In the past 6 months to a year, it seems like the board has slowly went from good debates to good fights. I let almost all of it go in the interest of 'free speech' and not wanting to alienate or lose the offending members. I've always tried to talk things out with very little to no moderation. I can't even remember the last real 'board wide ban', whether 24hrs or more. Ok, maybe one actually, but obviously it's not commonplace here. All I can really recall is a few dozen thread bans, and in doing so, trying to appease everyone, I think all I have done was create additional problems. The thread bans were meant to try to give a hint to the offenders, to stop the fighting or other actions, and come back to posting normally. This has worked in little spurts but within a few days things go back to the way they were.
Now it's simple, we follow the rules which have been here all along anyway. I was always afraid that if I gave someone a timeout, that they may get angry and not return. But anyone pushing things to where that might be necessary, obviously isn't worried in the same manner about me in return.
Free speech will continue, but doesn't mean you can fight in every other thread and make others not want to use their free speech. Free speech doesn't mean you can violate the rules and dig into staff members when you don't like a decision they make. Free speech doesn't mean you can harass others, whether on the board, PM's or via reputation. This is a political forum, which means you can post until you are blue in the face about any political topic you can think of. We won't ever favor one or the other affiliation. But whether (D) or (R), liberal or conservative, if we see you being disruptive, we will put it to a stop.
We will tread lightly with warnings for now, but don't take them for granted. If the disruptions continue, we will go from a warning to a 24hr ban very quickly. This isn't about names or individuals, but I know we have lost a sizable handful of members because of the vibe here. And it's not the topics, or who posts them, but rather the non-stop attacks, belittling and personal comments. There used to be a time when these things happened, but were very rare, and tolerated as they were very rare (even in the rules). But when it's a daily occurrence, and threads being overtaken daily, we need to make a few changes. Really though, unless one has a desire to fight, get personal and swim in drama, this entire announcement doesn't pertain to you.
So in a nutshell, staff is going to be a little more vigilant in putting the fires out. Here is what the board rules state regarding flaming and fighting:
We know people won't always be polite. We know some shit is going to be said back and forth when the debates get heated. But when the thread changes from a topic - to a fight - that's when it's time to take a step back. And we certainly aren't going to tolerate it happening in every other thread. If it's not a "thread feud" but rather 2 members fighting in threads over a months period? I would hope they would place one another on ignore. But if one must, then be prepared to keep it in the cage or risk a thread/board ban.
We will on occasion move threads to the steel cage forum, or we might break off posts from other threads and move them there. Those not wanting to follow the regular rules can go there and not ruin it for others. I am not fond of people starting threads in there. That's different. A thread degraded and moving to a fight is one thing, but outright looking to fight is another. Honestly though, if that's what keeps the 2 separated, I would rather it be in the cage. But if the cage stuff makes it into regular threads, the rules and bans will be put into effect. In other words, as originally designed, the cage should be for threads moved there that have went sour.
Calling out staff for board related decisions, or anything pertaining to them being staff, will not be tolerated. This was/is always a part of the rules. None of us get paid for this and we don't want to be abused or critiqued for doing what we think is the best for DP and the entire community. Take your beefs to a moderator of your choice via PM.
Everything I have mentioned is already a part of the rules here at DP. I am not making things worse or curtailing freedom of speech. I'm simply going to be a bit more 'true' to the rules than I have been in the past year or so. It's obvious that the 'talking through it' way is not what is best for the board and the percentage of people respecting that is small.
Follow the written rules of the board. Don't come here solely looking to fight. Don't ruin threads by fighting. Only if one MUST, take it to the cage, hopefully within a thread that was already moved there. Do that and all should be fine. You all know me, and you know that I am lenient and tolerant of a lot. I'm not asking a lot to lessen the fighting, and keep whatever crap that MUST exist, in the steel cage forum.
No political board will ever be fight free. But we used to have some fights here and there throughout, but the board still had a positive vibe about it, like family or cousins fighting. We had a lot of talk in the lounge section and it really was like family. Now some are afraid of posting for fear of being judged. A few others don't want to post, as they see it kinda as a waste if it'll just be another thread about bickering and the original topic is buried on the very first page. I'd like to get back to that. And if there's someone that you REFUSE to engage like that, that's fine! Either figure out a way to ignore them, or physically place them on ignore. There's should be NO reason to WANT to fight with others. Yes, I know some want badly to DEBATE with others, and that's cool. But that line between tough debate and personal fighting shouldn't be crossed, if at all possible.
I think we ALL want higher caliber debates. Better sharing of information. Less fighting. Less drama. It can literally happen overnight, IF everyone plays ball. Or we can stick to the rules and enforce bans to get there. I want the former but will use the latter if others try to ruin it for all of us. I DON'T WANT TO BAN A SINGLE PERSON HERE. I CAN'T THINK OF A SINGLE MEMBER HERE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NO LONGER POST. I want to be absolutely clear about that. The only way we do the latter is if the former isn't panning out. I'm hoping it's not too late for a bunch of members I can think of who have stopped posting or coming here. Let's raise the bar a bit, and still have fun, and hopefully get better debate, and increased membership/posting when the drama subsides.
For the record, for those who never read the rules or want to breeze by them again:
http://www.debatepolicy.com/showthre...e-Policy-Rules