Help me out with this. GD Nuke Free Zone idea

[LeftCoast]

First, let me state for the record:

I am not in any way criticizing DU policy, nor am I suggesting a change in said policy. I am also not suggesting that free speech be in any way hindered. I believe deeply in the right of free speech, even if that speech is used to perpetuate a Democratic circular firing squad.

Ok, now that that's out of the way...

I've been thinking of this for a little while, but now that GD seems to be getting outta hand I'd like to toss it out there and see what folks think.

The idea is that people would take a pledge to not bash Democratic candidates. I haven't worked out exactly what I'd like the pledge to say, and this is where the help comes in. Clearly, it's important to be able to be critical so that we get the strongest candidate but many of us are also aware of how damaging the spinsanity will be in the long run. It'd be a sort of pledge of good behavior, of being positive rather than negative.

Each person that "took" the pledge would show a small .jpg in their sig line of some sort of pledge emblem, or maybe we could even add one as an avatar. This is another area where help would be appreciated since my photoshop skills bite.

I want the folks (myself included) who display this emblem to be held to a higher standard. If I screw up and slag one of the candidates, others should hold me to my pledge. Eventually, I would hope a critical mass of people would take the pledge and we could set a new tone in GD.

I don't know if any of this is possible or if anyone else thinks it's a good idea, but I wanted to throw it out there and see what people thought.

[Duncan Grant]

1. I would come back to GD if this takes hold...

but Leftcoast, I wouldn't hold your breath.

I support your vision though, so count me in. :hi:

[LeftCoast]

2. Probably a San Francisco thing

We're pretty laid-back here...

Maybe everyone just gets off on a good fight. Seems worse than pointless to me. Maybe I should get a circular firing squad pic for my sig line. I think I'll check google now. :)

[Duncan Grant]

How true...how true...

BTW, I couldn't believe your earlier thread was locked. :eyes:

Yeah, the fighting thing is so seductive (but counterproductive, IMHO). I used to come to GD to engage with other like-minded people about issues that are important to me. It's also a good place to cultivate relationships with other DUers (or could be).

And, I'd like to ask GD..."When did emotions ever make an arguement? hmmmm?" I'd rather have an exchange of ideas minus the
:grr: :crazy: :mad: :nuke: :scared: .

Keep up the good fight friend, you're not alone.

[LeftCoast]

4. I was a bit suprised it was locked, but was completely fine with it.

I LIKE getting spanked. :evilgrin:

[LittleApple81]

3. I just submitted the following to Ask the Administrators

PLEASE, PLEASE CREATE A FORUM TO DISCUSS CANDIDATES!

I LOVE DU... I get most of my important news and comentaries from this forum.

I have learned a lot since becoming a member...I lurk more than I post and I like it that way. There are so many interesting people that have their feelers all over the country that we DUers don't miss much.
However, there is a high level of animosity when candidates are being discussed. We need to discuss the candidates, but we are losing track of important news and opinions. They disappear from the pages of the General Discussion Forum so fast you don't even have time to read them. We are doing a disservice to the cause if we miss the important because of the candidates' flaming posts. I try not to read those but I still miss the ones I might like to read.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE: A FORUM FOR CANDIDATE DISCUSSION. I will go there to check it out but I don't want all that flaming and repetition to crowd other stuff that is more GENERAL DISCUSSION.

THANKS.

_________

Your idea of not bashing Democratic candidates is also very good.
Thanks.

[Eloriel]

5. I'd settle for people just not LYING about other candidates

Criticism (and/or bashing) is one thing; lies are an entirely different matter.

Eloriel

[MuseRider]

6. It is pretty sad

when people can't talk issues without getting so emotional that they have to start the name calling and making up facts. This is such a useful place, such a good place to learn and form ideas and opinions. I have never understood why it has to get like this. I can see getting all worked up over issues but not so personally. I guess it is a bit of a growing pain but it does make me angry to see wonderful, thought provoking posts go away so quickly because there get to be 10 threads of screaming and name calling. I don't know how the admins could control it or if they even should. Maybe we should just get real choosy about where we want to participate. It gets ugly in here.

[LeftCoast]

7. It makes me wonder if a lot of this is coming from

stealth freeps or misguided DU'rs.

I hoped that the pledge idea would help out with this. If you saw someone with the emblem make an outta line comment you'd give'm a *THWAP* and say "Hey, you took the pledge! No slinging crap."

:)

[MuseRider]

8. It seems to me

that all of a sudden there are DUers who I have not seen in the entire year that I have been here with 1000+ posts. Now they could have been in other forums but there are sure a lot of them. I don't care who is here as long as we don't lose the important ability to discuss. I have actually come close to putting one on ignore and I swore I would never do that. Anyway, it is not letting up. The pledge idea is a good one but you know how this will be received. I guess I may have to use my bookmark feature a little more and try to kick old posts worth looking at.

[LeftCoast]

9. I'd hoped for more, but I'm not holding my breath either

Looks like the mods will have to come in and bust some heads. :)