FWIW, I'd rather not discuss current events in Tickletheater unless they have a direct bearing upon matters which this forum specializes in. If, for example, Congress puts forth a bill making sexual speech on the Internet a capital offernse, it's definitely appropriate to talk about that here.
Similarly, I believe it's totally cool to start a thread, on this, the 5th anniversary of 9-11, titled "Where were you...?" or something like that. I myself started a thread on the John Lennon assassination on its 25th anniversary last December.
Otherwise, part of the reason I come here is to GET THE HELL AWAY from the unceasing torrent of maddening news which the media force-feed me every day. If I wanna discuss current affairs, there are a zillion blogs and some excellent dedicated news/commentary web sites for that.
Just putting in my $3.09 a gallon...