From the ListMom re: OT Discussions

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 5634

At 16:56 Penny you wrote:

>I've written all this and not made any real decision about whether I
>ought to conclude by saying: "No more OT political posts -- period" or
>"Read OT political posts at your own risk and keep personal attacks out
>of it."  The latter is perhaps hard to do, so .... I'm leaning toward
>the former.  I'm happy to take comments for a short while before I just
>outright ban it though.
>
>For example, what about Joywitch's Daily Prophet piece from a few days
>ago?  I perceived it to be rather liberal in viewpoint.  Is that
>political?  If we ban OT posts, are we banning this type of parody as
>well?  It could be hard to draw the line in some cases I suppose.

I agree with your observation that the vocal sector of this group appears to
be largely centre-to-left, but we should maintain a level of respect for
those that wish to express other views.  I suggest that if there's a
political slant to an on-topic post or an HP-related take on current
affairs, that's fine.  After all, many of the on-topic issues we discuss
have a political undercurrent and differing political views have led to some
interesting, if heated, debates.  I can only speak for myself, but it might
be time to clamp down on the political posts which have scant relevance to
Harry Potter. It's not that I'm bored with hearing about the aftermath of
the US election, but I can get the news live from CNN or BBC News24 or
elsewhere.   

Penny, I supported your original decision to let these politics threads run,
because you are in the midst of an historic situation and, as you say, it's
easy for people to ignore posts if they are marked OT. I'd quite understand
if you wanted to let it ride; just don't put it to a vote, the result might
end up "too close to call"!

Neil 

            Flying-Ford-Anglia

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   "Then, dented, scratched and steaming, 
   the car rumbled off into the darkness, 
   its rear lights blazing angrily"

 [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]

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