Posted on Feb 24, 2017
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Over the past few months I, along with several other User Admins, have been hit with complaints about people's behavior. Most of these reports come out of people acting disrespectfully towards another normally centered around a political post. Every day, countless posts from both sides of the political line are posted. I was hoping that after the election was over and people settled back into their routines these posts would start to dwindle in number but sadly, that isn't the case. In fact, I think people's reactions only made people want to share more. Other social media sites are covered as well but here I think it's different.
I understand that for many of you, this is your one stop shop for social media actives. And I understand that you have the right to voice your thoughts and concerns but what I don't get and what I will not tolerate is the name calling and personal attacks. I think for some of you, you are so wrapped up on what others have said or done that you yourself are losing touch with reality. Rather than finding a healthy way to express your feelings you are just so hyper-focus that it's causing damage to yourself. Some of the actions I've seen here are simply not healthy.
When RallyPoint first started. it was started to a place where service members and veterans can come to get connected with others and get answers to their questions. Now, with over 1.1 million members we are still that place but have this dirty shadow following us.
So the question I have for you, as one of the original members and as one of the Senior User Admins of this site; why are you here? Are you here to connect with your brothers and sisters-in-arms and to help provide meaningful answers to questions or are you here in some effort to spread your ideals onto others? Why do some of you feel the need to attack others just based on the fact that they voted for someone different? When will you pause and step away to realize that no one person can make American great again, to do that takes all of us. It takes all of us to come together, support the powers to be and hold them accountable as a collective body.
I understand that for many of you, this is your one stop shop for social media actives. And I understand that you have the right to voice your thoughts and concerns but what I don't get and what I will not tolerate is the name calling and personal attacks. I think for some of you, you are so wrapped up on what others have said or done that you yourself are losing touch with reality. Rather than finding a healthy way to express your feelings you are just so hyper-focus that it's causing damage to yourself. Some of the actions I've seen here are simply not healthy.
When RallyPoint first started. it was started to a place where service members and veterans can come to get connected with others and get answers to their questions. Now, with over 1.1 million members we are still that place but have this dirty shadow following us.
So the question I have for you, as one of the original members and as one of the Senior User Admins of this site; why are you here? Are you here to connect with your brothers and sisters-in-arms and to help provide meaningful answers to questions or are you here in some effort to spread your ideals onto others? Why do some of you feel the need to attack others just based on the fact that they voted for someone different? When will you pause and step away to realize that no one person can make American great again, to do that takes all of us. It takes all of us to come together, support the powers to be and hold them accountable as a collective body.
Posted in these groups: 
RallyPoint
RallyPoint
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 240
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I belong to RP to share comradery with those who serve/served. To discuss those things which are important to us and to share stories, maybe even seek help and advice or provide it. We all were hoping that the political firestorm would die down once the election was past, but that was not to be. The community unhappy with the results insists on belaboring the issue. However, they have every right to complain as we have every right to respond. Sadly, there has been disrespect in some quarters fueled by the rancor accompanying America's political divide. It certainly is nothing unique to RP. Indeed, it is far better contained here than elsewhere. But remember that "disrespect" is often in the eye of the beholder. So, everyone needs to take a deep breath, a shot of demon rum, and learn to laugh. Hey we all laughed our way through the worst that DI's and enemies could throw at us, didn't we?
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I originally was invited in by a colleague. Better than Linked In and not as charged as Facebook with the best qualities of each. Networking is important in my job and the things I do outside my job. I enjoy the humor, history, and motivation. I always partake in some of the political rhetoric in so far as how the media portrays news, getting people to think about sources, etc. The past few weeks have encountered several vehement posters and choose to ignore them. I purposely will veer from the political and focus on the historical. I reserve the right to drop a funny meme now and again and share good music as those I share with reciprocate with the same. I am here to serve others and learn myself.
SGM Steve Wettstein SGM (Join to see) PO3 William Hetrick 1SG (P) Mark Rudolph SSG Michael Doolittle SSG Robert "Rob" Wentworth SGT Pete Padilla SGT (Join to see) SP5 Dennis Loberger CMSgt Rickey W. Denicke, Sr. PO3 Charles Streich LTC Eugene Chu TSgt Deane Bray SPC Russ Bolton SSG Donald H "Don" Bates Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr SPC Gordon B Rice 1SG (Join to see) TSgt Regina McCloud
SGM Steve Wettstein SGM (Join to see) PO3 William Hetrick 1SG (P) Mark Rudolph SSG Michael Doolittle SSG Robert "Rob" Wentworth SGT Pete Padilla SGT (Join to see) SP5 Dennis Loberger CMSgt Rickey W. Denicke, Sr. PO3 Charles Streich LTC Eugene Chu TSgt Deane Bray SPC Russ Bolton SSG Donald H "Don" Bates Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr SPC Gordon B Rice 1SG (Join to see) TSgt Regina McCloud
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Samantha S.
I was invited by military professionals to embrace and I LOVE THEM for this!
I come from a multi-generational family that has served our country. I was raised by a man that served his country having followed the advice of his Grandfather, who was the first generation having come to the United States from Sicily. The 1st thing my Great Grandfather did was learn the language of the land and serve the country he now called home.
My Mother, also being the 1st generation born in the USA had family members who served as well with the same etiquette to express their love & admiration for the country they now called home by serving and learning the language of the land.
And now their Grandson is actively serving our country.
Being here I found something in myself I was missing. I am very grateful to those who pointed me in this direction and to the RP members who become family.
God Bless & Much Love to All
I come from a multi-generational family that has served our country. I was raised by a man that served his country having followed the advice of his Grandfather, who was the first generation having come to the United States from Sicily. The 1st thing my Great Grandfather did was learn the language of the land and serve the country he now called home.
My Mother, also being the 1st generation born in the USA had family members who served as well with the same etiquette to express their love & admiration for the country they now called home by serving and learning the language of the land.
And now their Grandson is actively serving our country.
Being here I found something in myself I was missing. I am very grateful to those who pointed me in this direction and to the RP members who become family.
God Bless & Much Love to All
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I just pass by the posts that are political. There has been too much. We need to be here for our veterans.
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SFC Greg Bruorton
SP5 Jeannie Carle - You're on target. While I don't mind answering a question and clarifying something about my chosen religion I will never debate mine or anyone else's because debates turn into arguments and then the Spirit of the moment is lost.
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SGT Sunny Lalingua
SP5 Jeannie Carle - The current SOPs identify 3 topics nowadays. Religion, Politics, and Sex. Those 3 three topics are banned from conversations, discussions, and debate within the halls of my Institute and yet, I guarantee, there are defiant, misguided, arrogant federal employees who believe that their religious duty to "spread the word" is not verboten and takes precedent over the federal regulations which restrict said discussions. THERE is always SOMEONE who thinks the rules don't apply to him.
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I don't know about everyone else But I have several reasons for being here. First is to learn from those who have come before me. Just today another RP member gave me a great tip that will help improve the lives of my Sailors and Airmen. The second is to pass on the knowledge and wisdom I have inherited form the leaders I have served with. Third is to hear and share all those entertaining 'Well see what happened was" Stories because lets face it we all get a kick and a laugh out of them.
The Political posts / commentaries, the threads that end up with long discussions I for the most part enjoy. I have not really seen anyone be overly aggressive or rude, I hope no one has thought me to be, The wonderful thing about the internet is if your offended you can turn it off and go do something else. The reason I enjoy the debates and conversations on RP is because we ALL have one unifying point, we all Serve or have Served. It doesn't matter our political faction / religion / gender/ identity / color / creed/ or ect. We have all signed on that line, so when I hear an opposing view I read / listen to it I try and see where they are coming from and then I offer my own. There are moments when others have offered facts and evidence that has swayed me to their side of the conversation (I admit grudgingly at times lol) But I think most of us have learned from the Military to evaluate the world and what we see not by perception but by facts in evidence. I digress, I will end this with saying I enjoy the conversations on RP Political or other wise, How can I grow as a person if I only surround myself with like minded people.
If I am the sum of my parts and knowledge how can I be more with out adding more?
The Political posts / commentaries, the threads that end up with long discussions I for the most part enjoy. I have not really seen anyone be overly aggressive or rude, I hope no one has thought me to be, The wonderful thing about the internet is if your offended you can turn it off and go do something else. The reason I enjoy the debates and conversations on RP is because we ALL have one unifying point, we all Serve or have Served. It doesn't matter our political faction / religion / gender/ identity / color / creed/ or ect. We have all signed on that line, so when I hear an opposing view I read / listen to it I try and see where they are coming from and then I offer my own. There are moments when others have offered facts and evidence that has swayed me to their side of the conversation (I admit grudgingly at times lol) But I think most of us have learned from the Military to evaluate the world and what we see not by perception but by facts in evidence. I digress, I will end this with saying I enjoy the conversations on RP Political or other wise, How can I grow as a person if I only surround myself with like minded people.
If I am the sum of my parts and knowledge how can I be more with out adding more?
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Awesome question so let me pontificate (dang...used my ten dollar word too early). I have never Facebooked, tweeted, snapchatted etc. Just never had the desire because I just didn't want to get wrapped up in all of that. I stumbled upon RallyPoint when I was looking up an old friend. I looked up what it was designed for and got a user id and logon and began reading some posts. It drew me in because I have a lot in common with the folks on here and there are some good discussions. I have laughed and learned a lot and hopefully parted some of my wisdom (that bank drains quickly). However, there are some that are way out of line. Some have stated they want an honest debate but when you question those people, they go on the attack and then when you question them about the personal attacks, they reattack calling people thin skinned and too sensitive etc and telling them they need to get over the issue or make fun of the way they answered (spelling/language etc). I am all for a good spirited discussion...that is what makes us great. However, we have lost the art to be able to agree to disagree, drink a beer so to speak, and move on. We will never agree on most topics. We shouldn't...that is dangerous. However, we should be able to see, not necessary fully understand, another's point of view and then move on. It doesn't have to be personal. When we attack someone about the way they write, speak, type, or pontificate (there it is again) and make it personal, there is nothing professional about that on a Professional social media site. Some people are better authors and writers than others...some are more "educated"...HOWEVER, the great equalizer is that we have prayed, bled, trained, fought, and deployed together. Our uniqueness brings us together and we shouldn't be breaking each other down. I have to admit, I got drawn into a heated discussion one time and felt horrible that I perpetuated it...since then I just read the posts and if they are obscene or personally attack another member, I just move on. As a matter of fact, I set out of RP for a couple of weeks because the posts were getting out of hand. I enjoy humor and good stories as well. However, IMHO there are posts that really just don't belong on RP because they have nothing to do with the military, veterans issues, active duty questions, or anything like that. To me that is what FB et al is for. Thanks to the Admins for policing as best you can...with over 1 million members, I know it is difficult so wherever we can help like notifying you where I believe there is an inappropriate post, I will.
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SSgt Robert Marx
I believe that those who bad mouth spelling and syntax are generally looking for any criticism to discredit a person with another opinion. Some of the people representing the more liberal fringe of individual rights are particularly thin skinned. I attempt to avoid their discussions which has worked well so far. Arguing with people does no good for anyone whether in real life or over an online discussion format.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth,
Fantastic input (pontification). I echo your reasons for being on this great site. Thank you for sharing.
Fantastic input (pontification). I echo your reasons for being on this great site. Thank you for sharing.
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SP5 Jeannie Carle
Best comment so far! I like it here because the other site I go to is steadily fussing. I get really tired of drama realllllly quickly. And as for grammar, spelling, etc - please! If I can understand what it is you're trying to say - all good.
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I originally came here in 2011 timeframe (I think) to connect and network with other military personnel. Yes, I post on politically-themed threads here, because, well it seems that's all that is around mostly. But I do still look for threads where I can share my experiences and knowledge, as well as learn something new as well.
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Well said SGT Ben Keen and you're absolutely right. I may have also been guilty of some name-calling due to some political posts NF started touching myself to not continue to engage in those types of conversations because politics is not an easy subject between fellow soldiers.
I came to Rally Point to find fellow soldiers I served with and to meet new ones to learn from others and hopefully help others as well. I do think a lot of us want to see the greater sign but again politics and religion are hard subject to not put your personal opinion in hopefully other members can stop themselves before engaging in negative conversation and just walk away. Thank you for sharing
I came to Rally Point to find fellow soldiers I served with and to meet new ones to learn from others and hopefully help others as well. I do think a lot of us want to see the greater sign but again politics and religion are hard subject to not put your personal opinion in hopefully other members can stop themselves before engaging in negative conversation and just walk away. Thank you for sharing
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SGT Ben Keen
That is the purpose of this post, for us all to realize that our collective behavior here has been out of control and I'm glad to see you recognized that in yourself too SFC (Join to see). I just hope we are soon able to return to how we were before all the craziness started.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Ben Keen - I have only been a member for a few months so I literally walked into the middle of crazy hahaha... so I really don't know what it was before but I agree I hope we can put our differences aside soon and just move on to the reason that we first came on here.
I personally haven't felt more at home on a social media until I found rallypoint I would hate to lose a lot of people on here that I've become friends with. So yes I wholeheartedly agree with you even though I don't know what it was like when it first started. It would be nice to get away from the negative political part of it.
I personally haven't felt more at home on a social media until I found rallypoint I would hate to lose a lot of people on here that I've become friends with. So yes I wholeheartedly agree with you even though I don't know what it was like when it first started. It would be nice to get away from the negative political part of it.
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SGT Ben Keen
SFC (Join to see) - If you came in during the middle of this and are still here, I think you'll be just fine! LOL
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What a thoughtful post. Thank you for addressing this issue publicly. I don't really read too much about politics (I'm mostly her to ask questions about service and catch up on memes) so I don't see too much of this. What can we do as a community to help? Someone once argued that what they've been posting was just them excersizing they're freedom of speech, but it seems to be more harmful than helpful.
I joined to avoid the black hole of Facebook and all the politics, and I agree that it's gotten out of hand here. My reverse ask is this: what can those who don't engage (feed the trolls) do to help stop this?
I joined to avoid the black hole of Facebook and all the politics, and I agree that it's gotten out of hand here. My reverse ask is this: what can those who don't engage (feed the trolls) do to help stop this?
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SGT Ben Keen
I think you sort of answered your question with your question. Stop feeding the trolls.
I will say, I did share this post with other admins before making it life but I hope that this type of post carries a little more weight coming from one of the five "4 Star" Admins.
I know so of our members will see this and not see it as applying to them but trust me, it applies. I think we all need to take a step back and remember why we are here on RallyPoint. Stop feeding the trolls and eventually once they stop getting the points from their craziness, then maybe we can see a return to the great things RallyPoint does every day.
I will say, I did share this post with other admins before making it life but I hope that this type of post carries a little more weight coming from one of the five "4 Star" Admins.
I know so of our members will see this and not see it as applying to them but trust me, it applies. I think we all need to take a step back and remember why we are here on RallyPoint. Stop feeding the trolls and eventually once they stop getting the points from their craziness, then maybe we can see a return to the great things RallyPoint does every day.
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TSgt (Join to see)
While i fully believe in not feeding the trolls, often in the political threads its one troll trolling another troll, and the cycle never ends. Generally its the same folks posting the same click bait and adding nothing to what is supposed to be, a military centric website. All who joined RP point know what its purpose is/was, but those select few who feel like this is a site for political buffoonery should find somewhere else to do it. In my mind they don't value the military minded position
I joined to connect with other service members, and share my thoughts and opinions on military issues, but those military issues are few and far between now. RP point has become some people's version of facebook, and it's tiresome wading through the muck and mire to try to find threads affecting our military.
I joined to connect with other service members, and share my thoughts and opinions on military issues, but those military issues are few and far between now. RP point has become some people's version of facebook, and it's tiresome wading through the muck and mire to try to find threads affecting our military.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT Ben Keen A better answer, IMO than "quit feeding the trolls" is to do what many forums do, and provide users with the means to place the trolls on ignore, so that the troll threads they start and their troll posts don't appear at all. The current block and unfollow functions don't fit the bill at all. It's bad enough that RP doesn't have that function, but it's even worse in that the RP algorithim puts the troll's threads front and center on your homepage in many cases. Give users the ability to determine which topics appear on the homepage and stop force feeding us posts we have no interest in but appear because they were created by a guy who is connected to a guy who happens to be connected to me. And lastly, start bannng the clear trolls rather than giving them influence points.
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MAJ Stephen Barnard
Cynthia Croft - Same: not an American (although my son is) - but I think a little bit of everyone is, as the US ideal is pretty much universal. I couldn't agree more with "support your leader"!! It's how democracy works, people! And the world is moving on as the US sits inspecting its navel and getting so wrapped up in political correctness that it has stalled. Your politicians are there to drive it: make them do so. As for the trolls, RP is about the whole military family, and those who don't abide by the family rules should be shut down.
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I'm here for pretty much the same reasons SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas said.........and to throw in humor because we all need to laugh.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
There is almost always time for some humor, that tends to work most the time. i figure if You can get someone to laugh that is a few moments well spent.
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I am tired of FB, twitter, et al. I wanted some place to connect with the military (former and current) mindset. Yea, some of the political posts have got out of hand. I ignore them. Anytime you let people loiter it will happen! ;)
The other reason I am here is to help individuals where I can.
The other reason I am here is to help individuals where I can.
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