FischerTal wrote on 06/26/09 at 14:04:37:


LOL. 

That was my analogy, and although it was a terrific oversimplification, it served the idea I was getting at.

That thread produced some good discussion until it...err...well...went on the trip of a lifetime, or should that be pluralized?

I visited that Palestine thread and I must say that the original post, like many of Lev's, is in very bad taste.  It's one thing to discuss Palestine, it's another thing to swagger verbally and deprecate entire nationalities.  It's grown old now, but I would delete it.  

Personally I wish that the moderation of this part of the board were a little stricter.  As I said here on another thread, Lev should be ruled with an iron hand.  He's a provocateur.

If we are to take seriously the plurality's preference that only chess should be discussed here, then we should simply delete this part of the board and post instead to "General Chess."  

Does anyone think that's a good idea? I don't.

CNN Lohan's topless tweet raises eyebrows

I don't think there should be a restriction on topics.
It's more a restriction on how people discuss those topics.
Offensive and sensitive comments don't have to be part of the convesation. It is possible to have a sensible discussion about Palestine and Israel, it's just that it reqiures sensible people.

I think you should censor the unreasonable posters rather than restrict the topics. I'm here for the chess, but I'm sure people do enjoy 'other' topics. Having these topics on a chess site isn't a waste of time, as people are guaranteed to chat with other chess players (and feel safe in that fact!).

Tickly,
- at work  

Back when the ICC was still the ICS, it had a cool reputation.  It was a free site where people could go and chat about anything.  By this time, chatrooms were becoming common, and teenagers across the US and other places were beginning to discover the wonders of the Internet.

ICS had a reputation of being *the* place to go to find intelligent conversation precisely because it was a chess site.  (Remember, back then it was still free.)  People would join ICS and never play a game.  They'd just participate in the chatter.

The Chess Pub could fill the void left by ICS, and I am willing to moderate these "other" rooms in order to make sure the discussions, debates, and arguments are carried on in a family-friendly atmosphere.

I would like it if everyone liked everyone else here, but the numbers and human nature prohibit that.  We have managed to get by with a minimum of rules and I hope we continue that way.

In essence, I am in favor of discussing a wide range of topics, from books, movies, music, to whether zombies should have voting rights.  Let's keep the proper decorum, push your chairs in when you're done, and bus your own tables.  

ghenghisclown wrote on 06/17/09 at 22:08:34:


Yes, that is right. It is a chess forum. A forum on a chess site. To discuss, er, chess-related stuff. Presumably while at work.

If you want politics, porn, poltergeists, pickles or whatever, surely there are sites elsewhere for such. Or members could just go down a regular pub and assault the assembled locals with their views.

Horses for courses dear boy.

Options #1 and #2. All the others will provoke a significant amount of argument.

There's barely enough respect for fellow posters on chess topics as it is.

People love polls.  So here's a poll to encourage you to participate!

This poll is just to gather some information.  It will not be used to set Chess Pub policy.

Please vote for as many or as few as you are willing to tolerate!