You objections to people sharing other things in their lives outside of straight politics is ... short-sighted. While politics is an important part of social intercourse, knowing something about the others with whom you discuss politics helps put faces on them and make them more than mere internet cyphers. This is an important part of building community and creating the glue of friendship and fellow-feeling that holds communities together.
On the other hand, your note about the bandwidth eaten by such discussions is also pertinent. Perhaps we could each refrain from "me, too" posts, or continuing discussions that have drifted off-topic into the realm of pure chat. After all, there are plenty of programs and services out there that support pure chat, and it's seldom difficult to start a new room or mailing list on one of them. Yahoo!Groups is one such.
#743- Kumbaya!! lets all just hold hands with a liberal, make sure to wear gloves.
Okay, FYI ... I have been here for a long time. When I first came here, I lurked for many mnths BEFORE I joined. Then I didn't post much, but kept reading and reading and silently cheering prople on. Most people did that, back then. We got the lay of the land, so to speak, and except for people ( ? ) like Eschoir, and a few others, this was a VERY curtious, interesting place. There were " fun " threads, but NO ONE posted junk, such as " I JUST FOUND OUT I'M PREGNANT " , in Breaking News ! Yes, there was such a vanity here, and it WAS posted in " Breaking News ", by a newbie.
If you wanted to get to know someone / just chat, there was a FREEPER / FreeRepublic chat roomm, and The Alley.
There are fewer and fewer threads , now, that are political / current events ; shunted aside by " WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM A MOVIE ? ", " WHAT WAS YOUR FAV MUNCHIE, AFTER DOING POT ? ". and tonight's gem " HOW FAST HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN ? " If YOU can find a redeeming feature in this waste of bandwidth, you're a better man than I; Gunga Din. LOL Oh, and I'm NOT a man !