To prevent the flow of debate posts into both the chat thread (yes, I'm aware the original intent of the chat thread was for debate, but this is just getting over the top) and everything else in this forum from getting overrun with spam, this thread will be created for all future political discussion. Please follow the rules laid out at the beginning of the chat thread.
EDIT: Barry, if you feel that this is unnecessary and that the chat thread is enough, please delete this. I just thought it might be a good idea to keep the chat thread as a reserve for more friendly conversation and to preserve the rest of the forum for IH discussion.