Lately, many people have posted topics on the decline of the political board, lack of honor, namecalling, etc. Although HN does have a set of rules, it has been and always will be the members who continually develop the political board's etiquette and expectations through their daily posts. By that I mean that each of us develops the character of this board with what we post and, more importantly, what we do not post. We set the tone and are the ones who really make the board something special and fun or something that is a waste of time.
Lately, I've noticed several new people in the political board. Some are new members and others are older members who've recently started posting in the political board. Most of them are welcome additions and will add to the quality of this board. Some will start out a little rough but will learn the board's etiquette and become productive members. A few, however, will not learn and eventually get suspended, banned, etc. Those are the ones who make it difficult to follow rule # 4.
What are your rules of etiquette and why?
I try to go by these following rules:
1. Post on topic.
2. Think about the other person's argument before posting. When I do that, I find that I am usually able to focus on the issue at hand and avoid or lessen the impulse to call somebody names or insult them.
3. Avoid insulting the person but outmaneuver their ideas/opinions/beliefs in a civil argument/discussion.
4. Although I'm sometimes late in doing so, I think it's important to respond to people who post towards me so that it is a 2-way discussion and I am not simply "posting and running." I genuinely try to exchange ideas and advance my argument so the other person(s) are not simply wasting their time. Other members deserve that courtesy.
5. Last but not least, I simply enjoy the one place where people genuinely discuss everything political and I always learn something. Although it may sound funny, this place usually allows me to unwind and leave with less stress.
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
Another point that I would like to interject, is the fact that people don't have to be particularly PC or not. PC is not something I am usually not as a general rule, depends on the issue. Please folks, just attempt to treat others as you would like to be treated. Debate, Argue the issue or topic, not bash or attack the individual. There are times when sooner or later, one might find it necessary to "agree to disagree"....Just a thought.
Lately I have been working 50-60 hours a week so I do not get to post much.....been to busy being a referee around here! So come on people lets pull together on this! This forum not so long ago for the most part moderated itself. You folks that frequent here!! Those of us that moderate this forum rarely had to lock, move, or delete much at all, editing was about all when it needed to be done........ so get a grip, develop a tougher skin and try to behave!!
Thanks in advance folks!
What I meant to ask each member is what personal rules do you follow and why? Do you draw lines over certain posts like some members have mentioned and hit the ignore button, just choose to ignore certain posters or what?
Christine, thanks for the encouragement and kind words of support.
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
Personally, I enjoy reading many topics on the political board and occassionally I will post some thoughts of my own or some facts that I am aware of etc.
My own etiquette, which is the only one I can control, is simple. Respect other peoples thoughts and ideas, debate the issue and when I am personally called names and insulted for my stance or opinion, I ignore the entire category until something changes.
Many of us come here to be able to debate things we believe strongly in and not all of us are blessed with a high level of intelligence and an abilitity to articulate our thoughts. Ridiculing someone for poor writing skills or what appears to be a lack of education is an unfortunate thing.
It is difficult to learn about issues and learning should entail participation in debate - not to be driven away because of intolerance for our seemingly uneducated minds.
My two cents worth.
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If you give a politician an enema you can easily hide them in a bread box.
One of the most fundemental rules I follow is not to chase around the board. If I have a nasty disagreement with somebody in politics, is never carries over into another forum. I'll be the first to congradulate them on their deer, regaurdless of our disagreement in the political forum. Secondly, we should all understand that this is the political forum, it gets nasty sometime. You know when you come in here that it is different from the other forums. One of my big beefs about other site's is that everyone bends over backwards to get along, that is not the case here, nor should it be. The problems that hunting politics has encountered is based primarily on individuals who take arguments personally. "Nothing personal, but your wrong" is often taken to heart by too many posters. Finally, topics discussed are hi-jacked so ofter it is ridiculas. There is one poster in particular who dispenses his personal philosophical meanderings into every subject. Some subjects have very defined arguments, they are independant of an indivuals philosophy, not all, but some.
BBS Rules Etiquette
