>While I was, ahem, contributing to the mess myself, I find that I'm not missing it, or at least not too much. But then if it was reinstated there would have to be some list of never-do-this and it would have to include politics. Or at least american politics (which is what broke the camel's neck) - but then it would be the missing elephant in the room. Is there any other politics that's independent from it?
>

With the risk of being dog piled, I'll say this....
In the US there still are two opposing political views....maybe even three. So, there likely will be heated discussions/arguments about politics.

However, in Europe, correct me if I'm wrong, there is definitely one dominant political point of view, mainly the left/liberal, and very little opposing view. So, there really isn't much to argue about, or to discuss there.