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 9 y ago
Responses: 238
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I am here to reconnect a little with my past, as well as make new friends that have been through or are familiar with military life. I am proud to be a part of this brotherhood of veterans that love America as much as I do. Sure there are problems and there always will be. That being said I know this group will be ready if all hell breaks loose.
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I've read some responses, and/or posts over the past year and find more and more posts are a bit disturbing. So, I've decided to just read the posts and not participate in the discussions. I've learned to bite my tongue and be a better listener. Not easy for someone who is opinionated.
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Excellent post, SGT! Live and let live! Treat others as you want to be treated. An opinion is just that, an opinion. We all have 'em, and we all need to respect 'em. But we don't have to agree with 'em. For me, Rally Point should be a watering hole, where lion and lamb can come to drink, socialize and share wisdom without fear of attack or consumption. The creators of Rally Point had a vision, a spectacular vision. We are all ONE FAMILY, the AMERICAN FAMILY, and within that family we are blessed to have brothers and sisters of all walks of life, interests and beliefs. This makes us STRONGER than our opponents, but only if we RESPECT each other. If at the very least we RESPECT the fact that we have all paid some dues and have contributed in some way to the most fearsome, intelligent, capable and powerful military on earth, then we should be able to play nice in the sand box. We owe it to each other and owe it to ourselves to get along and LEARN from each other. Do you realize what powerful potential for excellence there is in this idea marketplace? Do you realize how this makes us better and stronger than any other world power? Take advantage of the experience and knowledge if you are junior, and if you are senior, LISTEN and THINK about what the juniors have to say, for THEY are OUR future. We need to understand them as much as they need to appreciate us. Remember, together we are UNBEATABLE, but apart we are weak and vulnerable.
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I was invited to join by a friend who was a member. I really didn't know what it was except another site for veterans to "connect." After exploring the site and getting involved in a few discussion, I continue to participate for two reasons; to help anyone I can reach out to with advice, a different perspective, or a sympathetic "ear" and to observe and keep up with current trends in the active, veteran, and retired communities. I hope that my military experiences as enlisted, NCO, and officer in the Air Force, Army, and then in private industry spanning over 50 years would be of value to some members.
I don't discuss or address political issues on RP for several reasons. As a Cold War veteran, I consider Communism and its little brother Socialism to be evil and an enemy of freedom and our way of life. I consider any individual or group that advocates those ideals to be a clear and present danger to our country. My observations and studies have proven that the leftists, Progressives, and Democrats are the advocates of that evil in our country. Their agenda of overwhelming and suppressive government, suppression of the right of those that don't agree with their agenda, and organized violence against their opposition prove the point.
I have friends and family who support the Socialist agenda and I love them all and hold them dearly. After many discussions and much serious thought and deliberation, I believe that most Americans who support the Socialist Progressives and Democrats are well meaning but fail to understand the regressive and destructive nature of centralized control of our lives.
I'm not interested in starting a political discussion here; that is for some other forum. I make this post to answer the question and explain why discussions of politics and religion are so devisive.
I don't discuss or address political issues on RP for several reasons. As a Cold War veteran, I consider Communism and its little brother Socialism to be evil and an enemy of freedom and our way of life. I consider any individual or group that advocates those ideals to be a clear and present danger to our country. My observations and studies have proven that the leftists, Progressives, and Democrats are the advocates of that evil in our country. Their agenda of overwhelming and suppressive government, suppression of the right of those that don't agree with their agenda, and organized violence against their opposition prove the point.
I have friends and family who support the Socialist agenda and I love them all and hold them dearly. After many discussions and much serious thought and deliberation, I believe that most Americans who support the Socialist Progressives and Democrats are well meaning but fail to understand the regressive and destructive nature of centralized control of our lives.
I'm not interested in starting a political discussion here; that is for some other forum. I make this post to answer the question and explain why discussions of politics and religion are so devisive.
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SGT Keen: I understand and fully appreciate your frustration. As an Admin, there's a "Delete" key on your Master Board to remedy any such behavior...but: I do understand that's a difficult last resort for only the most egregious 'problem children.' For example, I abhor gutter profanity used in these conversations. I'm an educated man and prefer proper language to get my message across with whatever strength of emotion I'm attempting to convey. Hard-core profanity doesn't bring more of my attention to someone's thoughts...it drives me away. Regardless, it's here and I simply move on. The type of mentalities you describe are known as "Trolls" in social media circles and can be seen in every social media program out there. Don't be to overly concerned about them. You wouldn't be in the position you're in without the experience and professionalism to deal with their rants; all frustrations aside. There are people born into this great society of ours who are unhappy and their only goal in life is to make everyone around them as miserable as they are. I've know individuals during my lifetime that if addressed with a simple upbeat, "Good morning!" would accuse one of harassment. We, all of us, have to deal with such personalities throughout our lifetimes. John
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I'm here because I like the fact that I'm part of a community of prior service personnel, and talk about subjects that I can't talk to co-workers or family about because they are not familiar with the military.
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I'm here to share my experience with my brothers and sisters in the service of our nation. I like to keep up with the issues of the day.
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