Politics-there is a place for it in WIX...Off Topic Disscuss

[Jerry O'Neill]

I don't really like politics in the WIX Hangar, since it would actually be more appropriate in the "Off Topic Discussion" section. viewforum.php?f=8
Politics on WIX there would be fine with me!
Jerry

[WIXMOD-Charlie]

Indeed, there is a reason we have an off-topic section. Everything about politics in the WIX hangar will be locked and deleted.

[Forgotten Field]

I think there are politics that are appropriate for WIX here in the hangar, but not general election/liberal vs conservative/democrat vs republican/labor versus conservative politics. You really don't see our UK friends bringing their political tripe here on the hangar (at least I haven't seen it).

What is appropriate are things which directly effect our warbird existence- EAA's replacement of Hightower, for instance, or the politics of entering and exiting the US/Canada in a warbird, or demilitarization codes appended by executive order. But as an example, if you take something like the demil codes, and immediately launch into talks about how the Republicans did this, or the Democrats did that, you are getting beyond the pale. First, both parties were in power when bad, stupid things happened on the demil list. Second, if you are dumb enough to think that ____________ (fill in Republican or Democrat here) administrations voted straight party line when they were declaring Grumman F9F parts to have potential terrorist use, you probably aren't sophisticated enough to discuss politics. Stupid things like that don't happen because of a political philosophy, but rather because there are dumb people from _____________(fill in Republican or Democratic Party here) who make un-informed choices, or who have some other kind of agenda when they do make a dumb rule.

I know we are in a charged climate with a lot of national change going on. I don't have my head buried in the sand. There might come a time where politics should be discussed everywhere, every time, effecting every subject. But I don't think we're there yet and I think it's better to keep WIX clean and discuss warbird-appropriate political stuff here ONLY. So I completely agree with the MOD who shut down the other threads. But if you are squirming in your chair and peeing your pants and need to talk politics, pick something that DIRECTLY impacts us regarding warbirds. Keep the rest somewhere else.

[CoastieJohn]

I think there are politics that are appropriate for WIX here in the hangar, but not general election/liberal vs conservative/democrat vs republican/labor versus conservative politics. You really don't see our UK friends bringing their political tripe here on the hangar (at least I haven't seen it).

What is appropriate are things which directly effect our warbird existence- EAA's replacement of Hightower, for instance, or the politics of entering and exiting the US/Canada in a warbird, or demilitarization codes appended by executive order. But as an example, if you take something like the demil codes, and immediately launch into talks about how the Republicans did this, or the Democrats did that, you are getting beyond the pale. First, both parties were in power when bad, stupid things happened on the demil list. Second, if you are dumb enough to think that ____________ (fill in Republican or Democrat here) administrations voted straight party line when they were declaring Grumman F9F parts to have potential terrorist use, you probably aren't sophisticated enough to discuss politics. Stupid things like that don't happen because of a political philosophy, but rather because there are dumb people from _____________(fill in Republican or Democratic Party here) who make un-informed choices, or who have some other kind of agenda when they do make a dumb rule.

I know we are in a charged climate with a lot of national change going on. I don't have my head buried in the sand. There might come a time where politics should be discussed everywhere, every time, effecting every subject. But I don't think we're there yet and I think it's better to keep WIX clean and discuss warbird-appropriate political stuff here ONLY. So I completely agree with the MOD who shut down the other threads. But if you are squirming in your chair and peeing your pants and need to talk politics, pick something that DIRECTLY impacts us regarding warbirds. Keep the rest somewhere else.

You bring up a great point about how current/future politics could affect warbird related things. Tax exempt status, defunding or closing museums at all levels/types is what came to my mind just sitting here thinking about your post. Probably a few other examples out there....

[JDK]

Fair question, Jerry - the history and headline doesn't augur well - So let's start with what the header for 'off topic' says:

"Since people seem to think that the off-topic section is for political discussion, something that is frowned upon, I have temporarily closed the section. ANY political discussions in any other forum will be deleted and the user suspended. I have had it with the politically motivated comments."
- Scott

I'd like to believe that we could have a mature discussion where there may be a political element; the evidence to date is 100% that it's not possible for some posters to leave dogma behind, or agree to differ, or just respect other's views, without accepting them. On that basis, no, there's no place on WIX for politics.

Where there is a political element to a warbird issue, it can sometimes be discussed, but needs close moderation - sadly some just can't stick to the topic. However those can be managed on a case by case basis; there's no reason to drag them up as an excuse to wedge in a divisive and counter-productive area in WIX.

As a general view, most people's take on politics (here, to date) is to tell others their own view, or why others are wrong - FWIW, I don't want to hear your political views on WIX, and you don't want mine.

For the rest of us, we're also done with the US election circus, we have political issues of our own to deal with.

(And if you'll excuse me for a moment, I'm thoroughly sick - speaking personally - of US posters assuming it's all about Republicans, Democrats, mis-spelling 'government', and that 'gas' prices are 'high'. I respect US issues are important to people in the US, and the rest of us to a degree, but there's a bigger world out there, and WIX isn't for US members or US (or any other) national political issues. (Don't ask about the price of fuel.) That's not from an Australian point of view, but one from someone who has travelled to four countries this year to discuss warbirds and not national politics.)

So, please, let's just move on.

Regards,

[happymeal]

+100

[Jerry O'Neill]

Much better than I put it James! Thanks!
Jerry