Respectful is probably a better word. All posts should be respectful of the member they are responding to, and should be addressing issues relevant to the topic, not just thread crapping to bash the party or whatever.

And that seems to be how the rules are getting enforced.

Actually, it seems like you and few others can't stand the heat of the new rules, which honestly aren't changing much.

You're just bitter because you're "hogwash" reply is no longer valid and you might actually have to think before posting now.

You're right- intelligent is not the best word. But I think my meaning was pretty clear from the (not kneejerk) part of my post. If you don't have anything to add which isn't either your version of "hogwash!" or lifted directly from DU or Rush, don't post it.


If they're presenting some sort of evidence for their view that Bush lied, then I'd say yes. If it's just a partisan screed driven by personal dislike of Bush, then no. I think in most cases it's pretty easy to differentiate the two.

Speak for yourself. This comment says more about your own view of politics than any objective reality.

Personally I had no problems w/ the "heat", but as a moderator it's not just my interests/tolerance level I have to deal w/.

I see you're still avoiding answering the question...

I think you're wrong. I would imagine no one on the left would dispute <b>Pharoh</b>'s intelligence, nor would anyone on the right dispute that of <b>sfsdfd</b>.

Other than being fustians at times, I like, respect, and enjoy the posts of both Pharoh & sfsdfd.

I can't think of any two posters who are more universally respected.

[cough] ahem [/cough]

We don't really need a definition. This thread itself (for the most part) proves that you can have a discussion without resulting to name calling and simple "hogwash" type responses. It is an intellegent discussion of ideas.

And no one has called for anyone else to be banned. Ya see, the system can work.

You ought to see a doctor about that.

Well, I wouldn't go that far.

Ah, but this isn't the politics forum.

Your definition of an intelligent response may be in total variance of what I believe it is.

For those who have problems w/ the new rules please explain for us what benefit there is to allowing such rhetoric/trite responses. What is the problem w/ trying to elevate the level of discussion on the forum to something above what can be found on other sites?

So? Please explain why that would matter. This discussion, where people disagree, has been civil. Doesn't that prove that other discussions where people don't see eye-to-eye can also be civil? If not, why.

I'd also be interesed in reading your response to Nemein's question.

Why does it matter - are you serious?

Politics, religion, sexual preference, gun control, etc. are contnentious issues that you don't find on the other forums on DVD Talk. There are gut issues. They bring out the rank partisanship in people. The Bargains Forum doesn't have gut issues, therefore it naturally is more civil than is the Politics Forum. The same applies to the rest of the forums.

Can we stop the comparison of the Politics Forum with other forums on DVD Talk? It's an apples & oranges comparison. Therefore, it's not a valid comparison.

It is different, but there's no reason to not try to rein in the conversation some. It will always more heated than in other areas, but that doesn't mean it can't be respectful.

One can have a passionate debate without insulting other members, making extreme gross generalizations (or out right thread crapping party bashing), or rudely dismissing opposing viewpoints with single word replies used over and over that add nothing to the discussion.

In fact this is evidenced by the majortity of posts made by the majority of people that participate in the forum. There was just a problem with a minority of posts from some members, and the new rules are attempting to rein that in.

I don't see why you have such an issue with this. Stop with the "hogwash!" responses and you'll be within the new rules.

I disagree that it's an apples and oranges comparison. The standards of the forum shouldn't depend on what is being discussed.

Are you saying that if you, Classicman, feel strongly about a "gut" issue you can't discuss it in a civil manner? If you can, then there's no problem with the new rules, right?

I feel very strongly about many things, but I am able to see that a rational person can have a different opinion than I do. Because of that, I can argue in a civil manner. Are you saying that you're unable to do that, or have I misunderstood you?

Based on this response you obviously don't spend much time in the main forum, esp when a OAR question/debate comes up

Hang out at Video Game Talk for a while

yeah, it happens everywhere. whether it's someone thinking Titanic is the best movie ever made or some Star Wars v. Star Trek debate, things can get just as heated. I guess a little common courtesy or some showing of respect is all we're (they're-whatever) trying to get. It doesn't mean that things will be that much different here. besides, it's probably better to hammer this out while things are slow so that when things heat up in the fall, we won't have to deal with as much partisan doodoo. as such, it doesn't appear that there are many (if any) in political exile so that's at least something........

Those who were worried that the political forum would change, have no fear! Posters are still up to their old tricks:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463002

I think it would be more appropriate to use the report this post to a moderator function than to point to one thread here.

Now if you're unhappy about the general tone in that forum this would be the appropriate place to discuss that.

For whatever reason, I think things have actually improved quite a bit over the last couple of weeks.

I haven't been around it much but on threads I do respond I do see a page with a minimum amount of one-liners and trite responses.



Keep up the good work!

Definitely seems better. Still heated debates, but much fewer one liners, party bashing and insults, and the few cases of those that have popped up have usually drawn mod warnings.