All I have to say is that Gangster BB has some of the best political discussions on the web. And, it's great when everyone states their opinions. But, when it escalates into mud-slinging, just ignore is what I say.

That little sucker of a word always gets me. I'm sorry for mispelling the word, oh great and glorious leader of the empire. :rolleyes: What is all this new nonsense now DJ? I vote "Huzzah" on the disbandment of the Empire into the invalid joke that it is. Another schtick like this is not what political debate needs, but whatever gets you in that mindset.

I don't want this thread to be about me, (Like I said), I don't want to even be important, but all this talk about insults and immaturity coming up after my recent posts as of late is quite coincidental, no?

Geoff, I understand your perogitive on truth. But I never said "the absolute truth", more-say, My Truth. I believe it to be the bottom line, but that's just me. I want to tell MY solid truth.

The Doc

I did not heat it up at all. The only point I made to the person who eventually admitted that they intentionally tried to create a controversy with his posts was that I did not appreciate his turning a Factual News Story that I pasted and posted about something happening in India into a political soapbox for his persoanl political agenda.

But right here, under this topic, is the proof that some on here just feel the need to call names at others and claim that they are being censored. Let's get something straight here. It is not your RIGHT or my RIGHT to post what we want about others, or our right to freely attack others here.
It is a PRIVALEDGE for us to post here, granted by the owner and creator of this site. A privaledge that is afforded to us as long as we stay within the parameters set forth in the rules of this site. And many of us, including myself, seem to forget that at times.

DMC started this topic with the hope of making ALL of us realize that we should debate in a respectful and mature manner. He hoped to make us realize that the attacks and the name calling was not necessary, and his intent was to get some constructive feedback on how we all could continue debating without offending one another. But now two posts pop up, one implying that he was stupid in starting this topic, and another stating that they will post their feelings and express how they feel about others no matter what others may think.

Two Really constructive contributions.


Don Cardi

I don't know about the Evil Empire, but I agree that the forum shoud stay as is. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the forum. No use running to Mommy and Daddy crying that someone was mean to you.

I think I missed this in this thread?


I think the top of the section says it all. What more do we need to know?:


Talk about "whatever" here - but please keep it respectable! If you don't like certain topics or particular members, please ignore them. (Word games now have their own forum)

Oh, and this WAS written by the man who owns and runs this board. Good enough for me. No need for anyone to try and reform it.

For the first time ever, I agree with FS.

I second that, Pat.

The Doc

Well, that's good. Because it isn't.

One of my favourite sayings is "Idiots' mother is always pregnant". That means we cannot prevent idiots from turning a civil political debate into a turmoil unless we favour a strong censorship, which I personally disagree.

My opinion is to leave the boards as they are. We should only try and avoid to be easily heated (that's hard, though), especially when the flammer is not particularly smart. So, when someone comes out with bullshit like "The shoah was a lie" or something like that, well I personally feel it is my duty to reply the way this idiot deserves, but that's all 'cause I think going on would be just time consuming. The only effective arm against stupidity sometimes is silence.

I think I missed this in this thread?
[/b][/quote]Try reading ALL of the posts FS, that might help.


Don Cardi

A couple of comments -

Political discussions almost always become political arguments and those tend to get ugly. However, political discussions also afford (probably) the best exchange of differing views on these boards. With that in mind I'm not in favor of any additional forms of censorship or even just additional monitoring on these discussions.

I personally don't participate in these discussions but I recognize that they can be frustrating when others argue against a point you're trying to make. Keep that in mind before you enter the discussion and stick to your arguments based on their merits (many of you already do).

The "Report Post" feature DOES work. I can guarantee it DOES work. Use it if/when you feel the need. dontomasso got it right when he said don't feed the trolls - use the "Report Post" button instead.

Thanks DMC for starting this discourse (even if it should've been in the "Help" forum :p )

DonFerro - pssht, long live the Evil Empire. You know you fear its wrath.

And yes, as usual, FS is right on the money.

That's your feeling, and no one can tell you how to feel. But my feeling is that just because you think it's ok to express your feelings towards another person here, it does not give you the right to use "snide", "rude," or uncouth words towards that person.

With all that's been written in this thread, no one has asked or answered what I think are two simple question. So I'll put it out here.

What is so wrong with showing respect towards each other even when we disagree?

Can you explain to me why some are finding it so hard to disagree about something without name calling or using "snide" remarks?


DS

I believe those questions were answered several times, although possibly not directly.

Simple immaturity.

Can you imagine the furor if, during the presidential debates, John Kerry had called one of George Bush's ideas "stupid"? Or if Bush responded by calling Kerry a "Meathead"?

Now, we're not presidential candidates debating here, and I don't mean to suggest that we should be held to the same standards, but still.....

So, everyone seems to agree with NO changes? I assume everyone agrees with the no name calling, insults or putdowns of other members right? And, we are aware of the "report" a post option (although whether or not we use it seems questionable). So, the bottom line then becomes a commitment by everyone to show respect for others opinions or things will remain as they have been.

PS: Btw, the name calling doesn't apply to our political figures right?? I have my own "pet" names for a couple that I'd have a hard time NOT using. :p Of course if they were to join the BB, I'd promise not to use them. :p

TIS

TIS, what does "name calling" exactly mean? I tried to look on dictionaries, but in vain...

We can definitely name call politicians and other public figures.

Hi Lavinia,

Name calling is simply calling someone a deragatory or insulting name, like: dumbass, idiot, stupid, monkeyface :p etc. Too many others to mention, but you get the idea.


TIS

From The Godfather, by Mario Puzo (G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1969):

Emilio Barzini: "That's the whole matter then.....We have the peace.....If there are any more differences we can meet again, we need not become foolish again. On my part the road is new and fresh. I'm glad this is all settled."

Phillip Tattaglia: "I've agreed to everything here.....But I would like to hear some strict assurances.....Will we have to guard against each other all the time? Or can we truly go in peace with peace of mind?"

Vito Corleone: "What manner of men are we then, if we don't have our reason? We are all no better than beasts in the jungle if that were the case. But we have reason, we can reason with each other and we can reason with ourselves. To what purpose would I start these toubles again, the violence and the turmoil?.....Let me swear by the souls of my grandchildren that I will never break the peace we have made."

That's as far as I got in the book. Can anyone tell me how it ends?

That's as far as I got in the book. Can anyone tell me how it ends? [/b][/quote]I swear plaw, I didn't it was going to be a hit...I bumped into Don Cardi in Beverley Hills...he said I could have a BB of my own...

Like I always say:

If the graemlin fits....USE IT !!!!



AppleOnYa

Don Cardi : "No, no Consiglere SC. Not this time.
No more meetings, no more
discussions, no more Plawrence
tricks. Give them one message: I
WANT PLAWRENCE. If not, it's all
out war. We go to the mattresses
and we put all the button men out
on the Boards."

SC : "The other members won't sit still
for an all out political flame war."

Don Cardi : "Then THEY hand me Plawrence."

SC: "Come ON Don Cardi, Geoff Malta wouldn't
want to hear this. This is not a
personal thing, this is Business."


Don Cardi : "And when they attacked DMC..."

SC: "Yes, even the attack of
DMC was business, not personal..."

Don Cardi : "No no, no more advice on how to
patch it up SC. You just help me
win. Understood?"


SC bows his head; he is deeply concerned.

SC : "I found out about this Don Tomasso
who attacked DMC.
He's definitely on Plaw's
payroll, and for big money.
Tomasso agreed to be Plaw's
Lawyer. What you have to
understand is that while Plaw
is represented like this, he's
invulnerable. Nobody has ever
took on down a Lawyer like this
one. Never. It would be
disastrous. All the board members
would come after you DC; the
republicans would be outcasts;
even the Don malta's political
protection would run for cover. So
just...take that into consideration."

Don Cardi : "Don Tomasso can't stay with Plaw
forever. We'll wait."

------------------------------------------------------------


Don Cardi

(is this a snide remark? should I report this post?)

It would maybe help MORE if you just pulled the posters words and showed us what you were talking about.

Just like in Ferro55's own words It "may seem" - to appear to one's judgement.


So let us put away the magnifty glasses and stop trying to sterilze the place. There will always be conflict, it is part of life. To some it is the favor or the spice that make the boards worth reading.

Signed
Ward and June Clever

FS, I think that it is time to let this all die now. We're beating a dead horse here. It's done. A few of us have tried to lighten up this topic by making several comedic posts. So why don't you just go with the flow now.


Don Cardi

Maybe Ward and June weren't as "clever" as you think.

I believe the name is "Cleaver" -- as in one of those knives that you use to chop stuff (or people) up.

Tomasso is a good lawyer. What I need is a new consigliere.

Cardi had Apple. Look what I got.

Somebody buy that man a drink !!

And to anybody who doesn't like it....


(Speaking as a female, I always secretly wished for a way to use that gesture...much appreciation to the Gangster BB!!)

Apple

Oh, I am sorry Don C.

I thought it was.

I see Pee got the message though.

Sayinng this in my most friendy voice. Do you really feel like you have to control every post on this board?

Ya see??? THIS is a good example of not letting something just die. THIS is a good example of how ugly things get going. THIS is gonna be shut down if it persists.

One word of warning - DON'T ARGUE THIS POINT!!

Three pages of discussions and nothing sinks in!!!!