Dudes (or dudettes), I made the mistake of wandering into the "Club Member Thoughts" forum. Years ago I was kinda addicted to political forums. But in most political forums, civility takes a back seat to vitriol and name-calling. It's been a year or two since I've been to "one of those" forums; just got tired of all the negativity. But I ventured into a few threads here thinking it would be ok - hey, we're all here to swap books and love one another, right? Boy, was I naive. I walked into a beehive and catfight all at once. You women are more vicious than men. Think I'll drift south again and stay in the book forums. Walking off to lick my wounds.

Bruce -- I'm confused by your post but I'm gonna assume you meant that you like hanging out with us HF-types because we're all about peace, love, comraderie, and fun! No catfights here -- though occasionally, we do have to bring out the wet noodle.

CMT can be rather salty.  It is kinder here.

I don't go into those kind of forums period. In fact, I avoid any discussion of politics at all. But yes, we are kinder here, I hope.

Yes, you are much nicer here and the subject matter is more pleasant too. An occassional wet noodle lashing can be fun.

Bruce and the Dudettes...has a ring to it.  We need more dudes to post regularly here.  So, welcome!

Bruce and the Dudettes LOL  a 60's pop band?

I occassionally venture into CMT, but rarely indeed into threads that look religious or political.

After some 13 year of heavy involvement in a variety forums, I learned long ago that if you want to remain friendly and civil, you pretty much need to avoid religion and politics except in the most brief and surface of manners.  Probably 80% of people could have a careful, reasoned discussion with each other, in a small, limited group, but there's always the 20% that can't and another few that don't want to, that just want to stir it up and provoke things.  And the more people are in a discussion, the less likely it is to remain friendly.  Three or four works in my experience, but not much more than that.  It's too difficult to get more than that many people all "on the same page" (understanding how each other uses various terminology, a little of their background so you can have a sense of context for their opinions, etc.) and it takes getting on that page before any real sharing and discussion can begin.

How true that is Sharla. On one forum, I became very good friends with a woman from California (she more liberal, me more conservative) because we were two of the few who could be passionate and opinionated without being emotional and rude. We had some great, contentious (but very respectful and friendly discussions) about various issues. To this day we still exchange emails and keep up with each other. That's the way it should be.

Bruce and the Dudettes sounds like a great doo-wop group!

I think we've all waded into political discourse here or another place.  I do appreciate that it is contained in one forum, and in the correct forum.

I have a terrible voice, so I'll be the lip-syncing Dudette. 

Hey, I like the sound of Bruce and the Dudettes, I am definitely an oldie but a goodie.

I use to participate in CMT when I first joined PBS, but after a while it just seemed like you couldnt voice your opinion without getting jumped on. So I avoided it and stayed in the genre forums. The last few weeks I have been participating in the chats in CMT but avoiding the Politics and Religious forums. I dont see eye to eye with most of the posters on either subject, so I avoid it rather than get abused for thinking differently. Bruce I feel your pain, lol.

polbio, I also found myself in the minority which I don't mind, but there are a lot of people on CMT that aren't interested in hearing any opinion that differs from their own. I'm enjoying the site better without the politics.

What? We talk politics here.

Richard III, Henry III, Richard I, Uhtred, Jamie Fraser ...

LOL.

We welcome all opinions!

Genie, those kind of politics I can relate to. Any current stuff I avoid like the plague. It's just too stressful.

Bruce, I don't think there's a political forum anywhere that is civil.  I read (and enjoy, I'll admit) the political posts, but I don't participate much because they aren't reasoned discussions, they quickly descend into the talking points of the day, on both sides.  I would love to find a political forum that reasonably discussed the issues but I don't think there is one anywhere.  And if you think CMT is bad, don't go near the Current Events forum!

I still think the political posts are interesting though, and I think it's fine to have them in CMT because politics are obviously in most peoples' thoughts and will be for the rest of the year. 

Diane

...... I avoid like the plague.....

If you are avoiding the plague, this may be the best place to be.....or maybe not?

I was taught ( as a Southern Chick)

never talk politics

never talk religion

never talk sex

An argument will begin, even among "friends."

Although, I will discuss between "real friends."

Mary S

After trying to make a comment or two in some of the CMT forums --- not even about politics --- and seeing the blind fury some of those folks exhibit toward any differing opinion or thought, I do not even click the button to go there.  One of the people there even sent me hateful PMs ---- life is too short to deal with such folks.