The first Zimmerman/Martin thread train wrecked March 2012. So far the current one is clinging to the rails. I’ve read very little of it. It’s been a long, long time since any new information came out in the news. Other than routine court motions.
The trial is just now gearing up. We’ll finally get some court testimony to discuss pretty soon. I started this thread primarily to discuss where the daily court summaries news links should go.
It was already a thread to get away from the acrimony of the original thread.
Instead of pinning the thread, why not request a moderator to add in a link to it in the first post of the main thread?
Isn’t it sort of against the board’s remit to just post links to external news stories without commentary? I mean, I know that this Zimmerman case is of interest to some people, and I appreciate that. But this board’s not a news aggregator. There are lots of other places you can go if you want raw news. And I don’t believe this is anything we’ve ever done before. I guess my question to the people who are advocating this is, why should we do it (beyond the obvious that you want to get news about the case.) What makes this special that the board should change what it normally does?
I’m confused. What’s the downside? Where is this superior news aggregator? Google news is all algorithmic.
Admittedly, the news thread might turn out to be pretty lame, so I wouldn’t go with my forum idea until many moons pass. I suppose there are reasonable arguments against having a sticky, but attempts to essentially divide the postings into categories don’t seem misguided.
Why is that useless? That’s exactly what IMHO threads are for, people to offer their humble opinions. That those opinions may be based on airy nothings is neither here nor there, it isn’t the Debate forum.
Can anyone explain why this case is so different that it warrants special treatment? How is it different than any ‘trial of the summer’, we’ve all seen so many of? How is this different from Casey Whhats her name or OJ? Some how we all managed just as much opinion, conjecture, discussion. I could see starting a new thread only about news releases being discussed, but no discussion, just news links seems just silly. I just don’t see the need, but perhaps I’m not understanding the intent fully.
As an IMHO moderator, I think a new thread when the trial begins would be good. Just to start fresh and talk about the trial as it unfolds. Of course it doesn’t have to be in IMHO, but that’s where the long-running one is.
It isn’t any different. And the long thread in question is just basically half a dozen posters arguing with each other.
You must remember that, for BigT, all threads on the Dope must be written with his specific interests in mind. If you don’t, he will make a post scolding you about not conforming specifically to his personal needs.*
So…I think we need a new Zimmerman thread in addition to any others, just to suit BigT.
A fresh imho trial thread may be the best solution. Whenever opening statements kick off will be a good time.
Downsides to dedicated newslink threads:
I personally don’t care about links for the Zimmerman one anymore.
Because now I utterly demand that we have a newslinks thread for the shape-shifting lizard-men.
WE MUST KNOW THE TRUTH!!! 
I started the Trial thread over in imho as suggested. Hopefully a fresh start will encourage lively and informed discussion. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.