There are allot of new faces here at AD, and its great to see fresh ideas and insights within the threads here. If you have not already done so, please take the short time it takes to read through the Rules and Guidelines. The link is located at the top of the page. We don't operate like many other boards on the web that allow flames and attacks. We try to offer a fair and balanced alternative to that type of "debate", and like to get down to the 'nitty gritty' of the issues, without getting personal about it.

I've noticed a few instances where people have not read the entire thread they're posting in. You definitely want to read through them so you have some background on how the debate has already progressed. You may find similar insights, even, that can help you refine your argument a bit. This will also prevent you from going off-topic in a thread, which is very important to the integrity of the board. If you feel the need to expand the debate to something that "doesn't quite fit", start another thread. For example... In the "Best Presidents" thread, you shouldn't be listing the worst presidents... For this you want to start a new thread on that topic.

Also, instead of posting that someone's idea is "foolish" or "wrong", you might, instead try to argue why your idea is so much better, and makes more sense. It makes a better case for you, and it keeps the threads from turning to personal attacks. This forum offers the most intelligent, most civil debate on the web, and I think I speak for most of the active participants on the board when I say that we'd like to keep it that way.

Thanks again for joining us, and enjoy the debate!

Stefan

Interesting,

Yours...”Also, instead of posting that someone's idea is "foolish" or "wrong", you might, instead try to argue why your idea is so much better, and makes more sense.”

First off, I am not a fan of flame wars or unhinged vitriol.

But I see absolutely nothing wrong with such low grade comments. When one launches into cursing or vitriol, that is different, as I said

But if this board cannot even take a simple “your idea is foolish” or a “you are flat out wrong”, then you guys have far too thin a skin for me.

Also, what is wrong with an occasional “you are wrong” backed up with WHY “you are wrong”?

If this is the way this forum is run and people will be banned for such simple jibes, then when is the line crossed when in jest? How do we regulate joking? Are YOU the all seeing eye, the all knowing mind reader that determines when someone is joking?

I know I am new to this board but it is not very promising if THIS is how it is run!

Col, the post wasn't aimed directly at you, and I don't suggest anyone would be banned for using such remarks... I only suggested that it looks better for people if they stay away from the "jibes", and instead stick to their opinions. Its fine to make comparisons, and post something to the effect of "I think this is wrong, because......." We're certainly not that sensitive about it. Feel free to debate as you like... Within the confines of the rules, of course.

I'm sorry if I miscommunicated what I was trying to put across.

Stefan, those are marvellous suggestions, not just for new folks but for everyone.

You just admitted that "low grade comments" are appropriate. You may wish to reevaluate that statement before you post any of those "low grade comments".



Stefan Fargus' suggestions are for each member's own good. There is a fine line between attacking a member's views and attacking them personally. Yes, it may be OK to tell a member that you feel that their views are wrong, but when it comes down to it, who determines who is right or wrong? Isn't that why we're all here? Saying "you're wrong" is definitely a "low grade comment". Explaining why you feel someone is wrong is not.

As this is a heavily moderated forum, Jaime and I (the Admins) don't mess around; we enforce the rules.

This has earned us recognition from Vice President Cheney's office, as well as John Bridgeland, the director of the USA Freedom Corps( and executive assistant to the President). We have had visitors from nearly all the major news corporations, as well as quite a few office-holders. That would not be possible if we were just another racist, bigoted, flaming, profanity-laden "political discussion forum".

If you don't like the format or the rules, feel free to visit one of the other pathetic excuses for debate sites that are out there.

There are scores of debate sites that will accept "low grade comments" without a problem.

We, however, are not one of them. We are different than every other political debate forum out there.

We are a true debate site. We debate issues in an intelligent fashion. We don't need "low grade comments" to prove our point-- our ideas suffice.

Mike

Yes Mike! You rule, bro!

I have been to other debate sites, but now only visit this one. They are almost without exception totally useless. Topics are not adhered to; every thread seems to degenerate into name calling. I feel we have stayed above that fairly well here, kudos to you and Jaime for that!

Sometimes people post stuff that makes you want to resort to saying, "you freakin idiot!" It is a testament to the community of this board that we (usually) refrain from such things.

And unless it's actually the topic of the thread, we try and refrain from blanket attacks like, "typical conservative bullcrap," or "the ignorance and stupidity of liberals," etc. These are simply ways for people to avoid making real arguments.

Nice post, Stefan, and well said!

While I concur with Stefan and Mike's comments, I should also mention that we are not a humorless bunch of academics - as would be obvious by reading through a few threads. We try to make our points as credible and convincing as possible, but we are not without irony and the occasional "simple jibe". What we try to avoid is posts that consist of nothing but jibes, especially when they cross over into outright jeers. But you will find few threads here which aren't littered with these ghastly smilies. They tend to indicate that a participant isn't being entirely serious.

You are wrong to imagine that we find something wrong with suggesting that someone is wrong - so long as you're prepared to back up such a suggestion. We are specifically trying to avoid the "flame wars and unhinged vitriol" which you mention yourself. If you stick around, Col, I'm sure you'll find we're pretty much after the same thing in terms of the level of discourse. And, don't worry, if you do cross the line, someone will let you know! At least, they always let me know...

Welcome!

People aren't wrong. Ideas can be wrong in your opinion.

Everyone,

Well, we shall have to see if you guys are too restrictive for me. I have already been censored by you people for a comment I did not feel was outrageous at all. In fact I meant it more as a joke than a serious comment.

I NEVER say someone is wrong WITHOUT going on to tell them why I think they ARE wrong on these boards. I do not engage in simple baiting and pointless name calling.

And our friend Mike is posting warnings about low grade comments to me and then he says...”If you don't like the format or the rules, feel free to visit one of the other pathetic excuses for debate sites that are out there.” THAT seems like a low grade comment to ME!!! So, you see what I mean! EVERYONE indulges in low grade comments at one time or another! Even the God of this board!

I agree that cursing and simple yelling is pointless, as I said. I will return it if I get it, but I do not usually start off that way!

But, too restrictive “monitoring” sure smacks of overt censorship to me. It just screams reactionist censorship.

Like I said. I’ll stick around for a few weeks (days, hours) and if we do not sync up then I will move on. No disrespect intended to anyone.

I just LOVE it when people try & use that censorship garbage on us. As if I need to remind anyone this is a privately owned and operated forum and not a public street.

Let's keep this simple. Here are RULES AND GUIDELINES. Follow them, go elsewhere or start your own forum where you can be "god"

I would like to welcome all of the new people to AD. This is a fun place to get involved many levels of discussion. If you stick around you will see how most discussions tend to stay detailed and get backed up by facts. Get acclimated and follow the rules and there is a good chance you will find the site liberating and not restrictive. This is a fun forum and the administration of the site helps keep it from being a flame zone.

Um...I own this place, and I wrote the rules. As an admin, I can make any sort of comments I feel necesssary. Given my position, I am especially well-prepared to critique other political debate forums. Stating fact about the other supposed "debate" sites is certainly not "low grade".

Just about every other politial debate forum on the internet is nothing but a place to spew hate and profanity. If you have been to the other sites, then you know very well that this is the case.



Yup, we censor here. We censor, we edit posts, and we delete posts. It is certainly overt, and our members appreciate it. That is the way a political debate needs to be run to be successful.

Over 50% of our daytime visitors are K-12 schools. Our forum should be appropriate for that level.

We have received recognition from political officals. As far as I know, we are the only political debate forum to receive such recognition. There is a reason for this.



Like Jaime, I recommend you read the rules and guidelines.

If it's going to be a case where you "stick around for a few weeks (days, hours)" until you get banned, I'd prefer to avoid the confilict and request you hit the road.

We have the best political debate site on the web here, and if following the rules and being civil is not up you alley, then your experience here will be brief.

Mike

I invited some old forum buddies from political-debate.com

I'm sure ColWth knows me as well as one named JonBon & moif & aquilla....i have no idea who else came over

Folks,

Since I am being told to move on, please remove my information from your computers.

Have a nice day.

I'm sorry you don't feel you're up to a more intelligent debate platform. You do have some good ideas and opinions... I genuinely think you could add something to the debate if you could only conform a bit to the guidelines. They are there so this board doesn't turn into the trash-mouthed, mud-slinging, 90% off-topic garbage that you find on other boards. We're not about blanket attacks and generalizations, we're about the issues.

Anyone who can appreciate the importance of clearly defined and enforced rules to a healthy debate is welcome to participate.

Mike

I'm particularly grateful to you for bringing in a few people from outside the US. It's good, I think, to have a bit of an international perspective and, so far, Alan Wood has been the only regular non-citizen participating. I don't, btw, mean to disparage Alan's contributions in the least - the more the merrier! Thanks again, GA.

Col: For the record, Mike's suggestion was conditional: IF you're here to push the envelope until such time as you get banned, THEN save us the trouble. There is an option: post within the guidelines.