h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, this *is* the first General Election since h2g2 has been up and running, and the high level of interest that will be generated by this subject amongst the UK-based researchers would have developed into interesting and informative fora, I'm sure.

However, I respect the Editor's decision to blackout any coverage or discussion of the Election, as the guidelines he has been given to work with are a woefully restrictive diktat, and I would envisage some heated debates as well, which could have degenerated into flame wars, and would have been a nightmare to moderate under the current conditions.

I would have hoped that these guidelines might have allowed a page for any reasonable discussion, with the necessary balance provided by a thread for every party, so that this issue has the exposure and treatment it deserves. The fact that researchers are seemingly free to besmirch the US electoral system, candidates, voters etc etc without having to worry about 'balance' smacks somewhat of hypocrisy. I do not blame any of the italics for this.

I am not a political demagogue by any stretch of the imagination, and would (I hope) not have posted any dubious rants about the Election. However, I might have liked to read what my fellow researchers were thinking on the subject.

I am afraid that this is the sort of issue that could prove very damaging for the relationship between this wonderful site, its hassled staff, its disgruntled users and its faceless and restrictive overlords. I am not interested in the 'Great Debate' part of the BBC online site. I would only be interested in participating in a polite discussion with members of a well-informed and respected community such as h2g2, or to put it another way, with people I know and like.

However, an unfortunate set of circumstances has prevented me and all the other users from doing so. I only wish there was something I could say that might change the mind of whoever dictates BBC policy for the better on this subject, but I cannot think of anything, so I will not muddy any waters with complaints.

Thanks Nexus. Check out Mark's comments here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F64597?thread=106382&skip=0&show=20

Thankyou for responding so promptly, Peta. I've read Mark's posting.

I've spoken my piece, addressed my concerns and that, as far as I am concerned, is an end to it for me. I will not flog a dead horse.

Time to get back to writing Guide Entries again. {ie what I'm good at, instead of getting caught up in all this protestation and barely-restrained nastiness }

Great attitude. Thanks.