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.
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• 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, and as already mentioned, our goal is to allow all of those that are reasonable in nature. We ask that everyone use common sense in choosing their signatures and avatars, and if we find any that need to be changed, we will let those individuals know via PMs.

[BUCKYLE]

I'm not going to lie. I didn't read the first post! HA! In your faces you people that vote a certain way!!

[3yardsandacloud]

Originally Posted by Thump

So does that mean if I wanted to put "Romney '08" that would be disallowed?

Originally Posted by lvbuckeye

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

I'm not sure guys. That's part of what the ongoing discussion is about. IMHO, LV's sig would be OK as it is obviously a historical quote and it doesn't obviously imply any particular commentary regarding current political "camps". I suppose it could be construed as a commentary on the state of National Security actions since 9/11, therefore a commentary on the current administration. You would need to read between quite a few lines to arrive at this conclusion though. The possible solution I would suggest is a time frame for acceptable historical quotes (more than 40, 50, 60, etc. years) where the quote is attributed to a specific author and dated. Of course, That is a decision that can be determined by the group of Poli forum mods and/or enthusiasts in general.

Again, IMHO, the "Romney '08" signature would be crossing the line. It certainly doesn't seem inflamitory in any sense, yet it would invite the rebuttal "Romney Sucks!", etc. Seems to me that any reference to current (or somewhat current) political events would be out-of-bounds unless the statement was so generic as to be humorous or non-threatening to all camps ... "Support the Block Party ... bring a keg!" ... "It's 3:00 pm and Politicians suck!"

As before, it's a decision that you can hammer out as a group. I certainly don't want to spend time splitting hairs over what is and is not acceptable (nor would anyone else). Find an agreeable solution and put it to use. It can always be changed as/if the need arises. The main goal is to keep political commentary (the kind that will invite political debate) OFF the other forums. In my view, LV's signature meets this goal and Thump's signature may not.

[GoBucks89]

bg and lv, I think your signatures are fine. Thump, I would not be offended by a "Romney '08" sig but I think it violates the new guidelines. The others don't because they are more philosophical in nature than political IMO.

[jimotis4heisman]

ive read the required material


signed jo4h


ps i hardly ever post in here i just look around...

[buckiprof]

Originally Posted by buckeyegrad

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.

See PM

[buckiprof]

Originally Posted by Thump

So does that mean if I wanted to put "Romney '08" that would be disallowed?

Not even close to being allowed.

[buckiprof]

Originally Posted by 3yardsandacloud

I'm not sure guys. That's part of what the ongoing discussion is about. IMHO, LV's sig would be OK as it is obviously a historical quote and it doesn't obviously imply any particular commentary regarding current political "camps". I suppose it could be construed as a commentary on the state of National Security actions since 9/11, therefore a commentary on the current administration. You would need to read between quite a few lines to arrive at this conclusion though. The possible solution I would suggest is a time frame for acceptable historical quotes (more than 40, 50, 60, etc. years) where the quote is attributed to a specific author and dated. Of course, That is a decision that can be determined by the group of Poli forum mods and/or enthusiasts in general.

Again, IMHO, the "Romney '08" signature would be crossing the line. It certainly doesn't seem inflamitory in any sense, yet it would invite the rebuttal "Romney Sucks!", etc. Seems to me that any reference to current (or somewhat current) political events would be out-of-bounds unless the statement was so generic as to be humorous or non-threatening to all camps ... "Support the Block Party ... bring a keg!" ... "It's 3:00 pm and Politicians suck!"

As before, it's a decision that you can hammer out as a group. I certainly don't want to spend time splitting hairs over what is and is not acceptable (nor would anyone else). Find an agreeable solution and put it to use. It can always be changed as/if the need arises. The main goal is to keep political commentary (the kind that will invite political debate) OFF the other forums. In my view, LV's signature meets this goal and Thump's signature may not.

Bingo!

Folks, we can't possibly list every type of acceptable or unacceptable sig line or avatar. Use common sense. You know if it can be considered acceptable or not and if you can't decide whether it is acceptable or not, PM a mod and inquire or simply choose not to use it.

[Thump]

Originally Posted by buckiprof

Not even close to being allowed.

WOW!!

Seems like you guys are stifling people a bit.