Not to bring up the past, because most of the time I don't think there's much worth in looking back on stuff that brings back unpleasant memories. But in this case it might actually be helpful.
A lot of us old-timer FGI posters hung around there for the longest time, not because it was a small community, but because there was a great deal of respect amongst just about everyone there. An effort was made to not offend other people, at least intentionally. Occasionally there would be a small squabble of some sort, but it wasn't something that bled over into every other topic, nor did it create this enormous bitterness between the two involved in the squabble to begin with. The topics were broad... very few of them were political, and if they were - we policed ourselves and our thoughts and utilized some decency and self-control. I guess you could just say that we just agreed to disagree, and that was that, no need for further debating that led to the need of group hugs, or private messages, etc. People don't realize this but FGI existed just fine for a long, long time without the need for a P&R room.
I don't know if the P&R room alone started the divisiveness, but around that same time our "culture" started changing too. Maybe it had something to do with the war that had officially started, or maybe it was lots of things and they all converged at the perfect time to create this sudden cultural desire to argue and debate. Around that same time we had a good amount of younger posters who signed up because of the booming popularity that the game of golf was experiencing. Once these new members got access - they realized there was a lot more to talk about than just golf, although that was what brought them there. And lots of older folks, like myself, found it challenging to relate to them. But most of us did, if for no other reason than to coexist under the same roof. Those who couldn't relate to them just avoided them altogether. There were a few that I just didn't interact with myself.
But over time, especially as the petty bickering and name-calling that occurred in P&R bled over into the rest of the forum, my attitude changed. It went from a place that I enjoyed frequenting a few times each day to a place where more and more I didn't want to be bothered with the endless arguing and foolishness. Or if I did check in, it was never to actually contribute anything, but to marvel at the stupidity that had overcome this place that I'd frequented for many years.
My posting went from active, to occasionally, to seldom, to never. It had nothing to do with my life being busy. I just no longer had a desire to be a part of the circus the place had become. And all because people just couldn't avoid arguing and one-upping each other, over the pettiest things.
I agree with Toulon on one point he made. Today, EVERYTHING is becoming more and more politicized. It will be next to impossible for that to completely be avoided. One can readily understand how a news item about an NFL commissioner's salary can and probably will deteriorate to some sort of social-class discussion invoking political ideologies and debate. But I also don't think self-policing works anymore. We're beyond that time and place, socially. And I find that pretty damned unfortunate, if not outright pathetic, but it is what it is.
I don't know how you solve that. As we've learned from the old FGI model - P&R sections don't insulate the rest of the site from the bitterness and pettiness that goes on there. Quite frankly - the politicians themselves in DC are much more decent and respectful than the posters were/are in the P&R forum, and that's not to suggest that politicians are decent. That tells you just how much of a stain they can bring upon the place, the ugliness and name-calling. It's not productive. It's not healthy. And although I can't speak for everyone else - I personally don't want any part of it.
It would be great if everyone would just agree to keep discussions civil and non-political/religious, but I don't see that happening.
My participation here will be greatly influenced by how this is dealt with. Some won't care one bit, and that's fine. But I do care. I'm not coming here to convince someone else how they should live and what they should believe, and the moment I detect that this is becoming the norm here - quietly and unannounced - I'll disappear.
Peace.