As most of you know, the election cycle here in the United States in about to go into overdrive.
So, too, will the passionate debate (if one can call it that currently...) here on ATS over which candidate is the best, and which one is the Beast.
Which brings me to the point of this little thread...
The staff has, along with many regular members, grown increasingly disturbed over mounting amounts of trolling on the political forums from BOTH sides
of the political spectrum.
Frankly? We're sick to death of it, and have reached a consensus over what to do about it.
A crackdown is going to begin shortly on trolls, and their behaviour.
Personal attacks, both subtle and overt. Snarky commentary. Euphemisisms used in a derogatory fashion. Anything designed to instigate conflict, rather
than discussion. These are going to stop. Fair warning.
Terms and Conditions
15a) Offensive Content: You will not Post forum posts, private messages, PODcasts, blog entries, videos, images, and other supported content,
links to images or use avatars and/or signatures that are unlawful, harassing, libelous, privacy invading, abusive, threatening, harmful, hateful,
vulgar, obscene, and/or disruptive. You will not use text, images, avatars or link to images or domains that contain gore, mutilation, pornography or
illegal content. Doing so will result in removal of your Post(s) and immediate termination of your account.
15g.) Political Baiting: You will not engage in politically-charged rhetoric, politically-inspired name-calling, and related right-versus-left
political bickering while Posting in any topical forum or discussion thread on the Websites. You will not alter political candidate names or party
affiliations in order to insult or deride the opposition.
16) Behavior: You will not behave in an abusive, libelous, defamatory, hateful, intolerant, bigoted and/or racist manner, and will not harass,
threaten, nor attack anyone.
24) Right of Community Management. This is a privately owned discussion board community. TAN reserves the right to take action against any member, or
member Posting, which is deemed to be devoted purely to disruption, represents behavior contrary to community building, or in cases where the content
is contrary to the core ideals of the Websites. This action may include removal of your Posting and/or complete banning of your username and IP
address. TAN reserves the right to eliminate or edit any content deemed inappropriate for the discussion boards, news network or any affiliated sites.
TAN reserves the right to establish limits on topics that may be discussed if, in their opinion, the discussion of those topics attract an audience
that is counterproductive to maintaining the ideals set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Use and the Terms and Conditions of
Membership.
Read these pertinent sections, along with the rest of the Terms and Conditions, folks. Refamiliarize yourself with the rules of conduct here.
ATS has always been dedicated to the free exchange of ideas, and the discussion of same.
It is, most certainly, not dedicated to scoring cheap idealistic points in some vapid game of one upsmanship.
From here on, until election day in November, and almost certainly beyond, passions will run deep, and flame hot, and we wouldn't have it any other
way!!
But...
We will also have politeness, and civil behaviour, right along with our passions.
Passion in ones ideology need not include verbal jabs, name calling, or any other behaviour inteded to belittle others, or do injury to them.
If, in the process of debating/arguing your points, you find yourself getting angry? Step Away From The Keyboard. Go grab a fave beverage, or go for a
walk. Do not bring it to the boards, and take it out on your fellow members. Log out if need be, and come back tomorrow. Whatever it takes to keep
your temper in check.
The days of trolling ATS are coming to an end, folks.
Fair warning given. Please heed it.
edit on 11/22/2011 by seagull because: (no reason given)
