War Talk in these forums.

[BFMF]

Try teaching teenage brats and not developing an unhealth interest in seeing their claret

What is that?

[Smoke2much]

Claret is London slang for blood.

I think what Ozzy is trying to say that teaching teenagers is bringing out his aggressive side lol.

Will

[ozzy72]

Yer not wrong there Will.
I did get some funny looks from my boss when I proposed bring back crucifixion for the non-production of homework! And death by being fed feet first to a crocodile for truancy.
I feel that both of these are highly motivational techniques for students to learn!

Mark

[pete]

OK - the vote has been cast ... & proven that this is a subject out of line with these forums.


NO MORE POLITICS PLEASE.

Discussion of history is another matter entirely but the end of this thread has just about summed up every reason to avoid politics - because what some people think is acceptable - others see as extreme & naive political views.........


I am un locking this now but please accept the overall wishes of the people here & post political views elsewhere.  There is a whole world out there for that.

Postings referring to specific air activity will be allowed but not political posts on this Iraq war.

Thanks.

[pete]

Democracy at work. It's good to see. Freedom of choice exercised by the masses of free thinking individuals, under no duress to support or reject any idea.

I'm proud that the system works

How can anyone, now say that those in this forum are not a conscienscious and considerate group who regard these things (which other forums disregard) as important and worth protecting.
I mean, 38 people who really care (5 of whom vote "doesn't matter"), can't be wrong. Thanks for your input all.

P.S. I may be naive or just plain stupid but I really do need someone to clarify the forum meaning of (or for) "politics". For instance, is the UN a political organisation, given that EVERY posting there is politically decided and motivated by GOVERNMENTS that wish the views of the people who elect them to be represented in the internatuonal forum (and rightly so).
Is the UN now a banned subject and also, as I pointed out previously, the susidising of wheat farmers in the U.S.

[Oso]

Sorry you feel that way Bren. In the meantime I am sitting here eating a McDonalds burger made from Aussie imported meat, in Texas - a cattle producing State, wondering "What's the beef"?

[pete]

Glad you like our meat Oso.................

I couldn' give a hoot about the US wheat subsidy. I'm pretty sure, neither could anyone else here. That's my point. It's pure politics but it's not likely to become a controversial subject, is it?

Hence the question.

If I was to post about, say, the starving millions in Africa and voice opinions with regard to the great work done by World Vision, Care International and such agencies, would my post be deleted or locked? It's more "political" than any war.

Anyway, doesn't matter so much I suppose. I am in agreeance with the banning of posts referring to the current conflict. In fact, I agree with banning (or at least deterring) any post which could cause upset or distress to anyone. Just let's not call them "political" because it's an expeditious way to have them excluded, deal with them each as they arrive. Anything else is oppressive.  ;D

[DougC-3]

Brensec said,

I couldn' give a hoot about the US wheat subsidy. I'm pretty sure, neither could anyone else here. That's my point. It's pure politics but it's not likely to become a controversial subject, is it?

I think you've hit upon it here... the key word is "controversial."  I think we're using the word "politics" as a short way to convey the meaning "controversial politics."  And "offensive" would of course be another key word.  You wouldn't be likely to offend too many people with your discussion of wheat subsidies.  

But you couldn't really count on even that.  It's amazing how diverse the people are who visit this site.  A lot of these no doubt just monitor the forums in passing and don't become members.  A few of those Aussie wheat farmers are probably bush pilots and may be monitoring this as we speak, and I'm sure a few American farmers have a Stearman in their barn .  In fact there's a farmer 30 miles south of here who has two or three old bip'es and putts about over his pastures .

I've always thought I was pretty good at putting myself in other people's shoes, being aware of their feelings and able to avoid offending them, but we all mess up from time to time.  If this happens we can just apologize and move on.

Once when we were talking about the new laws in Greece banning computers and internet use, etc., it reminded me of the way Pol Pot's regime struck out against all technology, education, etc., and I foolish said that on the forums.  A little thought on my part would have told me that I might offend Greek members, but I was really suprised when a French-Cambodian member pointed out that the Pol Pot regime was a whole different ballpark.  (1.7 million in that small country died under his rule .  I didn't "know from" Pol Pot.)

We probably all have a pretty good common-sense feeling for what is likely to offend, and that is what we're getting at here (not just "all politics"), and IMHO the world would be a better place if we would all learn to see things from diverse viewpoints and imagine what it's like to be in the other person's shoes.

[Oso]

Well, I was probably not the only one offended by the US bashing. But I was one of the most vocal about it. I am a typical "Bullheaded Yank"!

I do not mind discussions about the right or wrong of American ways. For instance Bren brought up the wheat subsidies a couple times before i even responded - and only then because I thought I had a good smart ass comment to make. I did not take offense.

My point is that I for one, do not believe it is what is said - it is how it is couched. Most forget that in the written word voice inflection and volumn is lost. So that your opinion should be phrased in a manner so that the reader does not apply mistaken ideas about anger or insult. (Ozzy prolly could splain this better).

You want to tell me how low your opinion of Bush is? Ok. Just phrase it so that I realize it is in jest or in a friendly manner - rather than an attack. And do not take offense if I reciprocate.

I believe I am just trying to say - that among friends - anything can be said if all the proper rules of civility are observed and proper manners displayed. It is a hard thing to do and takes a true wordsmith to do it consistently. I am guilty of the same from time to time. But I think that is what smilies are for - to convey or attach inflection to a sentence or paragraph - to qualify the emotions of the statement.

Not that I am saying you folks are lacking in those graces.

[pete]

Agree 100% Oso.

I've found over time that most people here are thoughtful enough not to risk upsetting anyone, but when there is a need to say anything that may be misconstrued, pretty much everyone does make use of the

[pete]

I can't help myself..............................

There have been 3 topics posted regarding Meigs airport under this forum heading that have popped up in the last day or two.

The motivation, subject matter, complaints and most of the discussion have been POLITICAL. The act was even perpertrated by a POLITICAL figure, the Mayor.

It's controversial and POLITICAL in so far as the decision and action was concerned, but obviously not seen as a subject that requires banning or limiting comment on.

[pete]

[quote]I can't help myself..............................

There have been 3 topics posted regarding Meigs airport under this forum heading that have popped up in the last day or two.

The motivation, subject matter, complaints and most of the discussion have been POLITICAL. The act was even perpertrated by a POLITICAL figure, the Mayor.

It's controversial and POLITICAL in so far as the decision and action was concerned, but obviously not seen as a subject that requires banning or limiting comment on.

[Oso]

Hey Bren. If you want a better understanding on what is going on with Daly - do a search on American "political machines". You will probably see the Daly name pop up more than a few times.

[ozzy72]

Hi guys, well I thought I'd help out here. As Oso has noticed I'm the evil English teacher from hell here and I thought I'd do a quick but informative lesson to help matters, we have to look at where the word 'politics' comes from. It is Latin in origin (like so many words), and is actually derived from 2 words (like so many English words).
Poli - many
Tics - small blood sucking insects.

Hope this helps
Ozzy

[Professor Brensec]

Pete, and All,

Perhaps I have been too pedantic in my quest for clarification. This has only been because of what I saw as people branding something as political simply because it was expeditious to do so (because politics had previously been banned), in order to get it banned.

I'm sorry for pushing it but I just wanted to demonstrate that a "blanket ban" or limitation on politics or such subjects will make it difficult to discuss many things which are by nature, harmless or of no consequence compared to the seriousness of this one "controversial" matter. The airport posts served exactly that purpose.

Thanks for clarifying Pete. I do apologise for any personal consternation.
I, personally, don't think you have to worry if flame wars are going on. Even with the war postings, there weren't any.

That's it from me>  ;D