no place for political spin

[Jarmanhome@domain.elided]

It never fails- every time somebody makes a snide, off the cuff comment on 
ethnic, geopolitical, cultural or historical issues on an Alfa forum, 
civility deteriorates quickly.
What does it take to get the message across to some of you people that NOBODY 
HERE CARES about your political views?   This is a social and technical forum 
that the majority of us enjoy as-is.  There are scores of message boards on 
CNN, FOX news and countless other sites where you can jab, joust and even 
insult others to your heart's content.  What sounds to you like an 
insightful, sophisticated and brash comment on a current issue is actually 
irrelevant and at times, even juvenile to many digesti.  We do not run 
Reality AD here, got it?  
There is a vast difference between Alfa-related history and the remainder of 
human history.  All of us know that.  For someone with a chip on their 
shoulder to conjure up a posting that does nothing more than take a pot-shot 
at other peoples, countries or societies, with no Alfa content whatsoever, is 
not something enjoyable to the majority.   I was lectured once in a flame 
about "internet conduct", that it is necessarily akin to pro hockey, and that 
all bets concerning civil behavior among participants were off.   Well, I 
disagree with that MTV mindset.  I won't say anything to any of you on the AD 
that I wouldn't say to your face, in the company of your family, even.  That 
is how we were raised, and I make no apologies for it.  Nor are we the weaker 
for it.
I of course have my opinions, too.  In fact, I am a history buff, a patriot, 
with intense interest in politics and current events.  Like many of you, I 
have friends from various parts of the US, and the world.  We never look so 
ignorant, nor so narrow minded, as when we make fun of someone else's 
language, slang, cultural practices or beliefs.   I too see postings here at 
times that raise my eyebrows, but I feel strongly we ought to resist the 
temptation to fire back in a manner that ridicules others at the expense of 
our mutual interest- Alfa Romeo automobiles.  Nor do I care if you hate 
George W. Bush, or you hold young Japanese responsible for events of 60 years 
ago, or you think we all ought to be vegetarians, either.  I just don't care.
Two or three years ago, there was a hilarious thread on the old 164FAQ site 
where Yanks and Brits traded barbs at one another, it ran on for about two 
weeks, and almost none of it got downright nasty.  In some way, the sarcasm, 
wit and humor was preserved by most of the participants.  I laughed so hard 
at some of it, the tears flowed. I even joined in briefly.  But that same 
site was eventually attacked and dismembered by a couple of people who 
insisted on crudity, personal insults and plain filth.  It had to be totally 
redone into a BB format with some degree of control, and it is doing very 
well today.  I enjoy kidding and joking as well as anyone, but there's a 
limit to everything.
My point is simple:  why not use some discretion regarding topics?  Rancor 
over politics, nationalities, or cultures always does damage to a site like 
the AD, and is never healthy, in my opinion.  Now flame away if you like - I 
really don't care if you object to my comments.  If you want a debate, I'll 
meet you on the O'Reilly Factor or other appropriate forum.  I'm just tired 
of some of these recent ill-informed, personally biased and totally 
irrelevant posts.

Dave Jarman
Lexington, KY
USA

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