Toxic Threads, Should they be removed?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 18:11:00 -0500

Okay, we are all veterans and we are unified in our respect for each other, but any thread that comprises this camaraderie to me is a non-starter. People will look at this board and wonder. Some issues are polarizing and in the words of another, "is this the hill you want to die one?"

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 11 at 2014 6:45 PM

SFC James Baber — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 18:45:37 -0500

Larry,

I actually mentioned this to the admin recently, particularly in reference to the threats to POTUS thread that was getting quite out of control from mainly 2 vets overall.

I think there should be a way to report or give a concern on a toxic or visceral thread, just like you can tap the little flag on someone's profile if you have a concern.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2014 7:56 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 19:56:15 -0500

SSgt Olson, There needs to be better standers on here, so it does not become a FaceBook site. Being that we are all service members. And SSG Broadbent is right, this site is where you can come and go. Still, standers need to be higher on here. Look and the bottom of the page. It asks if you want to share this on FaceBook. We are right..

Response by LTC Richard Wasserman made Jan 12 at 2014 8:35 PM

LTC Richard Wasserman — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 20:35:16 -0500

I agree----

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2014 9:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 21:39:41 -0500

If someone is participating in an unethical, immoral or illegal way them ban them from the site but leave the toxic thread there. It should be visible to all what the standards are and so everyone needs to see what the standards are not as well. Removing that thread does not allow other people to understand and see first hand what the standards are and are not.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jan 12 at 2014 10:17 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 22:17:17 -0500

I think the solution to problems like this would be that posts can be flagged as extreme or inappropriate. At that time it can be addressed by admin. If deemed necessary I think a member who has violated terms can be suspended from responding to threads/posts for a certain amount of time.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 12:32 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 00:32:36 -0500

An interesting topic, since I am retired I can say a little more than those still serving. I believe a quote from a movie I like will put this all into perspective.

The American President (1995)

President Andrew Shepherd (Michael
Douglas):

"America isn't easy. America is advanced
citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's
gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose
words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the
top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of
yours. Show me that, defend that, and
celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the
"land of the free"."

We the defenders of our nation's constitution should take that quote to heart - I know it's only something made up for a movie, but the point it makes is the main thing.

If we are a nation that truely has 'free speech' then we have to let the other side of the coin say their piece - it doesn't mean we have to agree with it. But if we start censoring things then we are no better than those that our generations before us fought inorder to keep our nations ideals and way of life.

Of course this is just my opinion.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 2:25 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 02:25:25 -0500

My deal is trying to make sure we never lose the professionalism which has been and is currently is a hallmark of this forum. It can be a very powerful medium to convey ideas, attitudes and hope for the future. At the very start of mass deployment to Iraq I was very impressed by our fighting forces. Well trained in spite of whatever limitations.

Our troops in 1974 were in a state of disarray. Comparatively speaking, we were a mess and I can imagine that as the war drags on in many areas that fatigue sets in. But like I said, I like that we have senior officers weighing in, because long after our careers are over, we see that big picture that leaders often alluded to.

No ad hominem attacks and a respect for the diversity of skills that we bought and are bringing to the country. This is the what I cherish about it.

Response by SFC Stephen Hester made Jan 13 at 2014 8:53 AM

SFC Stephen Hester — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 08:53:00 -0500

It's not the threads themselves that are toxic as much as the way members conduct themselves when responding. A big problem here is that we have members who believe they can insult or attack others without fear of reprisal. We should treat this as a professional forum but there are those members who cannot or will not do that so if a thread becomes too contentious then it may need to be shut down.

When someone resorts to personal attacks they have clearly lost the fight and their credibility along with it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 12:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 00:20:49 -0500

Now when a thread becomes toxic, ie; SM start bashing another SM for either their branch of service or former branches of service, then yes the thread should end only because this site was created to offer guidance, mentorship, and networking, not for drama let alone disrespect. I Agree!

Response by SPC Rachel Stubbs made Jan 23 at 2014 9:19 AM

SPC Rachel Stubbs — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:19:40 -0500

Instead of being removed, perhaps it should be monitored first. Then if it continues then it should be removed.

Response by Sgt Christopher Collins made Jul 12 at 2014 11:37 AM

Sgt Christopher Collins — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:37:25 -0400

Wow, I must have missed a lot...between dealing with job searching and medical conditions I deal with, the thread(s) must have gotten out of hand.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 11:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 23:26:24 -0400

I think I’m pretty much done with this site. There are plenty of military forums out there that can fill the role this one does. I’m sick of committing some time to a topic only to come back later to see the whole thing gone. It’s fine if they feel a topic needs to be locked. All forums do that, but at least they’re still available to read and see the responses since you last posted. Between deleting threads and this place having the worst forum layout I’ve ever seen, it’s just not worth it.