U.S. Presidential Election

[Joker]

The U.S. Presidential Elections are heating up here at home and I know there are some extremely intelligent people here at L.O. from many countries that have valid opinions about this.

Is it anathema around here now to have political discussions? Especially potentially world shaping discussions over the the next 2 months?

If this topic is off limits I apologize for bringing it up.

If this topic is not off limits then I hope everyone can remain civil enough to make it interesting.

To not expect a few flames would be naivete but to resist the urge to descend into a flamewar and have a real discussion with intelligent responses could be extremely entertaining.

Hello; to all old friends; and to new friends: it's really nice to meet you.

joker

[ArchonFarseerGuy]

Yeah, politics generally aren't allowed here. The topic can be a little inflamatory.

-AFG//

[Joker]

Originally Posted by ArchonFarseerGuy

Yeah, politics generally aren't allowed here. The topic can be a little inflamatory.-AFG//

Its not the topic that's inflammatory. It is the maturity and accurate knowledge level of the respondee and thier ability to maintain a rational, coherent and relevent response to the topic that determines whether their overall contribution to what can, and should be, a rational discussion is going to move the discussion forward or handicap it tempororarily and/or unnecessrily.

The L.O. I'm used to is quite cabable of dealling with these issues. The mod staff and admins are more than adequate to this task.

It's the most relevant world wide event in near human history and should be fodder for discussion even if the discussion becomes limited by nature.

just my 2 cents.

joker

[Lieutenant Mud]

Hmm, I agree. Though a newb here, I'm a member on a forum with a dedicated (stickied) politics thread, and the discussion therein tends to remain informed and cogent.

I'm personally following elections with interest - I think it's an important leap that Obama is the democrat candidate, and his policies include affirmitive action, corporate waste reduction, reducing reliablity on fossil fuels and education reforms... all things America, and, indeed, the west as a whole, need to take on board. He also doesn't seem to take the 'policing the world' tack that republican governments always end up doing, foocussing his priorities on his home ground, which is a breath of fresh air in my humble onion. Not even mentioning that a black president would be a benchmark in US history.

The one thing that bugs me is that both parties are relying heavily on the evangelical vote, and are playing their hands accordingly. Now, I don't think religion is anything resembling a legitimate factor upon which one elects a leader, and things like education and foreign relations suffer when it comes into play. Sarah Palin, the republican VP, has some views I frankly find quite scary, and truly shouldn't be brought into politics in a supposedly forward-thinking, civilised world.

Unfortunately, with the southern states being such a large voting population, I don't see a democratic presidency. Still, there's always ample room for surprise. I mean, Bush did get a second term, and the bloke can't even speak properly.

[Cyric the Mad]

Originally Posted by Joker

The L.O. I'm used to is quite cabable of dealling with these issues. The mod staff and admins are more than adequate to this task.

I happen to agree. However, AFG is right - political discussions are pretty explicitly forbidden by forum rules. I'll have to lock this thread.