Remove Politics

[nkp007]

100% needs to be hidden by default / shut down. It's the first thing new members / public visitors see on the site. It's literally three or four jobless dudes who live in their basement and have too much time on their hands trying to trigger a group of value investors. It's sad and I wouldn't care but it likely affects the type of members we get here.

[DooDiligence]

My 3 cents is we don't need it and it degrades this site.  I know people can ignore it but there are newcomers to this site and it has to be a turn off when they see half the posts are political rants with clickbait titles.  Really, this site is attractive because of the insights into investment ideas, the politics are a waste.

 

I have heard the argument that political discussion will happen regardless so we need to segregate it but is that true?  I don't remember reading a lot of politics before that section started.  It seems people are pretty good at self-moderating the threads.  Even if some occasionally do slip into politics you didn't have such huge posting volume.  I mean look at some of those threads, they are longer than most of the investing ones.  I think it encourages politics by having it available as an option.

 

It gotten wayyy better since poliBS got sandboxed.

 

I am usually able to look away when passing an accident in traffic & the same applies to the politics section.

 

Do yourself a favor & acknowledge that it exists and simply look away.

[John Hjorth]

Castanza,

 

A very belated welcome to you from me here on CoBF! [ : - ) ]

 

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This whole topic is to me somehow void. CoBF isen't a "democracy" in its ordinary sense, ref. the poll attached to this topic [which I'll not take]. CoBF is a privately held, run, moderated & managed board for value investors, run & operated by Sanjeev Parsad.

 

Me, stating that CoBF is not a "democracy" does not imply, that CoBF is the direct inversion of a democracy. This is about the personal properties of the guy keeping the whole place alive, up running & kicking.

 

- - - o 0 o - - - -

 

If one reads the board carefully - a decision was made approx. August 2017, based on ongoing discussion here on CoBF, to split "politics". I haven't read one complaint here on CoBF about this.

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

So in short, Castanza - I'm sorry to say - you need to do a lot more of reading here on CoBF to get a feeling how things work around CoBF.

[SharperDingaan]

Couple of add ons ...

 

Almost every investment decision we make, has a political element to it. On any given day elected representatives can change the business/regulatory environment we're investing in, and the amount of tax we will pay if we're correct. It cannot be 'sterilized', and kept is a bottle; we learn how to live with it.

 

An ignore button is a reasonable saw-off, but it's not perfect - nothing is.

The alternative is a paid membership 'no-politics' board; and COBF suddenly becomes a 'private' club, no different to the thousands of other private clubs out there - and an echo chamber. It's much more valuable, when there's blunt but polite (Canadian board) discussion, from as many smelly armpits and feet as possible!

 

Different POV.

 

SD

 

[cwericb]

"Almost every investment decision we make, has a political element to it"

Exactly.

 

Why do some people think the board should be censored to suit them? If you don't want to see something - don't click on it. Don't try to prevent others from participating just because you don't like something. Why would you complain about viewing something when you have to make a conscious decision to view it?

 

Is the temptation so strong that you have to have the topic hidden or removed from your view?

 

Today's society is filled with too many people who seem to want to impose their personal views on everyone else and dictate what we can see and do and what we can't see and do. It is fine to express an opinion, but a line is crossed when someone wants to impose that opinion on others.

 

One thing I have learned from occasional forays into the political section is that it gives you an idea of where some board members are coming from in their investment comments and their credibility.

 

On the subject of "Ignore" there are times when I see what appears to be a really clueless post and think, 'what's the matter with that guy, didn't he read the previous posts?' I believe the answer is that he had other posters on "ignore".

 

jmho

[Liberty]

“Leftism begins as compassion for the unfortunate, but ends as contempt for the fortunate. Rightism begins as pride in the past, but ends as fury at the present. Both grow to abhor each other’s values more than they prize their own. Politics devours love, and digests it into hate.”

[DooDiligence]

“Leftism begins as compassion for the unfortunate, but ends as contempt for the fortunate. Rightism begins as pride in the past, but ends as fury at the present. Both grow to abhor each other’s values more than they prize their own. Politics devours love, and digests it into hate.”

 

The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World

 

https://www.amazon.com/Beast-That-Shouted-Heart-World/dp/B0007GMJXI/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=3APKGTUH6KLX5&keywords=harlan+ellison+the+beast+that+shouted&qid=1554043798&s=gateway&sprefix=ellison+beas%2Caps%2C314&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

[clutch]

"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts."

 

- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

 

Although the political discussions tend to bring out the worst of us, I don't think that's the main issue. The fault is in ourselves.

[Cigarbutt]

"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts."

 

- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

 

Although the political discussions tend to bring out the worst of us, I don't think that's the main issue. The fault is in ourselves.

I would suggest additional perspective.

The Gulag Archipelago provides a slightly wider meaning to the above quote:

"Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, not between classes, not between political parties either – but right through every human heart – and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains. . . an unuprooted small corner of evil. . . It is impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety, but it is possible to constrict it within each person."

 

Solzhenitsyn lived through some very unusual circumstances but he warned against blind adherence to ideologies and the risks of keeping silent.

An argument could be made though that this Board is not the place for political noise.

But the world (and the markets) is not always efficient.

 

 

[DooDiligence]

Who knew that a discussion about politics could take such a useful turn?

[John Hjorth]

In short, noone, Jeff.

 

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CoBF is just a truly great place.

 

[cubsfan]

Say what you want guys - but there is a revolution going on in this country.

Hopefully, it will continue to be with words and not actual violence.

 

And the dialog gets tense and ugly, because Americans are tired of being lied to - and told "shut up and obey".

The political leadership in this country is not the political leadership of 30-40 years ago - when they really

cared about the citizens. That has many people up in arms. Our current leaders care solely about their own power.

 

Before a couple years ago, I never cared at all about politics - but I do now - after watching our so-called leaders

accomplish basically nothing to improve this country.

 

That's why Donald Trump was elected - like it or not - Americans gave the finger to both parties - Trump just happened to be a Republican.

American's want government to actually do something for once and improve their lives - move forward.

Whether you're right or left - just get something done for me for once.

 

And if government doesn't change - we may eventually get something far worse than Donald Trump.

[Viking]

What i have come to dislike about many of the political discussions is the (apparent) negative impact it has on the relationships of some of the posters (driven by the lack of civil discourse). Since i have been on this board (+15 years) and counting :-) I have learned and benefited from the postings of so many different people. I really do not care what a posters political views are; what i do case about is it they are posting something that will help me and my portfolio. It is also import to me that posters communicate in a respectful manner.

 

My fear is the politics section over time poisons the water by slowly destroying relationships among board members (who then leave). Hopefully this does not pick up steam as we enter election season in Canada later this year and the US next year.

 

On a personal level, i will continie to shrink my involement in the politics posts :-)

 

Thanks to Sanjeev for how he has handled over the years a very challenging topic... well done!

[Spekulatius]

What i have come to dislike about many of the political discussions is the (apparent) negative impact it has on the relationships of some of the posters (driven by the lack of civil discourse). Since i have been on this board (+15 years) and counting :-) I have learned and benefited from the postings of so many different people. I really do not care what a posters political views are; what i do case about is it they are posting something that will help me and my portfolio. It is also import to me that posters communicate in a respectful manner.

 

My fear is the politics section over time poisons the water by slowly destroying relationships among board members (who then leave). Hopefully this does not pick up steam as we enter election season in Canada later this year and the US next year.

 

On a personal level, i will continie to shrink my involement in the politics posts :-)

 

Thanks to Sanjeev for how he has handled over the years a very challenging topic... well done!

 

Yes, that is exactly my opinion as well. +1

[Castanza]

Castanza,

 

A very belated welcome to you from me here on CoBF! [ : - ) ]

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

This whole topic is to me somehow void. CoBF isen't a "democracy" in its ordinary sense, ref. the poll attached to this topic [which I'll not take]. CoBF is a privately held, run, moderated & managed board for value investors, run & operated by Sanjeev Parsad.

 

Me, stating that CoBF is not a "democracy" does not imply, that CoBF is the direct inversion of a democracy. This is about the personal properties of the guy keeping the whole place alive, up running & kicking.

 

- - - o 0 o - - - -

 

If one reads the board carefully - a decision was made approx. August 2017, based on ongoing discussion here on CoBF, to split "politics". I haven't read one complaint here on CoBF about this.

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

So in short, Castanza - I'm sorry to say - you need to do a lot more of reading here on CoBF to get a feeling how things work around CoBF.

 

Glad to be here John!

 

In short I did not create this post assuming I had some democratic power haha. I am new to this site so my insight to the effectiveness of the political section is limited. The main reason I posted this was because I noticed a lot of people complaining about political posts and how they were beginning to bleed into other topics.

 

Believe me, I am all for freedom of speech and freedom of opinion. But that doesn't mean a forum created for a specific purpose shouldn't be moderated. In the end I just want what the members want. Nobody seemed to raise the question so i thought why not? I was pretty excited to find this site as it seemed to be much more focused and had much more knowledgeable members than other forums.

 

"Almost every investment decision we make, has a political element to it"

Exactly.

 

Why do some people think the board should be censored to suit them? If you don't want to see something - don't click on it. Don't try to prevent others from participating just because you don't like something. Why would you complain about viewing something when you have to make a conscious decision to view it?

 

Is the temptation so strong that you have to have the topic hidden or removed from your view?

 

Today's society is filled with too many people who seem to want to impose their personal views on everyone else and dictate what we can see and do and what we can't see and do. It is fine to express an opinion, but a line is crossed when someone wants to impose that opinion on others.

 

One thing I have learned from occasional forays into the political section is that it gives you an idea of where some board members are coming from in their investment comments and their credibility.

 

On the subject of "Ignore" there are times when I see what appears to be a really clueless post and think, 'what's the matter with that guy, didn't he read the previous posts?' I believe the answer is that he had other posters on "ignore".

 

jmho

 

I get where you're coming from, but at the same time this forum isn't limiting ones ability to partake in free speech elsewhere. Politics certainly have a big influence on our investments and in an earlier post I said it should be completely fine to have political discussion if it relates to investing in some way. But I hardly can see how discussing Jesse Smollett would affect my investments. I don't think it's a bad thing to have a place void of political discussion simply to discuss investments.

 

Viking had a good point. It's not easy to handle. But you have to weigh the cost benefit.

What i have come to dislike about many of the political discussions is the (apparent) negative impact it has on the relationships of some of the posters (driven by the lack of civil discourse). Since i have been on this board (+15 years) and counting :-) I have learned and benefited from the postings of so many different people. I really do not care what a posters political views are; what i do case about is it they are posting something that will help me and my portfolio. It is also import to me that posters communicate in a respectful manner.

 

My fear is the politics section over time poisons the water by slowly destroying relationships among board members (who then leave). Hopefully this does not pick up steam as we enter election season in Canada later this year and the US next year.

 

On a personal level, i will continue to shrink my involvement in the politics posts :-)

 

Thanks to Sanjeev for how he has handled over the years a very challenging topic... well done!

 

In the end, I don't have strong opinions one way or another. I can see both sides to the argument which backs up the difficulty of the situation. As John pointed out this isn't a democratic forum (I guess?) but at the same time you think some people (long time members) would have a say. I think Sanjeev makes the best point as to why it exists. But I think it would be beneficial to have "politics" hidden by default so it's not thrust on new members immediately. Self-policing is probably how I will move forward regarding my interactions.

 

Again, to all I don't want to cause any "angst." Just something I picked up on as a new member with a fresh view.

 

Regards

[cwericb]

Jeez, isn't it pretty simple? If ya don’t want to read or comment on it why would you click on it?

 

It’s like the little old lady demonstrating against porn and spends most of her day researching those sites.

 

Why do some board members believe that they should be in a position to restrict others what others may and may not discuss? Is the discussion of politcs beneath them?

 

What's being suggested is simple censorship.

 

Unfortunately some who do comment on the subject tend to show their lack of civility by calling or referring to others by juvenile names which tends to discredit their comments. But this is not just restricted to the Politics section as most long term members would know.

 

Again, like it or not, politics has a substantial bearing on investing.

[Gregmal]

I've said it before, maybe even a while ago on this thread or one like it, but there are a lot of babies out there. Many have skin so thin it's amazing they are even able to function in a normal capacity on a day to day basis. Investing and politics go hand in hand, only things missing are whiskey and cigars.

 

If people dont like it, they dont have to pay attention to it. They can ignore it, as there are functions for that. Or they can go elsewhere. There are plenty of forums and communities for investing. If someone is unable to cope with information or opinions they dont like, let them go elsewhere. The main thing to try to keep in mind for those that do engage, is that its nothing personal; everyone has a right to their opinions and beliefs.

[Castanza]

I've said it before, maybe even a while ago on this thread or one like it, but there are a lot of babies out there. Many have skin so thin it's amazing they are even able to function in a normal capacity on a day to day basis. Investing and politics go hand in hand, only things missing are whiskey and cigars.

 

If people dont like it, they dont have to pay attention to it. They can ignore it, as there are functions for that. Or they can go elsewhere. There are plenty of forums and communities for investing. If someone is unable to cope with information or opinions they dont like, let them go elsewhere. The main thing to try to keep in mind for those that do engage, is that its nothing personal; everyone has a right to their opinions and beliefs.

 

Greg, I agree completely. People shouldn't be thin skinned. But censorship wasn't the purpose. It was more to protect the sanctity and purpose of the forum to keep it from getting overrun like every other forum that has fallen due to this exact thing. But you're right, it's probably best to just ignore and move along.

 

Regards,

[Gregmal]

I've said it before, maybe even a while ago on this thread or one like it, but there are a lot of babies out there. Many have skin so thin it's amazing they are even able to function in a normal capacity on a day to day basis. Investing and politics go hand in hand, only things missing are whiskey and cigars.

 

If people dont like it, they dont have to pay attention to it. They can ignore it, as there are functions for that. Or they can go elsewhere. There are plenty of forums and communities for investing. If someone is unable to cope with information or opinions they dont like, let them go elsewhere. The main thing to try to keep in mind for those that do engage, is that its nothing personal; everyone has a right to their opinions and beliefs.

 

Greg, I agree completely. People shouldn't be thin skinned. But censorship wasn't the purpose. It was more to protect the sanctity and purpose of the forum to keep it from getting overrun like every other forum that has fallen due to this exact thing. But you're right, it's probably best to just ignore and move along.

 

Regards,

 

I agree with you and have also said I wouldn't care if politics was removed entirely. But it's here, so for the time being I think people should just learn to deal with it rather than bitch and moan every couple weeks/months...

 

It would be one thing if people were completely turned away, but realistically, are high quality investing minds really allergic to even the sight of a politics topic? I think not. I mean aren't Buffett, Gates, Soros, Zuckerberg, Tepper, etc, usually front and center quite frequently on the subject of politics? Yet we're worried about people who are clearly lesser than the aforementioned names running away from here scared? Please...

[DooDiligence]

I've said it before, maybe even a while ago on this thread or one like it, but there are a lot of babies out there. Many have skin so thin it's amazing they are even able to function in a normal capacity on a day to day basis. Investing and politics go hand in hand, only things missing are whiskey and cigars.

 

If people dont like it, they dont have to pay attention to it. They can ignore it, as there are functions for that. Or they can go elsewhere. There are plenty of forums and communities for investing. If someone is unable to cope with information or opinions they dont like, let them go elsewhere. The main thing to try to keep in mind for those that do engage, is that its nothing personal; everyone has a right to their opinions and beliefs.

 

"You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass."

 

 

I originally saw this on @WarrenBuffettHQ but that Twitter account is suspended now for some reason.

 

---

 

edit: Let me add:

 

"don't be trolled" (easier said than done...)

[SHDL]

I sometimes wonder about the extent to which the ”ignore politics” option has worked as the killer feature that finally pushed some of the long time lurkers into being paid members.  :P