Welcome to the Current Events forum. This forum is frequented by intelligent people with strong opinions who will want to engage you in debate. Often, this debate can get people pretty heated, and to avoid saying something you will regret, I have compiled some guidelines to help you navigate the potential mine field that is the CE forum.
1. Do not, EVER, personally insult someone, even if they did it to you first. Attack ideas, not people. You can be removed from the community if you are observed doing this by a moderator. Here's a handy guide to avoiding personal attacks:
BAD:
You are racist and obviously cannot grasp even the most basic information.
BETTER:
I find your ideas disturbing. Here is a link to some information that backs up my point on this issue.
2. Do not launch a crusade against somebody else or publicly call for their removal. The appropriate way to go about dealing with someone else's inappropriate behaviour is to:
* keep a level head
* do not attack them in retaliation
* CAREFULLY decide if they have ACTUALLY personally attacked you
* decide whether or not you care
* if so, flag the comment if you have the option, or privately state your problem in the form on the help page - ONCE.
Do not place demands on the staff to remove people, beyond flagging the comment or using the help form - ONCE. Staff will decide whether or not they are breaking any rules.
4. Do not continue a thread that has been closed. This means making another topic about the same thing, or carrying it on in elsewhere on the site. It was closed for a reason.
These rules may seem restrictive, however we have many excellent examples of members who are able to stick within them and are respected for their level headed approach to debate. The rules are here to encourage intelligent discussion, and discourage flame wars, name calling, and other behaviour that ruins message boards for the majority.
Olivia
Emeryville, CA
May 2002
MAY 30, 2003 03:30 PM