09-01-2007, 07:44 PM

The US government is on a ‘burning platform’ of unsustainable policies and practices with fiscal deficits, chronic healthcare underfunding, immigration and overseas military commitments threatening a crisis if action is not taken soon, the country’s top government inspector has warned.
David Walker, comptroller general of the US, issued the unusually downbeat assessment of his country’s future in a report that lays out what he called “chilling long-term simulations”.
Drawing parallels with the end of the Roman empire, Mr Walker warned there were “striking similarities” between America’s current situation and the factors that brought down Rome, including “declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government”. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/80fa0a2c-4...0779fd2ac.html

Were firmly on a course to be a third world dump.

09-01-2007, 07:46 PM

What's the deal with the sudden influx of politically based threads? Can't we just talk about Macs?

This sound like SPAM to me.

09-02-2007, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by baggss

What's the deal with the sudden influx of politically based threads? Can't we just talk about Macs?

This sound like SPAM to me.

It's in the Anything Goes forum. I've seen no rules against political threads.

If you don't like the thread or it's subject, don't read it.

09-02-2007, 08:16 AM

well really this has been a relatively politic free forum. i know this is the Anything goes forum, but not a lot of us want to discuss politics. there is too much. let's keep religion and politics out of a computer forum.

09-02-2007, 11:48 AM

I tend to agree. I'd prefer to see this forum essentially politics and religion free. I have plenty of opportunities to discuss politics outside of here. Geez I live in the DC area! I don't need politics here too.

09-02-2007, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by knightlie

It's in the Anything Goes forum. I've seen no rules against political threads.

If you don't like the thread or it's subject, don't read it.

i agree. and so far as long as the threads remain civilized, we've been able to enjoy some level of reasonable debate.

also, the title is suitably detailed enough to warn those who don't want anything to do with political discussion.

either way, it's old news.

09-02-2007, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by fearlessfreap24

well really this has been a relatively politic free forum. i know this is the Anything goes forum, but not a lot of us want to discuss politics. there is too much. let's keep religion and politics out of a computer forum.

So it's "Anything goes, except subjects some people don't want to read."

Banning discussion of certain subjects sounds a great idea, until you try to implement it - who is to say how far the subject of "politics" extends? What about a political debate concerning internet regulation? DRM?

I repeat - if you don't like the subject, you can easily ignore it. No-one is forcing politics down anybody's throat here.

09-02-2007, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by baggss

What's the deal with the sudden influx of politically based threads? Can't we just talk about Macs?

This sound like SPAM to me.

I agree with baggss. This *is* MAC-Forums overall and the audience is here because they have or are interested in Macs.

Discussion of politics tends to bring out the worst in people quickly. I would gently chide one of the respondents for their tone. Not rude, just not friendly. baggss is entitled to his opinions, and I for one agree with him on this matter. I suspect many others do as well.

As one who is guilty of having just yesterday posted a comment on a thread about politicians, I will make it a point to cease and desist. Henceforth, this is a Mac Forum, at least for me.

09-02-2007, 01:12 PM

I have no problems with people opting not to post in political threads. That's your choice. But I think that as long as ANY thread remains civil, intelligent, and "PG-rated", then members who do wish to discuss politics should be able to discuss nearly anything in Anything Goes.

I do find it ridiculous that some people can't discuss politics without resorting to personal attacks though. So I would like to see a few more threads remain on topic. Overall though, this forum has much fewer flaming, personal attacks, and angry members than most forums, so I'd say this is one of the better places to discuss politics. For instance, how many times do have you seen someone call another person a "fanboy" on this site? I've barely seen any of it, but that's one of the most popular terms to call people who disagree with you on most forums.

09-02-2007, 01:57 PM

Our current policy is that anything can be discussed in anything goes, as long as it doesn't violate the forum rules.

So if you want to talk politics - go ahead.

BUT! Keep it to a debate - not a name calling session and respect each other's opinions.

We will close threads if necessary.

Happy discussing!

09-02-2007, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by knightlie

So it's "Anything goes, except subjects some people don't want to read."

Banning discussion of certain subjects sounds a great idea, until you try to implement it - who is to say how far the subject of "politics" extends? What about a political debate concerning internet regulation? DRM?

I repeat - if you don't like the subject, you can easily ignore it. No-one is forcing politics down anybody's throat here.

You misunderstand my motives.

We've had a fair amount of politically motivated topics here, most of which have ended up being closed. I have no heartburn with the subject, just that in the end these things inevitably end badly. In a place that strives for harmony, topics like this are generally a bad idea, but there have been some exception.

As for who has the say, it's the staff. Period.

I simply voiced my opinion, I have done so in the past when politics becomes a topic. We'll see how this thread plays out. I will note that we are 11 posts in and no one has actually discussed the topic at hand. The fact that about half the thread agrees that politics is slippery slope in a place like this says a lot.

09-02-2007, 03:35 PM

sorry I posted it. I usually wouldn't post anything political, but I thought this was an interesting article.

09-03-2007, 03:05 PM

I don't even see why we discussion has to become "political" or at least only political. The quote mentions the government's role as part of this decline he's seeing, but that's not the end-all reason, and the eventual downfall of a large nation cannot be put on the shoulders of less than 8 years of leadership.

Sometimes people are too quick to blame difficult problems on political differences and sometimes poor decisions are made due to political motivations. People really need to focus less on the politics and more on the issues for what they are and the solutions that are best for everyone despite political differences.