I. All posts must be constructive and on-topic. Off-topic or non-constructive content will be edited or removed.

II. All new topics must have a clearly defined question to debate in the first post or they will be closed/removed. Please be sure to read Starting New Topics in the help file.

III. All posts must be in English.

I. Inflammatory or hateful comments related to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or age.

II. Personal attacks, name-calling, or belittling another member. This includes telling other members to shut up or be quiet, as well as telling other members they are not qualified to post their opinions.

III. The use of profanity at any time. This includes profanity look-alikes and intentionally using the banned words filter. If it would not be said on the evening news, it should not be posted on the forum. If a candidate in a presidential debate would not say it, it should not be posted on the forum.

IV. Inappropriate sexual references or terminology. Sexual acts/body parts are to be referred to by their scientific/medical names.

V. Posting full or partial texts of copyrighted materials, regardless of ownership. Our excerpting limit is no more than two consecutive paragraphs, and no more than six paragraphs per article. Please note that posting copyrighted images is prohibited.

VI. Posting images. To avoid the posting of copyrighted images, all images must be posted via a text link. Images may be posted in signatures, provided they meet the criteria listed below under "Signature Rules". §E

VII. Stupid Pointless Annoying Messages - SPAM is a general term used to describe anything from a link to an online petition, a blog, or an advertisement for a product/service to a one line “I agree” post or a post consisting of nothing but emoticons. Duplicate posts are considered as SPAM. Posts are determined as SPAM on a case-by-case basis.

VIII. Questioning moderator or administrator action in a debate topic. Questions regarding moderation are not constructive within a debate topic, and should be addressed via personal message or the Comments and Suggestions forum.

IX. Unnecessary use of color. Posts are to be mainly black, and color may be used for emphasis.

I. Posts containing private information about any other member.

II. Theft of another member's forum identity. Any impersonation of a member of this forum in any manner is strictly prohibited.

III. Posts that contain pornography or warez, or posts that serve to promote pornography, warez, or any illegal activities or materials.

IV. Multiple memberships. Only one account per person is allowed without prior authorization from an administrator.

I. Sending harassing correspondence of any sort to any member is prohibited. This includes personal messages, email, etc.

II. Posting personal message exchanges without consent from all parties involved is prohibited. This applies to correspondence between other members AND correspondence between staff.

III. Posting email addresses, postal addresses, telephone numbers, or any other sort of identifiable personal information, yours or otherwise, is prohibited. This is for your protection and ours.

I. Member signatures must extend the equivalent of 10 lines of text or less.

II. Graphics included in your signature may be no larger than 300 pixels wide by 150 pixels high, and may be no larger than 20K.

III. Moderators or Administrators may remove your signature without notice if it does not conform to these rules.