A recent thread - in which I thought an entirely civil, and IMO also friendly exchange of ideas - was locked recently.
 
Personally, I make a distinction between "politics" which is indeed toxic (and i agree needs to be banned) and "public policy" which is only vaguely related.
 
I would apologize to any who disagree on this characterization, but I like to believe people can have productive, non-toxic, respectful discussions on public policy. Yes, even where we disagree on things.
 
I also believe that the problem with problem with politics is that the exact sort of difficult questions we were discussing are ignored in place of superficial vitriol.
 
You are of course welcome to differ. 

Well, at least in the US *the law* is inextricably woven into the fabric of poly ticks.  So when discussing legal concepts sometimes it overlaps.  I feel the monitors can run the forum any way they wish. :D:D

eph221
  I feel the monitors can run the forum any way they wish. :D:D

Yep. Lock a civil conversation while a video to laugh about- kids toys that look like dicks is not....anyway they wish is right.

Yes, some people have serious hang ups.  The mods can't satisfy everyone, just those with common sense.

drewfx1
A recent thread - in which I thought an entirely civil, and IMO also friendly exchange of ideas - was locked recently.
 
Personally, I make a distinction between "politics" which is indeed toxic (and i agree needs to be banned) and "public policy" which is only vaguely related.
 
I would apologize to any who disagree on this characterization, but I like to believe people can have productive, non-toxic, respectful discussions on public policy. Yes, even where we disagree on things.
 
I also believe that the problem with problem with politics is that the exact sort of difficult questions we were discussing are ignored in place of superficial vitriol.
 
You are of course welcome to differ. 

+1 Drew
I agree.
 
That thread was locked because a few had complained.......apparently a civil discussion is not everyone's cup of tea.  

eph221
Yes, some people have serious hang ups.  The mods can't satisfy everyone, just those with common sense.

No doubt.
 
I regret coming back to this forum thinking I would enjoy conversing with musicians. Easy fix.

The entire thread was not a civil conversation about "public policy."  one post from someone bringing a particular political viewpoint (or anything else for that matter) can trigger a violation ruining an entire thread for everyone.
 
comparisons with other threads which "got away with something" are irrelevant.  "the mods" can't and don't want to police every single post.

The distinction between politics and public policy is a distinction without a difference. Most of us could get just as angry about an abstract discussion regarding a policy, as  about supporting a particular party or person who espouses that polity. To the extent that a political choice is anything other than a personality cult or beauty contest, and I think for most of us it is, then the heart of politics is policy. It is not the politician who is the devil or a saint, it is the fiendish or godly beliefs he (or she) promulgates and threatens or promises to make us accept. 
 
There are other places to fight about policy.

No politics, no religion, enjoy!  'Tis the mantra I like to follow.
 
(And, no, I'm not one of the complainers - ever.  I just know that there are many layers to the onion of reality and neither politics nor religion are at the top so arguing about either is pointless.  )

I have a car insurance policy.