PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING HERE

[buckiprof]

The Political Conversation and Debate sub-forum has been created since there are some people who want to talk or even argue politics. Our goal in this area is to have rational, honest discussion and debate on topics from the political arena.

To achieve discussion and debate, serious discussion and debate, we have some guidelines that every member must adhere to, or the right to post in this sub-forum will be revoked. Just as stricter rules apply when posting in the recruiting forum, we must insist on higher standards in this sub-forum because of the volatile nature of political discussion.

• Refrain from party rhetoric and dogma. Regurgitating the rhetoric of one's party does not foster debate. If that is what you seek, then listen to Rush Limbaugh or Michael Moore, but don't bring that crap here.
• Refrain from name calling and bashing of others. Discussion in the political arena can get heated at times, but do not fall to the simple-minded name calling that, again, does not foster debate/discussion of a topic. If a post angers you to the point that you want to slip to name calling, use self control before making a post. Take a time out.
• Respect others' opinions and posts with the same level of respect that you would like to receive. The vast majority of us are here because of our love of all things related to The Ohio State University. All of us have much in common. Our political differences do not make us each other's enemy, instead, it should make us stronger.
• Flaming and trolling will be dealt with swiftly and with little to no tolerance. If you can't refrain from flaming, your ability to post in this sub-forum will be revoked.
• Refrain from starting threads with titles that are meant to agitate folks from the other side of the aisle. Again, this would not foster discussion nor debate.
• Political discussion is for the Poli sub-forum ONLY. Do NOT, under any circumstance, take such topics to any other forum at BP. Interjecting political commentary in other forums will be met with harsh responses ... generally a warning or infraction from our staff.
• No political commentary in your Avatar, Title or Signature line. These items appear in all your posts at BP and will be viewed on all forums. Much like the previous point, we do NOT want political commentary outside of the Poli sub-forum.
• It is the policy in all areas of BP that one will refrain from posting entire articles. This policy is also in effect in this sub-forum.

We ask that everyone recognize what is expected of them in this sub-forum and take responsibility and ownership of this sub-forum as a community. Childish behavior will not be tolerated, name calling will not be tolerated, bashing of other posters will not be tolerated, and mindless rhetoric ala Limbaugh or Moore will not be tolerated. If these simple guidelines are too much for you to adhere to, then do not post in this sub-forum.

[buckeyegrad]

Originally Posted by buckiprof

No political commentary in your Avatar, Title or Signature line. These items appear in all your posts at BP and will be viewed on all forums. Much like the previous point, we do NOT want political commentary outside of the Poli sub-forum.

Please define political commentary. My signature contains quotes that could be construed as political statements made by social commentators from the 1830s and 1920s. Are these forbidden or do they fall into a different category--such as famous, historical quotes.

[3yardsandacloud]

BG, I read your signature as a religious commentary, though it should probably fall under the same scrutiny as political commentary.

Additionally I read your signature as a generic statement rather than a dogmatic political (religious) commentary. More along the lines of "Politics are good" rather than "The Democatric/Republican party is good". In any event, I'll let the Poli mods and Poli forum enthusiasts further define the guidelines as they see fit. These are the rules that you'll all be expected to play by in this forum, so let's find a common ground that is fair to everyone.

[lvbuckeye]

Originally Posted by 3yardsandacloud

BG, I read your signature as a religious commentary, though it should probably fall under the same scrutiny as political commentary.

Additionally I read your signature as a generic statement rather than a dogmatic political (religious) commentary. More along the lines of "Politics are good" rather than "The Democatric/Republican party is good". In any event, I'll let the Poli mods and Poli forum enthusiasts further define the guidelines as they see fit. These are the rules that you'll all be expected to play by in this forum, so let's find a common ground that is fair to everyone.

is mine cool? i mean, i've had it for nearly two years...

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

In my mind the reference to "Political Sigs" contemplates things more in line with what Thump mentions. Quoting.. I don't know.. Michael Moore or Rush Limbaugh... probably not appropriate. Quoting Ben Franklin? Seems fine to me. Like 3yards, I too read these signatures (Bgrad and LV, in particular as it relates to this thread) as generic statements rather than dogmatic political (religious) commentaries.

If it were up to me and me alone, I would not advocate changing them owing to the sticky post above.

[Thump]

Originally Posted by lvbuckeye

is mine cool? i mean, i've had it for nearly two years...

I see no problem with yours either.

[BrutuStrength]

We have had some discussion about avatars and sigs