Policy on the use of "liar", "lies", "lying", etc.:

[Miranda]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

No, you are not.

Why do I feel that I am wasting my time here.

shhh.....because maybe you arent really here.

[muspell]

Originally Posted by Crystal

So from now on, the accusation of being a "liar" or similar accusations towards other posters will generally be regarded as implying an insult and therewith as a violation of the forum rules.

You see, the most interesting part of that is how someone generally assumes something is an insult. How do you explain that one? Is this a common thing when the mods decide whether something is an insult?

[Malvolio]

Originally Posted by muspell

You see, the most interesting part of that is how someone generally assumes something is an insult. How do you explain that one? Is this a common thing when the mods decide whether something is an insult?

... that's also explained in the rule. We cannot decide any single case. That's why it is generally assumed to be insulting. That's pretty common. For example, we do not check if someone actually is an idiot or a moron when called an idiot or a moron, we assume that it is an insult.

[Crystal]

Originally Posted by muspell

You see, the most interesting part of that is how someone generally assumes something is an insult. How do you explain that one? Is this a common thing when the mods decide whether something is an insult?

Tell me then when being called a liar is ever a nice thing. Does anyone here enjoy being called a liar? Perhaps I'm wrong and people here actually don't mind one bit, don't find it to be bait, or don't find it to be insulting. How do I know someone is lying (with malicious intent) and not just misinformed? I find this interesting because I prefer to give someone the benefit of a doubt and assume they are just misinformed.

[JHC]

How about "if you aren't adding to the discussion, you probably shouldn't hit the Submit Reply button".

Mods: Back up and take a broad view. What is the purpose of USPolitics? Are you supporting that purpose?

If Sam is a problem, nail her ass for every legitimate violation. If you're doing that and she's still here, then maybe she's not the problem. Sam could start a thread about Global Warming and within 30 seconds, someone would post something about her Christian bashing or partisanship. Is that promoting the topic discussion of Global Warming in any way? By allowing this type of thing, are you supporting the purpose of US Politics?

An excellent way to stop all the personal attacks is to focus on keeping the discussion on topic. You've said it right here in your advice to Sam "this thread isn't about me".

We don't have to be topic nazi's but it's really out of control. LOL...I remember some of my first days here when Sglaine told me to "keep it on topic" and I think he was in love with me . And I gotta tell ya, my infraction was nowhere CLOSE to what I see happening all over this board these days.

[JHC]

Who cares if someone feels insulted! If the comment is about the topic, they need to suck it up. Obviously, that precludes personal attacks unless the thread topic IS "me" and my lying partisanship.

[MattLarson]

Jesus Tapdancing Christ.

I just cannot take this much drama.

It's so simple.

If someone says something you disagree with, say you disagree with it. For bonus points, say why you disagree with it.

If your only response to something you don't like is to regress to name-calling (like "liar" and "dope"), take a look in the mirror and figure out what the problem is.

It doesn't need all this teeth-gnashing drama and histrionics........

I'm off for a nap.

Matt

[Malvolio]

Originally Posted by JHC

How about "if you aren't adding to the discussion, you probably shouldn't hit the Submit Reply button".

Mods: Back up and take a broad view. What is the purpose of USPolitics? Are you supporting that purpose?

If Sam is a problem, nail her ass for every legitimate violation. If you're doing that and she's still here, then maybe she's not the problem. Sam could start a thread about Global Warming and within 30 seconds, someone would post something about her Christian bashing or partisanship. Is that promoting the topic discussion of Global Warming in any way? By allowing this type of thing, are you supporting the purpose of US Politics?

An excellent way to stop all the personal attacks is to focus on keeping the discussion on topic. You've said it right here in your advice to Sam "this thread isn't about me".

We don't have to be topic nazi's but it's really out of control. LOL...I remember some of my first days here when Sglaine told me to "keep it on topic" and I think he was in love with me . And I gotta tell ya, my infraction was nowhere CLOSE to what I see happening all over this board these days.

You got a point with the off-topic posts. The only problem is that we would have to move at least 2/3 of all post to the "Partisan Bullshit" section then.

[Meridious]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

Why do I feel that I am wasting my time here.

Because this is a waste of time.

This is a lot more about whining and crying than it is about lying.

[muspell]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

... that's also explained in the rule. We cannot decide any single case. That's why it is generally assumed to be insulting. That's pretty common. For example, we do not check if someone actually is an idiot or a moron when called an idiot or a moron, we assume that it is an insult.

Originally Posted by Crystal

Tell me then when being called a liar is ever a nice thing. Does anyone here enjoy being called a liar? Perhaps I'm wrong and people here actually don't mind one bit, don't find it to be bait, or don't find it to be insulting. How do I know someone is lying (with malicious intent) and not just misinformed? I find this interesting because I prefer to give someone the benefit of a doubt and assume they are just misinformed.

So you don't do judgement calls on intent, then. Not in general, and not on single issues? Meaning that as long as a hypothetical poster (that should in no way be mistaken as the person it actually describes: me) avoids the forbidden words, there will be no threat from any moderator issuing warnings based on their interpretation of the situation?

While, and this goes without saying of course, as well as that this is not used to suggest how any moderator action is beyond reproach by definition, since no personal judgement was involved? Such as in a case where a mod would nevertheless use their interpretation skills freely, if such a thing actually happened, I mean?

[ViolaLee]

Originally Posted by JHC

How about "if you aren't adding to the discussion, you probably shouldn't hit the Submit Reply button".

Mods: Back up and take a broad view. What is the purpose of USPolitics? Are you supporting that purpose?

If Sam is a problem, nail her ass for every legitimate violation. If you're doing that and she's still here, then maybe she's not the problem. Sam could start a thread about Global Warming and within 30 seconds, someone would post something about her Christian bashing or partisanship. Is that promoting the topic discussion of Global Warming in any way? By allowing this type of thing, are you supporting the purpose of US Politics?

An excellent way to stop all the personal attacks is to focus on keeping the discussion on topic. You've said it right here in your advice to Sam "this thread isn't about me".

We don't have to be topic nazi's but it's really out of control. LOL...I remember some of my first days here when Sglaine told me to "keep it on topic" and I think he was in love with me . And I gotta tell ya, my infraction was nowhere CLOSE to what I see happening all over this board these days.

Wow I wish I could write as clearly as you and daisym. I'm relieved that someone else sees what I see as well. The mods don't notice maybe, that my threads get sidetracked with insults and off topic accusations? (one of the mods even gets in on that stuff). Anyway...from my point of view it gets really frustrating. I ignore and ignore and ignore and then suddenly I'm at my limit and can't ignore anymore. I try to do the right thing and alert the insulting off topic posts and ask for advice on how to handle it, and I hear nothing back from the mods, silence, and the offending posts remain. And then I fire back with frustration. That's the only part the mods seem to notice. This is just my perspective. I'm sure they have their own. Now am I in trouble for discussing mod inaction? Or is only discussing mod action not allowed?

[Mrs. M]

This thread is definitely a joke! "You're lying" is as inflammatory as calling someone a "liar" and commonsense should tell us that. I've been called a liar (may have been on another forum) when relating a personal incident that I could in no way "prove" to the party and I damn sure didn't appreciate nor deserve it. I don't lie but I may, at times, be misinformed, as Crystal has suggested, which is a HUGE difference.
There are those members, though, that make statements in one thread and then contradict themselves in another and when asked for clarification, they scream "attack!" To this I say, if you can't run with the big dogs, get back under the porch! Just grow up and quit whining and crying about everything.

[MattLarson]

Originally Posted by Samantha

Wow I wish I could write as clearly as you and daisym. I'm relieved that someone else sees what I see as well. The mods don't notice maybe, that my threads get sidetracked with insults and off topic accusations? (one of the mods even gets in on that stuff). Anyway...from my point of view it gets really frustrating. I ignore and ignore and ignore and then suddenly I'm at my limit and can't ignore anymore. I try to do the right thing and alert the insulting off topic posts and ask for advice on how to handle it, and I hear nothing back from the mods, silence, and the offending posts remain. And then I fire back with frustration. That's the only part the mods seem to notice. This is just my perspective. I'm sure they have their own. Now am I in trouble for discussing mod inaction? Or is only discussing mod action not allowed?

Yeah, you get in trouble when you directly call other posters names. Duh.

I've told you, and several others have told you, how to handle it.

If someone says something about you that you disagree with, say so. You could even make an effort to show why.

But you apparently want to call people names like "liar" and "dope" instead.

And now we have all this drama, on the heels of the last big drama, for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

It's just this simple:

Other Poster : "You don't support the troops".
Samantha: "Yes, I do - I just don't support the administration."

See how easy that is? Yeah, it lacks the playground fun of namecalling, but it works just fine.

Matt

[Meridious]

It is completely ridiculous.

(but quite amusing. I secretly hope the thread goes on and on and on and on.)

/chuckle

[Meridious]

I ignore and ignore and ignore and then suddenly I'm at my limit and can't ignore anymore.

/chuckle

Talk about deja vu.

Your ears should be burning right about now. There are a great many posters here who more than likely feel the exact same way about the crap YOU dish out about how they "don't respect the constitution," "Aren't true Christians," and "don't believe in freedom of speech."

ROFL

This thread is GOOD!