The thing is Laces that's how this thread works for most of the posters on here, not just Os. It is only a platform for conversation when the posters involved all agree with one another. We may have had our disagreements but even I can recognise that you are one of only a few who will give opinions that could be described as both right and left wing*. You can't say that about many others on here, we are all entrenched in our views. Os is not really any different just maybe a bit more exuberant.
The time of polite debate passed long ago mainly because opposing views aren't really tolerated with any respect. I would suggest that when a poster has had enough of the insults, false accusations and pompous put downs, they either leave or respond in kind. That's where we are now and why there are so many chaotic arguments.
For the most part the politics board is for point scoring and I don't exclude myself from that either. I don't post to discuss issues anymore, I'll find something that I agree with or something that points out hypocrisy and put it up, if that upsets the pious amongst us, so much the better. I can't be bothered engaging with those who I know are going to disagree for the sake of it, or start the racism/.....phobic/ bigot accusations. Then there's always a comparison to the Daily Mail or trying to discredit the source of a quote to fall back on for the unimaginative.
Just a while ago there were a number of comments about how this board was once good for a civilised chat and how things have changed for the worse blah, blah blah. They were obviously blaming Osvaldorama for upsetting their cosy clique. But maybe they should have looked at themselves a bit closer. The fact that they are unable to cope with someone who voices his unpopular opinions to the point of them losing the plot is hard to understand in an adult. It seems that too many take themselves so seriously that they think they're above being made fun of or don't even recognise it. When I see OS say "as usual, I'm right" I laugh. It's such an obvious wind up but someone always has got to try to put him in his place.
*Sorry, that's not a particularly good description but I'm struggling for something better at this time of night.