Political Discussions request

[Hunterjohnny]

Just my take on it. I come here to read about hunting not politics. I was getting to where I didnt want to peek in because I knew it would be another thread of one sided politics. It just got old and seemed to overtake everything else. This is my fun time, not stress time.

[CouesWhitetail]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I appreciate where you all are coming from, both pro and con. And just for clarification, my intent was not to "ban" non-hunting politics, but just remind people what the original intent of that subforum was and try to refocus our efforts in that regard. There will always be non-hunting related politics that are going to be discussed here. I am not really planning to start removing non-hunting political talk unless it just seems to get overwhelming. I assumed a gentle reminder about the original intent of that subforum would suffice. Lately it seems that the political section has gotten so far removed from the purpose of this website, which is to provide a positive place where hunters can gather and discuss hunting and related issues. I also want this website to be a place that unites hunters rather than dividing them and it seems many political discussions can be divisive.

 

I get many reports of people who don't enjoy visiting the forum anymore because of the almost constant political discussions that have nothing to do with hunting. And personally I find that even I don't want to visit as often because of all the non-stop politics. So I can sympathize with the people who have told me the same thing. I have been thinking about this for quite some time now, probably more than a year. It's never been part of my vision for CouesWhitetail.com to become a place for non-stop politics unrelated to hunting. It just doesn't seem to fit with my core goals for the site. I find it hard to believe that there are not better websites where hot button political issues are discussed more in depth. I appreciate that many people are passionate about all politics, but it's just not my passion and it's never been a goal for this forum to have so much world politics. Most people come here to discuss hunting.

 

And no, I didn't delete anyone's content in this subforum. I see that Snapshot went through and removed his content, apparently in protest, although he hasn't spoken to me about it (even though I invited him to call me to discuss this before going public with my request). Of course now that Snapshot removed his content, I will likely have to go through and clean up the subforum so it doesn't contain a bunch of threads with no content. I find it disappointing that he did that since he is a long-time member of this site, but it's his choice. I imagine he is equally disappointed in my request to refocus the political section on hunting related discussions. I can't be all things to all people and in the end I have to go with my vision for the site. Snapshot, you are still welcome to call me, even if you just want to tell me how wrong I am. You have my number.

[DesertBull]

 

 

I simply stated that censorship applies to public speach/communication not private institutions.

 

S.

 

Unless you don't want to bake a gay wedding cake.

[5guyshunting]

We sometimes talk about politics around "The Campfire".

[Guest oneshot]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I appreciate where you all are coming from, both pro and con. And just for clarification, my intent was not to "ban" non-hunting politics, but just remind people what the original intent of that subforum was and try to refocus our efforts in that regard. There will always be non-hunting related politics that are going to be discussed here. I am not really planning to start removing non-hunting political talk unless it just seems to get overwhelming. I assumed a gentle reminder about the original intent of that subforum would suffice. Lately it seems that the political section has gotten so far removed from the purpose of this website, which is to provide a positive place where hunters can gather and discuss hunting and related issues. I also want this website to be a place that unites hunters rather than dividing them and it seems many political discussions can be divisive.

 

I get many reports of people who don't enjoy visiting the forum anymore because of the almost constant political discussions that have nothing to do with hunting. And personally I find that even I don't want to visit as often because of all the non-stop politics. So I can sympathize with the people who have told me the same thing. I have been thinking about this for quite some time now, probably more than a year. It's never been part of my vision for CouesWhitetail.com to become a place for non-stop politics unrelated to hunting. It just doesn't seem to fit with my core goals for the site. I find it hard to believe that there are not better websites where hot button political issues are discussed more in depth. I appreciate that many people are passionate about all politics, but it's just not my passion and it's never been a goal for this forum to have so much world politics. Most people come here to discuss hunting.

 

And no, I didn't delete anyone's content in this subforum. I see that Snapshot went through and removed his content, apparently in protest, although he hasn't spoken to me about it (even though I invited him to call me to discuss this before going public with my request). Of course now that Snapshot removed his content, I will likely have to go through and clean up the subforum so it doesn't contain a bunch of threads with no content. I find it disappointing that he did that since he is a long-time member of this site, but it's his choice. I imagine he is equally disappointed in my request to refocus the political section on hunting related discussions. I can't be all things to all people and in the end I have to go with my vision for the site. Snapshot, you are still welcome to call me, even if you just want to tell me how wrong I am. You have my number.

 

While I fully resepect your vision and you know I have been supporter of this site for a few years. I just have to say, the people that gave you reports that they dont visit as often because of the political section???

I have to call BS on that. They are NOT being honest with you or themsleves. There are 70 sub-forums on CWT.com, they are free to click on whatever sections they want. I dont think I have ever checked-out the Buffalo hunting forum or the outfitter section in all the years I have been a member... This is my choice...

 

Bottom line is this is YOUR web-site Amanda and YOU make the rules. It is The MEMBERS who, for better or worse, make it the way it is.

Go to most any other outdoor web-site, view the comments and you will find CWT.com stands way above the pack in terms of respect given to all, from the newest members to the old timers.

 

This is a function of your work Amanda, and the Admins you have. But a higher result is also due to the Members and their willingness to share their thoughts and experences, in a respectfull manner( for the most part, there have been personal attacks that get shut-down quickly)

You can't please everyone and nor should you try. You have given us a site and frame-work where not only the members can share their outdoor adventures, but also ask questions to folks that share a common passion, questions about everything from unit info to whats for diner. They may not like the answer, or they may disagree with it, but again, that is Life...

 

In my opinion, CWT.com is by far the BEST outdoor site out there, so many sub-forums covering all types of wildlife, core members with 1000's of years of experence, in the field and in Life....

 

Thank You again Amanda, Admins and Members for making CWT.com what it is... The BEST site on the Web...

[CouesWhitetail]

 

 

 

I simply stated that censorship applies to public speach/communication not private institutions.

 

S.

 

Unless you don't want to bake a gay wedding cake.

 

 

 

LOL!! That whole issue with the cake gets me whipped up!! I can't believe they don't have the right to refuse them! But I guess that has nothing to do with hunting, so I will just keep quiet....

[CouesWhitetail]

 

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I appreciate where you all are coming from, both pro and con. And just for clarification, my intent was not to "ban" non-hunting politics, but just remind people what the original intent of that subforum was and try to refocus our efforts in that regard. There will always be non-hunting related politics that are going to be discussed here. I am not really planning to start removing non-hunting political talk unless it just seems to get overwhelming. I assumed a gentle reminder about the original intent of that subforum would suffice. Lately it seems that the political section has gotten so far removed from the purpose of this website, which is to provide a positive place where hunters can gather and discuss hunting and related issues. I also want this website to be a place that unites hunters rather than dividing them and it seems many political discussions can be divisive.

 

I get many reports of people who don't enjoy visiting the forum anymore because of the almost constant political discussions that have nothing to do with hunting. And personally I find that even I don't want to visit as often because of all the non-stop politics. So I can sympathize with the people who have told me the same thing. I have been thinking about this for quite some time now, probably more than a year. It's never been part of my vision for CouesWhitetail.com to become a place for non-stop politics unrelated to hunting. It just doesn't seem to fit with my core goals for the site. I find it hard to believe that there are not better websites where hot button political issues are discussed more in depth. I appreciate that many people are passionate about all politics, but it's just not my passion and it's never been a goal for this forum to have so much world politics. Most people come here to discuss hunting.

 

And no, I didn't delete anyone's content in this subforum. I see that Snapshot went through and removed his content, apparently in protest, although he hasn't spoken to me about it (even though I invited him to call me to discuss this before going public with my request). Of course now that Snapshot removed his content, I will likely have to go through and clean up the subforum so it doesn't contain a bunch of threads with no content. I find it disappointing that he did that since he is a long-time member of this site, but it's his choice. I imagine he is equally disappointed in my request to refocus the political section on hunting related discussions. I can't be all things to all people and in the end I have to go with my vision for the site. Snapshot, you are still welcome to call me, even if you just want to tell me how wrong I am. You have my number.

 

While I fully resepect your vision and you know I have been supporter of this site for a few years. I just have to say, the people that gave you reports that they dont visit as often because of the political section???

I have to call BS on that. They are NOT being honest with you or themsleves. There are 70 sub-forums on CWT.com, they are free to click on whatever sections they want. I dont think I have ever checked-out the Buffalo hunting forum or the outfitter section in all the years I have been a member... This is my choice...

 

Bottom line is this is YOUR web-site Amanda and YOU make the rules. It is The MEMBERS who, for better or worse, make it the way it is.

Go to most any other outdoor web-site, view the comments and you will find CWT.com stands way above the pack in terms of respect given to all, from the newest members to the old timers.

 

This is a function of your work Amanda, and the Admins you have. But a higher result is also due to the Members and their willingness to share their thoughts and experences, in a respectfull manner( for the most part, there have been personal attacks that get shut-down quickly)

You can't please everyone and nor should you try. You have given us a site and frame-work where not only the members can share their outdoor adventures, but also ask questions to folks that share a common passion, questions about everything from unit info to whats for diner. They may not like the answer, or they may disagree with it, but again, that is Life...

 

In my opinion, CWT.com is by far the BEST outdoor site out there, so many sub-forums covering all types of wildlife, core members with 1000's of years of experence, in the field and in Life....

 

Thank You again Amanda, Admins and Members for making CWT.com what it is... The BEST site on the Web...

 

 

Thank you for your kind comments, I appreciate them and I appreciate your contributions to the site.

 

As to calling BS on other people, you might understand their point of view better if you knew they used the "View New Content" button. That displays a list of all topics that are active (meaning new posts have been added). And so in order to see which active threads they want to read, they have to review all the topic titles. And with many of the political topics, there are lots of replies to them, which means they are continually brought to the top of the View New Content list. So when people see threads related to politics over and over in the View New Content, they get tired of it. So yes, while people can choose not to open them, they can't really ignore the titles and often those titles are very inflammatory and designed to get attention, so they are very hard to ignore.

[Guest oneshot]

We sometimes talk about politics around "The Campfire".

 

Things said around my campfires may not be agreeable to fans of tofo munching, glitter pony dancer, PC kumbi ya wizz-nuts...

But they would be Welcome to hang with the Men who live by "Big Boy" rules, in the corner or in the circle, their choice...

[Guest oneshot]

That "view new content" feature is the most used excuse for removing a political section from alot of sites it seems.

 

But I still call BS on it...

 

Hehehe Amanda, we may disagree, I still love Ya like a Sister, but less then I love bacon...

 

Speaking of bacon, is there anything better then bacon from a Mexican meat market???

[Guest wdenike]

Amanda,

 

 

I would not want your job!!! But your members will help ya separate the wheat from the chaff. The loud mouth minority will always try to make ya believe they are the majority, it has been their way for ever. But little by little the silent majority is beginning a very subtle rumbling. I hope more speak out and make your job easier. You have a pretty special site.

 

 

 

Take care, Willie

[trphyhntr]

you know who doesn't eat bacon....

[scoutm]

I have to call BS on that. They are NOT being honest with you or themsleves.

 

 

Unless you can read minds, I really don't think you are in a position to call BS on this.

 

At the risk of being flamed by the more recent negative toned responses that have become common place on this site, I am one of the people who contacted Amanda and voiced my concerns.

 

First in that the Politics have been dominating the board, second for the negative attitude that it has generated in all threads and for what I found deeply hateful and offensive discussion you started.

 

Yes I didn't need to read any of them but so often the members of this board espouse the principles of Family, Faith and Friends how could I not when a third of my family is Christian, a third Bahi'a and yes a third Muslim. Although none of us are what would be called active practitioners we do identify our selves by our born into faiths. What you were advocating for is essentially the extermination of a third of my family.

 

Further, the political topics and negative / confrontational responses associated with them along with an overall increased level of negativity towards Members, Game and Fish Department and many other entities this site has diminished in not only my eyes but in many others.

 

I've been a member for 8 years. For years this was the only forum I ever visited and it was the first thing I checked in the morning and the last thing I checked evening. I was more interested in checking the new active posts then I was my own email. There was a day where I read every post now I hardly read 20%. Additionally, I now frequent two other forums and CWT.com has become the last one I check. On those other forums there are no political discussions and the tone of those forums are nothing but positive - kinda like CWT.com use to be.

 

Now I fully expect to be flamed for this but I speak the truth as I and many others see it. I'm sure I will be called a whiner, a liberal and I'm sure much worse but know this I don't care what is said because I know where I stand, I know who I am and I know I live my life in accordance with with my faith and in doing that I had an obligation to register my concerns and complaint.

 

Flame away!

 

Larry

[5guyshunting]

Shhhhh. Your not allowed to talk about that any more.

[Guest oneshot]

Since this seems to be dirrected at me, I will reply...

 

You say you didnt read the comments on the topics I have posted about islam, but you say I want to "exterminate' 1/3 of your family"...

 

You should have been honest with yourself and read them before contacting Amanda with your complaints, I was pointing out the horrors of ISLAM, and it's need to be stopped, not calling for the death of muslims or inciteing violence...

 

So now some of the Truth is coming out...

 

You dont like differing opinions, things arent like they "used to be" and You dont like it... Fine ScoutM, it is a Good thing to have an opinion, but to silence others is not a good thing either...

 

Amanda can do as she pleases, her site, her rules, I respect that...

[creed]

Unfortunately whether we like it or not politics affects every facet of our lives including hunting. This country is in the shape it is in right now because of political apathy.