I put this in the comments of a recent FanShot, but I was asked to make it a FanPost so that everyone was clear as to the rules and my rationale for a politics-free zone on DTN.

1. I’ve always had a no politics rule. The article posted is from the DMN sports page, but the author is from the Austin bureau of the DMN. The article is about James announcing his senate bid. I also have a no name-calling and no racists or homophobic comments on DTN. James blurs the rule a bit because he’s also a sports figure and associated with TTU. I get that. I’m not going to ever ask that you not mention his name at all, but linking to an article about James’ start to his political career is political.

2. I only have so much time. If I do allow it then I have to spend my time reading comments and making decisions about whether or not something is political or not and I would rather spend my time writing. Call me selfish, but I would rather spend my time writing and not moderating.

3. I’m really the only one left that moderates. Tech92 occasionally does (thanks!), but almost all of the other contributing authors don’t moderate at all, and that’s fine. They may not feel comfortable doing so, but moderating requires quite a bit of my time. Again, I’d rather spend my time writing.

4. I don’t read any political blogs, but I do subscribe to the RSS feed of Dallas Magazine’s Frontburner blog. This is just one example about a place where you could discuss James and make comments if that’s what you want to do: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2012/01/12/craig-james-confesses/ I am sure there are places to comment or post if that’s what you want to do, but I don’t want to do it here.

5. If there is something about James and Texas Tech, sure, whatever, I don’t care. If you want to comment about the internet meme, fine, whatever. I just don’t want FanShots or FanPosts related to his political career.

I hope everyone understands the why. It's a strain on me to try to write and moderate potentially political FanShots or FanPosts.