Political discussion should have the same place on these boards as scientific anomalism, religious fanaticism, or conspiracy theory. A little bit of any these of these can be great fun, perhaps should even be encouraged for its entertainment value, but when it becomes a constant nagging background hum, it becomes as unwelcome as unsolicited commercial advertising. They are topics which breed divisiveness and conflict and attract unpleasant people. I need not make the usual mea culpas about my own participation in some of these catfights, believe me, I embarass myself by even responding to some of these people, much less going after them. Still, you must admit the environment brings out the worst in all of us.
After looking through some of the archived posts on memory lane, reaching back years before I came here, it is pretty obvious this has been going on for a long time and that it has changed little in either tone or substance. I realize my opinions on this topic may not be shared by some of the other posters here--I have repeatedly tried to soften the culture of political conflict with a variety of pleas, requests, whining and downright fits; to no avail. (Remember the Great Moratorium?). Because of my politics I find the the Conservative posters the most annoying and insulting, but the liberals sometimes get on my case too...got that, Bowser? I am also aware that shaming the political posters off the site may only buy peace at the price of blandness. Right now, that's a risk I'm willing to take.
For the record, as far as I'm concerned, the constant emphasis on provocation of political debate, as well as the need to run every post past a gauntlet of PC inspectors for vetting, not to mention the deliberately provocative and often insulting thread-opening posts, is not a free speech issue. It is SPAM, pure and simple. I pay good money for software to keep SPAM out of my mailbox at home, I see no reason why I should come here and be forced to wallow in it. There are plenty of political websites out there where all the political conflict anyone could possibly want is available. And if a majority of the posters here feel differently about it, please let me know so I can follow TB into the outer darkness of the Rim Worlds and leave the rest of you chattering away to your heart's content.