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Can we please keep politics out of discussions....

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Ben Herrmann

Ben Herrmann

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--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political), pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors, etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

 
I hadn't noticed much on this group of forums. But you can hardly be surprised to see it. Times have indeed changed and it appears that you particularly are living in an increasingly polarised society (no pun and not a photographiic term). Hopefully this is just a phase and is indeed a good thing, it reflects the awakening of the nation, and not before time. The rest of the world sorely needs it.
 
For the US, making comments against GWB offends EVERYONE that voted for him. That is no small percentage of people (myself included) So let's just leave it alone here at DPR. Same goes for being anti-ANYTHING.

As my momma once said: "If you can't say something nice about someone, say nothing". There is a REASON for that!

Ted
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us
 
For Americans who value the Constitution, making comments against anyone, regardless of how one voted, is welcomed. Civil debate is always preferred but claiming that disputing the policies the GWB is offensive is a clear sign that no small percentage of the American public is bonkers. Just an extenstion of the no good Hatfield and McCoy tribalism.
Ted B. said:
As my momma once said: "If you can't say something nice about
someone, say nothing". There is a REASON for that!

Ted
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad
photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us
Click to expand...
 
OUR constitution does not apply. Offending people here is uncalledfor. Period. Unless it's about cameras. Lets stay "on topic", ok?

Ted
Sonyad said:
Ted B. said:
As my momma once said: "If you can't say something nice about
someone, say nothing". There is a REASON for that!

Ted
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad
photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us
 
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
 
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
 
You equated offensiveness to mean any comment against a person you voted for and implied that anyone who voted for the same person wouldl not tolerate any criticism of his policies. Although quite a number of Americans are narrowminded, not all of us are and I for one don't want to be labeled as such.

Back to cameras, got any recommendations for choosing between a Panasonic fZ1 or an Olympus 750?
Ted B. said:
OUR constitution does not apply. Offending people here is
uncalledfor. Period. Unless it's about cameras. Lets stay "on
topic", ok?

Ted
Click to expand...
 
Patrick's right. This is an open forum on photography, pertaining to whatever you wish to talk about, filters for instance. Now if it were called, Off Topic Discussion, then that would be different.

Even the news discussion forum is misunderstood. It's not about current events, it's about the news in the photography world and specifically the news that Phil posts.

Now as to this particular thread, I use analogies all the time and if I feel like making a political analogy then I'm going to do it. Quit being such a **** just because you have an opinion. You are not a moderator here. You have no power here. You are just one of many here. Sheeshhhh, some people go to a bar long enough they think they own the place.
Patrick Martin said:
Open Talk is for open talk about photography, not open talk about
whatever you feel like. Check the forum description. Phil has
chimed in many times on this point, and lately (thankfully) has
started to pull the worst of the threads.

--
Patrick Martin
http://www.patrickmartin.com
Click to expand...
 
Ted B. said:
As my momma once said: "If you can't say something nice about
someone, say nothing". There is a REASON for that!

Ted
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Is that the same GWB that made sure he was nowhere near the frontline
when he served his country LOL you should not be able to elect someone

who was to scared to put his own life in danger but does not mind doing the same to others.
Ted B.47613 said:
Ted B.47613 said:
IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad
photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us
Click to expand...
 
I made a very similar post on this very subject in this forum about 10 days ago. It lasted about two days before it was deleted. Hope yours has a longer shelf life than mine did here in the good ol' "Open Talk" forum.
 
Discussing photography can legitimately take us into all sorts of applications and impacts, such as the current issue on photographing returning coffins from Iraq.

What the original poster overlooked is that these types of topics are related to the art and social impact of photography, as well as politics. That was my intent of agreeing with him over on the news forum but disagreeing with him here.

Sure, bringing up any old political topic just to start an argument wouldn't fit here, but at the same time don't try to draw too hard a boundry....

-gt
Patrick Martin said:
Open Talk is for open talk about photography, not open talk about
whatever you feel like. Check the forum description. Phil has
chimed in many times on this point, and lately (thankfully) has
started to pull the worst of the threads.

--
Patrick Martin
http://www.patrickmartin.com
Click to expand...
 
the discussions stayed with topics like, should you take photos of coffins and publish them, then that would be one thing. But tempers over the war are so heated that ALL of those conversations quickly degenerate into arguments over the war.

I vote for no discussion of Iraq, the war, Rumsfeld, Bush, Kerry, or anything else. Very little related to photography (even the larger social impacts you mention) winds up getting intelligently discussed.

--
Patrick Martin
http://www.patrickmartin.com
 
Political threads do not survive. Whilst they might start off on a freindly-foot, it takes no time for a handful of individuals to heat it up and take it to its extreme, where others can do nothing but complain in disgust of the phobic rants that usually follow.

Is it polite for us to force Phil into spending yet more time moderating threads that have plain and simply nothing to do with photography?

We still see political threads concerning cameras, and they are normally hidden within a particular forum, like Fuji, or Kodak.

Let's not spoil things for this site and each other.

I hope Phil chimes in and reitterates his perspective.

Thanks for reading!
 
Ben Herrmann said:
Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.
Click to expand...
You could make a start by choosing a new signature file.

You will probably deny that displaying the US flag in such a way is a political act. But that will just be another political statement.
 
There is nothing wrong with having a flag in a signature file. It is only political if you make it so.
Gerry
dmchodge said:
Derek Hodge said:
Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.
Click to expand...
You could make a start by choosing a new signature file.

You will probably deny that displaying the US flag in such a way is
a political act. But that will just be another political statement.
Click to expand...
--

 
Wow I agree with Ted B. again! And I did not even vote for GWB... I voted for Gore, and I am an Independant... but I hate people who bash Bush or bash the Iraqi war without having their facts in order. Why don't people get it.... the USA is at war with terrorists who are trying to kill us. Iraq was a threat, although many people do not seem to realize it. This is very serious to many, many Americans. Bush is trying to do the right thing. If people post political things that are full of propoganda, I am not going to just sit by and let it go by unanswered. Plus you have to expect a little bit of overenthusiatic political debate on an election year... and especially this one since the county (and world for that matter) is so divided right now. Passions run wild lately (as they should). I am going to bet that the voter turnout in the next election will be the largest turnout in US history!

Regards,
Sean
Ted B. said:
As my momma once said: "If you can't say something nice about
someone, say nothing". There is a REASON for that!

Ted
Ben Herrmann said:
--Hello All:

IMO this really needs to be addressed. Like countless thousands
across the globe, I spend quite a bit of time cruising among the
various forums, and I've made my fair share of postings. But I must
say that I have tired of postings that may have began as a photo
question, or of the posting of images...only to have them turn into
political diatribes.

Politics now-a-days has really changed from 20 - 40 years ago. It
used to be that folks could disagree politically and then still go
out and be friends, have a few beers, and whatever. But times have
changed. Today, having an opposing political viewpoint makes you
suspect. Folks view you as having something inherently wrong with
you (well at least many do). The end result is that individuals who
used to respect one another for their savy at taking photos, are
now looked upon with disdain.

Look at the many postings on these forums that have become
political - and then read as people banter back and forth. And what
does it result in? Tempers, more disagreements - just what we don't
need.

So when I see postings that either start out political, or if a
person posts a photo (and somehow it turns political),
pleasssseeeee - keep politics out of it all. Curb your urge to get
a cheap shot in. Let's stay friends and discuss items relevant to
what these forums are all about - photography, artistic endeavors,
etc.

Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.

A great weekend to all...

Click to expand...
--
Good photography comes with experience. Experience comes from bad
photography.

TJB



My Website: http://svphoto.us
Click to expand...
 
If someone wants to post a flag in his sig... so be it. What is wrong with that??
G. Gray said:
dmchodge said:
G. Gray said:
Just a letter of concern from one who is sick of politics - but
desirous of wanting to learn more about photography.
Click to expand...
You could make a start by choosing a new signature file.

You will probably deny that displaying the US flag in such a way is
a political act. But that will just be another political statement.
Click to expand...
--

Click to expand...
 
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