I am disappointed that an announcement like this is even necessary.

It is important, however, that we lay out what we expect from our membership-- even if it details common sense and common human decency.

This applies to all US presidents, regardless of politics or party affiliation.

When a president dies, that does not give tacit approval to instantly start poking them with sticks on the forum.

For most people, tact and respect cause them to understand that when a person with the stature of a president dies, a grace period so-to-speak is in order.

It is not constructive to instantly start anti-whoever topics immediately upon their death, particularly when there had been plenty of opportunity to start the topic prior to the death.

Why is it not constructive? Simple. It is not constructive because emotions run very high upon the death of a president. Logic and reason can easily go out the window in rapid fashion, as they already have for a few members here.

If we are all here for constructive debate -- which we all better be-- we also then fully understand that it is in our best interest to debate with people who are as minimally emotionally charged as possible.

As a result, we must insist that, upon the death of a president, no anti-that-president topics are started until the president has been layed to rest. We will allow a memorial topic, and nothing more until the president's body is in the ground.

This is purely out of respect, and will apply to any US president.

If you cannot set aside your political differences for a week, you are certainly welcome to take a break from the forum for a while. We all need to do this from time to time. It's ok to take a break-- we're not going anywhere.

Mike