Originally posted by Skyfloating


ATSers should be happy about this. There are hundreds of political discussion forums in the Internet.

People who come to ATS come here to talk and read about alternative subjects...not those spoon fed and dictated by mass-media-culture. Regular-Reality should be discussed elsewhere. People wishing to do so, should find appropriate websites for that.

ATS is not for everyone. There are millions of sites that cover mainstream reality. Why would we want to cover the same thing everyone else does?

We dont. ATS main target group is people interested in conspiracy-theory, UFOs, Paranormal, secret societies, hidden agendas.

Most politicians have hidden agendas, wouldn't you agree? But from what I am gathering concerning the new rules is we can't post anything that candidates do not claim themselves. Is that true? If it is and if it was applied to all of ATS there would be absolutely nothing to talk about here. This whole site is built upon the idea of unsubstantiated claims and applying your own "twist" to something. I believe it was i this thread that I saw SO say that...don't quote me. I'll see if I can find that.

A question: in many of the other conspiracies, political actions are a major part of the evidence to point out said conspiracy. Is it allowed to point out third-party information on a political figure (true or not, since many times a 'truth' is later found to be not so true, or vice-versa) to indicate a bias toward or from such a conspiracy?

An observation: apparently politics is not the only thing to get heated around here.

Yeah, still watching...

TheRedneck

Originally posted by LiquidMirage
As it stands right now, I feel like I'm in Soviet Russia or North Korea where the PTB have agents in the field ready to kill you if you say anything they don't like. ATS was a great place when we had Freedom Of Speech but that is gone now.

Wrong.

First off - as you are well aware - ATS is a private forum with its own rules of decorum and a right to community management. As such you are bound by the terms and conditions you agreed to when you signed up here.

In that respect, your freedom of speech has not been taken away from you.

What has been removed is the childish, immature, pointless rhetoric, resorts to name calling and trivial rubbish.

No one is stopping you discussing proper political issues at all.

If you were in North Korea, or the old Soviet Union, you and I would not be having this conversation, because its highly unlikely either of us would have been allowed internet access in the first place.

So, instead of complaining that people can't post with all the sensibilites of a schoolyard taunt anymore, why aren't you actually discussing some politics?

The Kernel is getting fatigued by the whining of the Neocons. Yes Neocons. The Kernel can say this because he's a Paleocon and getting tired of the whining that the "new" way of politics is being disallowed. The Kernel's advice? Become well read on the issues. Be civil and use your brain. God didn't give you one to become something that just occupies your head. If you are offended by these words you have a problem. Reach above todays politics.

SO, with all respect, I have to disagree with you this time.

I understand fully that things are getting out of controll. However, ATS has always been a place where I could come and read everything that was out there and form my own opinion. ATS helps me find truth. If I hear a rumor, it is already being discussed here, and typically its snuffed out by someone who backs up what they say with facts rather quickly. I love that.

When I first joined here almost 4 years ago, the T&C was enforced. No one could just post something. They had to have something to back it up. There was no name calling, no cussing, it was a respectable place of discussion because of the hardworking mods.

I understand that there are more people on ATS now. That is no surprise.

Right now we have two canidates at two opposite ends of the spectrum. This election is crucial. Our country is facing serious financial problems, wars, natural disasters. This could very well be one of the most important elections in our history. Its no wonder everyone is rushing here to debate, and voice opinions. This is the best place on the internet to get it all.

This comes with a lot of responsibility, and work on your part on and those who work for you.

I completely understand the closing of threads that are not based on anything. That is normal, expected, and needed. I understand censoring a post because of foul language. I understand threads being moved into better fitting catagories no matter how upset the author gets.

BUT The moment a post is removed when someone posted an opinion in a civil manner is the moment I can no longer trust ATS.

People need to be able to discuss everything. So what if the thread is "unrelated to platform". The moment you remove a thread that has any real basis is the moment ATS is no longer the best place to get it all. We need those conversations. Those debates even if it is over something most think silly. That is what makes this place worth while to come to every day. Right now I understand that moving and watching threads is going to be A LOT of work. But you can not just toss your hands in the air and say that those conversations are not allowed.

If I miss understood you then please correct me.

I would like to add you as a friend

You go right ahead

[edit on 11-9-2008 by Skyfloating]

Originally posted by Skyfloating

ATSers should be happy about this. There are hundreds of political discussion forums in the Internet.

People who come to ATS come here to talk and read about alternative subjects...not those spoon fed and dictated by mass-media-culture. Regular-Reality should be discussed elsewhere. People wishing to do so, should find appropriate websites for that.

Then why not remove the political forums entirely?

Wow, reminds me of a time a Target employee suggested I go shop at WalMart.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Also, does this mean that legitimate discussions about things like Obamas association with Ayers are off limits?

Within the normal political forums, unfortunately, yes. Within the strict environment of the Bully Pulpit, however, it would be allowed.

This quote from SO is where I came up with the "discussing certain character and/or judgement issues" in the Bully Pulpit. I didn't mean rumors and innuendos, but rather serious character and judgement issues.


[edit on 9/11/2008 by skeptic1]

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
No Innuendo or Rumor Threads regarding the candidates for the 2008 election will be allowed from this point forward in any of the ATS forums.

I find this to be very hypercritical in the face of the presence of the Skunk Works and the The Grey Area forums on ATS . The kind of political discussions you are looking for have been going on for years its just that they were largely ignored up until now . I don't care that this is the case I'm not here for recognition. But I do take issue with the fact that suddenly every four years the topics come under the microscope a bit like a kid who only behaves well in the lead up to Xmas .



These rules should apply across the board if they did I would be inclined to visit the 9-11 conspiracy forum more often . You just cant keep regulating political topics more and more while leaving the others at the old standards .





[edit on 11-9-2008 by xpert11]