You all are doing pretty good in here so keep it up. Just remember to proof your own post before click the go button.
A few general rules I use when i am in a disucssion with folks about a topic that we are in disagreement.
1. Don't use absolutes - I never, We don't, you always -- because seldom is there anything absolute.
2. Don't make it personal, this is usually where the heat comes in... "You, your, my" followed by a descriptor is the usual setup for failure.
3. Keep it to the facts and let the data tell the story... Quote your source...
4. We are all adults and I will hold every one of us to a higher standard than our elected officials. Common courtesy does apply here and that spans across all political and geographic boundaries.
5. You most likely aren't going to change anyone's mind arguing with them on the Internet but you might just plant a seed if you intelligently lay out the facts. If your goal is to argue then short personal attacks is what you would expect, if education and honest discussion is what your goal is then thoughtout well written text is what you should see.
I could go on but you can judge how someone responds or posts in this forum and see if thought was put into it or if the message was written by emotion. You have to base your level of acceptance of the message sometimes by the amount of effort put into the writing.
Keep up the good work folks, proud of you for open dialog.
Cap
A few general rules I use when i am in a disucssion with folks about a topic that we are in disagreement.
1. Don't use absolutes - I never, We don't, you always -- because seldom is there anything absolute.
2. Don't make it personal, this is usually where the heat comes in... "You, your, my" followed by a descriptor is the usual setup for failure.
3. Keep it to the facts and let the data tell the story... Quote your source...
4. We are all adults and I will hold every one of us to a higher standard than our elected officials. Common courtesy does apply here and that spans across all political and geographic boundaries.
5. You most likely aren't going to change anyone's mind arguing with them on the Internet but you might just plant a seed if you intelligently lay out the facts. If your goal is to argue then short personal attacks is what you would expect, if education and honest discussion is what your goal is then thoughtout well written text is what you should see.
I could go on but you can judge how someone responds or posts in this forum and see if thought was put into it or if the message was written by emotion. You have to base your level of acceptance of the message sometimes by the amount of effort put into the writing.
Keep up the good work folks, proud of you for open dialog.
Cap
