POLL: Mixing Business & Politics??

[eyedomainous]

Please feel free to expand on your answer:
If so... why? If not... why?

The subject of mixing business and political expression, in NP forums, came-up in the "Iran Attack" thread. In it Mark, in one post, proclaims "I'm a Republican and damn proud of it !!!!". And in a later post states "... people lose possible business contacts this way .... It's just not good to combine the two IMO "- Why would I ever want to help someone profit that thinks they know more about my feelings than me ?? or Attacks my beliefs on a daily basis ?? and concludes with "some of them have domains I want right now , But guess what ? I wont buy them for 1 cent".

While his post also states... "I don't care about others beliefs / religions / or countries they live in when I'm looking at a domain to buy - UNLESS they are trying to shove it all down my throat .... - Then I'll just go to the next person. Maturity and ethics in this industry are what I look for first - Nothing else." I could not help but think that, coming from NP Staff, his post will have a chilling effect on political expression for members who are not proudly republican.

To be clear, I am not "picking a fight" with Mark. I'm just using his posts as a springboard to open a discussion on Business & Politics.

Personally, I put principles, like freedom of expression, above profit. Being "Open for Business" means, to me, that my business is open to and for everyone. I do not discriminate against race, religion/lack of religion, sex, sexual preference, political party or political viewpoints, etc., no matter how strongly expressed... as long as its legal and peaceful.

The domain industry... with extensions for many interests groups, every country and virually every language on earth, is by nature a very liberal market. Perhaps the most diverse market on the planet. Expect it to attract folks from all walks of life... including those with a strong passion to "shove their views down your throat". Republicans, religious people, and White folks seem to have no problem strongly (sometimes at gunpoint) pushing their political views, faith or culture down other people's throats. (Hey, sometimes people swallow-it, and convert.) So why is it such a problem when folks who are none of the above strongly push their views?

Whatever happened to leaders who say "I may not agree with your views but I will fight for your right to express them".

Please, try not to punish those with a different stride than your own. To do so will only result in reverse boycotting... and hamper your bottom line and the market's true potential. Let's not let a little thing like personal politics get in the way of doing business... unless its a case like Apartheid, in S. Africa, forced labor in China, ecologically destructive business practices -like the use of CFCs, etc..

You see... Business is politics because Politics is a business. Practice both with all the passion you can muster... and may the best ideas win! That's my opinion.

 

[.X.]

I wouldn't think of it.I will hardly discuss politics as it is.I sure wouldn't mix it with my business. Freedom of expression ,The first amendment and everything are great,If used in thier proper perspective.And in most cases that is not the case here.Taking jabs at other countries isn't cool imo.All countries have different laws,ways of living,and i respect that,And have many friends from many different countries. I always hate to see the political threads divide our comunity here at NamePros from time to time.Mark has stated his dislike for political threads here,I have aswell.But if iam attacked,Yes i will speak up.So if political threads were banned from NamePros,I would be happy to see it.

 

[Eric]

Should NP Mix Business & Politics by Allowing Political Threads in "The Break Room"?

Simple answer, No.

 

[Mark]

Well - to begin with - I stand behind ALL Statements ..... Even though they are now taken out of context. The "Republican and Damn proud of it" was in response to someone saying conservatives didn't care about the people who died on 9/11 ....
And I'm not shoving that down anyones throat but the Person who stated that.


To end with - If this were a "Political Forum" of which I was staff on - I probably wouldn't state my views .... BUT IT ISN'T .... It's a "DOMAIN FORUM" where I have also stated I think there is no room for Political threads. - If you think the STAFF doesn't have feeling towards silly comments like the one about "Conservatives not caring for the People who Died on 9/11" or should respond , You are badly mistaken .... Some people keep saying ignore those threads - or "Opt out" of them , The staff and forum leaders don't necessarily have that privilege. If all Staff and Forum Leaders who disliked those type threads opted out - Who would Moderate them ? Lord knows those threads are reported enough , Kind of hard to ignore it in there - huh ?



BTW - I wonder how many of these political threads would even be here if Adsense Revenue sharing weren't allowed on them ??? Makes me wonder - :o

 

[CrazyTech]

I could not help but think that, coming from NP Staff, his post will have a chilling effect on political expression for members who are not proudly republican.

Really, on what basis do you make this statement? Simply because a staff member comes out and says "I'm a proud Republican/Democrat/Libertarian/etc." doesn't mean that they're going to do something to those that aren't. Sorry, but that's an absolutely absurd conclusion to draw based off of a single post.

Personally, I put principles, like freedom of expression, above profit. Being "Open for Business" means, to me, that my business is open to and for everyone. I do not discriminate against race, religion/lack of religion, sex, sexual preference, political party or political viewpoints, etc., no matter how strongly expressed... as long as its legal and peaceful.

Freedom of expression also gives you the right to conduct business with those whom you choose as well. If you don't agree with someone, then you have every right in the world to choose not to conduct business with them. That's in freedom of expression as well.

Republicans, religious people, and White folks seem to have no problem strongly (sometimes at gunpoint) pushing their political views, faith or culture down other people's throats. (Hey, sometimes people swallow-it, and convert.) So why is it such a problem when folks who are none of the above strongly push their views?

Really not worth the bytes it takes in the database up to respond to a statement like that. You're not making your point by making such ridiculous and grossly generalizing statements.

Whatever happened to leaders who say "I may not agree with your views but I will fight for your right to express them".

So are we talking about the domain industry or leaders of the world here?

Let's not let a little thing like personal politics get in the way of doing business... unless its a case like Apartheid, in S. Africa, forced labor in China, ecologically destructive business practices -like the use of CFCs, etc..

Sorry, but that begins to set off the double standard alert. Perhaps someone feels that a certain line of thinking has very dire consequences here in America (or any country that they're from) and they don't want to support that line of thinking. They have every right in the world not to support it and if that means not buying a domain from them, then so be it.

 

[Mark]

And PS : I've already put this to a poll once before .............. Members say they want the political threads ..... So be it ~

 

[.X.]

And PS : I've already put this to a poll once before .............. Members say they want the political threads ..... So be it ~

Yea... Unfortuantly the poll showed they did,But what about now? Who wants country and personal bashing here now? There have been many banned in the past because of such,Some good members to.There will be many more banned because of such threads,Who wants to stop the political bashing and personal bashing here at NamePros? Make a difference and vote in this thread.Lets keep our comunity as one!

 

[{insert name here}]

I voted yes, because thats my opinion, but ultimatly, its not our choice, its up the the NP staff to decide that.....

I think that it is okay to have the threads as long as they are kept under control (wich I can understand if the staff does not want to deal with them, as all of us involved in them [some of them, not all], including myself, have crossed the line at one point or another).

* I will also like to take the time in this thread, to apologize to eyedomainous for the comments made in another thread, sorry, I crossed the line a little. *

I also think it depends on the topic. Religion should never be brought into the mix, as this is just cause for trouble
I do realise that some people take the threads the wrong way, and make business choices that should not be made, but that will only effect that person, if someone does not want to buy a domain, or sell a domain to someone else because of their political views, they are really only hurting themself, either by A, not making a sale, or B, not picking up a domain that someone else will. If you want to make business choices with your heart, you will never get ahead.

I also think the threads are good, as they can also teach others about how others think and feel about the world around them. I have seen many a good points made in some of them that made me think a little more of an issue from the other side, and have actually changed opinions on views of issues due to actually having the other side explained to me from their stand point of the issue.

But again, it doesn't matter how much we talk about it really, as if the staff puts it to a vote and stops them, so be it, thats fine, its there right to do that, and we can't really complain, as thats not why we are really here, and I would be fine with that too, as thats business.

I guess I should have voted "don't really care" :lol:

 

[deu12000]

People say you shouldn't talk about politics and religion, but guess what people are wrong. I voted yes. Of course you aren't going to mix politics/religion with business usually, but a general chat section is basically a free for all and should stay that way. Everyone has strong opinions and some like to voice them, I say let them do it.

 

[{insert name here}]

BTW - I wonder how many of these political threads would even be here if Adsense Revenue sharing weren't allowed on them ??? Makes me wonder - :o

can you guys remove that option from the threads you put the warnings up on?

*and maybe also remove the NP$ for a post in those threads aswell?

 

[.X.]

People say you shouldn't talk about politics and religion, but guess what people are wrong. I voted yes. Of course you aren't going to mix politics/religion with business usually, but a general chat section is basically a free for all and should stay that way. Everyone has strong opinions and some like to voice them, I say let them do it.

For what reason?? To flame each others countries and each other in general? What is the point,what is the purpose? This is a domain forum,And large comunity of people from all over the world.This is the only place i get unity,And when i see our comunity divide because of idiotic politics that don't make a crap here.I think it stinks!

 

[webfreak]

When people have opinions, there's going to be debates. If people feel strongly about their viewpoints, then others may get insulted.

Example: http://www.namepros.com/the-break-room/169019-poll-mixing-business-and-politics.html

 

[.X.]

When people have opinions, there's going to be debates. If people feel strongly about their viewpoints, then others may get insulted.

Example: http://www.namepros.com/the-break-room/169019-poll-mixing-business-and-politics.html

The problem is,These aren't debates,They become full flamed thrashing,and iam awaiting the usuals that like to jump into political threads and start the bashing,You folks know who you are

 

[deu12000]

Ok that's your opinion and I respect that. But...when you have a general chat section that's where domaining stops. The Break Room as it's called is just that, a break from domaining. I understand that people get upset when their government or even religion are criticized, but that's life. Not everyone is going to agree with everyone on every topic, and just because it's a sensitive topic doesn't mean it can't be discussed.

I understand what you're saying, if you feel someone has taken it to far let them know. But in general I'm all for freedom of speech whether it's a sensitive topic or not. I also like to see different views from different people and cultures because it shows me a lot about other countries and the way of their thinking.

 

[{insert name here}]

When people have opinions, there's going to be debates. If people feel strongly about their viewpoints, then others may get insulted.

Example: http://www.namepros.com/the-break-room/169019-poll-mixing-business-and-politics.html

why is your example this thread, who is instulting who in here, I think this just went way over my head

 

[Eric]

For what reason?? To flame each others countries and each other in general? What is the point,what is the purpose? This is a domain forum,And large comunity of people from all over the world.This is the only place i get unity,And when i see our comunity divide because of idiotic politics that don't make a crap here.I think it stinks!

Agreed. And like pointed out earlier in this thread, some good members have been lost because of these types of threads. And I forsee more being lost in the future. "Yeah this is the break room, talk about anything and everything". Cool, yeah that's what it's here for..but when it comes to these threads several members do, and will, eventually cross the line. And the opt out...Mark made a great point. As staff/FL we can't.... Either way, more members will be lost... if these threads stay or go. Don't see how some of you can't get that? All it does is divide.

 

[Mark]

Lol - I haven't voted yet -X- :o The fact is , If they want it .... let'em get it :p

 

[.X.]

Ok that's your opinion and I respect that. But...when you have a general chat section that's where domaining stops. The Break Room as it's called is just that, a break from domaining. I understand that people get upset when their government or even religion are criticized, but that's life. Not everyone is going to agree with everyone on every topic, and just because it's a sensitive topic doesn't mean it can't be discussed.

I understand what you're saying, if you feel someone has taken it to far let them know. But in general I'm all for freedom of speech whether it's a sensitive topic or not. I also like to see different views from different people and cultures because it shows me a lot about other countries and the way of their thinking.

I see where your coming from deu and respect it.At the same time,I've seen good members be banned because of counrty and personal flaming became so bad,and they lost thier cool.And in some cases,Justly so.If you folks look through some past threads concerning politics,You will see certain members who intentionally push peoples buttons to make the whole topic break out into a bashing frenzy.And it usually seems to be the same members.For what?

Lol - I haven't voted yet -X- :o The fact is , If they want it .... let'em get it :p

:lol: I think maybe a time has come that "If they want it" Maybe they should go to a political ,country,personal bashing-Rip my country apart i don't care,Call me names please forum and enjoy themselves there.

 

[dgridley]

Well, of course, I'm all for freedom of expression in the Break Room. As someone else pointed out, the Break Room is where "domaining" stops, you have sections for domain discussion and I (rarely, if ever) see political discussion spilling over into them. If they do, then, of course, they could be considered off-topic and closed or moved.

I'd wager given the extreme number of views these types of threads tend to have that many others find them of interest as well.

As for removing NP$ from the mix, accumulating NP$ for my posts has never been "my" primary concern.. it's a nice added feature but not why I post in the Break Room. I post threads I find interesting, funny, or feel are important.

Something else to consider regarding the fact of revenue sharing: the large number of views these types of threads generate also potentially generate revenue for the forum. I'd think you'd want to leave the status quo the way it is. But take away the NP$ for posts and I'd still post, so long as it was allowed.

Granted, opinions tend to be bi-polar.. you can't please everyone. I'd like to think, tho, that I can post to encourage an exchange of ideas.. Namepros being a great melting pot of cultures and nationalities, I find it fascinating to see what others have to say or how they view certain subjects. Can't get that at home sitting in front of the telly and watching ONE channel.. that's why we have many channels, many different newspapers, etc. so we can all express our views and be heard.

Just my humble opinion..

 

[.X.]

I dunno dave,I looked at your post topics,And there are quite a few that are politically motivated threads,That turn into heated bashing long term threads.Here they are http://www.namepros.com/search.php?...starteronly=1&exactname=1&searchuser=dgridley