We all know that it's up to Bob's personal discretion to do as he feels on this issue about NRF threads. I don't even know if Bob has the ability to "create" such a special area or location for all these none fish related treads that seem to be bombarding this board daily. I do know (in my opinion) that there are a lot of members on our board that are much more interested in reading posts that relate to fishing related issues then there is about posts that relate to "other political issues".

And yes, if it's an issue that is politically related to fishing, or fish management, then in my opinion, its fair game and should be allowed to be posted and debated on Bob's fishing site. Again, it's Bob's site and it is his call.

We already know what the people who post on these NRF threads (mostly the political ones) will claim; that they get the most attention and replays on Bob's site. Well that may be true simply because most of the time, it's the same people bickering back and forth at each other about a political issue that can't be won

It's my opinion, that most of these political issues do noting but create resentment for each other and caused nothing but discontent that continually carries over into other fish related threads. I know that many will disagree with this pole, especially the members that love to create political threads. But I think that this pole will give Bob a good idea about how his board members feel about all these political none related fishing threads

So here's the Pole:

I

I for one find value in both solutions.
I think it is good to keep these issues in the eye of all anglers. Pushing these topics to a separate forum will only lessen their visibility.

I also think what some other forums have done with a community chat area is successful. Creating a NFR or open communtiy chat area is good to keep from having to wade through a bunch of NFR when all you want is a FR report.

Sometimes I want to discuss things with you folks like my love for Billiards, Snowboarding, Photography, Kids, etc, but dont post about that stuff here because I dont want to get bashed for posting NFR topics.


Remeber folks, you all have the power in your mouse..to click or not to click on a topic, it's up to you!

Either way Bob, I like what you have going here, I think all else will agree.

I think the best solution is to do both. Allow NFR's on the main board, but maybe open up a open community to allow for free for all topics. Leave it up to the Moderators discretion to move a topic if they see fit, thats why they make the big bucks anyway .

You also need to look at the cost associated with each option. Does the owner of the board wish to foot the bill for another board for NFR topics? Does Bob want to moderate that board? Does he even want to be associated with what may be posted on such a board? These are questions only he can answer, if he chooses. What I think people forget sometimes is this is not a public forum, it is a private board and we are here as guest of the board owner. We do not have the right to say anything we wish on this board, it is up to the board owner to decide what is appropriate and what he would like to be on his board.
I think Bob has been a very kind host and very tolerant, but just like when you host a large group sometimes you have to have a bouncer to maintane the atmosphere you wish to have at the gathering.
Should there be a NFR area, I am not sure. If you wish to discuss matters relating to fishing this is the place. If you wish to have discussions unrelated to fishing and the resource there may be places geared more to such conversations, or they may fit here nicely, that is the owners right to decide.

My guess is that Bob knows that the NFR posts drive a ton of traffic to his site. While they sometimes cause hard feeling, few folks leave becasue of the NFRs, and many seem to appreciate them. I beleive It's in his best interests to leave things as they are.

Those who don't like the NFS should just say no and not click on them.

Seems to me it shouldn't be any big deal to add another page to this site for NFR posts.

Take a look at Gamefishin.com - they have a "let's talk fishin" page and a "say what" page for everything else: hunting, politics, jokes, whatever.

Bob, what would it take to add one page to this site?

Now if everyone could remain CIVIL, we wouldnt even have to ask ourselves if we need a forum specifically for NFR topics.

Just because you disagree with someone does not make them an idiot, a moron, a fascist, a hippie etc. etc. etc.

I guess this means Bob's intuition about this is right on

My opinion on this issue is well documented. I see that the poll is running about 50/50.

When people title a post with NFR (NOT FISHING RELATED) they are acknowledging that: "I realize that this has absolutely NO business being here....but I'm going to post it anyway".

To me it makes no sense for a fishing website to have a separate category for lake fishing, and separate category for fly fishing, but hey, lets put the political arguments on the Salmon & Steelhead board.

Actually, if the NFR posts had their own category, I would be interested in participating in some of the discussions. It's just too irritating to get involved when the post is totally inappropriate for the subject of the board.

Another aspect of this subject is the advertisers who support this site. Fishing gear vendor advertise here because they want to target fishermen. If they visit this site and see that it has become predominately a current events board, they will re-think their support.
But I guess other advertisers that target those that like to argue politics could fill in.....viagra?....rogaine?....dating services?

I don't think that political science majors check PP's NFR threads to see whats going on in the world? These NFR threads are started and answered by fisherpeople. Just what the advertisers want to see---- lots of hits. My life would certainly be more mellow without all the insanity.

LOL

Judging by volume of posts, I believe that ifish.net is by far the most successful, and fastest growing fishing BB in the NW. It seems to me that things really took off on ifish after the decision was made to segregate NFR from FR.

Maybe Bob should contact Jenny and explain to her the error of her ways.

And I think that PP's trend toward NFR has attracted a LOT of non-anglers.

But I have to agree with you, Jerry, about the political science majors...

Gee, wouldya lookie there...Slabquest posting on another NFR thread. Twice even....

That's just because Oregon has higher unemployment rates!!

Is this board not successful enough and growing fast enough for you? It isnt a contest, be careful what you wish for.

In Oregon, it seems every cracker with a pole and computer has a login to iFish.

I don't see where a seperate category for NFR subjects would translate into less total hits for PP.

Doesn't more active boards spell MORE hits?

And, Aunty, check the poll...it's about 50/50. It's not just me.

And, h2o, I know you think that PP is a current events board so talking about PP is NFR, but I hope your vision does not come to pass.

Obviously, that arguement can be flipped over to support either point of view.

Who am I to question??

Why, I am the GREAT and ALL POWERFUL SLABQUEST!! (Just please don't look behind the curtain, Aunty M)

Your 15 views are primarily from u & me.

As I have mentioned before, the high post #'s in the political threads come from a handful of members that seem to be here 24/7. I don't think that Bob's numbers reflect that...

Naturally, advertisers (& Bob) would greatly prefer to have 1000 members a day with 1 hit each than 100 members with 10 hits.

i agree

Wasn't that a Clinton era program? You know full well there are some here that could never support anything Clinton-ese.

Try the Reagan era Harley....

Just say no to drugs, unless they are paid for by the CIA and delivered to americas inner cities, that is.

Here's an idea

I personally could care less about all these "political threads", but here is a suggestion that you may want to kick around. Why can't the moderators leave the top line or two on Bob's front page for all the NFR threads? That way all you guys and girls that love to debate these winless issues can always be on the front page with your bickering, and you can leave the rest of Bob's page to the fish related threads. That way the moderator can easily keep an eye on all that hot stuff that you guys love to get into in those political debates. You guys can keep bumping each other until you turn blue in the face and stop bumping off all the fish related posts below, and we all can keep talking and reading about fish related issues instead of politics!

So now what's wrong with this suggestion?

Cowlitzfisherman

you could have fooled me...... <img border="0" alt="[wall]" title="" src="graemlins/wall.gif" />