The anti-politics thread

[KeithReynolds]

Some of us on Rockpage dont care about politics or just dont care about arguing about it on the internet. Either way, political threads have taken over on RP. Whats funny, is they dont even have to start as political threads. Politic debates will and have taken over any thread even if its about something else entirely. It died down for a little bit I thought, then came back in full force.

Political debates do nothing but start arguements in groups of people. Why do you want to have ill feelings toward someone because of their political beliefs? Thats all that happens. Some may say "I dont let it affect my friendships" ...but shit guys, Ive seen people rip eachother new assholes here over nothing but beliefs about politics. It gets very heated and nothing once has happened that was GOOD in a political thread.

I know everyone feels strongly about their views, which is good, but talking about politics on Rockpage has been nothing but bad. Im the last one that would try to cripple that whole "Free Speech" thing , but I think too many friendships and other things are damaged or destroyed by having so many political battlegrounds for these people to fight.

If it is an absolute necessity to have politics on Rockpage, have a "POLITCS THREAD". Lets restore Rockpage to be mainly about music, and not another place to argue things that are out of our control.

Is anyone with me?

[Big Jim]

And that is why in my opinion so many of the early Rockpage community visit less often, post infrequently if at all, and have left completely.

It is what it is

[bassist_25]

Well, it comes down to what Ron wants. I will say, however, that I frequent Talkbass quite a bit, as do many other Rockpage regulars, and they have a no politics and no religion policy in the general forums. The forum is probably one of the best forums on the Internet, at least as far as music goes. People get goofy on there, and yes, flame wars do break out on occasion. However, I'd say that 95% of the dialog is very constructive at best and friendly and casual at least. I'm not saying that the no politics and religion policy is a direct causal factor in that. However, it is nice not to have to shift through all of that bullshit either.

[bassist_25]

And that is why in my opinion so many of the early Rockpage community visit less often, post infrequently if at all, and have left completely.

It is what it is

I don't know whether or not that's an influence, but I know it's a big reason why I'm not around that much anymore.

I don't like to be a whiner or a "back in the good ol' days" type of person, but I urge people to look at the older threads on Rockpage. There were a lot of pro and semi-pro level musicians posting, along with production people and serious fans of local live music. Much of the dialog was about music, either on a local or national level. Yes, people talked about off topic subjects, but there wasn't the feces throwing that you read now. I wouldn't mind political discourse so much if there was serious debate, but I lose brain cells when I see some of the "arguments."

Damn, I didn't want to sound like I was whining, but that's what this post sounds like.

[PStl]

yeah, state your case, then get out!

[DogAlpha]

What next? No car talk? No OPRAH Talk? No whatever talk?

Should the subjects be filtered?

I think I come on here because of the variety. And yes the political threads are bullshit sometimes. But, I believe an open forum is the best forum.

If someone doesn't care about political views then skip the thread.

But I must say that a variety of political opinion has created many a good rock song.

Stated... Should I leave now?

[Flaw]

i will say that on rockpage there is a general discussion forum which allows people to talk about what ever people want to talk about. If someone wants to start a political thread so be it, and if you don't want to be involved stay out. Now im sick of the troll like actions of some of the members hijacking threads with simple posts that get the simple minded political debates started. No reason for health care debate starting in a oprah thread, or a basic youtube video post. that's getting out of hand. What makes me mad is the people who do hijack the threads do it then run just to start a series of debating.

[Hawk]

I happen to be passionate about things that affect the lives of everyone. I just happen to care about everyone. The same thing is true of the people I agree with and the people I argue with. We want what's best for the USA.

So while our ideology might me completely different, our bottom line is always the same, make America better.

I am equally passionate about music. Music is the life thread of my life. I make a living in the music industry. I love being around and talking to people who love music as well.

I brought up a jazz thread once. I got, this is "Rock" page from a couple people. One person went so far as to say they don't like musicians who are in to jazz because they think they're better than everyone else. Are we only allowed to talk about Rock Music in General discussion ? No, many topics come up.

Rockpage IS NOT subject to free speech because it is privately owned. But the owner has allowed free speech. Kudos to him.

I have a "scroll" on my PC. If there is a thread about thrash metal, I don't open it because it doesn't interest me. If there is a thread about hockey, Oprah or a host of other topics I'm uninterested in, I don't open them.

With that said, I agree - Don't cause threads to evolve in to political threads. Perhaps we could ALL agree to that. I mean, if someone opens a music thread or a hockey thread he doesn't want to see politics ! I do hope that that comes out of this anti politics thread. Let's respect those who don't want to read politics, please.

A funny story at our gig last night. RobTheDrummer (one of my political nemesis') stopped by to hear us. In the middle of a song I ask for a drum solo. I held up an extra pair of drum sticks and motioned for Rob to come up. He joined me in a duet drum solo. (Is it called a drum solo with two drummers?). Anyhow, it was very cool.

When we took a break Rob and I were shaking hands and laughing and thoroughly enjoying each others company. I think it was Colton who kept saying to other people, "Look at these guys, they're at each other's throats in Rockpage political threads, they butt heads all the time". (I paraphrased that.) Rob and I just laughed more. Politics really doesn't affect friendships. So if you think we all hate each other, nothing could be further from the truth. Like I said, we understand we both wants what's best for America.

So, in all, I don't have an answer for you. It's a shame if musicians have been driven away from Rockpage because of politics. Would membership activity increase with a "No politics" rule? I don't know. It is so easy to NOT open a political thread and so easy to NOT read them.

I do sympathise with the thread starter:

So let's agree to stop ADDING politics to non-political threads ! Not because we have to, but out of respect for them.

[VENTGtr]

I've stopped reading the political stuff here. I love discussion more than
anyone, and have let my thoughts on why I don't get into them anymore
known. SO, I just skip them.

The problem, at least from my point of view, is that there's been a lack of
actual MUSIC threads. Those recently about The Cure and Bush, Lonewolf's
about PRS, etc. were really nice to see.

I don't necessarily think a ban on any type of discussion is needed, though
I can see some of the stuff on here turning people off...maybe just the rest
of us raising <i>music</i> topics (I include myself in that).

[THEM BONES]

Honestly, if I see ANY thread that looks political I refuse to even click on it. I will not read any of them anymore. Unfortunately, political threads are becoming more and more here which makes me visit and read less and less. As far as I'm concerned, people should keep their political views off of a MUSIC site, but thats just me. It's kinda like MTV, no more music. Can we please, please just get back to music here?

I'm passionate about my politcal views, people, the world, but I'm not ready to try to shove my opinions down everyone else's throats on what is supposed to be a music site. Anyway, I digress, but really, its getting really really old!

[ZappasXWife]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

[onegunguitar]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

Haha,I just was thinking that the Steelers were beat by the Chiefs and guess what,nothing has been mentioned of that yet,but if they would have won look out,lol.

[MeYatch]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

I stopped posting penguins threads because I was sick of the politicos using them as "but he's doing it!!" ammunition.

[DirtySanchez]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

Haha,I just was thinking that the Steelers were beat by the Chiefs and guess what,nothing has been mentioned of that yet,but if they would have won look out,lol.

I've had a boner since yesterday.

[DMFJ03]

This has been an age old debate.

If you actually want to discuss things about music, gear, what-have-you...the Tech Sector is there for that purpose. General Discussion is just that...General Discussion.

That's why I quit coming for the longest time. I generally don't even open the General Discussion page's anymore. It saves time.

We asked for a politcal corner so all the pissing and moaning could go on someplace else, but...

Most of us feel ya, brother, but good luck with that.

[Merge]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

Haha,I just was thinking that the Steelers were beat by the Chiefs and guess what,nothing has been mentioned of that yet,but if they would have won look out,lol.

I didn't realize it, but you're right. When they win, their fans scream to high heaven

[witchhunt]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

Haha,I just was thinking that the Steelers were beat by the Chiefs and guess what,nothing has been mentioned of that yet,but if they would have won look out,lol.

I didn't realize it, but you're right. When they win, their fans scream to high heaven

It's not just Steeler fans, though. Or just football fans, either.

[onegunguitar]

But i notice no one ever complains about the Sports threads. Some of us have absolutely no interest in those either. My point? I just don't open them! And yea, I agree, lets not turn a music post into a politics thread. Or a sports thread.

Haha,I just was thinking that the Steelers were beat by the Chiefs and guess what,nothing has been mentioned of that yet,but if they would have won look out,lol.

I didn't realize it, but you're right. When they win, their fans scream to high heaven

I'm just glad they lost,that made my day a whole lot better.

[witchhunt]

Haha,I just was thinking that the Steelers were beat by the Chiefs and guess what,nothing has been mentioned of that yet,but if they would have won look out,lol.

I didn't realize it, but you're right. When they win, their fans scream to high heaven

I'm just glad they lost,that made my day a whole lot better.

I KEEL YOU.

[onegunguitar]

I didn't realize it, but you're right. When they win, their fans scream to high heaven

I'm just glad they lost,that made my day a whole lot better.

I KEEL YOU.

Hahaha!!

[f.sciarrillo]

I LOVE JAZZ !!

[Hawk]

I LOVE JAZZ !!

Cool! Who are you into? Corea, Hancock, Marsalis, Weckl ? Any favorites?

XM Real Jazz is one of my favorite channels.

[songsmith]

Even music threads turn into p*ssing matches, passion isn't limited to politics. If I had a dollar for every "_____ SUCKS!" thread, we could pay for the servers just on that. I want to know what music you like, but I could really give a sh*t what you don't like.
I think it's cool when the Steelers win, but only because it makes some people happy, and I don't care at all if they lose. Ditto Penn State, The Pens, or whoever else you're rooting for. They are just games to me.
People occasionally come on here looking for advice about whatever music- or performance-related question they have, AND THEY ALL GET EXCELLENT ADVICE. Our online community is knowledgeable, having played a very tough market such as ours, and our shared experience is what keeps many of us coming here.
The people who populate this forum are who I consider to be my peers, and I enjoy our discussions tremendously. If we have a view, we share it, and expect some feedback. No blood, no harm, no foul. If we don't have respect for someone's particular view, we still have respect for them as a person and musician. In all the threads in all the years, I've never seen anyone insult another person's gig. At least not in a political thread... it has happened in music threads.--->JMS

[lonewolf]

Only on Rockpage could an anti-politics thread get hijacked and turned into an anti-sports thread.

The Steelers suck without Polamalu.

[VENTGtr]