DP Posting Guidelines
DP Updated Posting Guidelines
Posted January 7th, 2009 by Michael Nystrom
The ongoing purpose of this site has become
1) to keep Dr. Paul’s message and ideas alive,
2) an open forum for the honest discussion of ideas and the search for truth, and
3) to share, practice and spread these ideas as far and wide as possible in the world we live in.
This site will thus remain in existence as long as there is a need for it, and as long as there are supporters willing to help keep it going.
This website is my private property. Participating here is a privilege, not a right. Understanding the difference between these concepts is fundamental to understanding the message of freedom and liberty.
The Daily Paul welcomes freedom lovers and students of liberty everywhere! Anyone is initially granted the privilege of reading and posting to this site. In order to post to this site, first you must become a member. All comers are welcome! Members must abide by a few simple rules:
1) Even though this site is not in any official way affiliated with Dr. Paul or any of his multiple organizations, by participating in this site you are still representing Dr. Paul in the eyes of the public. Please do not write anything that Dr. Paul himself would not say or would not approve of, or that would reflect poorly on Dr. Paul or his organizations. Dr. Paul is a compassionate, humble, honest, fair and kindhearted human. Follow Dr. Paul’s lead. For a short introduction to what Dr. Paul is like, read this little article. This site is a place to practice creating the kind of world you want live in with your words. On this site, please don’t use profanity or other disrespectful or divisive language.
2) ALWAYS spell check and grammar check your work before posting. The new Firefox has a built in spell checker. Misspelled words get a red underline, and if you right click on them, you get some options from a built-in dictionary.
3) Do not post the text of entire articles on other sites. This is copyright infringement, and could get you, me, and this site in trouble. Feel free to post a short intro, and then a link to the original article. Unfortunately YouTube videos and images cannot be embedded in the forum – it is a security risk. Feel free to link to them. Just copy and paste the address, and it will turn into a link automatically.
Our mission here is to support each other, to help each other grow, examine our assumptions, and be more powerful advocates for freedom in the larger world. We want to be welcoming to new comers to the site. Be the change you want to see in the world. In your world, it all begins with you.
In order for this website to continue functioning, members must agree to play by the rules and respect the community. Anyone who does not respect the community or the guidelines above is not welcome here. Any of the following are grounds to have your post/comment deleted without notice.
Engaging in flame wars or personal attacks on other members, racist or sexist remarks, posting obscene materials, inciting or encouraging violent or illegal acts, posting spam, bumping your own thread to keep it on the front page, posting the same non-related comment on multiple threads to promote your website or event (This is considered spam. The forums are a place for discussion, not advertising), blatant advertising and/or EXCESSIVE USE OF CAPITAL LETTERS. If you cannot consistently spell or check your grammar, you may also be banned.
Repeated offenses will result in the termination of your account. As I stated at the beginning, participation in this site is a privilege, not a right. Ultimately, anything that I decide reflects poorly on Dr. Paul and/or sullies the good and peaceful name of Ron Paul, the Daily Paul or said supporters is not welcome here. At the end of the day, this is my house. I set it up to honor, respect and promote Ron Paul and the principles of freedom and liberty. Play fair and you're welcome to stay. Do not abuse what is offered.
Thank you for your understanding and welcome aboard a magical journey!
Michael Nystrom
Editor
www.dailypaul.com
Suggestion
Why not create a "conspiracy" category in the forums and move conspiracy-related threads posted on the General board and elsewhere to there? Find a way to keep that category off the "Active Forum Topics" front page column or make this part of the forum members-only. This allows DP regulars the freedom to discuss conspiracy theories and shuts up the "you'll scare people away!" critics.
Discussion of topics not considered mainstream...
...may very well be what draws many here.
Jefferson did a thread a while back asking the guests to chime in with their thoughts after people were complaining about others potentially being scared off.
The results might surprise you.
Possibly, but this is the Daily Paul, not the Daily Conspiracy.
..................
"The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory is that conspiracy theorists actually believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The truth of the world is that it is chaotic..." —Alan Moore
..................
"The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory is that conspiracy theorists actually believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The truth of the world is that it is chaotic..." —Alan Moore
great comment Jiminy
did you get my email?
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
-- Patrick Henry
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
"How can we justify to the unemployed and underemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire?" - Dr. Ron Paul
I think that's a good idea, too.
If a Conspiracy Forum exists, a person does not have a lot of right to gripe if he goes into it and sees the conspiracy discussions, does he?
However, I think Religion & Morality threads need to be separated as well. Those arguments are just as bad, and long-running.
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
Personal Insults
I would very much like personal insults on this site to end. Many people who post are very sensitive and respond with name calling and emotional attacks. I read this site daily and can educationally because I can filter out crumby posts. However, I would never show this site to someone I was trying to turn on to liberty movement. Even this thread gets nauseating. Monitoring personal attacks would be a blessing.
I would very much enjoy just posting links and information in debates as opposed to the passionate '2 cents' I often see.
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Another TROLL
I whole heartedly agree with you. I'm glad the troll thing has cooled, but I would like to see it stop or add it to the conspiracy list.
WE ARE GOING TO WIN!
___.---.___
.' ( ) '.
) /)' '( )
',_( ';-;'\_,'
|-|
(")
Ruffles and Fringe
I have beautiful wife, beautiful house, two kids and graduated from one of the top law schools in the nation--which has provided for the aforementioned. Except for my belief that freedom should be highly valued, you would have to consider me a mainstream person.
People pay me (relatively speaking) a great deal of money for my reasoned advice evaluating complex rules, facts, and issues.
With all that going for me, I remain at a loss for explaining the checkerboard aerosol spraying I have witnessed over my city.
If I can't discuss what I have witnessed and ask others about what they have seen, read or believe on this topic on the Daily Paul, where can I?
Racist, anti-semitic..these are bright line topics to avoid and for Michael not to tolerate. However, any other debatable "fringe topic" (no matter how it might ruffle your feathers or how uncool for your recruiting purposes it may seem) should not be excluded content on this site.
DP is one of the best, credible, thoughtful free market of ideas out there.
I appreciate Mike's willingness to keep it that way.
words of wisdom
I am so happy to be amongst us the freedom lovers...
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
-- Patrick Henry
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
"How can we justify to the unemployed and underemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire?" - Dr. Ron Paul
Ron Paul said "have fun with the revolution"
enough said.
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
-- Patrick Henry
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
"How can we justify to the unemployed and underemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire?" - Dr. Ron Paul
Waiting for Michael...
Having read the new version of the "guidelines" that seems somewhat more accepting of posting on fringe-issues, having seen the promotion to the front page of a 9/11 Truth-related video, and having seen reference to some of Michael's unconfirmed comments,* I'm in a bit of a holding pattern here.
I know Michael's on a much-deserved vacation. He's worked tirelessly to build and maintain this site, which I've visited daily for about two years and have been actively involved in. So I'm not trying to rush him, and will wait for his return to see how this all shakes out.
But I do think we're at a crossroads here with the movement, and this dispute is a microcosm of that crossroads. Are we going to focus on the mainstream and expanding our ranks by highlighting the mainstream issues, or are we going to encourage off-topic discussions that will alienate. A prominent poster here recently noted that 80% of the content here is off-topic. Another noted a 9:1 ratio. We recently devolved into discussions about landing on the moon, in addition to the frequent fringe topics (can you say "Daily Chemtrail Report") that are recurring.
I'm suffering from a bit of "activist burnout." It's not just the 2+ years involved with RP and C4L, as I was heavily involved in state reform issues before that (with a brief break in between). And I know I'm not alone. If people like me are going to stay on board, we need to focus on mainstream topics and objectives. When one of my local Meetups devolved into Tin Foil Land, I walked away. If this site is going to embrace that mindset, I need to walk away and focus on more productive endeavors. If Michael and others decide to refocus on the mainstream, I'll be glad to step up my efforts to help in any way I can.
----
* "" On the Daily Paul, you are free to educate, speculate, and constructively criticize the world you live in, from (yes) chem trails to 911, to the Federal Reserve, the one party system, the corporate controlled media, and even the C4L." - allegedly from Michael Nystrom.
The quote I had posted below from Michael Nystrom...
...that you reference here is from a letter he wrote on the "donate" page and can be found by clicking the "donate" tab along the top.
Here is a shortcut link http://www.dailypaul.com/donate
I apologize for not posting the source earlier. I was at lunch and in my haste, I omitted it.
"off" topic of the mainstream...
is "ON" topic for me...
you may follow the herd if you like and only comment on your "sanitized" and preapproved, government allowed ideas...that is your right to choose..
as far as what I choose to comment on, whether it be men from mars or gold and silver prices, i'll thank you to stfu and leave me alone...that's what I call liberty!
O Captain, My Captain, rise up and hear the bells!
its 'cos I owe ya, my young friend...
Rockin' the FREE world in Tennessee since 1957!
I have a suggestion -----
If you think there is a need for more of what you call "mainstream topics" and you want to stay on board, ----then POST some mainstream topics and anyone can comment on them that wish to. Mainstream topics can be found by watching TV, IMO, but I think that discussion about the TV topics is a good way to inform the newly awakened.
We aren't at a crossroads, the campaign is over and most of us are working on what interests us. (As Rhino says, "WAHOR" We All Have Our Roles.) We are in a holding pattern and educating others as they wake up.
We, as a community, post action items for legislation, research topics of interest to some of us, and encourage each other in many ways.
We have friends on here posting from all over the world, giving us a unique perspective on what people from other countries are thinking.
I find it so amazing and encouraging that the whole world is interested in our struggle for Liberty---don't you?
great post
I find it so amazing and encouraging that the whole world is interested in our struggle for Liberty---don't you?
yes, very :)
Jack, why don't you email Nystrom to get *his* opinion.
While you're at it, ask yourself why Ron Paul and Peter Schiff appear frequently as guests on the Alex Jones show if "conspiracy theorists" are so harmful?
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.
You are a bird brain.
Why do you want to protect the other birdbrains that can not think critically on their own?
Only a bird brain, would come to this site, and be turned off by the variety of information.
A person thirsting for truth, with an open mind, will sift through the sand to get to the sugar. You are a control freak, and an antagonistic one at that.
Why don't you write Michael on his vacation, and snivel. I'm sure he's had several snively letters about the content from you already.
Remember if a person is too much of a bird brain to be able to handle the content on DP, do you want that kind of bird braindedness in your foxhole with you?
Let the bird brains fly free, to another place. FAR FAR AWAAAAAY!!!!
★★★★★★
Place quote [HERE]
http://www.ronpaulbrochure.com/
http://www.dailypaul.com/donate
Let's make this simple:
Does this site want the likes of Jefferson/Nui, spewing conspiratorial rhetoric that will instantly turn off newcomers, or do we want mainstream conservatives, libertarians, constitutionalists, and lovers of liberty to come together.
You constantly attack those who would prefer to keep this site "mainstream" under the straw man allegation that they're "bird brains" who "lack critical thinking" (even though you know nothing about these people or the reasoning behind their advocacy).
In the past few days you have:
1. Created a thread about whether or not we landed on the moon. Not only is this off-topic, but it patently reflects badly on us and is therefore in violation of the forum posting guidelines.
2. Wished physical violence on a comedian because you feel he (even though you listed the wrong fictional character and then referred to a female figure skater instead of the actor who plays him) "disrespected" Ron Paul. When called out for this unacceptable advocacy of violence, you reaffirmed that you "hope he got his ass whipped."
3. Suggested that I "probably enjoy men or boys unexpectedly pulling their pants down in front of you."
And I could probably find many more goodies in the chemtrails, WTC7, and other fringe threads you're posting in, or if I decided to go back more than a few days.
You may support Ron Paul, and I'm proud to stand side by side with you in supporting freedom. But your mixing of messages (integrating your fringe beliefs) makes you a net detriment to the cause. People coming to this site and reading your threads will be less likely to join the fight than if they had never visited DP.
When you registered your account around the time of the general election, I had already been registered 16 months and contributing relevant content (I was even around before then, but unregistered). Maybe you were around longer (and were banned or something), maybe you weren't.
If you're unable to talk about Ron Paul and freedom issues without venturing into Tin Foil Land, you should do the movement a favor and leave. Go register at a conspiracy theory forum, as there are plenty to choose from. And when you get it out of your system, feel free to help us mainstreamers work to elect liberty-minded candidates, etc. If you still can't separate the politics of liberty from Men in Black, people like me will ask that you be banned. If Michael and others are unwilling to take steps to "mainstream" this site, we'll leave.
It's nothing personal. I'm not alleging that you lack "critical thinking skills" for believing in conspiracies, or even that you lack them for intertwining your fringe issues with the liberty movement. I am saying that you're exercising poor strategy by intertwining in such a way, which undermines our cause. So I'll fight to defend the freedom movement from enemies within and without. I'll fight the statist pols who undermine our economic and personal liberties, and I'll fight the "freedom lovers" who sabotage -- intentionally or otherwise -- our cause by putting a negative face on the movement through fringe kookery.
The Moon
The "fake" moon landing is lunacy from my eyes, I agree with you Jack, the constant scourging of "mainstream" here comes from a narrow perspective. Not all mainstream thinkers are willfully ignorant, inherently stupid, or without reason and inspiration. We shouldn't expect them to simply discard their whole world views because someone comes along with a new "theory of everything". We need to dialogue with them in an intelligent, open minded fashion; not branding them sheep. Then maybe, we ALL can learn something.
I am curious, what DO you think about WTC7 Jack?
we want it ALL...
we are smart enough to figure out what is of value and what is worthless...you are just upset because you are in the worthless category with this censorship kick you are on...
you don't like jefferson or nui? don't read them, don't contribute to their threads...much the same way as we'll soon label you as irrelevent because you favor censorship!...you are just like the msm, aren't you?
no wonder you reference them so often...
O Captain, My Captain, rise up and hear the bells!
its 'cos I owe ya, my young friend...
Rockin' the FREE world in Tennessee since 1957!
This is not censorship, this
This is not censorship, this is sticking to what the websites function is. Now I do not disagree with certain ideas such as chemtrails and 9/11 but I have personally have had friends visit the site once and never come back because they see INSIDE JOB and WE ARE ALL BEING POISONED the minute they look on the right side of the page. There are forum sites for 9/11 and other topics. This site however, is dedicated to Ron Paul and our belief in a sound constitutional government. And I cannot recall Ron Paul talking about chemtrails, moon landing, aliens, or a 9/11 inside job. I agree with jack and I have to say so myself, I am slowly being turned off from the dailypaul. For the past year I visited this website at least ten times a day, but it has slowly been dropping... In the past I have called the members here my internet family because they have guided my young self on many occasions. It would be a sad day for me personally if I no longer felt at home.
I seriously wonder if the
I seriously wonder if the nutball threads are being started by Republican or Democrat "paid bloggers" (to appropriate a tired old Oruval-ish saying). Why else would there be such a concerted effort to derail and destroy the messages of smaller government, renewed Constitutionalism and Fed deletion with fuzzy thinking like chemtrails, moon conspiracies and 9/11 twaddle?
..................
"The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory is that conspiracy theorists actually believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The truth of the world is that it is chaotic..." —Alan Moore
..................
"The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory is that conspiracy theorists actually believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The truth of the world is that it is chaotic..." —Alan Moore
Sunny
Why am I unable to access my thread to make updates and corrections?
The thread is
DEMOCRATIC List of Shame
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/92712
i don't know. i haven't done anything with it.
it's funny cuz i was going to contact you to make the changes as there
are 3 more new ones.
let me check it out.
Ron Paul is my President
Ron Paul is My President
My thoughts on this post---in random order as I think of them
Thank you for posting the guidlines again--and thanks to JiminyCricket for reminding us of Michael's thoughts on what can be posted.
In fact: It was Michael himself that posted the topic full page ad about Chemtrails--if I am not mistaken, so Chemtrails (or Contrails, or Man-made clouds or whatever you want to call them) is OK to post. Besides for that, the diligent truth seekers have found and posted links to information that are educational on the subject.
Those who speak of "conspiracy theories" need to check into the "theory" part of that statement, as there is fact out there that proves this is not a 'theory' ! All one has to do is to READ the actual documents straight from the U.N. websites to know without a doubt that they are planning to control us in a NEW WORLD ORDER!
The word conspiracy means a combination of persons for an evil purpose; a plot. The New World Order plot is EVIL, no doubt about it.
Ron Paul is always telling us to "Have Fun" and I think he means it. If some of us think it is fun to debate topics that others think are silly, so be it--go start your own topic that you feel is worth debating.
My parents taught me, and I taught my kids and grandkids "Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but WORDS will never hurt me" so criticize away---
I'll put this out there..I
I'll put this out there..I love MOST of DR. Paul's ideas but I do not agree with "everything" he may say....I hope this site is big enough to handle some discention on some subjects...After all that is airing OUR differences & hopefully we have an influence, of a sort, to change a mind & come towards agreememnt...Hopfully we to can have effect on the DR., on some issues as well ....As the DR's message has or is effecting us & those coming to the site, I hope this site is an open 2 way avenue for a BETTER America & a better RON PAUL ,RAND PAUL as we work towards victory..RON PAUL has HIS site.... I believe Daily Paul, by allowing diversity of discussion is the greatest tool DR PAUL has going for him ..This site brings diversity together, which would be lost to the freedom movement if no engagement is allowed...Thanks for an enjoyable jouney here & for all the diversity...
you-no
I appreciate your posting these guidlines.
I spends many hours on the DP nearly everyday. Every subject is important, if someone thinks it important enough to post here. If no has anything to say or add, then that thread will disappear like a number of mine have done. That should not be changed.
I am in search of the truth and try to find the truth here. The DP attempts to approach what the truth is on many subjects, and I do not believe that should have a boundary either.
However, the obscene language and personal attacks need to be monitored and addressed more aggressively. Some of the attacks here are relentless and threads that would have been thoroughly discussed in a succinct way are now extended because of these personal attacks. How do we fix this?
As I see it, you hit on the problem.
Because we moderators are not really doing our job right now.
The problem ISN'T articles like "I Saw Elvis in a UFO Last Night".
The problem is the churlish behavior and squabbling generated by posts like that between various camps who battle over conspiracy theories, and their inability to control their outbursts of insults, accusations, obscene language (often made 'publishable' with the cutesy substitution of asterisks and keyboard symbols), and personal attacks.
The OPs may be perfectly fine. Then three pages later, you have personal attacks, often dozens of them in a sequence, name-calling, ad hominems, etc...which represent violations of Michael's guidelines in no uncertain terms.
Maybe the solution isn't to try to rein in Elvis, or park him in a special separate Forum where his UFO is welcome. Maybe the solution is for the moderators to just start seriously moderating people who engage in insults, accusations, and personal attacks.
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
Or just avoid.....
the "kook" threads if you don't like them.
That would cut down greatly on the pissing matches
created by the debunkables.
True but what if the whole
Thread is a personal attack by a paid blogger to smear say Adam Kokesh?
Find out if you have a local militia - http://www.uaff.us/
Real Patriots for 9/11 truth -- http://patriotsquestion911.com/