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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fayeroe on December 6, 2008, at 11:29:51
~~~The best rule is to stick to positives about what you believe and to be respectful that others may not hold your views. I recognize that this may not be conducive to the most spirited of debates. However, given the overall purpose of Babble, Dr. Bob thinks it's the best course of action. There are undoubtedly places on the internet where more spirited discussions can take place.~~~
1. I don't believe in war. How on earth can I be positive about what has happened to so many members of my family and it has all happened on one party's watch? Does this mean that we can't post links?
2. If spirited debates aren't welcome here, what is the point of the Politics Board?
3. I cannot understand why we all have to "punished" because all weren't uncivil.
4. Okay, we can all go to another board where it can be more "spirited"...how does that help us or Babble?I'm through for today. I wish things had been taken care of when they were happening and the "baby wouldn't have to be thrown out with the bath water".
Posted by Deputy Dinah on December 6, 2008, at 12:55:33
In reply to I'm lost, posted by fayeroe on December 6, 2008, at 11:29:51
In response to this and your post on Politics.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20081115/msgs/867000.html
For the record, it's not necessary to think positive things about all politicians, or post positive things about all politicians, or to support all positions.
The civility guidelines state that you shouldn't post things that could lead others (such as supporters of a politician) to feel accused or put down. They don't require that you post positively about a politician.
While the guidelines can't enforce mutual respect, posting with respect for the fact that other Babblers might hold views you don't hold, or support candidates you dislike, should be sufficient to steer clear of any problems with administration.
Within those guidelines, spirited debate actually is possible - depending on the definition of spirited. I have spirited debate with many of my friends who have other political positions, because I respect them and I am interested in their opinions, and they respect me and are interested in my opinions. Spirited and respectful debate is certainly possible. So perhaps my words weren't as well chosen as they should have been.
Posted by Sigismund on December 6, 2008, at 13:39:11
In reply to Re: I'm lost » fayeroe, posted by Deputy Dinah on December 6, 2008, at 12:55:33
In the time I have been on Babble there has been one non-native English speaker appear on the Politics Board, and he was from western Europe.
There have been no posters from the countries we have invaded, for example, but if there had been it would have made for a greater diversity of opinion than from Conservative to Liberal and everything in between.
Posted by Nadezda on December 6, 2008, at 14:01:30
In reply to Re: I'm lost, posted by Sigismund on December 6, 2008, at 13:39:11
I'm not that familiar with message boards. Anyone have any idea where to go?
couldn't we have one santuary of spiritedness, which has slightly relaxed civility rules. Like we can say we don't like politicians, but not be personally uncivil to others on the board?
I know this has been asked and answered before. Sigh. but I still think it's a good idea.
Nadezda
Posted by Dinah on December 6, 2008, at 14:29:26
In reply to Re: well, where is a more spirited board?, posted by Nadezda on December 6, 2008, at 14:01:30
As I said, my words are a loose guideline. I don't think it's impossible to say "I don't like politician X" while remaining under site guidelines. "Politician X is a lying b*stard who wishes to bring down democracy" would be an extreme example of what would be uncivil, under my understanding of board policy.
I personally don't have an investment in that being where the line is drawn. I'm leaving that to Dr. Bob. The problem always comes in enforcement, and the lines need to be clearly drawn somewhere. Obviously it can never be as cut and dried as would be ideal. But Admin, and Dr. Bob, is doing their best.
I think there is probably some way to conceptualize it that would clarify the situation. Unfortunately, some of this is individual. For example, if I said don't post anything about anyone else's position/candidate/whatever that you would feel accused or put down if it was said about the candidate or political position that you feel the most passionate about, that might be a good guideline. But clearly there is some divergence among individuals on that. Or if I said imagine you're talking to someone you like and respect, but who holds positions contrary to your own, post in the same way you'd talk to that person. But clearly that wouldn't be cut and dried either.
It's a difficult situation. Maybe one of the best ways to think of it, at least for me, is to remember the main purpose of Babble.
Posted by fayeroe on December 6, 2008, at 15:15:06
In reply to Re: well, where is a more spirited board?, posted by Nadezda on December 6, 2008, at 14:01:30
> I'm not that familiar with message boards. Anyone have any idea where to go?
>
> couldn't we have one santuary of spiritedness, which has slightly relaxed civility rules. Like we can say we don't like politicians, but not be personally uncivil to others on the board?
>
> I know this has been asked and answered before. Sigh. but I still think it's a good idea.
>
> NadezdaJohn at Psych Central made no bones about the fact that gave the creative board more leeway than the others...we could rant, write poetry, post songs, short stories, long stories...(i had a story in installments..bcause i made it up as i went along and it was a lot of fun and not "Tide white", if you knwo what I mean) and just plain nonsense. It was quite a lot of fun until two people came along and started stuff that got our freedom greatly reduced.
I thought that the Politics Board was to allow us to address current situations and post our views and thoughts....
I guess that the one thing that is certain is change. I was having such a great time!!
xxoxo pat
This is the end of the thread.
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