Where are we now going with the P&G thread?

[Linnea]

Okay, Fantastic Forum Pirates - it is time for a regrouping here in the P&G thread. It is time to pause a moment to reflect what's at stake here, not only in this country, but also aboard our pirate ship, our forum in the cyberseas.

I have not spoken yet with Ninerism, our P&G moderator, but would like to hear his comments here as well - about new directions for P&G.

These are my observations, and this thread is here for all of you to post yours as well:

As we begin the 21st century on this blue planet, and we are just barely into it, the condition of our world, our earth - is of increasing concern to most of us. Whether we actively post, or participate by reading the forum only - there seems to be an urgency, a white hot frenzy for many of us - to try to understand what is happening around the world, and especially in the US.

There is a lot of fear, propaganda, misinformation, anger, and even some euphoria - no doubt, afoot in this world, and as the world goes, and the country goes - so go we. We are all a part of this, and have varying amounts of control in our lives in dealing with it.

Many are looking for voices, for information, for a way to connect with others in a vision for the future, and for solutions and leadership. Many feel they have found a voice in politics and have invested energy in discussion of politics from the NWO, global elites, neo-fascism, party politics in America, the government, to the UFO scene - in an effort to communicate, inform, and to give voice to concerns and possible solutions - and to seek others of like mind and feelings, to suggest ways things could be changed, to vent feelings.

That's a lot of freight for the P&G thread, aboard the Fantastic Forum - our talk radio, coast to coast am - forum - to carry. We need new ways to deal with all this, and the ship is careening in dangerous waters. There is simply too much that is expressed here that is threatening to swamp the ship. We need some new understandings and some new rules in the P&G thread, if we are to steer a clear course for the future upon these cyberseas.

There is clearly a political, and maybe a cultural divide (or so we have been told) across this country. The Fantastic Forum Pirates have a common interest - following talk radio, coast to coast AM, Art Bell, George Noory and others - as many topics are discussed and information gotten 'out there' for us to consider as we will. There is a good reason why this genre is mostly, by design - apolitical and areligious - for the most part. And that reason is because we are seeking information and ideas about our planet, the universe, or inner and outer places, edge science, and in broad strokes what the govt might be up to in relation to the strange and unusual. We seem to agree, as a talk radio show audience, to suspend the political and the religious - in order to have this dialogue we can share, through our common interest.

The Fantastic Forum was born in and of this Art Bell genre, so that we can come together, from all over the country and the world - to share our interest and concerns with the 'quickening' - as Art Bell, and now Coast to Coast AM with George Noory - bring it to us.

I am interested in having the P&G thread here. Politics is important to me. However, I do not want to continue with the level of discussion and divisiveness we have created in this thread. If we can find a way to agree to new rules in P&G, and a way to discuss political issues which are very important to us all, so that the discussion may continue without the rancor and mudslinging - I would like to hear about that.

Would like to hear your ideas and suggestions.... the new 'status quo' in P&G has become counter productive, and cannot continue without severe damage to the Fantastic Forum and all the Pirates who sail her.

Thanks -

ps: I know there are many with strong feelings about how this issue has been handled, or mishandled - but, what we really need here are not recriminations, but positivie thoughts and solutions. In the interest of not inhibiting many of the negative thoughts and feelings there may be, feel free to start a separate bitching session in the Brig - if you feel you just need to vent for awhile.

It's our ship, if we can keep it...

[Linnea]

We would also very much like to have the input of all you Pirates out there who mostly participate by reading. If you still have the same email address you registered with, and have forgotten your password, you can request it at login. If you do not have a password and do not remember your registration email, you can contact the webmaster at the contact link below, and we will try to resolve this problem.

You readers are a large part of the Fantastic Forum as well, and I am sure many of us would like to hear from you on this issue.

[Gotrox]

my opinion, and it is opinion only---put the P&G on the plank arrrg matey's! Too many pirates ( including myself at times) drunk on the rum of politics. Put them ashore at "yahoo groups-political pirates" ( just a suggestion)
A: save consideral bandwidth.
B: keep the peace amongst extremely differing views.
C: renew the course of the ship.



But I ain't cap'n---just a lowly deck hand.

[Linnea]

We will keep it, Gotrox - have any suggestions on new rules of engagement?

[racehorse]

The Politics and Government forum is an important part of this ship. I hope that it continues. There are diversified opinions of Pirates about most political issues; as there should be. I believe that we all benefit from each others views and such views should be respected. I also believe our elected officials and others should not as a matter of course be referred to routinely in posts by derogatory names or titles regardless of their party or the personal opinion of Pirates toward them. This is needlessly divisive in my view and tends to diminish any point that one is trying to get conveyed.

[tiffany]

I'll have to think a while on this Linnea. As some more points will come out I'm sure as others make their comments.

But above all, including me, we must first think of our fellow Pirates when in discussion in the P&G. We are all shipmates.

We greatly differ on the subject at hand. Respect for others views and feelings should be number #1. Which I'm sure I'm guilty of too. If a Pirate gets personal the rule should be their comment is to be ignored and continue with your own views.

Instead of tearing down the other person's view we might just state, I disagree, and this is why. Instead of (something like) you are wrong, can't you see this or that. That is peronally talking to the other Pirate who made the comment. Instead just say I disagree and then state your opinion.

Do not get personal and be respectful.

****Although it does take away from a discussion when views are differing*** so any others have thoughts on this?

Boy this is hard! Let's see:

Take Racehorse. He gives his opinion and stays firm on his beliefs but we all respect him and I don't think any here think he has personally put down anyone. Yet we tell him we disagree and explain why and then I tell him he is still invited for scetti.

We are all Pirates of the same ship, I guess that's the main thing we have to remember.

I know I'm just rambling. If any of this was something to think about then fine. If it's just rambling that's okay too.

[swimmbadd]

The main thing is to keep it civil and as soon as any one crosses the line no matter what their political preference is needs to be suspended. If it takes extra moderators to keep an eye on it then so be it.
Get-r-done

[tiffany]

As RH said some of the words used for Bush have gotten a lil out there. Maybe since he is back in office and we have them all over the Net. It might be better if we not get so verbally abusive about it. I do not like Bush. I believe this election was rigged. He is making a mess out of this Country are all things I believe but I don't think I'd be calling him a Pr**k..........sorry Rom. Maybe tone it down with the real out there verbage and just state how we feel about the Administration.

Just some more input.............

Edit: then there is the freedom of speech and how you feel. That is an important issue.

Boy Linn this is hard. Don't want to squash our right to free speech, but don't want to cause this forum to be interesting to the wrong people, and yet need to express our feelings.

[Faedrea]

I think it should stay just as it is, its a great forum.

Ill accept any new rules though and follow them.

[BenSlain]

I hate to seem glum and I don't mean to rain on ya but here is what I notice. If a thread is moving along it's usually because nobody has posted any differing opinion. Go back and look. You will see what I mean. So I think the only way you can stop the fighting is to make one rule and one rule only. If somebody starts a thread you may only post things that are in agreement to that thread. No opposing views.

I know that sounds a little radical but the only time we don't get in a fight is when this happens.

For example........Rom puts up a thread how he thinks Bush is a monkey boy and stole the election and whoever voted for him is a fascist. Well of coarse I disagree and I might post that Kerry is a socialist horse face and evreybody that voted for him is a commie.......Well, you can see the writing on the wall. A fight is brewing.

So here's the plan...Rom can post this thread and nobody get's to disagree. Only add to the thread in the same way he did.

NOW.....Here's the rest of the plan....Race horse or some like minded people can start their own thread that says just the oppisit. And only those who agree can post there. And you can't cut and past from the others thread or quote them.

That will stop the fighting. It will also stop all two way conversation on the P&G thread.

I don't no what else can be done. But the way things are going now are not fair.

[dotcosm]

Ah yes, "New Rules" !

You know whose rules I like? DU's:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html

edit: well, except the part about not posting full articles, that one I don't like

[racehorse]

Ah yes, "New Rules" !

You know whose rules I like? DU's:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html

Dotcosm, I take it you like the first rule there and think it should be applied here?:(
_________

MESSAGE BOARD RULES (SHORT VERSION)

1. This is a message board for Democrats and other progressives.

[Sean_in_Montreal]

I think BenSlain has hit on an idea there. The way i see it is that most people are preaching to the converted. Nothing anybody says will sway anyone to join the other side anyway. All it seems to do is start a fight. In a lot of cases the comments are just meant to start a fight. So maybe you, Linnea, can divide the P&G into the two major political sides. I guess you will have to accommodate the other political viewpoints also.

[BenSlain]

MESSAGE BOARD RULES (SHORT VERSION)

1. This is a message board for Democrats and other progressives.

Or maybe this SHOULD be the rule.

[SetiCruncher]

I'm all for spirited discussion, and politics always seems to involve some mudslinging to a degree. I say have at it. Call the canidates anything you want, state any view you have no matter how extreme, but do it with respect.

Respect each others views, even if you disagree with them, save the name calling for the actual politician's as any name you can dream up they will likely fit.

You can't have discussion without differing points of view. Just discuss and respect one another. Its simple.

SC