While you were absent from the board, Andy, there was a bit of a furor about all of the hidden political posts. Some, including myself, wrote that they don't mind if there are political posts, even the nasty one-sided variety, but we would prefer not to read them if we don't want to. There was discussion about making these posts obvious. I don't remember an agreement, but there was a strong request to mark political posts as such (when not obvious). It did not extend to all ncr-type posts. Since I don't particularly enjoy people ranting against the supporters of one party or the other, or their candidates/elected officials, I appreciate when I can tell that the post is going to contain political opinion, so I can avoid it. Many posts appear to offer something humorous, or something benign, but are actually political attacks. It would be nice if I could read this board without danger of being hoodwinked into reading them. Personally, in the context of political posts, including political jokes, I would like to see them marked. If they aren't, it's not the end of the world, but it makes the board that much more unpleasant.

Although I do use ncr as a courtesy, I don't generally mind when others don't. Really, this is one of my few exceptions. I also prefer to know if a post contains advertising. Maybe that's just me.

JMHO.

Michael Siskin