I agree with your assessment Anthonyve. And applaud free discussion.

But I was wondering if party politics is over represented in discussions on OLO ?.

I think subjects regarding issues that have more social consequence than the micro thinking that comes from party politics may be of more interest and more fulfilling, thats all.

Is this a symptom of the state of Australian politics itself today, that we discuss topics (for the most part that are cases of Tweedle Dum vs Tweedle Dee) ?.

The Abbott tenure has not helped this in my view. The micro criticism of everything the Gov't attempts, has encouraged the combative party political discussion environment.

Abbott may see the roll of opposition as continuously pulling the Govt's chain or blocking/promising to reverse anything, I don't.

I now find myself drilling down and bogged, in a party political discussion, (even though I would declare myself officially "not" a supporter of either major party at this time) and perpetrating a another endless party political discussion is the last thing I want.

"Any" opposition bent on sabotaging "any" elected Gov'ts agenda from the opposition benches, represents anarchy at best or vested interest's, (if supported by the media at the same time), regardless of whom the elected "victim" Govt of the day is.

The destructive implications of media power both failing to scrutinise and at the same time endorsing any opposition's agenda, in order that an elected Gov'ts program be thwarted, can't be good for democracy and/or the social fabric.

This is not a party political micro topic, it is a macro matter for all Australians.

Do we wish to exceed to the likes of the Murdoch press and vote for Abbott and his un- costed, un-scrutinised policies regardless, and guess about who's running the show after the election ?. I'm not guessing if that be at all helped.

Thinker 2 I think not politics needs more airing not less.
What I think, while totaly in agreement with Anthonysve, is this.
Not all comment is researched or comeing from the well informed.
Increaseingly, some comes straight from the front page of our gutter press.
I think the most ofensive, is from usualy, the least informed.
PARTY POLITICS is not evil, no discussion can take place unless it is free to follow the views of most.
We do see, just look, deliberate shifting from the threads intended path,and not always is it done by informed posters.
It however is often done with the intention of stopping comments not agreed with.

Topics and their affects upon us.....lol....."and thinker said....and I wellcome the thought.....But "what is a good discussion topic" ? I ask.

Answer is....Humans are all apart of the systems that this planet has given for all living things for millions of years. Thinker, you want a good topic that will bring truth just that bit closer, just try the truth with any topic and see what you get.

Just a thought.

CACTUS

darn was meant to post this here

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/bigideas/stories/2011/11/29/3378072.htm

lexie you mentioned noam chonshy
he was on big ideas a few days ago
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/bigideas/

there are some excellent topic suggestions there
and each should become automaticly a new topic

in the main because commenting on them at abc
sees them censored...and these issues run deep

danerouse ideas
and so much more
dump the abc..and just do more big ideas

i wish they would run one channel
just for replaying big ideas programs all the time...in full

for those who never heard of the guy
watch the clip

he is saying what many need to know

sure he is wtong in a few things
like his cause of jap surrender in ww2
it was the ruskies massing to invade japan..
that they surrenderd to usa

but his napalming japs..killing 20 million
thats true...[it wasnt people dying from bombs

[not even atom bombs
it was that the elites..would loose
their illgotten booty/power...lol.. to the ruskies]

but heck
the rest of his stuff is spot on
and the research has only just been done...

[i think i heard that
on big ideas too]

noting the 'i heard site
censord my suggestions

clearly they didnt hear
now there is a topic ...lol
that has no affect on anyone

except as a propoganda site

the spin is sin

Politics and Religion as discussion topics, need to be indulged in with less fervor and more sensitivity, it is our right to have our views, but rabid insults from some posters can turn the whole topic into a war zone. We, as Australians, have a right to both religion and choice of politicians, and it is not for the ill-informed to throw insults at people who are exercising their rights.
In some areas, the press are lacking in responsible reporting, and, like Lexi, I enjoy programs such as Q & A, and of course the program hosted by the genius on "Hypothetical" . Also the ABC's "Media Watch" is interesting in the exposure of some journalism "porkies".
It is not for others to vilify those who think along different lines.
Cheers, and a "Hello" for Lexi.
Noisy Scrub Bird.