A2K--ITS BORRRING. (is it just me?)

is that a political party??

nope, that's a "bunny" party

Hmmmmm - this discussion has been a bit interesting. It's hard to question or point outour differences of opinion *here* because there is a steady and pervasive moderation. I understand that the site creator(s) all want to have this feature as it is manifested because the aim is to avoid some problems that other sites have. I do miss the "free-wheeling" nature of abuzz - but I do habitate there as well as a2k and go to each when the urge strikes. At present there are some dandy threads, a number of them even, on abuzz, but it is more variable there, always. So, does one prefer quantity, quality, quality time or what? Depends on my mood and interests, as always. However, syncophants whether on the left the right or the backwards or whatever - NO interest there atol. One good point for a2k - less wholesale posting of entire news articles and repetitive slamming obscenitiy. So trade profanity for prattle? Not so simple, methinks. Have never personally had probs with finding something of interest most places I travel online. If I didn't, I wouldn't be there.

I haven't read all the posts here, so forgive me (please) if I repeat what may have already been said:

I do sometimes miss diversity of opinion in the political discussions on A2K, and I've even asked a poster to please tone down an attack on someone who espoused a conservative viewpoint, because there are so few right wingers on A2K. (And I'm not one of them.)

But as for Abuzz, puh-lease. Whenever I check back in there, I find it in worse shape. It's just a lot of obscene ranting, with points of view making Michael Savage seem like a reasonable guy when he calls Ashley Banfield a slut.

I think it's great that Abuzz is there for those who like to sling mud around, and A2K is here for those who want to discuss and debate a bit more decorously. So color me grey, I guess...

In life I am pretty free-wheeling with my opinions, my arguments, my obscenities, whatever. I tried it out a bit back on abuzz, and it didn't take long before that struck me as hollow online. Without the face-to-face contact, the ability to interject, to have rapid give-and-take -- the kind that forms new ideas on the fly, instead of the ponderous dance that has to take place in any web exchange -- I don't get much of a charge out of it.

'Sides, I've got plenty of aggravators in my daily life; I'm generally here for levity. Really, the medium has as much in common, in my mind, with writing on bathroom walls as it does with real conversation and debate.

So, like a weenie I'll sign off with: but that's just my opinion...

A2K is boring for precisely the same reason that Al Franken isn't the saviour of liberal talk radio. Political Correctness is boring.

Rush and Fox are successful because there are as many people listening to disagree as to agree.

It's a little early to write off Al Franken on talk radio, don't you think, cjhsa?

Though what you say is true, in general. Shouting simplistic solutions to complex problems is a heck of a lot more entertaining than reasoned debate...

Calling simple problems complex is the real problem, IMO.

Are you saying that most political problems are simple to solve?

Reviving the economy? (dividend tax cuts)

Terrorist threats? (bomb the heck out of 'em)

Poor schools? (demand that they raise test scores)

Is that the general idea?

...it may be a question not of the complexity of the problem, but of whether it's viewed as a problem at all. some people, for instance, see poverty as a problem that needs to be eliminated; others see it as an unavoidable part of the human experience. and still more, for various reasons, try to convince themselves of one or the other or behave as though one or the other was true.

the degree of complexity of a problem is irrelevant if the true heart of the debate is whether a problem even exists.

Isn't the benefit of true, frank, and open discussion precisely the removal of "politics" from "ideas".
Politics is predisposition toward a point of view, frequently for no better reason than it is , or conforms to, the slant on ideaology that one has always been know to have taken, and it would be embarrassing to sudenly wax broadminded (and besides, it matches all the organizations you belong to, and the buttons on the cork board in your closet that you select from each day as you dress!).
Ideas are a higher level of thought, not mired by your race, sex, social possition, age, site on the surface of the planet, etc..........
And with ideas, it is possible to be sincere, to have grace and respect, and to actually think about what you truly conceive as "the way it should be"!

If that's boring then I think I'll go back to sleep......

Screw all ya'll! Ima lookin' for a rumble! But seriously folks, I like BoGoWo's definition here, and thank you for living in my city Bo

Living in TO without any S(c)ARS to show for it, eh Cav?

Only the boring are bored.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ................

Yes, you are bei9ng cute. Everyone here is cute. :-)

Threaded means:

TOPIC
>>>reply to topic
>>>>>reply to reply
>>>>>>>reply to reply
>>>>>>>>>reply to reply
>>>reply to topic
>>>>>reply to reply
>>>>>>>reply to reply
>>>>>>>>>reply to reply

It's like newsgroup postings.


Flat is the style we use here.

No SARS on me BO---but wouldn't you agree, the Who just haven't been the same since John Entwhistle succumbed to SARS?

threaded might be better termed "branched."

Cav, The Who haven't been the same since Keith Moon succumbed to booze!

True enough, D'art, but let's get back on topic....SARS, that was what this thread was about, yes?