Posted on 01/04/2004 7:55:31 PM PST by Lead Moderator
Edited on 01/04/2004 8:43:28 PM PST by Lead Moderator. [history]
Hello everyone.
I've been talking to some long time Freepers via email for several weeks (one in particular). His concern was over the immigration threads and how they turn out on Free Republic.
Many times these threads turn into flame wars. There appears to be a lot of pent up hostility that various factions have developed for each other which ends up coming out, over and over, and the result is that the threads turn into a lot of crap. The moderators get hit with dozens of abuse reports over personal attacks and other silliness. Eventually, it becomes more work than is really worthwhile, and the threads get moved to the backroom so we don't have to deal with it.
This is an OK status quo when it occurs just occasionally. But when it happens frequently, it is not OK. That means that there is a problem.
So we are going to try to fix the problem.
There are sincere people on both sides of the debate who have gotten too into the battle that they are no longer being constructive. The goal will be to help them get back on track.
But we have two groups of people who are completely not sincere.
One group is those who really have no other goal other than to try to fracture conservatives and turn them on each other. One group is those who think that those most concerned with immigration are really just bigots and want to shout them down.
The good news is that both of these groups are very, very small. The bad news is that lots of people are firmly convinced that many of those who are just riled up sincere Freepers are actually part of one of these small groups. In other words, a lot of suspicion of motives has come about.
We're going to have to overcome that.
One of us tried something with a topic which had developed a similar problem, the Creation/Evolution threads. We'll give that type of approach a try for the immigration threads.
So here is what is going to happen. Starting tomorrow, when I see an immigration related thread go up, I am going to post immediately a warning that this would be a very bad thread to engage in insulting or flame baiting. When I see someone ignoring the warning, I'll address them personally telling them to knock it off.
What we need those who are serious about the issue to do is to act responsibly during this time. Engage in debate, without the insults. Post arguments, not ad hominems. Post facts, not innuendos. If you don't like someone, figure out a way to not have it get in the way of your postings. If you want to be disagreeable, do so without being needlessly disrespectful and instigative.
What will happen is, over time with this approach, those who are just trying to stir up crap, and those who are unable to help themselves, will stick out like sore thumbs and will get the axe.
And once that happens, then more direct involvement will not be needed, which I think everyone will agree is the preferred way.
So ping those who you know are interested in debating the topic to this thread, so they can see what is coming.
Thanks
Taglines don't show up in the self-search.
I posted this to Area51 yesterday, and now I'll send it your way.
"There is no question that your reply there was designed to show disrespect for the President. It came through loud and clear. However, it is needlessly instigative. Do you honestly think you will convince anyone who is on the fence to agree with you by calling the President Jorge? Or was your entire point just to piss off Bush supporters?"
We need less of that crud, not more of it. Please lose that tagline.
I will take you at your word.
But you won't be using it under this screen name.
If you change your mind, feel free to contact Jim and ask for your account to be restored.
Post 1, however, I think you took the wrong way even though it was taken down. I believe that post was mocking those who think like post 2 and are always talking about how they aren't going to vote this time.
58. To: Fred Mertz (#53) Looks like I am famous. Ha And I just noticed the little yapping c#ck s#cking coward then bans me. He Jim whats the matter? Can't handle the truth, so you send oput your flying monkeys to do your thought policing? Awwwwwwwwwwwwww Poor Jimmy and one of his texas chainsaw mods. don't like anyone using mean ole names against their King.
Fact is Jim used worse language than that in describiing Bush. Anyone remember Jim refering to Bush as Snort or coke head?
And a note to the little coward that hides behind the screen name "lead Moderator". Banning those that show you to be a worthless shill that acts like a lemming won't make your dick grow any bigger nor will it garner you any favors with anyone but the likes of your back room spit swapping buddies Howler, marbles for brains and cultural jihad. 6 years on that sight and I get tossed by a coward that can't handle the facts when dealing with this Administration or a mean ole name. Someone ought to do a search and see the names they all used when refering to Hillary or Bubba. Quite a gaggle of backstabbing Hypocrites.
Area51 posted on 2004-01-06 13:01:37 ET Reply Trace
The point is to make a radical enough statement to force the Administration to pay attention to a pissed off base.
I supported Bush w/ my money and FReeping of Al Gore during the post election legal BS, and I want a Republican president for my investment.
Bush is all we have, has no serious DimRAT challenger, and he knows it.
I do not accept that he needs to do all this immigration liberalization to insure reelection.
A suspicious person would think he is using the WOT as free pass to swing domestic and immigration issues leftward.
There is no malice in my motive, only a small humble attempt at influincing party policies.
Our silence signals agreement.
If you would read what you have written before posting, you'd never post 1/10th of what you do!
You, like Hillary Clinton make very little sense when you're emoting.
Damn the multiple screen name posters!
Come now, comparing someone to Hillary is clearly a personal attack.
Thank you in advance.
g
Excellent idea.
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