It is difficult to tow the line....

[max]

I was about to start a thread about the latest in a sad ongoing string of road fatalities on our Victor Harbor Road here in SA. To discuss why, and how and what to do. Just generally chew the fat. Its car related. I drive both my Fords down there a lot I have a shack on the coast. But the trouble is the thread could lapse into a political debate, as that's what is at the nub of it. How the roads and their users are managed. These things are administered by state/federal governments. I am frustrated because I see a lot of money being spent and collected, but the human toll continues un-abated. Apart from my engine mods, paintwork, wheels and suspension the other thing I love to discuss on these forums is the general business of motoring (in our Fords, of course). The roads we put them on are a poltical hot potato, the design and condition of them, the behaviour expected in the use of them, the revenue extracted from using or abusing them and so on. I feel a bit disappointed when a robust discussion gets cut off when the criteria is judged to be sensitive. OK I take the point that I can go join a political Forum, and I will. However, AFF ought to take a look at its charter, because the Ford interest is the glue that sticks together a pretty varied bunch of forum participants who in the main enjoy not only an enthusiasm for their cars, but for life in general. The vigorous discussion of social issues and the revelation of people's stance on these issues is a healthy condition and enables a broad understanding of generational/cultural/socially influenced people who have a common bond, that is their preference for driving Ford vehicles. We thankfully live in a democracy with freedom of speech, and boy we should enjoy it: The rest of the world is tearing itself apart to achieve a fraction of the quality of life on offer here. I would rather hear political discussion on these forums than see rather off color, offensive and demeaning avatars for example. Yep I know, if I don't like it I can stuff off. But this is one example of AFF needing to think about its priorities. I could pick a litany of things less related to Ford discussion that are clearly sanctioned, than political/social debate.

[EA2BA]

Its not the subject you have outlined, or a wish to stop debate on a subject that causes the threads to be closed, it is the personal attacks that take things way off topic that casue threads to be closed.

[Casper]

The "nasho" thread could have gone political too.. but it didnt. It is possible. So long as the topic remains on track and does not wander off into a namecalling Left vs Right slanging match its fine. Of course if the thread starts with all the seeds for abuse in place to start with... its getting closed.
Please, feel free to discuss the roads and road laws but remember it has been consecutive governments of both sides that have created/supported these sometimes ignorant laws so keep the Left vs Right fight out of it and it will all be good.