I'm proposing here a somewhat more rigid control of new threads on the specific subject of Israel and Palestine. The objectives would be to accommodate those who tire of the proliferation of threads on the subject, and also to better serve and encourage those who have been disappointed in the curtailment and disruption of discussion and debate surrounding Israeli/Palestinian issues. I would like for us to consider implementing a thread in World Events as a que of current events in Israel/Palestine items. For the duration of the experiment (or policy should the experiment be received favorably) any new thread to appear involving current/recent events in Israel or Palestine would be merged into this catch-all discussion que. I would like to begin the thread with some representative highlights of similar threads that went before- with links to follow, where a few previous and representative discussions diverted... too many to a dead end. The format of the review would follow the same pattern as would any redirection of following discussions. By this method, the most recent Israel/Palestine events may be discussed briefly in a catch-all thread, until discussion (as is typically the case) turns to revisiting an underlying issue. At that point, I (or another so-inclined fellow moderator) would direct us all to a more appropriate thread. I would not insist that all travelers turn off at the first exit- this would be a thoughtful highway, with multiple opportunities to go with the flow, and drive friendly, before a cop might pull a wayward traveler over to the side for some help with directions. What I'm proposing is a more rigid control of new threads on the specific subject of Israel and Palestine. If we embark on this experiment, members may start threads at will, as always- but if I (or my fellow mods if they are inclined) receive a popular mandate to limit the number of threads on this specific topic, then any new associated thread will be subject to interdiction. This means that if you start a new thread involving the subject of Israel/Palestine, it would very likely get merged into an appropriate pre-existing thread, such as: Human Rights in Israel & Palestine International Opinion/Support for Israeli Policy I would encourage your suggestions and input in selecting very few (just a handful, ultimately) additional general topics for directing our discussions relating to Israel and Palestine. Since there has been no other issue in the Politics forum that provides as much grist for expressions of differing opinion, I think it's a test opportunity, to see how we can raise the bar of discussion and debate here. In addition to your patience with the redirection of new threads and posts, I would ask members to scrupulously avoid even the appearance of hateful posts on this general subject. It's a blurry line between being provocative and contributing to the derailment of a discussion- so the success of this initiative will also require redoubled attention to avoiding offense, by giving that fuzzy line a wide berth. I'm hoping to devote particular attention as a moderator to an area of discussion that is particularly prone to getting out of hand, and I'm hoping that with some attention to continuity of discussion, we'll create clearer paths to understanding for all sides. I have no desire to implement anything as a moderator that I would find unacceptable as a member. As a member, I am interested in seeing if less tangle of Israel/Palestine threads, along with more respectful debate, may offer something more stimulating and worthwhile here. If this idea gains the support of fellow members and mods, then it may necessarily begin (on the visible stage) with some strong medicine: Locked threads pertaining to Israel/Palestine. Prior to that, I would work to compile a representative review of quality discussions on the general subject here at Sciforums, and use them to "seed" the new categorical threads. I would do my best, and enlist the input of others, to see that any excerpts of prior discussions are equally representative of the opposing viewpoints we've seen here. Right now I am mostly interested in hearing your opinions, and especially those of members who frequent discussions about Israel and Palestine. I invite any further comments here, and I would especially appreciate the participation of those who have frequented our many threads involving Israel and Palestine. I'll take some initiative on this, and devote some serious personal effort in this regard, if this concept gains palpable support from my fellow members and moderators.
I have been getting some useful help and advice from a lot of people. I'm bound to slip up accrediting and attributing ideas, so I beg the forgiveness of everyone who helps me out. I do want to thank (in cryptic order) the people who have been sharing ideas: Sam, Lucysnow, Gustav, Madanthonywayne, Superstring, Tiassa, my Wife, my Dog, my Mom, Dad, and... OK I'll just share something Lucy said to me in PMS PM: I'm still thinking on this, and I have some catching up to do on recent events around here. I would like to read your thoughts too.
no it provides the foundation theories that can translate into practice sam that fanatical obsession again our activism is mostly local. the code allows for it. we have sfog, community, report, built in to sci to allow this kind of shit. the admin ask for feedback... so what the fuck is lucy talking about? Contact Congress, Demand Israel be held Accountable for its Disproportionate Use of Force, and Use of White Phosphorous in Gaza that cannot happen here? why the fuck not? i mean, it is just a goddamn link is it not? how can this not be a issue that can be discussed in sci.? is it because it violates lucy's protocol of what sci should be doing? /rotfl wtf does sam have to do with any of this?
Gustav: "wtf does sam have to do with any of this?" Hysterical Note to Future: Sam was recently rendered, specially, for reasons of Scicurity. Without clear charges. "No." So you would agree that the manipulation of matter does not rule out the work of science; that we may engage in political science while exchanging, even modifying opinions? This is profound heresy. Many institutions and customs would be overturned by such preposterous reasoning. It would end our WE&Ping, as we know it.
Closer to topic, I invite the direction of this lively discussion to turn for a few posts to suggesting thread titles, for the first coarse filter of Arab/Israeli Israel/Palestine issues discussion in Politics. I would like to moderate the thread as something of a switchboard: I will connect you to an appropriate new or previous thread. Many of the reference threads will be locked. This does not mean that we may not quote from a locked thread so long as the smelliest bits of garbage remain in our rich compost. If nobody else digs in before I get around to it, I'll just assign a title that I hope won't stink. I'm actually having some trouble with that, and that's why I'm asking your help (anybody).
We do seem to try that on a cyclical basis. People will argue that their thread brings up a unique point.
I'm hoping to acknowledge unique points, even as they are diverted to associated threads. By the same policy I'm hoping to discourage the creation of threads unlikely to go far (of which I have considerable experience with as author).
Mod bump: Is anyone opposed to it if I experiment with this? "I'll undo my screwups if I can"- that's what I tell my most nervous first-time passengers. Also "buckle in" and "shut up", and "whatever you do DON"T TOUCH THAT!". Let's all just try some yoga breathing. And then tell me if it's a good idea to merge all Israel/Palestine topics into one big Nakbah. If nobody seriously objects, I'm going to close the hatch and start engines.[/mod bump]
I absolutely think it's a great idea to combine all related threads. I get into too much trouble when I post in favor of Israel vs. the Muslims so I must stay out of it. I really don't feel like getting banned. Again.Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I think it would be a great idea to have one main thread each on Islam, Christianity etc instead of a zillion, too. Good thinking, hypey.Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Obviously combining the universe into one thread has diminishing returns. But I'm hoping that in the case of issues that tend to spread all over the place, a little ordering if applied selectively will help. All that you must stay out of is unsubstantiated claims. You could proclaim there that "God Loves Apartheid" if you want- but you must reveal the reasoning upholding your position, when others challenge you to it. We're all prone to saying things that we aren't prepared to support. The admins and mods at Sciforums are working together to discourage trolling, sloganeering, and sloppy thinking that all diminish our community. That's for Moderators of Religion (God Help Them) to sort out.
