Do you believe that we should post political commentary on this site?

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:15:06 -0400

Many of our Team members on the site drop in information that is directly disparaging to one party or the other. Is this the right forum for displaying political bias?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 16 at 2020 2:17 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:17:17 -0400

Just don't be rude or obnoxious. No one makes anyone read or respond to something

Response by CSM William Payne made Jul 16 at 2020 2:25 PM

CSM William Payne — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:25:01 -0400

No.

There’s more than enough of that content on Facebook and / or Twitter.

I look at this venue as providing useful, interesting context and valuable information for its users.

In today’s political climate there Is no value in political debate. You’re either with me or you aren’t. You’ll never sway anyone that doesn’t agree with you, people become keyboard warriors and nothing of consequence gets accomplished.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 2:28 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:28:15 -0400

No. Please no. There are enough corrupted Social Media sights out there where people can do that.
I look at this site as a professional site and would like it to remain that way.

Response by SGT Gregory Cole made Jul 16 at 2020 2:32 PM

SGT Gregory Cole — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:32:01 -0400

Whatever is posted is that person's opinions and beliefs. If people get bent out of shape because of it, is it the original poster's fault or is it the fault of the person loosing their mind over words and ideas? No one forces anyone to read or comment on topics. All those people on twitter seem to have no life or get off on trashing everyone else and being more toxic than zyklon-b. In my opinion you can think whatever you want to. You can say what you want. It is your first amendment right to do so, which we all fought and defended in some way for. For those of us who have lost track of the oath we took, sorry you have lost your way.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 16 at 2020 2:38 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:38:03 -0400

It's just another social media site.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 16 at 2020 2:54 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:54:20 -0400

Political opinion and commentary - fine. Political (and personal) bashing, less so.
Of course, the question then becomes where the line is drawn, but I'm not an admin, so not my problem :-P
I don't mind reading or offering thoughts and opinions. I actually enjot reading differing opinions that are respectful and well-presented. It helps me re-think and shape my own opinions and evaluate them critically.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 16 at 2020 2:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:59:28 -0400

What I find interesting is I might bash the message, but I won't bash the poster. Having said that, I can list many posters who have bashed me because their panties got into a wad. I can say unequivocally that as a group, the rudest posters are Trumpers. They worship his acerbic style. That is the nature of the beast.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 16 at 2020 3:00 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:00:24 -0400

If done tastefully, no problem CSm.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Jul 16 at 2020 3:16 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:16:58 -0400

i like reading how the trump supporters relish how great he is without acknowledging how great of a liar he is. trump takes lying to new heights, making it a norm.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jul 16 at 2020 3:31 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:31:30 -0400

I am very divided on this subject. On the one hand, I HATE that so much of the discussion here degrades into insult and vitriol. On the other, I'm extremely concerned where our country is going... and think "we" as active, reserve, and veteran service members; need to be engaged. It sounds overly-dramatic, but what if people like Hancock and Pickett had something like RP at their disposal circa 1859? Would it have made things "better" or "worse" for people with extremely relevant and similar experience to "air their grievances"... and perhaps think twice before committing to wholesale violence? Sometimes, I think RP helps us bridge the "generation gap"... as many of us may not really discuss these topics outside our own age group. All that said, what concerns me most, regardless of which "side" one may be on, is the all-too-frequent practice of "trolling" (or whatever it's called) to elicit a response... as opposed to engage in a critical and meaningful discussion.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Jul 16 at 2020 3:59 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:59:29 -0400

Yes. But in a professional manner CSM. Military persons are concerned for this country. Therefore, they would be concerned about policy.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 16 at 2020 4:03 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 16:03:08 -0400

I would agree with LTC Brown on this, don't be rude or obnoxious. You can explain a point without bashing another persons views.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Jul 16 at 2020 5:06 PM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 17:06:57 -0400

If it builds the team up, is inspirational and ethical it has a place, “Ask not what the country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. We all have served or are currently serving. Our mission is not completed until death. So this is appropriate, from my viewpoint.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jul 16 at 2020 5:52 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 17:52:55 -0400

No it is not the place but I have to admit...I get wrapped up in it!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 7:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 19:06:46 -0400

No, because this app is for military information. Not the news channel. Didn't get this app on my phone to hear people with high rank thinking their right and put their unwanted political thoughts out there.

Most people already have their views and wont change them. Liberals are liberals and conservatives are conservatives. If I wanted the news I will let y 'all know :)

Thank you to CSM Darieus ZaGara for the question. 100%

Response by CSM Tom Satterly made Jul 16 at 2020 7:19 PM

CSM Tom Satterly — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 19:19:56 -0400

Not if it can’t stay civil and respectful and that doesn’t seem to be the case these days

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 7:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 19:41:44 -0400

Why isn't it?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 7:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 19:51:02 -0400

Please God, No! I'm so tired of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2020 9:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 21:18:34 -0400

Yes, I believe it is. I enjoy reading military related issues and political issues. The political issues usually affect us military people one way of another. I believe most on RP take pride in our spirited debate. I am grateful that 90 % of the tone it is respectful. In my opinion Decorum seems to go down when one can’t hold up their bend of a debate. The few times people get obscene I believe are when people can’t agree to disagree. MHO

Response by MSgt Eric Morales made Jul 16 at 2020 10:23 PM

MSgt Eric Morales — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 22:23:08 -0400

No. This site should stay away from political commentary.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2020 5:56 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 05:56:54 -0400

The military has been politicized enough over the last 10 years. We are supposed to project the appearance of neutrality. RallyPoint rules should mirror those on LinkedIn since these are both professional networking sites.

Response by CSM Albert McFarland made Jul 17 at 2020 7:06 AM

CSM Albert McFarland — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:06:57 -0400

Keep politics out of this we don’t need it

Response by SPC John Tacetta made Jul 17 at 2020 1:48 PM

SPC John Tacetta — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 13:48:29 -0400

I understand that active duty personnel need to think carefully about how they comport themselves, but I think political commentary on this site is appropriate insofar as it affects the military community and veterans at large. Topics such as VA funding or civilian involvement in matters of military discipline should be grist for this mill. We all (should) vote, after all.

Having said that, I think that straight up politicking and ad hominem attacks are counter to the spirit of this platform which I believe is meant to be supportive more than anything else. This is a Rally Point, after all. Certainly, active duty personnel must show proper decorum when addressing one another. The members of this site should be capable of showing enough discipline to discuss whether Marlene Dietrich is more beautiful than Marilyn Monroe and still be able to sit down together for a beverage at the end, whether they've come to an agreement or not.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2020 1:58 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 13:58:45 -0400

I’d prefer if I never saw anything politically related on RallyPoint since this site caters to servicemembers and we are officially apolitical. However, I realize we have retirees/veterans on this site who don’t have to operate as strictly as we do. I usually avoid any overly political topic.

Response by CSM JoAnne Sanchez-Cruz made Aug 18 at 2020 2:47 AM

CSM JoAnne Sanchez-Cruz — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 02:47:19 -0400

I do not think that this is a site for political commentaries. However if it involves issues that are directly connected to veterans and warrants input or a vote then yes that should be mentioned here.