[Summit] political discussions

[Hope for Health]

Jim's comments and politeness rules are right on target!
I agree with them 100 per cent.

In fact, conversation with candidates, if really restricted 
by these rules, could be a useful source of information
about them.

I remember being in England years ago, and listening to
a program on the radio during an election there.  Margaret
Thatcher was answering questions from listeners.  Most
remarkable - no getting away with sound bites or canned
answers.  After her first reply, the listener could challenge
or question her again - and, if still not satisfied, pursue
the conversation further.  This allowed for real, in-depth
exploration of issues.

This is something that could happen on this list.  And, 
knowing Summit neighbors, candidates would NOT be
able to get away with violating the rules - they would 
do so to their detriment.

We might just add a length of message limit for them,
to be on the safe side.  :-)

Blessings,

Liberty G

--- On Sat, 10/6/12, Martha Fraenkel <mfraenkel at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Martha Fraenkel <mfraenkel at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Summit] political discussions
To: summit at sna.providence.ri.us
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012, 9:07 AM


  

    
  
  
    I agree with Jim; political discussion with moderated tone is
    appropriate for the listserv.

    

    On 10/6/2012 2:50 AM, Robert Mathiesen wrote:
    I like Jim's politeness rules.

      

      On Sat, Oct 6, 2012 at 12:38 AM,
        barfootjim <barfootjim at gmail.com>
        wrote:

        I agree that
          discussions of political issues that we have in common in this
          neighborhood should have a place in our discussions in general
          - on the main list.

          

          However, let's agree to a few politeness rules:

          

          1) no personal attacks, name-calling, or disparaging personal
          remarks aimed at ANY individual - keep it to what they say or
          do, not who they are;

          2) if you use statistics, or other facts, to bolster your
          point of view, identify where you got them from;

          3) no requests for contributions;

          4) if you think a politician's approach is wrong, try to state
          why, and if possible, suggest a better way to solve a problem

          5) you are free to have an opinion based on nothing specific,
          but if it's just that, say so.

          

          This can be a useful tool to help us all consider the
          alternatives, the plusses and minuses, and make informed
          decisions.

          

          

          
            Let the whole list weigh in, if it chooses, on whether
            political issues and questions are or are not appropriate
            for the main Summit list.  Speaking for myself, I think that
            they are appropriate, and that this bears directly on the
            kind of community we want to have in Summit.

            ...

          
          

          
            ... it is a question of how we wish to be governed -- and
            only incidentally, which candidate might be more apt to
            govern us in the way we wish to be governed.

          
          

        
      
      

      

      
      

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