PLEASE READ: Guidelines for Political Discussions

[Voronwë the Faithful]

The following guidelines for political discussions will be strictly enforced:

1. Avoid making sarcastic or snide comments of any kind, or derogatory comments about other posters or their views. It is possible to challenge someone else's opinion without using insulting terms.

2. Avoid using gratuitously derogatory, insulting, offensive or profane language to describe any person, including public figures, or any group of people.

3. Avoid posting links or quotations without commentary.

4. Avoid repeatedly make the same point over and over in different ways. If you have already made a particular point, leave it alone, unless you genuinely have something new to add. The purpose of Lasto is not to change other people's opinions; the purpose is to understand other people's opinions better and help them understand yours.

5. Avoid making assertions of fact without backing them up with links to a credible source. If your source is a left-wing or right-wing ideological site, or otherwise coming from a particular point of view, don't try to obfuscate that fact.

6. Avoid engaging in repeated back and forth exchanges with one or two other posters, particularly if the same point is just getting reiterated over and over. Nothing turns other people off more than this type of back and forth argument.

7. In posting simply to say that you agree with someone, or in reiterating someone else's point without anything new, be mindful that "piling on" in this way can discourage people from offering different (minority) viewpoints.

8. Avoid using "laughing" emoticons to express scorn for other people's ideas.

9. Always ask yourself before hitting submit: "Will this post add to the discussion, or is it designed to provoke anger or demean the opposing viewpoint?" If it is the latter, don't post it. Please consider whether your post violates any of these rules before hitting submit. Self-editing is the most effective tool we have.

10. These guidelines apply to everyone, regardless of political affiliation, including the Marshals and the Thain. If you feel that someone, no matter who, is not following these guidelines, please don't hesitate to contact one of us and let us know.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Please note the new No. 8 that has been added to the list. This is something that has come up repeatedly on both sides of the political divide, and is never helpful.