Rules for the Serious Political Discussion Forum

[TitanTiger 20,471]

Rules for the Serious Political Discussion Forum

1.    This forum requires a respectful, considerate tone. It is not the venue to vent your frustrations, no matter how justified you may think they are. The political subforum may continue to serve that purpose, within the parameters it has historically allowed.
2.    Drive by postings of editorials unaccompanied by your own thoughts are not permitted. If what you are posting is worthy of comment and discussion, as the original poster you need initiate the commentary/discussion.
3.    Attack arguments, not people.  There will be absolutely no tolerance for name calling either overt or veiled.
4.    Any post deemed to be off topic and thread derailing may be deleted on sight by the moderators. As with other forums on the site, mod decisions are not to be litigated on the forum. If you wish to seek clarification, do so through a PM.
5.    If the moderators have to spend what they perceive to be too much time deleting, editing or moving your posts to the smack talk forum, you may be banned from the serious discussion forum.
6.    Do not dismiss a post because you don't like the source.  Show why the source is wrong.
7.    In general, back up your points and opinions with reason, logic and evidence.  Merely stating "it's my opinion" isn't enough.  Don't assume that just because a person is critiquing a party or a politician that the person must automatically support the other party.  
8.    The rules for the new Political Smack Talk subforum are pretty much as they were previously in here.  If you want to get your snark on, have at it in there, but that doesn’t mean the subforum is limited to snark or smack. Serious discussions may continue to happen there. If you have a topic that, even though serious, you are feeling especially emotionally charged about, it may be best to post it in the subforum.
9.    This format is new and in process.  There will likely be additions or changes to this as we go.  The main point is that we want to have a forum for people who want to dive deeper and have meaningful discussions that aren’t easily derailed if one person decides to change the tone or focus.

Updated 2.1.2017

[AUDub 11,131]

This is a good move. Thank you.

[TexasTiger 12,811]

On 1/30/2017 at 12:43 PM, TitanTiger said:

2.    Drive by postings of editorials unaccompanied by your own thoughts are not permitted. If what you are posting is worthy of comment and discussion, as the original poster you need initiate the commentary/discussion.

Just a reminder going into the new year of one of the key rules distinctions between the more moderated political forum and the smack forum. I think many of us, myself included, haven’t always adhered to this. Thanks.

[TexasTiger 12,811]

On 1/30/2017 at 12:43 PM, TitanTiger said:

Drive by postings of editorials unaccompanied by your own thoughts are not permitted. If what you are posting is worthy of comment and discussion, as the original poster you need initiate the commentary/discussion.

Reminder