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 think this is a great forum to connect and discuss with other Veterans subject's of mutual interest to all of us. Anytime you pick up on a discussion about religion or politics there is bound to be a lot off heated disagreement. As for me sharing and connecting with other Veterans is my reason for being here. As for the politics it doesn't matter to me from which party they are from. What I do sincerely care about is that the politicians put up or shut up and do what's right for us Veterans.
Peace!
Peace!
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I am here to once-again feel "connected" to my brothers and sisters. It's been a very long time since I was active, but let me say - this is the most "comfortable" site I've ever found. Memories are brought back. I hope to see someone eventually with whom I served, but I still feel like all these unfamiliar names are people I know. I'm more grateful than I can express for this site. It helps soooo much on those long nights when you don't feel like you belong ANY where. I DO belong here.
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I am here to connect/reconnect with my brothers and sisters who have honorably served our country. Also to advocate on behalf of us all legislation that benefits service/prior service members. We all fought for the right of free speech but it should be tempered withcommon courtesy toward those with opposing views
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The connection. I don't mind political talk, but your right! The name calling and personal attacks are wrong. I feel we as veterans. Brothers and sisters from all walks of life. Should be showing are civilian counterparts what we learned in our service. What I left the service with was knowing we all don't see things the same. But we can all still get along as a unit. (Unity, united) we all need to watch eachothers six. We all will have at least one thing in common with one another. We don't have to hang out and be friends. But we can still get along.
I don't think it's that hard.
I don't think it's that hard.
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Although I have not personally experienced this, It is truly sad to see this happening on this site. To those that attack another I say this; disagree all you want, but make your points to why you disagree, or have a difference of opinion, but don't make it personal. Just because someone doesn't think like you and believe me, I use to think everyone thought like me, doesn't make them a bad person. It just makes them different. Ultimately, the vast majority just want to see the United States and its military succeed...and the vast majority being current and former military personnel which are the constituents of this forum. Disagree, but don't attack the person...
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Suspended Profile
SGT Ben Keen - I joined at the suggestion of a PTSD therapist who felt it might help to find and reconnect with a few old colleagues from my evacuation hospital work who shared the very same experiences from 1970 to 1973. I stayed because it was an interesting community that shared many of my values. I left a couple of times because some harsh people take it upon themselves to impose their personal values, coerce, and threaten anyone who does not share their personal values. I do some education, health counseling, job placement, and recruiting here. I occasionally get involved in the political discussions because it sometimes seems far too many members are entrapped by the political bubble maintained by relatively rigid older veterans that insulates their opinions from any challenges. My opinion, for what it is worth, is in an environment where the administration chooses to dictate their own version of the truth as the only true catechism and dismisses any other reporting of the truth as heresy - perhaps there is some value in lifting the blinders they seek to impose to let in a little light. I personally have no stake in what happens on this site beyond hoping we broaden our perspectives. So, I come and go from time to time with the ebb and flow of my work and interest in recent content. Warmest Regards & Best Wishes, Sandy :)
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
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First off, I'm a civilian. I'm the father of a Marine infantry NCO. I joined because I wanted to gain a little bit of insight of what our son is going through in case he asks for my advice. I rarely comment on these threads because I don't feel it's my place but I thought I could contribute something to this one. My father always said " don't talk about religion or politics because it always end in an argument " and he was a WW2 veteran. He was correct! Those are personal issues that everyone decides for themselves. As a older civilian i remember what respect is and I think it gets lost sometimes on some of these inflammatory posts... Remember where you came from... We're all in this together. Just my two cents.
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Sgt (Join to see)
Terry M Welcome to RallyPoint where your input is valued. You have an excellent reason to be on here. Your Marine son is lucky to have an insightful father. Best regards and Semper Fi to your son.
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I'm here to answer questions of those younger than me, and who don't have the experience I do in the military. I like to also talk to those about how I used my GI Bill, and ways I've gotten through the red tape at the VA.
As far as people's negative posts, Rally Point has taken on the same look as every other social media platform. Politics has divided our nation, and it's no different on social media. Our country has gotten to a point where we want others to believe the same way politically that we do. And if they don't, we do whatever we say things to prop ourselves above others. Democrats think Republicans are evil, and Republicans think the same about Democrats. There is no middle ground in our country anymore, as evidenced by how little gets done in Congress. It's the either you're with us or against us mentality.
As far as people's negative posts, Rally Point has taken on the same look as every other social media platform. Politics has divided our nation, and it's no different on social media. Our country has gotten to a point where we want others to believe the same way politically that we do. And if they don't, we do whatever we say things to prop ourselves above others. Democrats think Republicans are evil, and Republicans think the same about Democrats. There is no middle ground in our country anymore, as evidenced by how little gets done in Congress. It's the either you're with us or against us mentality.
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