Sorry Rick, you haven't been here long enough to have an opinion. Go back to writing your SEC e-mails if you need a cause. (Just joking by the way
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However.. a 3-strike rule is just silly. The answer is simple, the Moderators should be doing their job. I haven't read anything from anyone that deserves a ban. If political talk in the daily thread is taboo (which it should be) just delete the post and leave a link to either the Posting rules or a link to the political discussion area. Easy! no one gets banned, get's told to stand in the corner, or have their mother saying I'm going to count to 3 and if you don't..... eventually people will get the hint. Bottom line, moderator should be doing his job.
As far as pissing contests go, eventually a Moderator needs to step in, but I don't have a problem with people trying to make a point. Sometimes two people need to "work" it out. Take airman and john... they have come to an understanding (whether or not they "like" each other is another thing). I think just about everyone on this board, given the right opportunity, has been able to come to an understanding regarding any disagreements. Again, maybe the moderator lets them know that after a point, all subsequent posts will be deleted, so take it private.
All good folks here with something to contribute. You can't put this many diverse people together with differing views on the world, right and wrong, etc and not expect to have some conflict. A moderator's job is to manage that conflict in the right way.
just my opinion. good luck to all SIRI investors.