Restoring Civility in the Barber Shop: A Friendly Warning

[TonyH]

The following post went up this morning in the thread about the US Supreme Court's strip search decision:

"Me personally I find the court to be liberal. You are right 5 are appointed by republican presidents but at least one swings more liberal or democrat than he was thought he would when put up for consideration.

As far as America changing, you are correct but I do not see it swinging more right or conservative. I think these changes are a result of a more liberal agenda which is how we have reached the opinions on this issue.

Is the country so liberal and permissive that now we do not even expect to be searched when arrested. Is that why you cannot believe they ruled this way. When you are arrested you do loose some of your rights..just some mind you. I was surprised they ruled this way but it was correct as for my opinion.

As far as body scanners go, I would imagine that some county in no-where west Texas or even big cities that are failing financially due to other court decisions would have a hard time purchasing these. I got an idea...lets hire a lobbyist to go to congress and push for these to be purchased by the federal government..I bet the manufactures would even pay for his services. After all government doesn't make money, they just take a little more of yours to give the lobbyist what they want after the lobbyist pay them off. "

How are phrases like "liberal agenda" anything but inflammatory? The OP baits an argument by using such language. I have not responded to this thread, as much as I would love to do so, because the last time I pointed out that a thread had taken a political turn, there were...consequences.

If this poster is free to espouse his opinion on the "liberal agenda", may I respond with my own views to the contrary? If not, why not? Is it because his post begins with "Me personally"? Are political diatribes now accepted, so long as the post gets the requisite YMMV on the end?

EDIT:
For the record, yes I did report the post before I came here...several hours ago in fact. I post these questions here because I don't want to risk a ban (like last time) for pointing these things out within the thread, and I know there are other members that are curious as well.

[k2clones29]

Are political diatribes now accepted, so long as the post gets the requisite YMMV on the end?

Completely wrong Tony! It's now YRMV, or didn't you see that post?

[TonyH]

Completely wrong Tony! It's now YRMV, or didn't you see that post?

Ach! How foolish of me!

[_JP_]

Completely wrong Tony! It's now YRMV, or didn't you see that post?

Your Rights May Vary?

[oc_in_fw]

Your Rights May Vary?

No, someone propose changing YMMV to Your Results May Vary.

[Legion]

I still say it should be YKMV - Your Kilometrage May Vary.

[oc_in_fw]

I still say it should be YKMV - Your Kilometrage May Vary.

You guys and your socialistic metric system Seriously, life would be much better metric, but then I couldn't astound and amaze people with my amazing fraction skills

[Borked]

Attack the post, not the poster ?

Otherwise, seeking clarity that healthy, heated, robust debate, even if controversial or opposing the standard line is acceptable (particularly if a citable source to substantiate it is provided) is still acceptable ?

[luvmysuper]

Heated debate is not considered "healthy" here.
If you want a heated debate, do a Google search for debate forums. There are dozens of them out there.
B&B is an oasis away from that.

The "standard line" depends on whose standard we are speaking of, right?

Discussion of most topics are welcome. Arguments, and back and forth between 2 or 3 members in a forum isn't.

It's just not what we do here.

[jansob]

My Dad used to mess with his Canadian friend by asking "Is that temperature in Fahrenheit or Communist?" when talking about the weather.

[Fortitudo Dei]

My Dad used to mess with his Canadian friend by asking "Is that temperature in Fahrenheit or Communist?" when talking about the weather.

To which the best comeback would be to point out that the only countries other than the United States not using the metric system are those two bastions of freedom and democracy, Burma and Liberia :)

[Clovis Man]

I disagree. The governments may indeed use the metric system, but every Brit I have ever asked responded that they THINK in inches, feet, yards, etc.

[Beerhunter]

So I take it that political current event headlines are also off limits?

[Duckster]

So I take it that political current event headlines are also off limits?

From post #1 in this thread:

... To summarize, political discussion is fine, political arguments are not. As always, feel free to PM a moderator should you have any questions.

[oc_in_fw]

So I take it that political current event headlines are also off limits?

In my opinion they are best avoided. Nothing ends gentlemanly discussion like religion and politics.

[Go West Young Man]

In my opinion they are best avoided. Nothing ends gentlemanly discussion like religion and politics.

Agreed. Even B&Bers have proved that they can't have a civil discussion of issues without someone going too far and starting pointless fights.

[oc_in_fw]

Agreed. Even B&Bers have proved that they can't have a civil discussion of issues without someone going too far and starting pointless fights.

Sign of the times. 30 years ago my conservative grandfather pastored a church where half the members worked at Ford and the other ay Chevy. Civil discussion and disagreements existed then. Now if you don't agree with me you hate America.