Hmmm, "one dissident opinion" happens all of the time these days to silence whomever. I have always taken anomyous complaints with a grain of salt. One, forget it, multiples of almost the same maybe time to do something. It would be good if the powers that be did at least some accounting about this. I would think that since it is "The Coffee Shop" people can and should be able to express their opinion as long as there is no finger pointing or name calling ( or other flames ) and stuff keeps at the polite conversation level. This forum may be the only place that some are comfortable with talking about whatever and it is good to get stuff "off your chest" sorta speak. Only my $.02 worth and probably does not amount to a hill of beans.
Later
[Preface: I gather someone was uncomfortable enough to complain about the overall tone of the discussions (political discussions?) going on here in the Coffee Shop. It wasn't me].
I really do agree with ctclibby here (I think), and FWIW. It's true that in the few other hobby-type forums I used to frequent (all of those are sim-racing forums) part of the forum rules was almost always "No Politics!" It wasn't much a problem anyway, as we had EU types, who generally espoused views that were what I would call "left-of-center," middle of the road folks (who, more than most, tend to avoid the subject anyway), and conservatives, aka "right-of-center," and more often likely to be US based. Everyone understood the lay of the land, and it didn't cause drivers to avoid interacting with one another as far as I know.
It was the people toward the two ends of the spectrum who were more likely to get wound up about things, and personalities who focus too much on things that get them "riled up" are generally pretty unbalanced behind the wheel. In sim-racing, we call it "The Red Mist." When you start to lose your sense of balance and emotional control...that's when the red mist comes down over your eyes.....and you almost always do something stupid when it does.
If you let the red mist envelope you...you are off the track. Into the wall, and out of the race. If you are going to be any good at the sport, you have to learn to control your emotions, and thinking too much about politics ISN'T going to do anything but make you slow.
But sim-racing is a competitive sport too--we had that outlet if frustrated or angered--and we had a lot of members. Model railroading, and this forum--these forums--are quite small by comparison. And perhaps more fragile because of that, I suspect. So, and in an effort to keep this a welcoming place, I DO understand why there is that admonition against discussions of politics.
That said, and if I were to join this forum again, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment. Everyone here is helpful when they can be, will tell you when they can't be, or why they need more info from you to answer or help...or when they have exhausted their knowledge. There might be a bit of politics here and there, but it doesn't affect--or infect--any of the other forums at all, IMO. Nor even this thread--to the extent there is a bit of politics, it does not make even this coffee shop an uncomfortable place to be.
Just my two cents.
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There is also a LOT to be said, too, for having a place--even it's just this one thread--where members who share interest in this hobby might also explore other similarities they have in common too, and how they mesh with the others...or don't. If they do, then maybe the coffee shop is a comfortable place to visit. If not, there is no requirement that anyone do so. Thus, and the way I see it, if there is one thread more open to politics and political discussion than the others...its not a problem. If the thread doesn't suit you, that's fine. Don't go in. That's why the remote has a channel changer...and even an off button.
I've turned off the NFL. MLB, and certainly the NBA (!!!) in recent years. If answering questions about "why" I've done that is considered overly political to the point I couldn't answer the question, then I would argue things are just far too politicized these days. Walk them back if you are overdoing it when you have the soapbox? Maybe yes. But I have yet to see anything that would bother me in here. FYI.
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All that said, I, myself, approach this as I might any other coffee shop. I see a few guys I know (some more than others) and maybe some I agree with (more than others) gathered 'round a table. Get a cup, go over, sit down and say "Good morning 'gents <nod>"...and then listen to what's going on, as far as subject, views, agreements of opinion...or disagreements of opinion. Then chime in or not. Maybe just finish my coffee and head out. Me? I offer up a joke, usually not on point, but that's just me--always last to get the memo, and usually last to understand the subject.
If THIS coffee shop...and its discussions and subject matter...make someone uncomfortable...well, just...leave. But don't leave the forums, and don't leave this website. Just maybe the thread.
Change the channel--that's what the remote is for. Or chime in, even if you are outnumbered twenty to one. A little combat can be fun on occasion--witness the gaming/action figures.
Compared to almost any other I have visited, this is a VERY accepting website and forum(s), IMO, as most people do realize it's the model railroading which is the glue that keeps it all together. I've seen not a single example here, in any of the forums, which suggest otherwise. Nor do I think I will.
Added back in: Please don't leave [these forums] even if something said here bothers you. We are all the better for you being here. And even if we might not agree about all things
