Oh, Brooke .... don't think this is about me. I happen to agree with Dale and Skuzzy that political and religious discussions attract nothing but negativity to the forum and the game it serves. It's not like that's an unproven. I've squared off in Bigweek before and I've seen the worst in some of the best people there.
Of course, I've seen almost a couple of decades pass since and I've noticed that I'm starting to get rather more particular in how I choose to waste my time. Guess, when it comes to AH, I'd rather argue about game related matters (and perhaps touch on some non-game related recreational subjects that can be discussed civilly) than inject an unrelated agenda into things that are actually designed more to incite than be insightful (and yes, that is my personal preference). I've yet to see anyone else make a discussion better on the AH forum (or anywhere else) by doing so.
I don't think a separate political argument sub-forum will do anything but give problem children a place to act out on the AH forum (and I think new visitors would unfortunately visit there first and form their opinion about the community based on the most negative things allowed to exist there). When I'm proven wrong and political/religious (some may say they are one and the same) arguments make the AH forums a 'better place for everyone' then I'll keep my personal opinion about it to myself. But I suspect the powers that be, in their wisdom, will not test that theory. 
I tend to agree that no good will come of it. I used to belong to a forum dedicated to an authors works. There was a politics sub forum there and I just could not resist participating in it.
Short story is I was so outnumbered and the whole thing left such bitterness that I not only boycott the whole forum, but also the author.
This forum is vital to the game and business. I can certainly understand HTC's reluctance to allow such discussions, despite the fact that I, at the very least brush up against #14 occasionally.
