does Three Stooges-style 'happy dance', which is very tricky to do solo; children and household pets look at him strangely)

To any lingering pol-trolls: I adhere to the wise counsel of a great man, who warned Americans to avoid political parties and the fervor associated with party affiliation, "the spirit of party". From Encarta:

Quote:
Let me ... warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally .... A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume ....

The man? The Father of Our Nation, George Washington, in his farewell address. The people of our country, today, would do well to heed his advice, since it seems almost prescient of our current state of political division. His words also seem to fairly well answer some 'political party addicts' hereabouts, that have insisted their invective is a healthy part of our political process. I'll take Mr. Washington's word on the subject, thanks anyway...

If your announcement of a separate board means those divisive 'real world' topics are banned from the General Board, then, Hurrah! You are truly my heroine!

Did I ever mention how smart I think those 'Founding Father' guys were?

Respectfully,

zoid
_________________________________________________

"Even back when, River had that indefinable 'it', y'know? Inquisitive, insightful -- Very focused... Some things never change."

- 'Wash' Warren, Chief Architect and co-proprietor, "Cretaceous Park", Hera; from A Child Shall Lead Them: A History of the Second War of Independence Wilkins, Richard

ECMORGAN69

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:22 AM

It's really funny to me. In the real world of face-to-face discussion and debate, I relish a good political debate. One of my best friends happens to be a bit on the Left, while I lean a bit more to the Right. Our discussions have always been entertaining and thought-provoking, resulting in the occasional changed mind. It's really funny that I've made him a pro-Second Amendment person, and he's changed my mind on abortion.

All that aside, what I think really takes away from all that pleasant give-and-take is the relative anonymity of the Internet and the lack of proximity. Many people, who may otherwise be the gentlest souls in person, can quite rapidly devolve into the most egregious flamers with the walls of an Internet connection separating someone from another person with whom they may be arguing. People just are flat out more circumspect in their thoughts and in their speech when someone is right in front of them.

If people were more willing to be less partisan and hate-filled in their ranting (myself included ,) then maybe some of these discussions would be more than the bile-filled screeds they often are. To be fair, I'm definitely just as guilty as the rest, but then again, I try to avoid the threads, too.

They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....

Oh yeah, you, FOX TV!!

IAMJACKSUSERNAME

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 9:58 PM

After consultation with fellow members of FireflyFans.net, I am pleased to announce a series of new initiatives designed to make the site more friendly than ever. These policies include:

1: The control of controversial coverage. From now on, members will be required to write about, and post pictures of, only fuzzy bunnies. Furthermore, no political agenda or biased opinion can be rendered on the topic of fuzzy bunnies. Fuzzy bunnies cannot be portrayed in a threatening or threatened light, or in a negative or perjorative manner.

It is recognized that potential members do not always see eye to eye on issues of importance in politics or in the world at large. Seeing a contrary opinion could intimidate potential Firefly fans, so that aspect of FireflyFans.net has been eliminated so as to facilitate greater fan participation.

An example of an appropriate post using the new guidelines follows:

Quote:
Fuzzy bunnies.
Browncoat1 "We're not gonna die, because we are so...very...fuzzy"

Fuzzy bunnies are shiny.

"May have been on the fuzzy side. Convinced it was the shiny one."

2: Control of opinion pieces. To prevent the predominance of any one political view, all political opinion pieces must agree. Because of the difficulty of achieving this, the topic of discussion will also be limited to fuzzy bunnies, particularly since the public opinions of most major political factions tend to agree on the editorially sanctioned view of the aforementioned bunnies.

For example:

Quote:
Conservatives at FireflyFans, and fuzzy bunnies.
Zoid "Like everyone else, thinks fuzzy bunnies are shiny"

We like fuzzy bunnies too.

Lovingly,
zoid

3: Replies will be limited to muted approval of the content of the site, for example:

Quote:
Astriana "Lookit the fuzzies on the train!"

I thought that Browncoat1's article, "Fuzzy bunnies", was shiny. I also like fuzzy bunnies. They are shiny.

~A~
...I'm still fuzzy,
You can't take the shiny from me.

4: All fans will be required to cease any behaviour that might be construed as unpleasant or threatening. It is understood that to allow any member of the site to abuse their admittedly mighty standing on the web would be a shame, and send potential members away from the warm and fuzzy comfort of the site.

For example:

Person on the street: Oh, look, its Static, a browncoat from FireflyFans! Hello Static.
Static: Fuzzy bunnies are shiny.

We hope you will find comfort in the site in the future.
--
I am Jack's username
FTL fuzzy bunnies? Shiny!
Support our bunnies.

With apologies to Malcom Sheppard, of A kinder, gentler, editorial policy: http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/97/Mar/fuzzy.html

SERGEANTX

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:07 PM

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

SERGEANTX

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:11 PM

http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=01302004

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

SPOOKYJESUS

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:12 PM

Poo hat!
Poo hat on your head!

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gruesome:
Holy crap!
Can you NOT understand that this is a website dedicated to a TV show? Can you NOT understand that there is a difference between censorship and NOT wanting to wade through CRAP like the above trying to read about the TV show? There are 18 MILLION sites on the net devoted to politics... Can't there be JUST ONE that is dedicated to the thing it claims to be?!? JUST ONE?!?!?!?!?! Is that REALLY asking too much?

Hate to tell you, but you clicked on the link for the discussion, read through it down to the bottom and then added to it - could have just skipped the thread and gone onto one discussing Mal's britches or Kaylee's tatoos.

Whilst I don't often post on the political threads, I often skim them - as many before have noted, your average FF fan has a modicum of intelligence, and the views are often interesting. Fact is, Firefly isn't throwing up much new for discussion at this time, and its important to keep the board and the community going - at times like this, the topics will wander a little.

"I threw up on your bed"

ECMORGAN69

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 10:51 PM

But what about kittens? Kittens are shiny too, aren't they? Unless...

...You're just too busy being "Master of your domain."

They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....

Oh yeah, you, FOX TV!!

JASONZZZ

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:58 AM

Check it out, May is masturbation month!

http://www.grandopening.com/classes/029.shtml