Originally posted by: GenHoth
It's fine, I don't mind the insults but rather the time I waste reading them. If I wanted no emotion I'd go right back to reading papers and theories on the subject, but debate is entertaining and informative. It simply gets to the point occasionally when I find that it is NOT worth my time, so I decided to investigate the policies of the board. No harm in trying right? 😛
No harm in trying, indeed! :thumbsup:
We long-term P&N mods found out long ago
exactly what Red said, that strictly applying the "no personal insults" rule would decimate the forum. Even when we tried to apply it, we got such extended howling and crying from the ones we vacationed PLUS all their friends, ALL accusing us of deep political bias (no matter which side, lol), that we gradually evolved into the policy we now have.
And it works.
There's a reason your mother told you that politics was not to be discussed in polite company. It arouses primal passions.
We've found that our present relaxed ground rules are the best workable compromise for this admittedly imperfect situation.
P&N definitely isn't for everyone. You do need a thick skin, and you'd better be informed and you'd better bring your 'A' game, debate-wise.
But by not inadvertently stifling impassioned, freewheeling debate by ruling with a overly iron hand, we believe we have fostered one of the premier multi-partisan political debate forums on the entire internet.
