PH's 45295th (and final) New Rules

**Amit** · 8th January 2010 11:50 AM

It's no secret that I'm not a person for laser-sharp rules. We're all adults and we all know when we're shit-stirring and not really contributing.

Also I think evolving and complex rules are difficult to administer, open for interpretation and ultimately a road map for horrible users to play circumvention games with.

I think these rules will make life easier and more enjoyable here for the vast majority of users. There are a select few who perhaps got their rocks off toeing the line. That's not going to be possible and unfortunately we're not sympathetic to your plight if you are in fact one of these users.

This is a place to discuss and debate politics. The Main Forums are nota place for water-cooler discussion. Unsubstantiated opinion andegregarious close-minded partisan statements are not welcome here. Ifone liners, habitual antagonism toward others, stream of thoughtgarbage, unsupportable conjecture, etc. are your bread and butter --this is not the site for you. .

Attack the post, not the poster

Racism, stereotyping, reverse racism bullshit are not tolerated. Neither is spam, tickler posts or other bullshit designed to drive folks to other sites. If you want to drive people to your site from this site then PM me and we can work out some advertising arrangement. Our posters don't want to see that crap, no offense.

Be productive, make your point as well as you can and step out. If youfind yourself having to repeat your opinion over and over again theproblem isn't likely others not understanding what you're saying if youcatch my drift.

The mods are here to help out. They moderate because they like thissite and you. If you disagree with one of them, then broach the subjectwith the mod in question via PM in a productive, respectful manner. Failing that, email or PM me. Just please remember this is the internet and we're here to have fun.

Any topics which stray from their original topics will be moved to the appropriate forums. Nothing against you.

Zero tolerance policy for flame wars, baiting, and malicious personalattacks on all forums. Such activity will result in posting rightsbeing suspended/banned. fwiw, if you don't like a fellow poster thenIGNORE him/her -- it really is that easy.

If you feel a particular post violates one of these ground rules then REPORT it -- it really is that easy

Please avoid using animated avatars or otherwise large files as avatars, sigs, personal photos or in the body of posts. Yes, some folks still use dialup (or mobile).

The rules apply differently to different people. Sorry, this is justhow it has to be. If you're a new poster with 2 posts under your beltand you start picking fights, you'll be handled differently thansomeone who has been a member of this community for a long time.Moderators have been tasked with creating the best board for people whowant to discuss politics as adults.

Enjoy the Forums

Most users should have no problems with these rules. By and large theonly people that this will impact are those who seek to bring downdiscussions for selfish reasons.

**Sparta** · 8th January 2010 11:56 AM

I'll sell you a space bar on the cheap.

**johnflesh** · 8th January 2010 02:51 PM

Good job. Easy to understand and easy to follow.

**Bourne** · 8th January 2010 03:17 PM

The mods are here to help out. They moderate because they like thissite and you. If you disagree with one of them, then broach the subjectwith the mod in question via PM in a productive, respectful manner.

The last time I was banned, after coming off of the ban I did exactly what you suggested. I PM'd the moderator who infracted me triggering the ban and asked under what rule I had been banned and I asked to discuss the circumstances of the ban. That person's response was "...if you have a question contact the administrator." I asked the same question several times more and got either the same response or, finally, no response.

Mind you, I'm not complaining but that moderator wasn't in the least helpful. In fact, I felt that it was arrogant and downright disrespectful towards me.

**Blah** · 8th January 2010 05:46 PM

[quote name='Sparta' date='08 January 2010 - 10:56 AM' timestamp='1262976974' post='94985']

I'll sell you a space bar on the cheap.

[/quote]

Same thing happens to stuff I paste into a quote, somehow spaces are dropped.

I often have to spend a minute just fixing the post.

**Pragmatist** · 8th January 2010 05:59 PM

This is a place to discuss and debate politics. The Main Forums are nota place for water-cooler discussion. Unsubstantiated opinion andegregarious close-minded partisan statements are not welcome here

I take this as ridiculous end of the world threads from lunatic fringe sites that the world is coming to an end or fuckin links to Sarah Palin's facebook page with statements as though they are "news" or "fact" don't belong in politics or news forums so when someone puts them there it's perfectly acceptable to say they are full of shit. I think they need to be deleted or sent someplace where the appropriate response is acceptable. If they aren't moved then you walk that fine line doing your best to point out the post and poster is moronic.

**metheron** · 8th January 2010 06:01 PM

[quote name='Pragmatist' date='08 January 2010 - 07:59 PM' timestamp='1262998754' post='95116']

I take this as ridiculous end of the world threads from lunatic fringe sites that the world is coming to an end or fuckin links to Sarah Palin's facebook page with statements as though they are "news" or "fact" don't belong in politics or news forums so when someone puts them there it's perfectly acceptable to say they are full of shit. I think they need to be deleted or sent someplace where the appropriate response is acceptable. If they aren't moved then you walk that fine line doing your best to point out the post and poster is moronic.

[/quote]

The more risk I see with not moving those particular threads/posts is that it validates them. Its a hard one to keep up on.

**Blah** · 8th January 2010 06:14 PM

[quote name='Pragmatist' date='08 January 2010 - 04:59 PM' timestamp='1262998754' post='95116']

I take this as ridiculous end of the world threads from lunatic fringe sites that the world is coming to an end or fuckin links to Sarah Palin's facebook page with statements as though they are "news" or "fact" don't belong in politics or news forums so when someone puts them there it's perfectly acceptable to say they are full of shit. I think they need to be deleted or sent someplace where the appropriate response is acceptable. If they aren't moved then you walk that fine line doing your best to point out the post and poster is moronic.

[/quote]

How is Palin not "political", or controversial comments of her's not news?

The real core truth is you just love calling Righties "morons", your entire argument here

is based on the fact you consider Palin a moron.

**Pragmatist** · 8th January 2010 06:52 PM

[quote name='bla bla' date='08 January 2010 - 08:14 PM' timestamp='1262999651' post='95129']

How is Palin not "political", or controversial comments of her's not news?

The real core truth is you just love calling Righties "morons", your entire argument here

is based on the fact you consider Palin a moron.

[/quote]

Like I've said, if it's in the news it will be covered by the AP and you can find 50 different threads concerning it. If it's bullshit, somebody dug deep on some fringe site, made it up or did something like take somebodys facebook post and call it news. You can't tell me they are not apparent to you.

**Blah** · 8th January 2010 08:00 PM

[quote name='Pragmatist' date='08 January 2010 - 05:52 PM' timestamp='1263001977' post='95148']

Like I've said, if it's in the news it will be covered by the AP and you can find 50 different threads concerning it. If it's bullshit, somebody dug deep on some fringe site, made it up or did something like take somebodys facebook post and call it news. You can't tell me they are not apparent to you.

[/quote]

So we are only supposed to talk about things reported as a news item by some media source?