# Are we off the rails in "Elections"? Do we need corrective action? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 17, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974 "2016-12-17T21:09:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/61 "2016-12-20T19:52:19Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Who is being forced to post in the Pit? As **Bone** noted, he doesn’t move stuff to the Pit unless the OP is a rant. So don’t post ranty OPs outside the Pit. The lines between a “rant” and a diatribe about the current state of politics is mighty thin. And is Bone really insists that the OP is a rant and not Elections, then let him close it. Otherwise people are being forced into the Pit against their expressed wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/62 "2016-12-20T20:14:02Z")
Which is an argument against any thread being moved to any forum. If I start a thread in GQ, why should I be forced to post in GD just because a mod moved the thread? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/63 "2016-12-20T20:33:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The lines between a “rant” and a diatribe about the current state of politics is mighty thin. > > And is Bone really insists that the OP is a rant and not Elections, then let him close it. > > Otherwise people are being forced into the Pit against their expressed wishes. The vast majority of posters here never have any threads moved to the Pit. I know none of mine have been. We don’t need to a fix a problem that only 0.1% of the posters have. They need to fix their ability to start a non-ranting OP. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/64 "2016-12-20T20:54:48Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Which is an argument against any thread being moved to any forum. If I start a thread in GQ, why should I be forced to post in GD just because a mod moved the thread? What about people who are banned? They are forced to not post here anymore against their wishes!!! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/65 "2016-12-20T20:58:18Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > The vast majority of posters here never have any threads moved to the Pit. I know none of mine have been. We don’t need to a fix a problem that only 0.1% of the posters have. They need to fix their ability to start a non-ranting OP. if it’s a non-problem than they dont need that solution. Which they can by closing the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/66 "2016-12-20T20:59:53Z")
The idea of closing threads rather than moving them was addressed here: > [@Bone](#): > > I’d prefer not to stifle discussion. If someone cared enough to start a new thread, they probably want to discuss something, or rant, or what have you. In my view, closing a thread sends a message that we don’t want that discussion to take place which isn’t the message I want to send. Even still, if we did lock the thread, it may simply be re-opened in a different location and on balance I think having a closed version and then encouraging people to restart the same thread somewhere else is less efficient when I can simply move it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/67 "2016-12-20T21:00:55Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Which is an argument against any thread being moved to any forum. If I start a thread in GQ, why should I be forced to post in GD just because a mod moved the thread? Well, if the rules in GD were significantly different than in GQ, you’d have a real issue. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/68 "2016-12-20T21:07:00Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > The idea of closing threads rather than moving them was addressed here: I’d rather have my discussion “stifled” than taken off the rails in waves of insults, personal attacks and random profanity. In any case, taking a thread to the pit stifles all rational discussion. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/69 "2016-12-20T21:09:55Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > You can count me in for “screw that” in regards to shipping stuff to the Pit. > > All that means if that if the majority of folks wanna walk the line up to asshole, then they “win” when the unliked minority can’t even try to make their points…because now that shit is in the pit and it just becomes a mud flinging pile on. > > Either mod the darn thread, or actually start handing out mod notes and warning. > > Shipping stuff to the pit is just intellectual and counterproductive laziness IMO. > > And PS. This is pretty much my opinion of shipping anything to the pit (baring of course some various uncommon but obvioulsy okay purmutations somebody will come along with shortly (I have a few myself))… Obviously we agree here and we are hardly alone. There is no discussion in the Pit, you’re lucky if you get a mud flinging pile on. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/70 "2016-12-20T21:11:08Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Concur. > > Anyone who’s been here long enough knows that the oddest looking and sounding threads can surprise by turning into real discussions. I’d prefer to give them the chance in the appropriate forum rather than adopting a policy of just shutting them down. Nothing has ever turned into a “real discussion” in the Pit. There is no chance whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/71 "2016-12-21T01:39:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I’d rather have my discussion “stifled” than taken off the rails in waves of insults, personal attacks and random profanity. In any case, taking a thread to the pit stifles all rational discussion. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Nothing has ever turned into a “real discussion” in the Pit. There is no chance whatsoever. Wrong again. It happens from time to time, and we’ve even seen threads moved from the Pit to GD. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/72 "2016-12-21T01:59:33Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Wrong again. It happens from time to time, and we’ve even seen threads moved from the Pit to GD. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/73 "2016-12-21T02:23:16Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Even a broken clock is right twice a day. In other words, your assertion is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/74 "2016-12-21T10:16:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Nothing has ever turned into a “real discussion” in the Pit. There is no chance whatsoever. In point of fact, there is an interesting discussion going on right now about two guys who uploaded porn to shake down people who downloaded it. The discussion covers the legal issues, other examples, the conduct of the RIAA, and so on. It’s a good read. “I pit two douchebag lawyers etc.” [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=814245](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=814245) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/75 "2016-12-21T13:21:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, if the rules in GD were significantly different than in GQ, you’d have a real issue. They are. Fact based for GQ, debate for GD. Summarised so often by **Colobri** as: " No political jabs in GQ." If the discussion in your GQ thread turns into politics, the thread is often off to GD and your chance of getting a factual answer diminishes tremendously. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/76 "2016-12-21T14:12:56Z")
I would venture that GQ is the forum that has the most threads moved out of it. Whether the OP is asking advice (instead of looking for factual answers) or there is no answer or the thread turns political. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/77 "2016-12-21T15:59:35Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Best advice I can think of? Be patient. Let it die down and see what happens. I’d modify that to ‘be patient, and _let’s see if_ it dies down’ because, you know, it might not. 😉 But yeah, no need to be pre-emptive. IF the Trumpster Fire dies down, at least on this board, then no need to do anything really. And if it doesn’t, it’s not like the consequences of not doing something about it quickly are exactly earthshaking. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/78 "2016-12-21T16:35:06Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The lines between a “rant” and a diatribe about the current state of politics is mighty thin. The line between a rant and a diatribe on the SDMB does not exist. If someone posts an angry, abuse filled diatribe, here, it has the same weight in terms of general discussion, as a rant. The notion that a thread in GD or Elections, (or Cafe Society or anywhere else), that bitterly attacks a specific point of view will inspire a calm, rational discussion and not provoke proponents of the attacked position to respond in kind with ever escalating hostility is simply not a real world expectation. For a poster to insist that his or her thread was a “diatribe” and not a rant and should, therefore, be allowed to stand in its original forum indicates an illusory perspective. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/79 "2016-12-21T17:00:34Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I would venture that GQ is the forum that has the most threads moved out of it. Whether the OP is asking advice (instead of looking for factual answers) or there is no answer or the thread turns political. Yes. The most common single move is from GQ to IMHO, then probably GQ to GD. (Some threads are GD material from the beginning, some evolve that way.) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974/80 "2016-12-21T22:45:10Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > The line between a rant and a diatribe on the SDMB does not exist. I concur with Tom. It is easy for someone to think they’re just being objective when they’re actually ranting. Such will get you moved to the Pit. And OPs have no special authority over whether a thread should be moved or not. If it’s off the rails it’s off the rails. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-off-the-rails-in-elections-do-we-need-corrective-action/774974.md?page=5)