great idea, i may not be to active there but i would love to be able to contribute at some time, so sign me up.
"I, ___sheila947__________, an ATS member concerned about real and important political issues in this 2008 election season promise to do my best to
elevate the tone of political debate through my participation in the ATS Bully Pulpit Forum. I will not post insults. I will not engage in divisive
political rhetoric. I will focus on the issues important to the American public and the world at large. I will support my statements with confirmed
facts. I will conduct myself in the best example of superior participation and fully embrace the spirit of 'deny ignornace.'" Acceptance of this
pledge affords a member with the ability to post in the Bully Pulpit Forum... where only few can post, but all can read.
New Political Forum Coming Soon: The ATS Bully Pulpit, page 3
privacy
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 03:10 PM by redmage
reply to post by schrodingers dog
It stems from Lockheed Martin's skunk works. Skunk Works was the top secret division responsible for the F-117, SR-71 Blackbird, and many of our other high tech military toys. "Kelly" Johnson started it with LM's top minds to have a place where anything was possible. It was so secret that even their coffee mugs, which featured a skunk's tail peeking out from behind the LM logo, were classified.
For more I'd suggest reading Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed by Ben R. Rich (Johnson's sucessor).
Sorry again for the off topic post. [/off topic]
[edit on 8/21/08 by redmage]
It stems from Lockheed Martin's skunk works. Skunk Works was the top secret division responsible for the F-117, SR-71 Blackbird, and many of our other high tech military toys. "Kelly" Johnson started it with LM's top minds to have a place where anything was possible. It was so secret that even their coffee mugs, which featured a skunk's tail peeking out from behind the LM logo, were classified.
For more I'd suggest reading Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed by Ben R. Rich (Johnson's sucessor).
Sorry again for the off topic post. [/off topic]
[edit on 8/21/08 by redmage]
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 03:10 PM by Benevolent Heretic
reply to post by burdman30ott6
The pledge states, "I will support my statements with confirmed facts." That pretty much takes care of one-source blogger opinions. At least that's how I interpret it.
The pledge states, "I will support my statements with confirmed facts." That pretty much takes care of one-source blogger opinions. At least that's how I interpret it.
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 03:14 PM by nyk537
reply to post by Benevolent Heretic
As have I.
Which really narrows down the field of what can be used as a source. I'd imagine there are those of us who would refute reports from even the biggest news outlets.
Either way, this should be a good area for some civil discourse without the constant nagging and bickering from passerbys.
As have I.
Which really narrows down the field of what can be used as a source. I'd imagine there are those of us who would refute reports from even the biggest news outlets.
Either way, this should be a good area for some civil discourse without the constant nagging and bickering from passerbys.
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 03:24 PM by schrodingers dog
Last thing, I promise.
Take this thread for example.
The OP doesn't but could argue that this is a valid political issue. Who's to say what's in his heart? And though I disagree with nyk537 on the topic itself, I do concede to him in my posts that he has a right to think this issue valid.
nyk537 has already taken this pledge. So where does his thread belong?
I don't know, we're going to need a trial month just to identify the baseline, with the fear of god we don't cross this line while doing it . By then the election are almost over.
Not for nothing but has anybody here given some thought to sweet and kind weedwhacker? He's going to sign this you know. I for sure don't want him to lose his points. He's so harmless and tries to please everyone with his humor. He has to be given some kind of exemption.
I guess I don't get it. We're trying to discourage hate filled divisive threads and deny ignorance. Not let ignorance flow, we'll be in our VIP room if anyone calls. How does that improve anything?
I'm done. Pending edits.
[edit on 8/21/2008 by schrodingers dog]
[edit on 8/21/2008 by schrodingers dog]
Take this thread for example.
The OP doesn't but could argue that this is a valid political issue. Who's to say what's in his heart? And though I disagree with nyk537 on the topic itself, I do concede to him in my posts that he has a right to think this issue valid.
nyk537 has already taken this pledge. So where does his thread belong?
I don't know, we're going to need a trial month just to identify the baseline, with the fear of god we don't cross this line while doing it . By then the election are almost over.
Not for nothing but has anybody here given some thought to sweet and kind weedwhacker? He's going to sign this you know. I for sure don't want him to lose his points. He's so harmless and tries to please everyone with his humor. He has to be given some kind of exemption.
I guess I don't get it. We're trying to discourage hate filled divisive threads and deny ignorance. Not let ignorance flow, we'll be in our VIP room if anyone calls. How does that improve anything?
I'm done. Pending edits.
[edit on 8/21/2008 by schrodingers dog]
[edit on 8/21/2008 by schrodingers dog]
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 03:28 PM by nyk537
reply to post by schrodingers dog
Yes, but that thread would not have been created in said new forum.
I do contend that this is topic for discussion. I never said it should be a political issue though, only that it had a right to be discussed.
Don't worry about things like that creeping in from me. That's an ATS only thread.
Yes, but that thread would not have been created in said new forum.
I do contend that this is topic for discussion. I never said it should be a political issue though, only that it had a right to be discussed.
Don't worry about things like that creeping in from me. That's an ATS only thread.
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 04:23 PM by Mirthful Me
And how...
You are correct... Sourcing some bitter basement dwelling hack who has a blog of bile and battery acid isn't going to cut it in the Bully Pulpit... I think the best contributions within this forum will be member centric analysis devoid of the partisan rhetoric.
Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
reply to post by burdman30ott6
The pledge states, "I will support my statements with confirmed facts." That pretty much takes care of one-source blogger opinions. At least that's how I interpret it.
You are correct... Sourcing some bitter basement dwelling hack who has a blog of bile and battery acid isn't going to cut it in the Bully Pulpit... I think the best contributions within this forum will be member centric analysis devoid of the partisan rhetoric.
reply posted on 21-8-2008 @ 04:27 PM by LiquidMirage
Originally posted by mythatsabigprobe
reply to post by SkepticOverlord
In that case I'll have to pass. One thing I've learned as a member here is that there's always a contradictory source for political information and even with the best intentions you can never guarantee the accuracy of information. All political parties have experts to spin the facts, we're just the dumb suckers that parrot them.
Agreed! There is a reason why, when writing a college level research paper, professors look down upon internet sources in favor of good old library work. Very few internet sites truly meet the required criteria.
To SkepticOverloard:
I fully respect your effort to attempt to make ATS a better place but the penalties for simply making an honest mistake are really going overboard considering the point I made above.
