I did expect it to end this way. It's become an opportunity for those exiled from politics to argue with the politics regulars who are willing to engage them.
So that's why it's time to close it. The thread served its purpose.
I'll sum up.
There was an idea put forth that political discussion, outside of the politics forum was negatively impacting many of the other forums. That was demonstrably true in BFI. Look at the health insurance thread, for example.
But the most active BFI mod has been encouraged to crack down on that, at his discretion. Also related to BFI, is the poster, toothsayer. Toothsayer has been exiled from politics, but is now welcome in BFI.
I was curious, when starting the thread, if I would hear from posters in other forums about this problem. Didn't really happen.
Just because I am not taking action, doesn't mean moderators won't as a result of the thread. When people post in this forum asking me to look at things, I feel obligated to look. And I encourage other people to have a say.
That happened in this thread. As a result, all the moderators who have been questioned, from augie to zeno, I feel comfortable in allowing to continue as they see fit. But, as I said, it's entirely possible this thread may impact some of their future decisions.
So if the thread continues to be a handful of posters arguing about nazis or comedians, it will be closed.