I'm inclined to agree with Al since, to me, it's a rare political (or certain other "touchy" subjects) post that is, or sounds, friendly, and I come here expecting a friendly place (insert Motto here). I'm one who rarely discusses politics person to person and, when I actually want info like that, there are (as mentioned above) plenty of places to discuss that.
It's great to say to avoid reading those, but when they pop up in a thread about something else it's impossible to avoid such discussions entirely, and if I do then it forces me to avoid a thread that I otherwise find interesting.
Not everyone enjoys feisty debates, no matter how "benign" or calm the debaters think it is. So this site should be an oasis, as indicated by the rule that Gary quoted above.