I agree and I disagree.

I currently enjoy participation in a music forum that moderates current events/politics out of its discussions. I always used to be in the camp that PeterT so astutely observes, " ...and in the case of music, folk music, and the arts, crazy -- if these are not plugged into the doings of the world, what is?". I thought it would be dull conversation and would be kind of missing what the arts are ultimately about.

On the other hand, though those things (politics/current events) are not directly discussed on that forum, some great respect has developed from the discussion of the common interest that drew us to that forum in the first place. Now, from that forum, I have several friends -- friends with whom I get together (in person), share music, argue politics (in person), laugh and tell bad jokes -- all with mutual respect and great love for each other.

And we know and respect what the other brings to the mix -- we VALUE each other -- and because of that valuing, we discuss everything with a great deal more respect in the way we might frame an opinion.

In a forum that has evolved as this has -- into a political forum, there is little chance for ever striking up friendships with any who don't hold your political POV. That may be comfortable. That also may be a way of making great friendships -- and, infact, if you only want friendships with those that share your world view I guess that's understandable. I used to participate in a community like that too. It was called "church".

It would be an interesting (and quite impossible) exercise to see how differently this forum might evolve if one were not able to come below the line for a year or two. If the first impressions and opinions formed on the forum were formed around the expertise and persona reflected around the mudcat's common goal -- MUSIC -- I wonder with how much more respect that poster might be met when he finally started to post "below the line" -- even if he was in disagreement with the vocal majority here.