How about this....

Why don't we all just take a couple steps back, and look at what all this is doing to one of our favorite places to "hang out".

If you don't like someone, or the comments they make, ignore them.

If you disagree with someones opinion, state YOUR opinion, but don't expect everyone to change theirs.

If you KNOW you're not going to like what someone has to say, "JUST BECAUSE", don't even read their comments.

This site is no different than any other part of our world. We are expected to live with-in certain moral/legal/ethical standards. If you choose not to, you are nothing more than a trouble-maker. Some people relish the thought of being a "rebel". Most just despise that sort of behavior.

It's been my finding that people will listen to your opinion with much more interest if they think you're a reasonable, inteligent, and understanding sort of person.

Let's put an end to all this nonsense.

No "follow-up" comments are needed. Just behave in a manner which you would expect guest's at your home to show.

And please, no "Yeah BUT, so-and-so needs to do such-and-such "MY WAY"...

Like my boy Rodney King said so eloquently, "Why can't we all just get along"?

(Tired of all the bickering) John

The arguing on this site lately has been started by political post.
Kim saw them and deleted them. End of story. The only reason we are still talking about it today is the fact that some keep bringing up the subject.

I think it would be best if we let Kim moderate and set the rules. If a post gets started that does not agree with her rules she will take care of it. The post will be gone and in a few days everyone will forget that it was ever posted.
But to keep bringing up the fact that there was ever a argument only drags it on and makes it fresh in everyone’s mind.

I enjoy OT post because talking tractors all the time would get boring. I like to be able to talk to others that have similar interest. But like Kim has said when it comes to Religion and Politics it is not allowed. It only causes fights and bickering.

Just chill out; drop it; and get on with what you came to this site in the first place for.

Craig

PS Just to show I can get along, I have my niece's husband going deer hunting up at my place, a donkey supporter.

Here are 8 excerpts from your 1st post that could be considered political. Each is an opinion regarding others behavior. Thats political by any standard. Not to mention that the topic inspiring you is the political bickering here in recent weeks and that you attempted to have the last word.

"Why don't we all just take a couple steps back,..."

"If you don't like someone, or the comments they make, ignore them."

"If you disagree with someones opinion, state YOUR opinion, but don't expect everyone to change theirs."

"If you KNOW you're not going to like what someone has to say, "JUST BECAUSE", don't even read their comments. "

"If you choose not to, you are nothing more than a trouble-maker."

"Let's put an end to all this nonsense. "

"No "follow-up" comments are needed."

"And please, no "Yeah BUT, so-and-so needs to do such-and-such "MY WAY"..."

I do like the Rodney King reference.

Have a good day! :o)

Mark

Seriously I agree with John. Let's get along.

It seems right now, the major disagreement is about whether we can allow totally off-topic things, such as jokes or a little ribbing? In addition to what you have already said, I would suggest that if your post does not follow the main category, in this case tractor talk, then it should be labeled OT, as some are doing already.

And, as you said, what I write usually offends you, don't read it. If you want to stick with only tractor stuff, don't read the OT's. I would like to think that any posting off-topic stuff without the OT could be put up for a public flogging. And likewise for anyone that wants to come in and rain on the parade of an OT. With the exception of personal attacks and name calling. Those should never be allowed.

Anyways, these are just some suggestions. I've been on the road for the last 2 hours and was thinking of this very thing John. There has to be a way that we can find an alternative that would make everyone happy. Hopefully this spurs some constructive discussion.

Ok, now a couple of other things. I don't believe a separate thread for OT will work, UNLESS possibly if it was at the top of the discussion list. I have some experience in this. I have in the past ran an online discussion group with about 1000 members, and about as many active ones as we have here. I have also done admin for a site that at that time was getting over 10,000 unique visitors a day. In BOTH of those cases, the people went to discuss in the place which was the most popular, in this case Tractor Talk. Moving an alternative to the top of the list had limited success.

So, John, put on the coffee. Let's talk.

Jay

Plain and simple, when someone takes a viewpoint that isn't "mainstream," they aren't going to get a very receptive audience anywhere.

Sometimes you just have to pick your fights...Stay away from ones you can't win.

Most everyone on here is either a farmer or a tractor "hobby-ist" In the case of the farmers, we come here for an escape from the daily grind, and to be around people with similar interests. In the case of hobby collectors/farmers/enthusiasts, it is an "escape" from their work-a-day world too. There's enough tension and hostility in everyday life. No need for it in the place you go to GET AWAY from it.

Please folks, when the harsh words start flying, be adult enough to just walk away...John

I go there sometimes, but the majority of my yakin is here as long as it is not brand specific. I talk here cause I feel most people pass by this site and then go to their color.

This is my coffeeshop and sometimes I have problems or elations that I want to share, ask advice, brag or whatever and I feel the place is with the folks you yak with most.

OT is the way to do that.

My 4C

Best,

Mark

Mark