Jim--may I also suggest that the History related forum deals with events prior to say 1990 (The Gulf War) and that the Current Event Forum deals with subjects from 1990 to present. I believe by putting in a specific boundary (regardless of the year) you more clearly establish what we consider history and what we deal with as a current event.
DJ

You have my approval , not that you need it!!!!! I also like DJ's suggestion of time-lines for teh two differnt forums.

Jeff

DJ....That might be kind of difficult,especially if you are discussing the Middle East,things that happened yesterday in that area have there roots going back centuries,not just ten years,so in most discussions,you will be eroding the ten year gap.Ask Maki about history and politics,not to mention religion.As soon as you start talking current affairs,history nudges in,the anniversary of September the 11th is coming up,how would you handle that one.
Arthur

Interesting read, this thread. Jim, your plan sound's good. I also agree with DJ's input regarding the timeline restrictions. As to 'history' bleeding into a current event discussion, that will happen, and can't be helped. I believe we can be our own 'Police' on that issue though, I think.
What I find interesting, is the way the 'heated', and 'thin vs. thick skin' issue seems to be a necessary item to attend to. Interesting.
Now I just love a good history debate. In fact for me, that was the initial reason I began spending time here at Armorama. Members would regularly bring up new and intriguing historic queries and 'what-if's'. But then things would get a little too 'personal', in a category that was intensely 'non-personal'. ( I could never figure out for example, how someone could get 'personally' involved, or get 'personally' insulted about something that happened without 'their' involvement, without 'their' personal loss or gain, without 'their' amateur/professional guidance, or without 'their' at least having had the potential to have affected the outcome). Beyond me.
It's a DISCUSSION. For the jovial record, history cannot be changed. Our opinion's are simply that.....opinion's.
Fuel for self-control that is.

Tread.

P.S. Count me in for the discussion's. I can't think of a better gaggle of bloke's to 'yak' with!

All good posts. Yes 9/11 is upon us I think the subject as A New Yorker born and raised their should be left alone on this site. Did I say raised there yes watched them finish the building plus the loss of people who we knew and of people who knew people that perished their. No sense can be made of it. But if a post is made then I will join in with my replies. This is still a sore subject to most New Yorkers.

Jeff, you know very well there are lots of subjects that are sore to New Yorkers!!

And, they don't all have to be tragic. (Actually saw a 'Squegee Man' a few weeks ago on Canal St.)

I don't think we need to be morose about 9/11 here, the news will do that for us...

Steve