Politics and PC

by Scott. on Jul 12, 2007 5:09 PM EDT

I applaud the members of this site who are usually pretty good at refraining from political commentary, as tempting as it often is, but every once in a while I see something that really irks me. Maybe I'm flying solo here, or maybe you think I'm being hypersensitive, but every political comment I've read on this site leans in one direction, while I unabashedly lean the other. Until now, I've resisted my instinct to respond in kind because I don't want to see this site turn into one of the plethora of existing sites that have devolved into virtual foghorns, blasting out non-constructive, vitriolic rhetoric that unnecessarily exasperates the country's political divide. I imagine others feel the same and have similarly decided to keep quiet. But my life is deluged with enough legal/political discussion/debate as it is, and the Podium Cafe is one place I visit regularly to escape all that ugliness and have some fun.

So please folks, don't ruin that.

Okay, excoriate away.

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Actually

please don't excoriate away. As many readers know, SportsBlogsNation is a side project of the Daily Kos folks, the mutha of all lefty blogs. Presumably a number of people here arrived via DailyKos... but as I've said from time to time, we're here to talk cycling, not politics. Mostly, I really, really, really don't want to know anyone's politics, because like a pretty huge percentage of the country I care deeply about such things and it doesn't take much to poison the atmosphere. I'm happy to discuss Cycling with people of all political leanings... and I mean ALL. Hope others feel the same, and I think as tempting as it is to make political jokes sometimes, we'd be better off refraining. This isn't a gag order, just something to consider.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 12, 2007 5:39 PM EDT reply actions

p.s.

Do I sound like Rick in Casablanca? I don't want my bar shut down just because Paul Henreid has to sing La Marseillaise.

Note to Oscar Pereiro: we'll always have Paris.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 12, 2007 6:00 PM EDT reply actions

I appreciate the polite reminder, Scott

While I'm never one to shy away from a political knock down, even for the sport of it, it rarely accomplishes anything (especially these days). So I'm quite happy to actively avoid those discussions here. That said, I think PC folks can all survive (and even appreciate) the occasional amusing jab without it ruining things.

by Sui Juris on Jul 12, 2007 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

With the intellectual talent this site obviously attracts, I'm sure there are many who don't typically shy away, including moi. Sometimes though, and more often nowadays then ever, I feel completely burnt out from "political sport," so when I come here for a little escapism, the last thing I want to read is more of the same sort of jabs I get bombarded with elsewhere in my life.

I'll live. No biggie. Thanks for listening.

Peace & pineapples,

by Scott. on Jul 12, 2007 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the heated discussions

over the merits of Robbie versus AleJet (aka weezie). Too many good characters have been in political flame wars to add any more.

-K-

by KevinK on Jul 12, 2007 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

I like peace and pineapples

among other things. Excellent request that I'm sure everyone will do their best to honor.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled bike race.

"Ive learned that life is one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead"

by Drew on Jul 13, 2007 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

I have beliefs,

but do people really care about politics. I know I don't that is why I am here.
Thanks Scott.

by CannonDowell on Jul 13, 2007 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

Five topics

After our club rides we will sometimes stop for coffee. OK, almost always stop for coffee. We have a list of five approved topics for discussion. Suffice it to say that politics is not one of them.

Things just work out better that way.

by johnw on Jul 13, 2007 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

Politics

is a great topic for discussion at campaign rallies, fundraisers, political offices, and on the floor of the House or Senate. Also at political websites, and if you can stand it, one of those screaming TV shows. That's about all I can think of.

I lived in DC for the better part of a decade, and I can tell you, after a year, I was done talking politics in public. If even those people don't want to talk about it in their spare time, why should anyone else?

The genius of the polit-blogs is everyone can talk as much as they want in the time frame that suits them. And the rest of the world can get on with life.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 13, 2007 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd have agreed with that basic

approach a number of years ago. But then some folks had to go and make an election issue out of my most fundamental rights and personal relationships. So now I'm a little less concerned about what makes them comfortable.

by Sui Juris on Jul 13, 2007 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions