o This is a Usenet newsgroup, not a "board."

o I don't know why others post about politics here. But from all
the responses and banter it seems there are many interested in
the discussion.

o I try to post mostly about boats and only sometimes about
politics. One of the reasons I post about politics is because it
interests me. One of the reasons I post here is because after
reading this newsgroup for five years I have some knowledge
of the people posting. That makes the political discussion more
relevant and interesting to me than in other groups.

o The idea is often floated that if people posted their thoughts to
political boards or groups they would get "eaten alive." Most
of the political groups I've checked in on don't have any
higher standards of argument or knowledge than this one.

o Political groups pose another problem. Most of them seem
to me to be 100's of single posts and very little discussion.
Sometimes there are one or two or five replies but not
often. Here one gets lively discussion.

o As the oft used analogy goes: It's like talking politics at
your local marina bar.

o Most groups I frequent have political discussion even though
the groups are not political groups. It's something that touches
all walks of life and people with all interests.

o If you don't like the politics it is VERY easy to ignore them. You
can filter on a few words, block posts from a few people, and you
hardly see the politics. (Or so I've heard.)

o Lastly and most importantly, this newsgroup is GREAT for
boating. Almost any question or post you make about boating
gets many knowledgeable and interesting responses.

So what is the problem?