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Blatant Politics 2.0

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November 19, 2009 03:22 PM

In the past couple of days I have received several complaints about Blatant Politics with regards to deleted posts, removal of featured posts and the role of Moderators. ActiveRain has groups that are intended to promote a single political ideology - Blatant Politics is not one of them. If someone takes the time to write a blog (liberal, conservative or apolitical) and wants to post it to BP, the least we can do is leave it alone. However, if a post violates AR's Terms of Service, it will be deleted.

I have revised the group description to include "and does not violate ActiveRain's Terms of Service". So, as of 11/19/09 the group description is: Blatant Politics is a group for anyone to share their blatantly, honest opinion about politics. As long as a post is not criminal in nature and does not violate ActiveRain's Terms of Service it will never be deleted at Blatant Politics.

I have been hestitant to suggest or implement limitations on Featured Posts. Based on the complaints it is evident that we need some basic guidelines for Features. So, the following is a rough draft for Feature guidelines:

1) A Feature must be original - no reposts of AP stories, etc. If your post could be considered grounds for expulsion from school due to plagiarism, it's not worthy to be posted on BP, much less a Featured Post.

2) A Feature should contain at least 150 words or it should be reasonable to assume the author spent at least 15 minutes writing the post - I usually spend about an hour, but I'm a slow writer.

3) A Feature and/or a post must be in full compliance with the Terms of Service.

4) If a Feature meets the above criteria and for whatever reason should be "defeatured" - only the Moderator that featured it in the first place is allowed to remove it's featured status.

I'm glad to have started Blatant Politics and do not want to see it dissolve or lose membership due to animosity or anything else. This group consists of intelligent, witty and passionate people. I look forward to many more years of spirited debates from interesting posts/features written by our members. If you have any suggestions as to how to improve the group, send me an email - jay@movievoice.net. Thanks for reading!

Best regards,
Jay

Jay Allen
Founder - Blatant Politics

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Dan Sanley

La Mesa, CA

Jay, Thanks for the clarification made in this post. You said you were reluctant to implement limitations on featured posts, but as long as you are at it, you might consider one more. Perhaps moderators should not ever be featured. Especially when they bump someone else to post their own. Imposing this rule would certainly dampen egos and minimize favoritism. Just an idea.

Nov 20, 2009 03:45 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

I think Jay just featured his own post (quite rightly) as I featured my own post last night (again quite rightly). As the Administrator of the group I will feature a moderators' blogs if they warrants it. Period. In the meantime, perhaps you might like to write more than half a sentence if you expect me to maintain a feature that someone incorrectly gave to you Dan.

Nov 20, 2009 03:59 AM

Mike Saunders

Lanier Partners - Athens, GA

Jay - good to hear from you again. Hopefully, this group will return to what it was intended to be.

Nov 20, 2009 05:06 AM

Broker Nick

South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Jay - Blatant Politics just dropped down to 54th place in most popular and active groups in Active Rain. I hope the new moderators keep up the good work!

Nov 20, 2009 05:14 AM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Sorry Jay, trouble in paradise. I posted a blog here that meets all your criteria, which was deleted by a moderator, because it was not "political" in nature. Also, a blog that I featured has now been unfeatured. I thought only the "featurer" was allowed to do that. Maybe we need further clarification here!

Nov 20, 2009 07:04 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Too funny. I did not unfeature a blog. I think you will find that Jay did it because it contained HALF A SENTENCE!

Nov 20, 2009 07:21 AM

Scott Smith

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Gloucester, MA

Gloucester & Rockport, Massachusetts

Nick: If BP is dropping, it is because civility has long gone out the door. When the right wing echo chamber alientated the rest of the group, other groups gained and new groups were formed.

I have to ask if it gets boring being "yesed" to death? I enjoy sparring and debating. I do not enjoy being belittled and deleted because I posted a contratian viewpoint.

I really don't care who is featuring blogs, as long as there is an even hand.

Nov 20, 2009 08:12 AM

Alice Linahan

Voices Empower - Argyle, TX

Jay and Simon,

Just my two cents for what it is worth.

I think in the times we are living in political debate is very important. There are several who I do not agree with politically but who I have learned a great deal from and respect immensely.

Unfortunately I have had to ban some who post on my blogs not in the spirit of debate but with language that I would be embarrassed for others to see professionally. I have chosen to not post on their blog in addition I will not allow them on my blogs.

I was targeted and several tried to have me removed from AR I believe to silence me because they did not agree with my point of view. I have chosen to leave this group because I do not have time to worry about what may be posted on my blog when I am in a closing or away from my desk.

That being said I do think debate is important for us all to learn from. We are all Americans and we must be educated on what is really happeing especially in Washington, so that we have a Great Country like we have been blessed with to pass onto the next generation.

I applaud you both for doing what it takes to monitor and keep this group alive for all to learn from.

I will be monitoring to see when it is worth the effort to post here again.

Have a wonderfully productive and blessed weekend!!

Alice Linahan

Nov 20, 2009 08:53 AM

Mitchell J Hall

Manhattan, NY

Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

Hi Jay, Nice to see you back. I'm not involved in the "politics" of the Blatant Politics group. Personally I read blogs that may interest me. I could care less if it has a gold star or not.

Nov 20, 2009 09:04 AM

Broker Nick

South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Scott - BP is dropping and it is not if, but reality. And please stop your whining it is really unbecoming. The fact remains that the true posters have left this group to the few of you who try to portray your left wing radical views as mainstream which is not, and never will be.

Nov 20, 2009 09:41 AM

Scott Smith

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Gloucester, MA

Gloucester & Rockport, Massachusetts

Nick: I am not whining.Thanks for posting. Have a blessed night and peace.

Nov 20, 2009 10:01 AM

Delaware Junk Removal Residential And Commercial Hauling Clean Outs

Delaware Junk Removal 302-530-9186 - Wilmington, DE

Whole House Clean Outs, Basements, Garages, Attics

I am leaving this group also because of the unwarranted attacks on Simon by a few.

Nov 20, 2009 03:55 PM

Linda Mae Croom

Topock, AZ

(928) 768-3040

Jay,

it is so great to see you again but it is unfortunate you found it necessary to take time away from what i am certain is a Very rewarding and Busy LIfe... i can still hear that impressive voice of yours in my mind even after all this time...

Isn't it odd and a little sad...how politics can bring out the worst and the "Child" in people....

I liken it to the movie "Wag, the Dog"...keep the people distracted....

So many are allowing themselves to become the very pawns in this great game called "Politics" at the cost of ALL else...

Instead of each side working towards the middle and making the world a better place it has become a dangerous game of Tug of War.... each side pulling at the expense of Real People on the opposing side...

Celebrating when they appear to have tugged the hardest on any given day....

No winners in this game however... they are taking their toys and going home

Seems some here are intent on splitting hell wide open ...giving NO thought to whom they are trying to push through that dark hole..

May your life be Blessed, Peaceful and Highly Successful...

I for one greatly admire you....

Nov 21, 2009 05:17 AM

Jason Sardi

Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC

Your Agent for Life

Same faces and similar tunes.

My graphic says, "peanut". That's not the only nut I need to crack. Frankly, I laugh when I read someone on the right calling someone on the left "radical". I'd burp up a smile if I read someone on the left calling someone on the right the same thing. They're both ridiculous.

That written, I kind of dig your rules of engagement, Jay.

Nov 21, 2009 01:56 PM

Broker Nick

South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Seven lonely days and a dozen towns ago
I reached out one night and you were gone
Don't know why you'd run, what you're running to or from
All I know is I want to bring you home

So I'm walking in the rain, thumbin' for a ride
On this lonely Kentucky backroad
I've loved you much too long; my love's too strong
To let you go, never knowing what went wrong.

Kentucky rain keeps pouring down,
And up ahead's another town that I'll go walking through
With the rain in my shoes, searchin for you
In the cold Kentucky rain, in the cold Kentucky rain.

Showed your photograph to some old gray bearded men
Sitting on a bench outside a general store
They said "Yes, she's been here"
But their memory wasn't clear.
Was it yesterday? No, wait the day before.

Finally got a ride, with a preacher man who asked,
"Where you bound on such a cold, dark afternoon?"
As we drove on through the rain, as he listened I explained
And he left me with a prayer that I'd find you.

Kentucky rain keeps pouring down,
And up ahead's another town that I'll go walking through
With the rain in my shoes, searchin for you
In the cold Kentucky rain, in the cold Kentucky rain.

Nov 22, 2009 05:05 AM

Linda Mae Croom

Topock, AZ

(928) 768-3040

JAY,

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving..........

I for one am very Proud to be a member of Blantant Politics and will faithfully do all that I can to post and comment with integrity and follow ALL the guidelines you have set up for us in your post..

Respect and Honor for our fellow man is so muh more than being about our Political Opinions... SO MUCH MORE...

May we all begin to realize that while life's experiences have led each of us on a different path .......to different ideas..... in the end we all Bleed Red and Die...

Nov 24, 2009 10:25 AM

Linda Mae Croom

Topock, AZ

(928) 768-3040

P.S. Still don't understand WHY? the numbers game is important BUT BP has been holding steady for several days at # 33.....

OUT OF SIX THOUSAND SEVENTEEN GROUPS ON A REALTORS WEBSITE THAT IS OUTSTANDING........

Nov 24, 2009 10:35 AM

Jay Allen

MovieVoice Production Co. - Paducah, KY

MovieVoice

Linda Mae, thank you for your comments. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving as well!

Nov 24, 2009 12:38 PM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Jay, all's quiet on the western front :-) I noticed a few new members joined your group, and the stats are holding steady. You should be proud of your group, and I'm sure you are!

Nov 26, 2009 11:48 PM

Ann-Marie Clements

Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB

Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Jay,

I like the fact, you respect all of the political sides. It's great to read them and their reasoning behind their writing. I like that fact that you created basic rules, hopefully, it will keep the "complainers" quiet for a while. Just, keep in mind, that "complainers" always find something wrong and nothing right!!! Hopefully, having the basic rules will keep others in line...

Have a wonderul holiday!!! Going back to the U.S.A. for the holidays!!!! YEAH!!! ;>))

Dec 21, 2009 06:26 AM

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