POLITICAL FORUM GUIDELINES

[PoliticalForum]

MISSION STATEMENT

PoliticalForum.com functions as a public forum website open to all individuals of all political persuasions that is centered on the discussion of politics in general. All walks of life are welcome to join the discussions in the tradition of vigorous respectful debate. The purpose of rules and guidelines for the forum is to help create an environment that is inviting to as wide a spectrum of people as possible from all parts of the world, but that does not restrict the ability of users to express their political views, even if those views are inflammatory or unorthodox. In a world often filled with intense political turmoil and polarization of beliefs, PoliticalForum.com attempts to bring opposites together to relate their views and learn from one another.


POLITICAL FORUM GUIDELINES - Short List

This internet bulletin board is viewable by anyone with an internet capable computer anywhere in the world. Please keep this in mind whenever posting. While it is nearly impossible to state any opinion without potentially offending someone, we encourage an open and informed debate of a very wide range of ideas and views. The following are a few guidelines we highly encourage our users to follow:

The use of profanity is prohibited. We employ an automatic word censor to block offensive language. Using symbols to get past the word censor is prohibited. The practice of phonetically spelling or otherwise alternately spelling cursewords is likewise prohibited. The posting of nudity and other offensive images not associated with a true political topic is prohibited. Moderators are charged with enforcing this policy. Continued disregard towards this guideline may result in being banned from this board.

Stay on topic. It is very tempting to follow another user's train of thought beyond the scope of the debate. This is understandable. However, we highly encourage our users to respect the intent of the established thread and try to keep focused on the topic. Threads that diverge may be relocated to a more approriate category, or split into new discussions. Continuing to stray may result in user's post(s) being deleted or may encourage the thread to be locked early. Please create new threads for new topics.

Avoid personal attacks. This is probably the most subjective of guidelines; however, approach it like this: ATTACK THE MESSAGE, NOT THE MESSENGER.
Many topics are emotionally charged. This passion for what one believes in should remain in the discourse. However, please refrain from attacking another user in a personal way. Personal attacks do not contribute to a debate. While you may attack a user's ideas, views, political affiliation, political party, political candidate, government, etc... you must not attack the poster personally. Those who engage in this may get a private warning, a public warning, or even have their posting deleted. Continued disregard towards this guideline may result in being banned from this board.

No flame-bait threads. Threads where the sole intent (either by topic, title, images or language) is to elicit emotionally charged responses or personal attacks from others will be deleted. This especially goes for any form of hate speech. It is up to the moderators' discretion to determine whether or not a given post falls into a particular category.

No offensive signature lines. Whenever users register, they have the ability to set up a signature line that gets posted with each post. The use of offensive language as described above also applies here.

Whenever starting a thread, give it some thought first. Try to make a decision in which category it would belong. Try to give it a title that describes its intent or its content. Try not to duplicate other threads that already exist. When in doubt, ask a moderator in a Private Message.


POSTING RULES & GUIDELINES - Full List:

(1) Posts with any obscene, vulgar, or sexually-oriented language, including variations of common profanity are not allowed. Attempts to post profanity with letters missing or using alternate characters is also not allowed. Exclusions to the posting of profanity can be made by the a moderator or the admin on a case-by-case basis. Quoting of actual statements in the news may be excluded and maybe other appropriate situations, but generally this would be rare. Profanity in languages other than English are not allowed and may be restricted in the same way.

(2) Posting of obscene and/or offensive images/depictions as avatars or photos is not allowed. Obscene and/or offensive images/depictions, including nudity and/or sexual acts, are not allowed as attachments unless it is part of a valid political news story or event. If a post contains a relevant obscene and/or shocking image/depiction an appropriate warning should be made in the subject and the post.

(3) Users are not to harass other users, either in posts, by instant message or any other means. Derogatory namecalling outside the scope of anger and hostility should be directed toward the issue and not the person posting it. Continued harassment of anyone by any user is grounds for being banned.

(4) Namecalling and derogatory remarks of political and public figures that are not users of the forum is permitted as this may be an expression of an opinion and free speech by the poster; however, any threats that are considered potentially real or are of a violent nature will be taken seriously and will be reported to authorities. This includes threats directed towards public officials, including the President and Vice-President which is a violation of federal law.

(5) No posting of threads that are intended to just direct the user to another website without also providing a reasonable amount of text of a personal political opinion or relating to news on a political topic. Promotions of other websites are allowed in the Marketplace category. Your own personal or business URL is allowed in your signature with a small amount of text (signature length is limited and only one hyperlink it allowed).

(6) Double posts/threads are not allowed nor is creating threads in multiple categories with essentially the same text/meaning.

(7) No posts advertising any product or service (whether for individuals, profit or non-profit organizations) are allowed except in the Marketplace category. No advertising of illegal items or pornography is allowed whatsoever. The item should have at least some basic relevance to politics.

(8 ) Posting of hyperlinks is permitted (and preferred when quoting someone or something) but the post should contain some personal comment or introduction. Try to not post hyperlinks to sites that require registration, but if you do please try to warn the user above the hyperlink.

(9) No posting of excessive amounts of text not related to the thread, especially if it takes up a significant amount of space on the post. This includes using the "." (dot) or other characters to create line feeds to make the post be extra large or for visual effect. This also include using bold characters in excess such that the post takes up an unreasonable amount of space.

(10) When posting quotes by other authors or news agencies please give appropriate credit, preferably accompanied by a hyperlink to the original article. Very large articles should be posted as attachments preferably with a summary in the body of the post. All posts with such quotes must contain some type of comment by the user in the body of the post (subject and description do not count).

(11) Hyperlinking to websites that require user registration to view a page with the relevant information is discouraged. If you do post such hyperlinks, please put a notice that registration is required above the hyperlink.