While I Understand everything that Chris posted and fully understand that it is your bat, ball, and game and do appreciate what apparently went on in the past, I ask in all seriousness: Is it necessary to paint all political discussions with the same broad paint brush?
Could such discussions be allowed as long as the discussion remains civil? Treat transgressors on a case by case basis, say a two week suspension or the like?
I obviously don't know what is involved in being a monitor/administrator would something like the above be too difficult to monitor?
Part of the problem is simply the written word. One would thing that writing things down would clarify them but the majority of human communication is via non-verbal clues: tone of voice, facial expression, posture, etc. The popular expression "Drop Dead" can have many meanings beside the obvious when delivered verbally/in person but all those meanings are lost when written down.
Just asking....