Question: is anyone really looking for civil discourse?

Indeed...and it looked quite hopeful initially...

You guys. Give it up, for real. This thread can still survive if you just take a different approach.

Look how civil and un-head-bashy it is for me...

Applause...but I think some folk actually don't want civil discourse, they prefer the baiting and retaliation.

It's the same horseshit every damn time "your side" doesn't like the opposing view. You abandon the discussion to personally attack and steam roll over whoever it is and derail the thread yourselves. It just happened to Snowsilver on this very thread with an unwarranted accusation from Elaine that Snowsilver is a Nazi. Snowsilver! One of the kindest, most thoughtful, civil people on here and Elaine (her friend) personally attacked her. Because she didn't like the opposing view, Elaine called her a Nazi. Let that sink in a minute. 

And before that it was PaperAngel, another of the most kind, thoughtful and civil Peas here and Elaine (again) personally attacked her and it was completely unwarranted. Everyone let it happen and no one condemned Elaine for derailing the thread either time or resorting to personal attacks. That was okay because? Elaine holds the approved viewpoint? 

And you wonder why Lynlam is no longer civil and why no one on the "wrong side" wants to participate anymore. Open your damn eyes and look at your own behaviors for a change and stop blaming your current actions on the way the old board used to be and the fact that someone, somewhere, called someone a libtard. Not here, but somewhere. Look at the echo chamber you've created here. There's no denying it anymore. 

As AmandaA said in about the 3rd post of the entire thread - about 90% of these posts are vent posts, started out of frustration at what this man is doing to your country. So yes, of course it's going to be somewhat of an echo chamber. As she also said, if people do want actual discussion of some event or policy they usually say that at the start.

I'm sure you can appreciate that when you're venting it's very irritating to have someone constantly come along and tell you why you're wrong and pointing out where someone else apparently did something similar.

Oh boo hoo.   Here let me get my  🎻

What I want to know is after lucyg provided you with information on why trump still hasn't really condemned the alt right are you going to comment on it or ignore it?

Even though Amanda has already agreed with you, she originally said "threads" not "posts" when talking about venting, and that's true, most of the political threads are vents not looking for discussion. But individual posts in a thread are different. It shouldn't be a thread-reader's responsibility to have to discern which posts in a 17-page thread are merely vents and which are open to response. This particular thread wasn't started as a vent but actually invited responses. It also didn't specify anything about "this man" but about politics in general. That's also why it has become nearly impossible to have civil or productive political conversation when any political thread turns into a rant/vent about "this man."  I am not excusing, defending, or even talking about "this man" merely pointing out how it would be nice to be able to talk about an issue independent of "this man" but because it is not is the reason I rarely participate in political threads these days. Politics and life in the U.S. are so much more than "this man" but you'd never know it if you only get your politics here.

ETA: That's a general you in the last sentence.

That would be inked up who had the audacity to say "fucking neo-Nazis." I know you believe them to be "very fine people" and are bothered I wasn't civil enough when I mentioned them and the the "very fine" Neo-Nazis who post on Stormfront. Otherwise, why continue to mention my "cussing" in an attempt to distract from my point? I know you are upset that I provided a fact that contradicts your "Trump is not racist" narrative.

I also find it hilarious that you are so hung up on my statement that it's pointless to engage you. I don't hold any special power over the peas. I never issued any grand proclamation that the peas were to stop discussing anything with you. I guess I should re-phrase: I, personally, do not think there is any point in engaging with you. I, personally, think these side arguments (that you constantly engage in), distract from the point of the thread. I, personally, think you are continuing to prove me right with every post you add to this thread. But, please, peas, if you want to engage Gia, go right ahead. I'm sure there are tons of peas who were sitting on their hands because I said it's pointless to engage you 😂😂😂😂

Please tell me how I am preventing you from having civil discourse with Kristin.

You're upset I said "fucking Neo-Nazis," and I'm annoyed you twisted my words to imply that my views align with theirs. You want to dish shit out and then cry when you get covered in the shit you've been flinging at others.

You M.O. is very much like Trump's: say something incorrect/shitty, get called on it, say you are misunderstood, and finally, play victim.

Look at you here. Cussing. And yet, elaine didn't accuse you of demonizing her or trying to derail the discussion by cussing. Interesting.

This isn't a vent post, so no, it shouldn't be an echo chamber or people trashed because of holding a differing opinion, so your excuse falls dead flat. 

I commented, haven't looked at them yet, but I commented. Pay attention.

Fixed that for you too.

That is all you got Gia. Bless your heart sweetie. Rock on with your bad self then.