Alright, listen up.
I'm getting more than slightly annoyed at the reported posts I've gotten in the past week, usually at least somewhat justified. I haven't done anything about some of them except this post, so like I said, listen up.
Let's keep the arguments as rational arguments, not insults. If you wanna say that Obama or McCain (or both) is/are idiot(S), then do so in at least a semi-respectful manner. I don't mind the occasional flippant/sarcastic argument, as evidenced by the fact that I'm normally the perpetrator of such. But the thread title "Shut Up, Obama" is pushing if not crossing the line, and other people have made comments on topics -- political, religious, et cetera, that have been not only argumentative (which is fine) but -- intentionally or not -- insulting (which is not fine). Tell people they're wrong if you want, and that their opinions are stupid, but do it at least pseudo-nicely, and give analysis and reasons, don't just call them (or their favored politician, religion, whatever) names. The last thing we need is a drive-by flamewar debate raging here.
It's an election year here in the US, and if people haven't noticed, that tends to make enemies out of friends over here. The last thing we want is for this community to succumb to squabbling over petty insults. C'mon, people! Everyone here is perfectly capable of having a rational discussion, and even a rational debate. We've done it before.
Even if you don't think you've been part of the problem, please try to carefully consider everything you say about a potentially controversial subject. Not so that we can avoid controversy, but so that your comments aren't misinterpreted as a personal attack, or whatever. Example would be mm's poorly-worded question about Mormonism. Legitimate curiosity, poorly expressed, interpreted as an insult, and wasn't exactly appropriate besides, even though mm didn't know that. Just remember that touchy subjects are touchy, and people might actually have a good reason to believe what they do, even if they haven't expressed that reason to you yet.
I could go on, but I think I've made my point, so that said, I'll get off of my soapbox o' overreaction and let Dain and Kralik tell me that I should calm down.
Topic: Announcement: PLEASE READ (Read 881 times)
