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You have made several very good points about including political posts on the list. As a co-editor at Grassroots Connection along with Linda, I enjoy learning about the issues that affect us and discussing them with others. While my first instinct is to (respectfully) argue in favor of political discussions at the site where one is most comfortable and familiar with posting and the posters, (people like to stay put and new forums often don't succeed), your reasoning is well taken about this being a list originating in Canada and about some voices being louder and the issue confined to one. I invite you to read an Op Ed at GRC that addresses the same topic if you wish to, rather than duplicate it here. GRC is not intended to be a forum, but does cover the candidates statements on health issues, and recently added an Op Ed page to attempt to temporarily address election issues in a safe and respectful fashion. The Op Ed attempts to address the issue of offensive politics. It seems we were on the same wave length. Again, GRC is not a forum, nor is this post an attempt to start a political forum. It is, however, designed to be an independent advocacy site, not an organization, where those who are interested can express opinions about all of the important issues that affect us in the upcoming elections. As an MGH forum member, I understand the importance of having a comfort zone. On the other hand, political action posting is hard from which to refrain for those involved, yet offensive to those with different views. So if interested see link below - or just delete! Click on Election 2004 Op Ed Page- http://www.grassrootsconnection.com Scroll down to 'On Voting' Respectfully, Paula Wittekind ----- Original Message ----- From: "FrankandTeri" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 9:09 AM Subject: We have still lost our way and ignored the main mission of this board > I believe my point was missed or perhaps I did not communicate it as I > desired. That happens in political discussions all the time. The message > gets lost in the passion. I am not suggesting "Banishment" at all. I am > suggesting a more powerful approach. Two lists that are linked each > referring to the other. Each addressing specific needs, one support, > comfort, advice sharing experiences... the other a political action list. > > Political groups by their nature become exclusionary regardless of lofty > statements by leaders and the most vocal advocates of the group. This list > should not be exclusionary. Imagine the reception a small group of > Republicans would have at the Democratic national convention or likewise > Democrats at the Republican national convention. Imagine the reception The > Islamic Defamation League would have at a meeting of the Jewish Defamation > League. > > Your suggestion of deleting messages that might contain political > discussions falls into the same category as telling an African American to > ignore discussions which might describe Martin Luther King as a womanizer or > Malcolm X as a terrorist or Jessie Jackson as a womanizer and embezzler. > People could use those descriptions of these great leaders against a worthy > political position those leaders represented. The result would not be a > discussion but an atmosphere of exclusion and polarization. African > Americans of varied political beliefs and religions would feel polarized or > excluded from the main stream discussions and benefits this board has to > offer all. How would you feel telling African Americans to "Just delete > messages you find offensive"? > > This board should be a place where people can turn to in a time of need and > deep emotional distress. The tone of the political discussion here has > turned it into a battle ground and sounding board for political and > religious beliefs. People can't help but be offended. Those that shout the > loudest, flame the most, are the most aggressive... will dominate the board. > The result is those that have some widely and deeply held religious or > political beliefs will be alienated and will be offended. It just can't be > helped. > > Of course I agree politics are intertwined with healthcare and we need to be > aware of the issues and politicians viewpoints. What is expressed here for > the most part are not accurate representations of the politicians viewpoints > but the personal political and religious beliefs of those posting. What is > expressed here are for the most part empty campaign promises from both sides > translated for our consumption by board members who have strong personal > beliefs. Issues are misrepresented. Candidates are taken out of context. > The perceived opposition is always bashed. Spin is always accentuated facts > are rarely represented in a balanced fashion. I guess that's just a > reflection of US politics. What has been missed is this board is hosted by > our good neighbors in Canada. It was never intended to be a forum to > discuss US politics regardless of the impact perceived by the member > posting. This board is turning into a single issue campaign forum. Those > who truly struggle with ethical issues are labeled as obstructionists and > backward. Those who support a specific single issue are labeled as the only > politicians truly concerned with the issues of those burdened with this > terrible disease. > > With all due respect there are those who want to impose their political and > religious beliefs on others. This should not be the forum for that. I hope > you can agree with that statement. Tell me where do you draw the line? > > I apologize to all. I have once again felt compelled to express my views > that are political in nature and have not contributed in anyway in this post > to the betterment of the lives of those effected with this terrible disease. > In fact I have probably alienated someone who could truly help with a > question or plea for support or help I may post here in the future. > > With sincere respect and regards to all... The only true enemy of this group > is this terrible disease. Unite to offer support of those who are cursed > with it. > > Frank cg. Teri 52/47/40 15024 > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Linda J Herman" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 11:28 PM > Subject: Re: We have lost our way and ignored the main mission of this board > > > > Frank, > > I respectfully suggest that if you do not wish to read about politics you > > should just delete those messages and not try to censor those of us who > > do wish to discuss these issues or try to "banish" us to a separate list. > > Political discussion and action has a part of the Parkinsn list for the > > 10 years the list has been in existence. Politics for better or for worse > > is intertwined with health care in this country and as people with > > chronic illness and disabilities, we had better be aware of the issues > > and the candidates' viewpoints. > > > > Linda Herman > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn