Posted by Deputy 10derHeart on February 3, 2009, at 19:12:35
In reply to Re: Please be civil » Deputy 10derHeart, posted by Partlycloudy on February 3, 2009, at 13:33:45
>- it was merely their opinion; and although that works on other boards, it doesn't fly on Politics. There is no room for an individual's opinion - unless it's a positive one.
I don't see that difference. I'm unsure how that "works on other boards." It's never been civil to state negative opinions *or* facts, if stating either could lead others to feel accused or put down, or be insensitive to others' feelings, as other posters may support, love, employ, utilize, champion, give money to, work for or with, have voted for (and so on) the person, group, idea, etc. posted about.
For example, it's uncivil to post, let's say on Psychology, "In my opinion, psychodynamic psychotherapy is stupid and a waste of time and money. Why do you people allow these quacks to torture you?" Or to post - on any board - "In my opinion, organized religion, especially [insert your group of choice], is dangerous, ruins minds and threatens freedom in our time." Writers of such posts may see their own statements as facts OR opinions - but it doesn't matter re: civility.
I am trying to see where others see the difference, so we might have more understanding and a productive discussion here. It's really hard for me, and that's frustrating. Considering how passionately people do feel about political views, candidates and ideologies, it seems standing by the civility guidelines there is particularly vital to Dr. Bob's wish for support and education in the whole community. It *is* difficult to balance civility and free speech - no doubt about that, but I don't think impossible.
Of course, if the objection is that civility *should* be different (more relaxed?) on the Politics Board, that some here would prefer that, that's another thing entirely.
poster:Deputy 10derHeart
thread:876261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081228/msgs/877873.html