I joined here in 2007, was lurking for many years before that. This place used to be amazing, a hub of intellectual discussion and it often contained some fun theories and conversations from a wide variety of people.

Now it just seems it's a pro-NRA gun-waving, militant and slightly rightwing hell-hole.

Not everyone who visits this forum is American. Not everyone wants to listen to your insane army babble and flag worshipping crap that has suddenly become the norm on here. We don't want to listen to pre-school pseudo-racist, chest thumping delusions and nasty spiteful attacks on non-American members.

Seriously, some of you people are so paranoid, xenophobic and idiotic it REALLY tars the conspiracy scene. If someone should visit this site for the first time, they're less likely to discover a conversation about say aliens or JFK or outer space, but instead they'll be greeted by racist, nasty, paranoid rubbish that has become the norm on here.

Every god damn conversation seems to consist of 'well if they were armed' or 'you Brits should arm yourself' or 'we should give guns to children'.

Do you not realise how MENTAL you all sound.

ATS , what happened to you? Since when did this turn into a crackpot NRA gun-waving crap-fest? Grow up!

The gun war is in full swing on lots of sites (I've only posted on one gun thread, and that was about Dennis Kucinich). There are still plenty of good research threads, and science, Mars rover, space, etc, are my bread and butter (though as a vegan I don't eat butter). So until the crazy right wing commentators move on to something else, their copycats will come here and fight for their right to not have their guns taken away - which nobody in government is adocating anyway. For myself, I'm content with the new Mars gigapan, or the new data from CERN. It's all in a day's surfing.

Hmm sometimes what you said can be true but it is a matter of freedom so they have their reasons for posting such threads.

A funny pic. (No pun intended )

I think that those topics are still there and actually outnumber the ones you are complaining about. How would I know? I read them daily, I just don't comment on every thread I read. I particularly enjoy the UFO and Paranormal forums.

But you seem drawn to the threads you complain about.

You have your opinion, that’s cool. But when a thread really gets your anger flowing, take a break. It helps…well it helped me anyways when I took a sabbatical from ATS for a month.

So basically you are complaining about free speech.
I understand your frustration about certain topics.
Have you ever thought the reason for all the threads is because these topics are very important to some?
If one doesn't stand up for what they believe in then why do we stand up at all?
This thread will seem as redundant to them as they do to you.
Learn to skip the one's your not interested in and read the rest.

Yeah your rant is valid but at the same time don't forget that now is the time that the gun debate is going on full force. 6 years ago when you joined was or were other topics. So don't blame ATS per say but the trend and the reality of things. I can suggest you another way of avoiding unwanted threads: Stop reading them!!! ATS has so many sub forums with plenty of interesting threads. Nobody can force you to be part of gun/anti gun debate. Pick the science forum, or archeology or ufo...the choices are plenty. That's what I do and I don't feel at all the pressure of the the gun debate.

Here, here...I take my hat off to you for such a good rant/let off of steam. I am amazed myself at how much our site has changed over the past 5 years. A valid point has been raised by a previous poster that there are still good threads, brilliant forums & classic members that put a lot of time & effort into their threads but alas the old school seems to have jumped train. Either that or they are just laying low and not wanting to be part of the racist, xenophobic, proud to be armed, anti faith hate crew.

I too lurked for years, had another account and gleaned some solid, profound information from members...threads, forums & enjoyed non hostile banter. I too am not American but I shall not judge the majority by the confused minority. Yes there is a lot going on over the pond but the things that are going on globally are horrific, things that are happening here in once great Britain are sad and too unreported for me. I've sat back, meditated, asked friends, discussed matters that are relevant to this whole situation & to be honest we are baffled.

I had a feeling that 2000&13 was going to be a year of awakening that's if we were still here (yes I prepared as did my friends too...always handy just in case...we'd rather have & not need than need and not have and all that) but it is shocking just how much of the youth have awoke, turned to sites such as ours but do not use manners & decorum as they should. I'm not anti anything, be it man, woman, boy, girl, alien, hybrid, gay, purple, orange or green but there is too much hate around these days.

People don't open doors for their elders any more, nobody will let somebody who is less able'd than them take 'their' seat on public transport, I speak to people in the streets...nothing profound just a hello here and a nice day there & am 97% of the time greeted by blank stares. People in general have become too self absorbed, too over opinionated and darn right disrespectful!! I'm not one to shout my mouth off or rant, I prefer to assess a situation first consider all the factors, the pros & cons the long term, short term outcome of a situation...all of that and then react. I offer salutations to your valid rant, all be it aimed at our cousins a wee bit too much but so be it.

Manners make a person...yes opinions count but they do not need to be shouted from the roof tops at **** decibels!! The top stories have taken a dive of late too, these days I much prefer to find the forums I'm happy with & soak in as much information as I can, then research it and then the 5% of my family, friends, mates & acquaints that will listen get the heads up. I do not care if 95% of the people in my life do not listen or care or are more interested in video games or how many social networking 'friends' they can get or if they think that the so label'd P.T.S.D has finally taken over me & I'm crazy...pffttt!! Life is too cheap these days, there are not too many people left with hearts or souls...yes I was once a machine, following orders, enjoying the life but now I am living a forced early retirement due to injuries & spend time on this site as well as others. Things have taken a dive world wide and myself as well as others are hoping, praying for some divine intervention before we destroy ourselves yet again.

S&F Sir

I totally agree with the OP. I also think a large majority of kids and younger adults make up the majority of
members. Thus the reason the responders are not higher caliber.

Originally posted by GmoS719
So basically you are complaining about free speech.

No.

What he is complaining about is uncivilised and arrogant behaviour that just wrecks discussion because it turns conversation into schoolyard "my dads bigger than your dad" style territorial pissing.

ATS most certainly is not the comments section of YouTube, and anyone who doesn't understand that and is incapable of a decent conversation needs to think things through and check their ego at the door.

I also think a large majority of kids and younger adults make up the majority of members.

Hey I joined ATS 5 hours ago but I am a minor. Didn't know you have age restrictions.

Here's a tip, at the top of the page there is a line of 'buttons'. Click the one that says "FORUMS". Hey, look at that, you just found all the forums on the site!

In short, grow up. Did you complain about all the election related posts? What about Fukushima? BP oil spill?

All of those were just like the gun threads are now, only last year. Guns are a big topic right now. How many forum sites aren't going nuts on gun control or the lack thereof. If it bothers you, go to the forums on the specific topics you want to read about.