I started this thread by basically stating the obvious, and some of you may think I'm a little on the slow side if I thought that all actually had to be said. It just so happens that I prefer to be underestimated, so that if I have any enemies here that I don't know about they won't put too much effort into their attempts to undo me.

In the spirit of stating the obvious and making you all think I'm some kind of idiot, I would like to add just one more thing.

It's about starting threads. There have been a couple of threads started recently that seem very compelling and which, if I had the money to indulge in gambling, I would bet will be very long-lived and thought provoking.

BUT- (ah, the infamous "but" after a compliment. But is the perfect word, albiet mispelled, because it tells you that the part that smells funny is coming up) BUT- there is something worth mentioning about certain kinds of threads which are unlikely to take off and become productive.

On ATSNN, when you post external content, the rule is that you use 2-3 news paragraphs (a news paragraph is often a bit shorter than others) and then at least one paragraph of your own insight.

I think that is an outstanding rule and it would be best if that were observed when outside content is used to start threads here. Many of the blogs/op/ed sites from which we will sometimes be shown content allow members to respond to the material there. Therefore, if you make a post which is almost entirely external source, don't add any of your own insight, and ask "what do you think", what you're really doing is stealing from the site which you liked enough to share with us. Ironic, isn't it?

So please, do bring us outside material that inspired/challenged/informed you, but please, say something about it of your own too. One would assume you have something to say about the content, since you thought it was worth posting. So please say anything you have to say about it. A one liner with a big external quote is still a one liner.

(/the obvious)

Oh, one more thing, since I'm a little digusted with my own thread here; it feels rigid and boring. I'm not "in charge". I was asked to help make this a worthwhile place for us all. Feel free to use this thread to vent concerns/tear me a new one if you can think of something that would make US Politics more worthwhile.