# So the Pit is now basically a political forum... **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 21, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847 "2010-01-21T16:01:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/21 "2010-01-22T01:32:40Z")
Palin is a real-life troll and everyone here is feeding her, feeding her, feeding her. The Democrats here have more of a hard-on for Palin than the Republicans do! I swear, it’s at the point where when I saw the thread “Palin/Bachmann 2012” I thought they were writing slash fiction. This forum is saturated in Palin and Limbaugh and Beck. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/22 "2010-01-22T02:24:26Z")
Palin has been on the Pit page continuously since she was named as McCain’s running mate, correct? ---
**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:** [January 22, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/23 "2010-01-22T03:31:33Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > We were assured by Tuba that this was not needed because the political threads would drop off after the election. > > Just saying… They did, in fact, drop off after the 2008 election. There has been a recent upsurge due to the factors I mentioned. They will fall off again in a bit, to come back again with the mid-term elections. It’s like the rising and falling of the tides. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/24 "2010-01-22T04:48:49Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Palin is a real-life troll and everyone here is feeding her, feeding her, feeding her. By mentioning her you’re feeding her. But she isn’t a troll. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/25 "2010-01-22T05:09:15Z")
If you separated all the political threads out into a new forum: 1. What would The BBQ Pit then contain? 2. Would new threads quickly fill in the spaces? 3. If so, what is currently preventing people from starting these threads _now_? ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/26 "2010-01-22T06:12:58Z")
It’s not like there is some set amount of traffic that has to be maintained. I imagine there would be fewer posts, but quality is better than quantity. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/27 "2010-01-22T10:54:20Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Palin has been on the Pit page continuously since she was named as McCain’s running mate, correct? I’m not sure what you mean by “pit page,” but Palin threads were there well before I took over as moderator (in February of '09). There were also threads about SCOTUS opinions, political news events, and conservatives vs. liberals. If anything, the previous management moved less threads of any kind than I do. I don’t intend this as a dig or a criticism–I don’t have a problem with the way they handled that stuff. And contrary to the protestations of a now-banned poster, here is a zit thread from that era: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=466820&highlight=pimple](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=466820&highlight=pimple) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/28 "2010-01-22T11:02:30Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > has the Pit just turned into an extension of GD except with dirty words? Here is how one of the previous moderators described it: > [@](#): > > \*\*A place where people could argue about issues they disagreed about \*\*or simply vent their frustrations about posters that were driving them up a wall [I Pit all the MPSIMS tards who are currently drowning the Pit in boring crap - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=523023) So I’d say it’s false to say it’s “turned into” an extension of GD–apparently it’s always been one. I’ve just moved out more of the MPSIMS+:mad: stuff and exposed the hidden GD + :mad: Maybe I should just stop moving the livejournal stuff out.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/29 "2010-01-22T13:12:54Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I’m not sure what you mean by “pit page,” but Palin threads were there well before I took over as moderator (in February of '09). There were also threads about SCOTUS opinions, political news events, and conservatives vs. liberals. If anything, the previous management moved less threads of any kind than I do. I don’t intend this as a dig or a criticism–I don’t have a problem with the way they handled that stuff. To be more specific, I meant that there’s been an anti-Palin thread visible in the Pit (I’m on 2-day view) ever since her emergence. I was just commenting on her popularity here. I wasn’t complaining about thread movement. I find it kind of entertaining to try to guess what’s going to be moved and where. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/30 "2010-01-22T14:29:04Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The last time we had that discussion I said I was in favor of it. At the moment I think the dividing line between the Pit and GD is ‘is this a discussion of an issue or is it just venting?’ If it’s venting I think it goes in the Pit, A valid view. I am against the Pit=GD with cursing (as you can curse in GD and you are not required to curse in the Pit). I always thought of it as the Pit=GD without cites but now I am liking Pit=GD without a point. Do you have a point to make? GD. No? Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/31 "2010-01-22T14:47:18Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I wasn’t complaining about thread movement. I find it kind of entertaining to try to guess what’s going to be moved and where. 😉 Me too. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/32 "2010-01-22T15:22:14Z")
One thing I’ve noticed, whether it be for good or ill, is that pittings of posters seem to be way down. Mods can’t be pitted anymore, and posters just don’t seem to be pitting each other very often these days. Seems like maybe only one traditional “you’re an asshole” type thread gets started per week or longer. Instead, it seems like there’s more of the MPSIMS-with-teeth type stuff–“this store/product/company/celebrity sucks”. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/33 "2010-01-22T15:40:39Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > The pit, at least in the past, was intended more for calling out other posters or groups of posters and their opinions. You keep saying this, but it just isn’t true. The pit has always been a place for vitriol laced rants against public figures, corporations etc. It’s been that way since I’ve been on the board. I know the sole reason you post here is to insult other posters and get a rise out of them, but other people might want to use the pit for other reasons. Why should the board change it’s policy to suit you, and not them? It’s not like the pit is swamped with threads right now. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/34 "2010-01-22T16:40:22Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > The problem is that most of the time there is no point to the thread other than to bitch about some political issue to a bunch of people who are of like mind. That’s exactly why they belong in the Pit rather than GD. GD is for subjects the OP wishes to debate, and where the opinions of those on the other side of the argument are sought or challenged. The Pit is simply for ranting; the OP is not particularly interested in hearing counter-arguments or is dismissive of them. On occasion Pit threads do turn into debates, which can fudge the boundary between the forums. But Pit threads by their nature are not GD with cursing; no debate is usually really desired by the OP. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/35 "2010-01-22T17:11:50Z")
I’d like to know what IVN’s obsession with what gets posted to the Pit is about. As far as I can see, what gets posted there is fine. Nobody is forced to read it nor is anyone restricted from posting what they want there, modulo those threads that get moved to other places. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/36 "2010-01-22T19:40:59Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > One thing I’ve noticed, whether it be for good or ill, is that pittings of posters seem to be way down. Mods can’t be pitted anymore, and posters just don’t seem to be pitting each other very often these days. Seems like maybe only one traditional “you’re an asshole” type thread gets started per week or longer. Instead, it seems like there’s more of the MPSIMS-with-teeth type stuff–“this store/product/company/celebrity sucks”. True. I’m not sure if it’s because there is less actual debate elsewhere on the board, or because of contemptuous familiarity with either the pit or the posters, or just general apathy, or something else entirely. > [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > I know the sole reason you post here is to insult other posters and get a rise out of them. . . Demonstrably untrue. Secondly, if it _were_ true, I would be arguing against my own interests in wanting a reduction in targets, as it were. Also, please don’t put words in my mouth. I don’t want the mods or anyone else to enforce my “vision”. I’d prefer the posters themselves do that. The pit is also a place where I or anyone else can state their disagreement to the fullest extent of their communication skills. I am not asking, nor have I ever asked the mods to implement new rules or policies (other than a reinstatement of the no-troll-calling rule), though I sometimes report give-me-a-hug threads to be moved to somewhere more appropriate. If this were about GQ, and it was full of questions like “Do you think my teddy bear’s name should be Ted or Tad?” then I would hope for some moderator action. But in the pit, I can just point out that the OP sucks, the thread sucks, or whatever else. No need for moderation. Please don’t confuse my statements upon your tastes with a plea for moderator action. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/37 "2010-01-22T19:49:46Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > I’d prefer the posters themselves do that. You’re not going to get people to do that by constantly beating them over the head. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/38 "2010-01-22T19:54:45Z")
> [@tacoloco](#): > > You’re not going to get people to do that by constantly beating them over the head. Sound advice for all involved, I’m sure… ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/39 "2010-01-22T20:11:26Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > Then the solution is to create a forum for Politics and Religion and other Great Debates. > > Other than Great Debates. I would second [or third] this, if I hadn’t already brought up the issue before. Then again, I think The Game Room was a good move overall. We can hope. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847/40 "2010-01-22T23:47:53Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > Then the solution is to create a forum for Politics and Religion and other Great Debates. > > Other than Great Debates. How about : **The Windbag** For pointless political partisanship and the kind of humdrum hackery that doesn’t intend to convince anyone but the already convinced. This is also the place for Olympic-level training in _tu quoques_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-pit-is-now-basically-a-political-forum/525847.md?page=3)