pig

roach, just to double jump on pan's post a bit - i think that's the point of this post, to me at least.

no. don't take it seriously. carno was making a point...although i don't necessarily agree with how he set out to do it - i agree with you there, i'm not sure this post would have stood in other circumstances - i think it serves the point to open up for some venting of frustration at the way discourse on politics occurs by member who may not be regulars here, or who may be intimidated by the environment here. i think in the context of the little period of internal reflection going on across the boards right now, this post is strangely appropriate in that it might start making politics more approachable to some outsiders to express themselves here...and it could serve as a reminder that it doesn't always have to be so serious in here all the time.

a little irreverence is ok, i think. i can definately tell you work in academics - that symbolism with analogy between consumerism and politics i think is something only you thought of. i think carno was just being an irreverent smartass when he started this thread - no real "framing" or "positioning" involved.

supple - that italicized "I" ( I ) in your post looks like a slash.

edit: roach: i also know you can be a little sensitive about these things, so to clarify: i don't think anyone is saying there is no place in politics for yourself and/or host...well, ustwo may have made some comments about host - but seriously, you're one of the pillars in this part of the community. i honestly don't really know why, but people are apparently intimidated a bit by your on-line persona...always framing and contextualizing and positioning and so forth. as i said above, i think the best thing here is the opportunity for people to let their hair down and relax a little...even within politics. i think it could even help move the quality of conversation forward in general.

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