Posted on 10/21/2003 7:21:45 PM PDT by Lead Moderator
Hello everyone. I hope you are all having a good evening.
At various times today there have been upwards of 8 different stories at the same time posted to breaking news, and it does not seem like we go more than a half hour before yet another goes in.
We are all thrilled that progress is being made.
But it really is not helping matters to overwhelm everything in the forum with every new detail. So please, let's try to keep the new posts to the breaking news sidebar to a reasonable level.
Along the same lines, just like any story that is emotionally charged, we are getting a significant number of vanities on the topic. The rule of thumb on vanities is that they should be substantive, original, and relatively infrequent. Many of the vanities we have seen today probably could have, and should have, been made in reply to an existing thread rather than starting a new one.
And finally, this story has brought many new Freepers on board. To them, I extend a hearty welcome (hoo rah!). However, (speaking to the new folks now), some of you have been a little over-emotional, and are crossing the line when it comes to disagreements and engaging in personal attacks and flaming rather than debating. Please keep it clean, and realize that due to the nature of the beast, newbies are not given as much leeway as more established posters.
Now back to our regularly scheduled Freeping, already in progress.
Those kinds of threads are exactly the thing FR does best ... spreading the word, rallying support, serving as a nexus of contact and dissemination. I enjoy very much getting not only the facts but some crack analysis from those close to the scene and more familiar, say, with the Florida legislature's profile than I. But I'm THRILLED when some whining "how many times ... how many times" Dem cites the avalanche of e-mail, calls and letters from the Public as "forcing" them to listen to what the people have to say. Amazing what can sometimes happen when they know we are watching.
Consistent Keywords and/or Titles would be so nice ... indeed you've got to consolidate threads where folks aren't together enough to keep a running Master thread of links.
Didn't realize the abuse button could be used to update a breaking news thread. What a great idea. I might actually use the thing.
Because it's true I do have a high tolerance for abuse. I guess, mostly checking pings and only related posts, I missed most of the ugliness. Sorry to hear that folks let their emotions get the best of them as some saw fit to lounge about the Schiavo threads to crack jokes or dress death in heaps of hypothetical and suicidal bravado while Terri was starving to death as they typed.
And I, for one, am still in shock she's received a reprieve. It's nice to feel a surge of hope for a change thought mine is yet a wait and see attitude.
'Cause it's not over yet ... and I trust your well-timed heads up during this first breather not only helps the interested sidestep any further negative attention but perhaps better coordinate future threads.
Hit 'Abuse' - I dare ya ;0)
I agree with that.
As a fairly new FReeper, I frequently follow threads without posting. Often I see someone "flaming" another poster as a Troll or other derogatory comment. Sometimes a poster who differs with another is accused of having multiple "names", etc.
Are there really that many multiple-name (previously-banned) posters, or is there some other explanatioin for the posting?
Diddley
Just for the record.....what is a 'more established poster'? Is this a set time or just anyone that has been here longer than you? When I first joined and tried to post I was told to sit back and read along for awhile...I'm now able to join in conversations. Start a new thread?? I would never consider it.. People get slammed for being a newbie even if they've been here two years. What is the litmus test that lets you move up to a true freeper?
Dang..I think I'm still a mini muffin.
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