Upcoming US Election

In my opinion the US is headed for the ugliest election in it's history. I have no idea who will win but this does not change the fact that we are here for philately and there are plenty of other venues where folks can discuss their political opinions. Keep in mind that our community has plenty of members from other countries who probably have little interest in US politics.

I have little doubt that this election will go down in history as one of the darkest political moments for our country; if nothing else we recently have seen the writing on the wall on just how low American politics is willing to sink. Two hundreds years of peaceful elections and transitions of power is hanging in the balance and this is more than likely to result in plenty of emotions here in this community.

As such I am asking...no pleading...with everyone to avoid posting political opinions, comments, emojis, memes, or feelings about the election or the election results. Fair warning - doing so will result in immediate removal of the post and/or thread. Our common ground here is stamps, covers and postal history. Let us not contribute to the divisive and acrimonious tenor but rather stay above the chaotic political nightmare that is sure to come.
Don

Well said!

And yet many areas of philately depend on and revolve around those very political and social upheavals that you wish to avoid comments on. Wars and political upheavals have always made for great philately around the world, however terrible the realities were at the time.

The topic of politics is not the problem, the problem is that we have proven over and over that we are incapable of having any civil political discourse and instead drop into ad hominem posts. Is anyone here interested in Moderating the personal attacks and removing members who violate this important rule? In my opinion this community is similar to a holiday dinner with family members; it is better to simply agree not to discuss politics than it is to end up in a food fight and the dissolving long term relationships.
Don

It wasn't always this way and that is very sad. I grew up listening to my Dad and his buddies from WWII discuss politics endlessly and part ways at the end with a smile and handshakes. Now politics cannot be discussed? That is pitiful. If emotions rise that is a reality of being human. The line is probably personal attacks? Threats? How did we get here? Shutting down discourse is never the answer but as Don says there are other venues better suited to discussing politics I guess.

In my experience, it has always been this way. I have unpleasant memories of the trips to my grandmother's house on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. The endless political "discussions"/crap went on and on. The thick screen of cigarette smoke was a "bonus".

Don I agree, the subject has become toxic. My wife and I have very good friends and we speculate about their politics but are scared to find out in case they're on the opposite side and then we won't be able to be friends anymore. It's sad things have gotten this way.

I do think a lot of people from other countries are very interested in our election, but SCF should stick to stamps and auctions.

as the late Ernie Wilkens used to say......."stamps,stamps we want stamps" and then would give you chapter and verse information on what ever item you had and knew little or nothing about. if he did not know, the next time he saw you,he told you all he discovered. politics, religion and sex and other derisive and incendiary topics do not belong on this board. it would be insulting to the host and all the other users of this board.

Don

I'd lick that... just sayin'.

I agree with Don: stick to stamps here as that is the purpose of this forum. If I really want to get in a poo-flinging match, I'll go to Facebook. No shortage of people there who are more than happy to tell you in no uncertain terms just how right they are and how wrong you are. Come to think of it, maybe that's why I don't visit Facebook that much anymore, either.

Does "stick to stamps" include postal history?

i suggest "Going Postal" by the late Terry Pratchett.

Oops, did I just use a political emoji?!