Personal insults in this forum

[catzmeow]

And when threads like that are reported, the mods work together to get consensus about whether they should be left intact or removed.

For the most part, we try to err on the side of allowing the free discussion of IDEAS while prohibiting personal attacks,

(i.e., "You're a racist," "You're an idiot," "you're a coward," "you're a bully").

We allow users to attack a POST, an idea, an entire NATION, or even an entire religion, but not another user.

So,

"That [claim] is a lie" would be allowed to stand by most of the mods.

"You're a liar" would be removed by most mods.

Unless a post is obvious flame bait, we allow it. That means that there are plenty of "The U.S. is the Spawn of Satan" threads. Or, "Bush is HITLER incarnate."

Hope that helps clarify the moderating here for everyone.

If someone insults you, REPORT THE INSULT. Don't respond back in kind, we will have to give both of you an infraction. Let it go. We're all adults here, let's act like it.

Catz

[wind]

Fighting words are things like "i'm gonna kill your mama" or "I'm gonna eat your babies".

These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or "fighting" words — those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.

It has been well observed that such utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality.
http://www.freedomforum.org/template...cumentID=13718

[catzmeow]

Serbian thread

Dear posters:

Please review this page. I have removed the personal insults and cited no one for them, in an attempt to help refocus discussion on this board. When you are talking about another COUNTRY, please refer to THAT COUNTRY. When you say "you" to another poster, even when you are talking about their nation or culture, it is very difficult for people not to feel attacked, and respond in kind. The replacements in red are how I have edited the posts to help the posters see where these insult wars get started, and what needs to be done to stop them.

If you have any questions, please PM me.

Thanks,

Catz