Since this thread began in May 2005, the terms “center” and “partisan” have come under fire. So we need to revise the thread header and state our mission more clearly:
This thread will focus on the moderate 20-30% of the American electorate (less on SI, we have learned) who shun blind partisanship and the hate-filled politics that go with it. We will poke fun at the foibles of the hardcore right and left, and showcase efforts to preserve and build a viable political center. By definition, many of the posts will focus on the political disintegration of the current administration and the hapless efforts of the Democrats to organize credible campaigns in the 2006 and 2008 elections.
Criticizing one group or the other is not partisanship. It’s what the center does – evaluating and often rejecting the policies of liberals or conservatives in favor or more moderate, balanced solutions.
This thread does not exist to please conservatives or liberals – just the opposite. If you think that the Bush administration and its policies are the salvation of America and the world at large, this thread is not for you. If you believe that Bush is leading a giant neocon conspiracy to take over America and the rest of the world, this thread is not for you.
If you listen to Fox News all day, have a Michael Moore poster on your wall next to the “Impeach Bush Now!” bumper sticker, or like to post any of the following, this thread is not for you:
“The other side has no ideas.”
“The other side doesn’t care about _______.”
“The other side only engages in personal attacks.”
Personal attacks here will get you banned. Demonizing political groups or parties will get you banned. SI is full of threads where abusive ideologues can vent their crap (liberal/conservative bashing, 9/11 conspiracies, etc.). Don't bring it here.
For everyone else, civil discussion and thoughtful analysis are welcome. Posts are carefully monitored to preserve a constructive atmosphere.
(The posters we have banned here have 225 bans and more than 1500 Ignores between them, an average of nine bans and sixty Ignores each. Most post exclusively on political threads to attack their “enemies”. Not here.) |
