War Talk in these forums.

[pete]

War is all over the News & Internet. Should it be here too?

I know all these posts about the War get me down. In fact I am not visiting the forums as much as a result & I know others must feel the same.

Mainly because I am seeing a lot of one sided commentary - almost a 'let's go get 'em!' attitude without considering the realities involved & with little scepticism to 3rd rate news services reports - like Fox News

[BFMF]

I don't mind discussions about war as long as people can be civil about it

[Hagar]

I have always come here to escape reality. If I want to discuss the war, which I don't, there must be plenty of sites dedicated to the subject. There is also 24-hour live coverage on TV if you are inclined to watch it. The very idea of a Dedicated War forum on Simviation appals me. Can you imagine the amount of weirdos with no interest in SimV or flight simming that would attract?

I have a great deal of respect for all the regulars here. Even if their political beliefs are completely opposite to my own I regard them as my friends. I have my own strong views on this war but would not express them out of respect for their feelings. I know from experience that whatever I say will not change anyone's mind & that I would be in danger of losing their respect & friendship.

No thanks Pete. Let's keep this a fun forum.

[DougC-3]

I think it's a tough question, Pete, and I'm glad I'm not in your shoes on this one.

[ATI_7500]

i've voted for "doesn't matter". no,please don't kick me! *runsaway*

[ozzy72]

I think maybe we should ban it Pete, as I reported the Tornado being shot down incident as I thought this would be important for us as aviation fanatics, and people used it to turn it into an American bashing session, even though I'd put in the message not to.
Probably best to loose the war talk and get back to flying.

Mark

[Rifleman]

I usually keep my opinions to meself on matters that can turn ugly in the wave of a hand, but in this case, let me throw in my two cents worth.....we all come here from, because and due, to an interest in flying and operating virtual A/C......we need to view the war as what it is......ITS REAL.....lets leave it in the REAL world and do all our flying here with an interest in aviation and not Global Politics...its no different to RELIGION, as far being controversial...and how many wars has that subject been involved in ?......Lets fly guys, and keep our heads occupied in the cockpit we are flying,...What makes us meek beings think that we can solve the problems of the world with our opinions......bigger powers than us are working on i t and not having such an easy time with it.......lets leave it to them to deal with, and we can continue dealing with our fine distractions of reality in our virtual space here..........oh yeh,

[Whitey]

Ban them...it's that simple.  All political posts used to be locked in a flash...why should it be any different now?

[BFMF]

How about allow discussions on war, but restrict the politics side of it? Some people may have genuine questions concerning a certain aspect of a war

I know WW2 and vietnam has always been a popular and fascinating discussion ( Atleast it has always interests me), would that fall under your catagory?

[ozzy72]

I think the "historical" wars are okay to debate, as they are over and done with, and the issues resolved one way or another. Although I'm sure for people like Romulus (a Vietnam vet.) it can be difficult (as someone who survived the first Gulf War and Irelands terrorism problems, including my own family I know), and we should be sensitive to the fact that a number of people here are veterans of various wars, but on the whole I think our historical debates tend to be positive, and frequently educational. I am often amazed at some of the things I learn here!
The trouble is that the current Gulf War is just that, current, in a years time when its all over, the dust has settled, and people have had time to reflect and feel less passionate about what is happening, then I'm sure it will be a welcome topic here. I locked off my Tornado topic because it was upsetting a number of our American members, and it shouldn't have. I clearly stated that no-one was to blame. War has its cock-ups unfortunately. Believe me I've seen them with my own two mince-pies!!!

Mark

[Fozzer]

[quote]Ban them...it's that simple.

[Iroquois]

[quote]Ban them...it's that simple.

[4_Series_Scania]

This is a real problem.......

What aspect of this would we possibly ban?
How would we possibly impose it?
I'm not going to be starting any threads about this war , I've always loved to "get away from it all" by visiting this forum. Alas, I often post screen shots, would I fall foul of any therotical ban by posting a screen shot of a Tornado / A-10 / F18 / F16 etc
I've used CFS2 recently, got some great screenies of Harriers & Tornado's, I want to post them in honour of the R.A.F. (Being British as I am.....) however, I feel in the current climate that simply would'nt be right to any Iraqi users of this site.
We need to remember this is a worldwide site.

Politics is a certain no go for these forums.
I feel some guidelines need to be drawn up with regard to this war and what can and cannot be posted about it.

I think we need to keep a lid on the topic in general, perhaps trying to focus on what can make two people to be great friends via the web yet quite possibly be opposing each other in a war.


I hope mankind can work this out, I'm damned if I can.

Praying for a safer world.
Paul.

[BFMF]

I think the "historical" wars are okay to debate, as they are over and done with, and the issues resolved one way or another. Although I'm sure for people like Romulus (a Vietnam vet.) it can be difficult (as someone who survived the first Gulf War and Irelands terrorism problems, including my own family I know), and we should be sensitive to the fact that a number of people here are veterans of various wars, but on the whole I think our historical debates tend to be positive, and frequently educational. I am often amazed at some of the things I learn here!

I agree. Don't allow any discussions on the current war for a while.

And also, As long as we're civil, I think we should still allow topics on previous wars like WW1 & WW2 which are fascinating, because i've sure learned a lot!

I can't remember ever seeing a WW2 discussion get locked from a flame war, they're mostly locked from getting too big!

[Hagar]

Ozzy took the words right out of my mouth. My vote was purely on the current war in Iraq & the media circus surrounding it. That's how I read the question in Pete's original topic.

As an amateur historian I often discuss various aspects of WWII & other past events. This is history, not current affairs, although I am fully aware that even dicussing something that happened many years ago can awaken unpleasant memories for some. I see no objection to Scania posting his shots of military aircraft providing they're not accompanied by emotional comments on the current situation. I know he & most regulars are mature enough not to do that without me mentioning it.

All I ask is that you remember that flight simming is an international hobby. All nationalities have traditionally been made welcome here. Long may it continue.