Rich, You run an outstanding board, Always have. I like your style and those of the other moderators here, that is why when I started "The Armed Citizen" I modeled it and it's rules from TFL. Oleg hit the nail on the head (seems to be a pattern with him, maybe its his Russian background..) When a visitor comes to any site and they search through posts if all they see is Gay bashing, Conspiracy theories, flames and rants they are going to look elsewhere because it does not appear as a board that is willing to edify but rather villify. If we want to encourage the lurkers, the fence sitters, visitors etc to come in then you have to be willing to be open to an opposing view point and willing to state your case in a honest and forthright manner. If you just cave their head in because the idea differs from your own then your not living up to the standards of this board or the principles upon which it was founded. bottom line is that there should be Nothing demeaning or degrading towards another poster, race, color, creed, or religion it's ok to call someone on the pad however no need
to demean them in the process, that won't win the hearts and minds of anyone
Pro or Con it is OK to be angry however that does not give someone permission to be cruel. just my 2 cents worth.
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...“ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” --Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.
Whereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it.
---Richard Henry Lee, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788
Take care and God Bless, El Jefe
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