A few Suggestions

[AJG]

Originally Posted by Traveler

So what's your issue? You've said more than once now that "you're just suggessting it" and i have no objection to that...

No issue. If you feel there is an issue I'm sorry for the confusion.

[Norrin Radd]

I would like to see all the American members try to recruit one new American member.

No offense, but it seems strange to be an American and to be outnumbered, on a forum dedicated to US Politics.

[AJG]

Aren't the majority of the people who use these forums American? And besides, even people like Noahath are atleast very knowledgeable of US Politics in general.

[Norrin Radd]

Originally Posted by AJG

Aren't the majority of the people who use these forums American? And besides, even people like Noahath are atleast very knowledgeable of US Politics in general.

I would find it interesting to know what percentage of "active" members are American. Not a big deal to me, but I am a little curious.

[picaro]

I haven't noticed that Americans are outnumbered here, but then I haven't been conducting a survey. I pretty much enjoy the Euro presence, especially in the history and military forums. I notice nearly all the trolls are obviously American, though, so maybe mgt. should invite more Euros instead of more Americans?

On edit: Why wouldn't Euros and most other nations have an interest in U.S. politics? I didn't assume that this was a board strictly for natives when I stumbled onto it. I read the Brit press, Israeli press, and the German press at least weekly, and even the Arab press when I need some humor.

[Marc]

In no way is this board limited to U.S. folk, nor has it ever intended to be. All are welcome!

[Tim]

Originally Posted by picaro

I haven't noticed that Americans are outnumbered here, but then I haven't been conducting a survey. I pretty much enjoy the Euro presence, especially in the history and military forums. I notice nearly all the trolls are obviously American, though, so maybe mgt. should invite more Euros instead of more Americans.........

I assume the majority of the forum is American, which is to be expected considering the title of the forum. I agree that I would like to see more European posters - respectable ones, that is.

As for most trolls being American - there have been Euro-trolls here. They are gone, but they are not easily forgotten.

[LeatherneckPM]

With some of the childish threads on here, maybe there should be a 'sandpit' or 'playground' area where you could move those silly threads that are started for no real discussion. Better than just locking them but put them somewhere where the grown ups can keep an eye on them but out of the way of proper debates.

[iamwhatiseem]

Originally Posted by LeatherneckPM

With some of the childish threads on here, maybe there should be a 'sandpit' or 'playground' area where you could move those silly threads that are started for no real discussion. Better than just locking them but put them somewhere where the grown ups can keep an eye on them but out of the way of proper debates.

We already have that..."just for fun" and "off topic"

[Imperator]

anyway, yea it was a karma system they had before I joined, I understand it became a point of contention since reputation and karma are very subjective values...

[HelloDollyLlama]

Three observations:


1. I agree that reputation points are a bad idea. Why encourage people to say what they think is popular, instead of what they really believe?

2. I think the ban on "baiting" or "trolling" is silly and impractical. If you post anything even remotely political, there's a fair chance that roughly half the forum will be irritated by it. If you come into a political forum open to all comers, you're going to hear things that upset you, and protecting people from being upset isn't what debate is all about. For my money, a post which explodes the illusions and delusions of others is one of the highest forms of public service -- destroying lies by deploying truth. Everyone in 3000 years of recorded history who ever made a real difference on the political scene, aggravated the crap out of a lot of people in the process. But without such aggravating people, mankind would still be swinging in the trees. America, in particular, was founded by pissed off people who were just plain fed up with their rulers in Europe, and once they got here, they were pretty fed up with each other, too. Being pissed off is a national birthright.

There is another forum in which I received a moderator warning, just for posting an item indicating that Obama had a high approval rating -- because it might inflame the Republicans. Swear to God.

3. Spam needs to be defined. It can't just be characterized as "stuff that aggravates the moderators".