i haven't opened that post of hers, but if that is the content, I agree, a subject not suitable for the KT. Choice or not choice, is truly a deeply personal and controversial subject.

Ok, this is a case of opening mouth before opening a questionable post....my bad. I did open the post and the way the Q was, I found it not as controversial as I expected. Sorry. But if the Q had been put another way, it would have been more a topic for hot topics. It would be ideal if, we at The Table, could discuss any topic like adults, but most adults (myself included) have strong feelings about numerous subjects, and it is hard to keep ones head level, when confronted.

Agreed Dotmom. I had no thought about it being about that, thought it was about announcing pregnancy not ending pregnancy.

Stacie

Abortion only falls under religion or politics if an individual decides to apply it that way, not by definition.

The threads asking for prayers are way more religious IMO but no one complains about those.

I don't see anything wrong with hypothetical questions and people seem to be choosing to answer it politely and thoughtfully, including yourself. :)

Yes, you're sticking your neck out. You're beating a dead horse. Again, it's not our place to tell people what they may or may not post. If a subject matter is inappropriate, then it's Gardenweb's responsibility to remove it. (Or, if you're that offended, email a complaint yourself.)

It was clear from the title of the post that a hypothetical question was being asked.

These are ALWAYS hypothetical questions, tho -- so why bother having the "Please refrain from topics including" line?

There have been times when some posters have been successful in shutting down controversial postings, not just by contacting the administrator, but by sheer peer pressure. There are people who know what "controversial" looks like and therefore don't fuel the post, and there are others who just feel the need to post responses on every message string they see.

Ain't gonna change.
But here's the lesson in all that: If you are reading a post (or half-reading it) and find that it may cross the line, post that thought RIGHT THERE on the msg string, and you might find that others agree with you.

I completely agree with Chi and LindaKathy. I think you are trying to stir something up.

I didn't see anything in the post to which you are referring that I would deem controversial, or in need of being moved to the Hot Topics forum.

If something offends me, I SOB--to me, that's better than stirring the pot or causing hard feelings. Golden Rule applies...

The subject of abortion doesn't offend me in the least little bit so I don't care one way or another as long as no one tries and takes my rights away from me it's all good! Usually forum rules do say that abortion should not be discussed though. Heck I don't even know wher the rules are for this forum...are there any?

I don't even know where the "hot topics" for is,,so how am I gonna stay informed if they don't post it here????

Not only was I not offended, but I thought that, for the most part, the issue was tastefully handled.

After all, we are all adults, and usually if someone goes over the line, others chastise, it isn't the responsibility of the person being clobbered.

I got one of those "gentle reminder"s a week or so ago, about my comment on an issue that I was a bit surprised about ...

... and the only thing that I figure may have got someone's back up was that I questioned whether one might refer to God ...

... (with reference to another gender).

ole joyful

Why would you always want to shut down a "controversial" post? Since when is giving a differing opinion "fueling" the thread? Why does everybody have to agree?... or they get their feelings hurt? Everything in this world is not black and white. There are quite a few members here who don't mind disagreeing about something.... and realizing that life goes on. The rest should just stick to the fluff stuff. There's enough forum space for everyone.

Did anybody notice that the OP answered the post on the thread that she is now complaining about?

This forum just cracks me up. It's a PUBLIC forum, i.e., it doesn't belong to anyone. Thousands of people could check it out daily. There are a select few who tend to deem it their responsibility and duty to tell others what to post or what not to post. Again, it's a PUBLIC forum. If the administrators don't pull a post and issue a warning to someone, why should people think it's their business to tell others what is inappropriate? I've always thought that the people who want to talk about the light and fluffy stuff should start their own forum so they won't be offended by others who want to have an interesting/intellectual conversation.

This forum doesn't belong to the few who want to have it their way. It's a PUBLIC forum. If you don't like what you read, maybe YOU need to scroll on by.....

I don't mind controversial posts, it can get a little boring here at times without them.

I didn't find the subject matter objectionable at all. It reminded me of a book I read I think it was by Richard North Patterson. I have strong feelings on the subject but only relating to me personally. I do not make judgements for other people. I thought responders answered very thoughtfully. It was just a thought provoking subject to elicit discussion. Mission accomplished.

And, if you've ever visited Hot Topics, you would know the post was really too mild to belong there. LOL

If anyone cares, here's a direct link to the 'Hot Topics' forum here on GW:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/hottopics/

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Topics forum

Wow. What's going on with this forum lately? I did see the post(and commented) and I did not think it was at hot topic at all. I'm really tired of people trying to stir up trouble. I can certainly understand why some people leave this forum. It's getting petty. Lighten up. We can all have a civil conversation where other points of views can be shared. A real kitchen table certainly has other points of views.

I should clarify my earlier post: Where I wrote that people have been successful shutting down controversial posts, I ought to have said "Hot Topics-type controversial posts." So far, since I've been coming here, there was only one posting that really did go into Hot Topics territory, and it was getting fierce. Most people recognized that and it just died off.

Differences of opinion are frequent here, and that's not a concern to most of us -- yes, it livens things up! Most of us can handle it until it gets too personal, with individual attacks.

(And "scrolling on by" are good words of advice sometimes; thinking the "light and fluffy" posters should go someplace else and start their own forum? Not so nice. Coexist.)

--Pammyfay (who is very glad she had a busy several days and was off the forum when it blew up!)

Coexist - right on. The people who make suggestions as to what needs to go to Hot Topics need to learn to do more of this.

But if we welcome 'differences of opinion' then it follows that we welcome even those that differ from ours. Whether I agree with Stacie or not she's merely expressing her opinion.

I do think that even when we disagree we needn't go into personal attacks.

I think I would rather read something as mundain
as whether or not recipes should be on the Kitchen
Table. I love those recipes.

Dolly.

Thanks Maire, (as I duck and hide :))

Stacie

Is anyone else having problems opening up hot topics...I have never been able to go there...Mary

Here's the link...........I've never had any problems getting to the Forum or to posts there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Topics