Thanks for stopping by to comment. I definitely see your point, and I agree that there is a time and place for everything. However, I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on the proper place for political discussion.

I think your analogy to sex acts is a bit off-base. You’re right that talking about private sexual conduct can be very offensive to people. We definitely wouldn’t talk about things like that at work (or at least, we shouldn’t). However, politics is inherently public. It’s about deciding how we should govern our joint affairs.

I guess the real irony is that today sex is a more accepted topic in many circles than politics. To each his own, I suppose.

Take care,
Andrew

But I think the point is that we have 100s of places in the world to talk about politics, and 100s of topics to talk about at work, so we should avoid politics since it makes some people uncomfortable at work. It’s just common decency to not want to offend someone at work if you don’t have to. People do better work under those conditions.

Another way to think about it: Blow jobs are as American as apple pie, too. But I bet you are not grandstanding about how important it is to talk about them at work.

Penelope

I really think you sum it up well with your comment about “civilized political discussion [being] as American as apple pie.” Very nice!

Thanks a ton for your comment. I like your “Thug Report” site. It looks like you gather some great content there.

Take care,
Andrew

Having said this – I completely agree with you. Civilized political discussion is as American as apple pie. Unfortunately, there are some who would rather label and smear those with whom they disagree, than engage in a reasonable conversation. It is they who should be muted, not us.