Mad About Politics' General Discussion Board Rules/Guidelines

CONCERNING GENERAL RULES/POLICIES FOR THE MADABOUTPOLITICS.COM DISCUSSION BOARD:

POSTING GUIDELINES

* Note: Unless a board has posting guidelines assigned to it in addition to this set, like for example the Community Discussion Board (CDB), Everything Else Board (EE), or THE MUD PIT (TMP) which have more specific rules, these guidelines apply to all boards.

General Disclaimer:

Considering the real-time nature of this bulletin board, it is impossible for us to review messages or confirm the validity of information posted. Please remember that we do not constantly monitor the contents of posted messages and are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this BB or any entity associated with this BB. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, so please realize that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately.

Although this BB does not and cannot review every message posted and is not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we at this BB reserve the right to delete any message, or remove a members posting privileges for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Madaboutpolitics.com (MAP), and it's agents and admins, Xenforo (the makers of the bulletin board software), and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s).

We at this BB also reserve the right to reveal your identity (or whatever information we know about you) in the event of a complaint or legal action arising from any message posted by you.
Certain private messages may be reviewed by the site admin for reasons including, but not limited to, rules violations reported by recipients, or suspicious activity, whether subversive, spam related, or otherwise.

Terms of Service (TOS):

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this BB to post any material or topic which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, deceptive, inaccurate, racist, insulting, abusive, inflammatory, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually graphic, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law, including stalking or otherwise harassing individual members. Quotes, links, graphics or videos (and content contained therein) in your post are considered an extension of your post and must also meet these same standards.

MUST SEE VIDEO ABOUT POSTING

The infraction System:

In order to facilitate the enforcement of the TOS, and to better track repeat offenders, this community makes use of an infraction/warning system. This is a tool for the staff to use, but is not to be considered the only method for TOS enforcement. Use of the infraction system in no way overrides, nor circumvents, any policy already outlined. Infractions are assigned a point value. Accumulation of points can lead to a member being automatically banned for a pre-determined time frame. Warnings do not accrue points. Both infractions and warnings also have a pre-determined time for which they are "active". Repeat offenses will restart the clock for prior offenses.

This communities infraction system is administrated by volunteer moderators. If you violate the terms of service you may be infracted and may get a message from a moderator explaining your infraction. The infraction system works on a point basis and repeated infractions may result in an automatic ban

If you disagree with the action taken by the moderator you are free to respectfully explain your position to the moderator via the private message system. If you insult a moderator with reference to the performance of his volunteer duties, either on the boards or through the private message system, you will be subject to an immediate ban.

Again, all forum moderators are volunteers and none are perfect. They work very hard to be consistent, but moderating a forum with thousands of posters by nature requires some judgment calls over which reasonable minds can differ. The system does not work if posters are allowed to undermine the authority of moderators. Among other things, writing or implying that a forum moderator is a "nazi" is cause for an immediate ban.

The Jerk Rule:

Generally acting like a persistent jerk, even if while teetering on the edge of acceptability concerning guidelines will inevitably lead to the offending member having his/her posting privileges revoked. We strive to have a courteous and respectful community where members can discuss and debate without fear of abusive and unnecessarily rude behavior from other members. This is a family board, and all members are required to conduct themselves accordingly. Remember that it isn't always what you say, but how you say it that can be the problem.

Profanity:

We do not allow any use of language considered by society to be be blatantly profane. The profanity filter built into this system will catch most profanity, as well as some thinly veiled profanity. Attempting to circumvent the profanity filter, or using profane language that may slip through the profanity filter will likely result in an infraction. The profanity filter is not intended to be used as part of the vernacular on the Main Community Board (MCB) or the Arena Debate Board, which are closely moderated for discourse. Both the use of thinly veiled profanity and/or intentionally tripping the profanity filter when posting on the MCB and Arena boards are frowned upon. If you feel the need to emphasize your point yet lack the vocabulary required to do so without using profanity, it would be wise to simply make use of all (*) asterisks and/or non-profane symbols.

Civility:

Free debate is welcome on all the forums and diversity of opinion lies at the heart of a good debate. Toward that end everyone is free to have their own opinion so long as it is expressed in a civil manner, is within the subject matter topic of the forum and does not otherwise violate forum rules.

Harping/Beating a dead horse:

Restating the same opinion repeatedly (harping on it) in the same thread or in multiple threads; badgering others that have differing opinions than your own; starting multiple threads on the same topic; and generally beating a dead horse is against forum rules.

Persistent Negativity:

We do not tolerate habitual negativity. Nor do we tolerate members that persist in raining on parades or being "killjoys". We have no issues with members venting or voicing frustration/concerns after election losses, as that is normal and expected behavior. However, some members seemingly have no other reason to post other than to either badmouth anything and everything, or stomp on any semblance of hope or optimism. That is considered unacceptable behavior here.

Merging threads/posts:

The staff here will, at their discretion, merge or delete threads that are duplicates whenever happened upon, and whichever action is deemed appropriate.

Calling out Mods or Admins in Public:

As you all know, our moderators are volunteers and moderating is not a perfect science. They have been instructed to enforce the policy exercising as much restraint as possible and in such a way to encourage free expression of opinion. Your support of their volunteerism is appreciated and calling the Admins, Mods, or Mentors out publicly on the forum is an invitation to be banned. Questions can be made by private message or email. In other words If you have a problem with the way this board is run, or any of the members moderating it, do not post your dissatisfaction or question policy publicly, send a PM (Conversation) to Andrus. We will not tolerate what we consider public undermining.

Copyright infringement; Tease and Link articles:

When posting stories/articles from outside sources, we request that you tease these articles rather than to post them in their entirety. By teasing, we mean that it is ok to post tow or three paragraphs and then just link (place the URL) to the rest of the article, like we do on the news page. Stories/articles from pay sites can be described in the posters own words and must be linked, but should not be directly quoted. This will ensure that we avoid having any potential problems with copyright infringement.

When re-posting topics or responses from other sites message boards, please give credit to the author and site.

Aliasing/Multiple Registrations:

Registering more than one username is generally frowned upon, particularly when using the second to back up your own opinion or other deceptive reasons, or to regain access to the boards when access has been suspended.

False Representation:

We do not allow the registering of handles using the names of Politicians, Celebrities, or media personnel unless you are actually that person. If you are, then please be prepared to provide proof.

Shock Posts & Trolling:

Shock posts, troll posts, or posts with misleading thread titles are not allowed.

Ad Blockers: This websites model is to support itself largely due to advertising revenue. Using ad blockers to block side ads hurts this site financially. Please support the site by not doing so, or, if you want to support the site but do not want to view any ads, become a subscribing member (When the subscription feature becomes available). Subscribing members are not served ads. Nor do we server ads to members that are Platinum or Diamond Level contributors that have donated at least $500 over time.
POSTS PROMOTING THE USE OF AD BLOCKERS ON THESE FORUMS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Unauthorized use of member photos:

Members are not allowed to post photos of other members found around the internet (Facebook, etc.) without the member’s permission. Members can post photos taken at social gatherings and MadaboutPolitics.com functions as long as they are not malicious in nature or otherwise in violation of the posting guidelines.

Unauthorized posting of Private Messages:

Members are not allowed to post a private message received from another member without the written permission of the sender. You can instead report the private message to the staff, and then only if you feel that you are either being persistently harassed (stalked), threatened with bodily harm, being harvested to another site, spammed, or the PM contains pornographic material or links.

Abusing Thread Rating/Reactions Features:

Members found to be abusing the Thread rating feature (Thumbs/Likes/Reactions) by using it to stalk particular members and regularly giving them a negative reactions may lose their permission to use said feature.

Harvesting Members to other Message Board Systems:

Posting, advertising, or Private Messaging links to any other message board systems for the purpose of harvesting members is expressly forbidden unless permission is first received from Andrus. Doing so will likely result in an immediate ban without explanation.

Naked Links: We do not allow the posting of "naked links", which are defined as the posting of outside links without giving any indication of why a member posted said link/s, where it would take them, or otherwise not offering explanation behind doing so. The reasons behind this policy are because a link may lead to anywhere, including sites containing porn, spam, malware and viruses. We need to ensure that a member knows where the link it is taking him, or a synopsis of what the links content is at the very least. Also, because when debating they are often used in an inflammatory manner, without the person offering the link having supplied any reasoning for having posted the link/s. The exception being if the link is requested and/or is in direct response to another posters request. Even then it should be appropriately labeled.

Member Advertising/Spamming:

Advertisements, attempts at selling products, or links to merchandising sites (gear and apparel) are not allowed unless they are approved by Andrus. Any selling of any other items or merchandise by any member otherwise, boards must first be approved by Andrus. That includes shirts, shorts, under garments banners, patches, pins, and everything else not covered. Understand that we frown on members seeking to take advantage of our traffic for the purpose of profit without a reasonable, negotiated percentage going to the site. If merchandisers or members want to buy advertising or sell items of interest for profit, they are welcome to email Andrus through the contact-us links at the bottoms of site pages, or send him a PM if you are already a member. Also, if linking to your business in your signature files, read the paragraph below,

Promoting Blogs, Podcasts and Personal Business Sites:

The lone area where such promotions are allowed is on the Business Discussion Board.

Please note that all other advertisements including chain letters, pyramid schemes, and financial solicitations are inappropriate on this BB are forbidden.

Fundraisers:
Concerning Fund-raising activity. These are the Guidelines:

A) Any and all fundraisers must be approved. To do so, send a PM to Andrus (Read paragraph "E" below before sending Andrus a PM (Conversation).

B) If the fundraiser begins to morph into something other than originally advertised then the changes will also require additional approval.

C) We will require a complete accounting of what funds are collected, any expenses incurred and how the funds were distributed.

D) We require a copy of all receipts including those from the charity or recipient.

E) New members or members that are not well established participants within the community will not be allowed to host a fundraiser or run charitable raffles, etc.. You have to earn the trust of the MAP staff and community in order to even be considered.

F) Within the fundraisers original post, the following disclaimer will have to be posted:

Quote:
"Members of MadAboutPolitics.com from time-to-time solicit funds on the forum for various causes. All posters are reminded that this is the internet and that you contribute to fundraisers at your own risk. We assume some of these money solicitations are by good people for good causes, but MAP does not investigate fundraisers or make any warranty as to their legitimacy. It is up to the poster to decide if its a legitimate fundraiser and if the money is being spent as advertised".

I really enjoy donating to worthy causes and do so often, and I do appreciate those that put forth the effort. These requirements are being instituted to protect the site as well as our contributing members.

Signature File Guidelines:

What are our Signature File Guidelines?

Here are some simple and VERY old rules.

A) Please limit them to 3 lines of text. No short stories or novellas.

B) ** We prefer that your sig pics be more horizontal than vertical.

C) Keep your signature pics less than 80K in file size (file weight), and if you hot-link to images outside of this domain, please keep them below 100K in file size. Also, make sure that you have the permission of the website that you are hot-linking to when using their images.

D) Your sig pics for may have a maximum width of 450 pixels and a maximum height of 200 pixels.

E) Keep them spam free, and free of agenda that includes unauthorized quotes from fellow members for the purpose of public ridicule.

F) The avatar guidelines below apply to Signature pics (and profile pics) as well. Signature pics must be family friendly.

Avatar Guidelines:

"Google ads may not be placed on adult or mature content. This includes any site which contains:
" full nudity
" pornographic images, videos, or games
" pornographic cartoons or anime (hentai/ecchi)
" Strategically covered nudity
" Sheer or see-through clothing
" Lewd or provocative poses
" Close-ups of breasts, buttocks, or crotches
" Avatars are portable from board to board, keep them free of graphics intended to insult, offend, or otherwise anger other members of opposing political beliefs.

We do reserve the right to delete any avatar that we deem to be too provocative, sexually suggestive, or otherwise, for any reason whatsoever.

We recommend that Avatars not be more than 60KB in file weight.

Also, keep them spam free.