When do you downvote a comment?

Gents, this is a good thread for us to build on.  How about you come up with a list of criteria that should be used by members to help them determine whether they should down vote a response?  If you guys come up with a good list, which I am confident you will, then we can post that as overall guidance on the site.  How does that sound?  Ultimately, this could help create consistency across the platform.

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</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">I don't think I've voted anyone down since I started
participating in conversations. I don't see how I have the right to tell
another that their opinion, question, or suggestion is less than irrelavent, it’s
negative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I vote up a lot, like CPL Fittizzi,
I even vote for points I oppose because of the way it’s presented, or the
thoughts/discussions it invokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I know
I’m not always right, and I frequently play devils advocate to try and get
people to expand their comfort zone to see another side, or dig deep and defend
something they believe in with more than just an opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Rest assured, I won’t vote someone down
unless their post is “negative,” meaning they are unprofessional or a personal
attack.</font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

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I found people can be a little mean on these discussions. I don't vote down, i honestly believe people have the right to their opinion. i have had people vote me down but generally people are incredibly supportive. <br>

I don't make it a policy to down vote anyone, although I have been close a couple times. Only when it is a personal attack, or the person is being extremely disrespectful will I consider down voting anyone.

If someone disagrees with me, or I them, I simply voice my rebuttal.

I actually UP vote a lot of comments from people disagreeing with me as long as they're a logical argument. I think about the only down votes I've ever given are for rudeness or disrespect.

SGT Birkinbine, I also agree with the "<span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;">disrespectful, arrogant, or incredibly ignorant" comment. &nbsp;There are some people on here who relish in the fact that people will read what they have to say, when those comments just shouldn't be posted.</span><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;"><br></span></div><div>I also hold the down vote for someone who is obviously just "trolling" the site, trying to stir up arguments that are unnecessary, while insulting others in the process. &nbsp;When I find this, it often seems to be the same people each time, and I will down vote in order to (hopefully) get the point across that this type of discussion should not happen on a professional forum, such as this one.&nbsp;</div>

I haven't been active on here long, but I agree with others that the only reason to down-vote a comment is if it is rude, disrespectful or just plain incorrect. &nbsp;Not being able to see who placed the down-vote or a down-vote with no coordinating response is the same premise as receiving a less-than-stellar NCOER but never having been counselled on the action or behavior. &nbsp;As leaders it is up to us to help our subordinates grow and become better Soldiers and leaders through monthly and event-oriented counselling. &nbsp;If this is not happening then we are failing as leaders. &nbsp;Your NCOER rating should not come as a surprise.

SGT Birkinbine, I agree with your logic that if a post/comment is "disrespectful, arrogant, or incredibly ignorant" then it might constitute a down-vote. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and when it's well thought out there is value added, even if some might disagree. On the other hand, I believe some things are better left unsaid, and some topics have no place in a forum where the population is being held by the UCMJ. However, this isn't my site, and I don't make the rules. I rather enjoy seeing what's on the minds of my brothers and sisters in arms, good or bad. You, Sarge, have been up-voted!

I have to agree with the comments on this thread already.&nbsp; Voting down is something that I have done maybe twice.&nbsp; And that was specifically because the person making the comment was being rude and attempting to provoke others into an argument that had no validity to the original thread.&nbsp; All of us can be reach by email on RallyPoint.&nbsp; Go VFR direct if you want to "attack."&nbsp; There is really no place for that in this forum.&nbsp; I really enjoy reading other peoples views on these threads.&nbsp; When comments become derogatory, no longer serve the purpose of being thought provoking, or are attempting to illicit other negative or degrading comments, then I believe "voting down" is warranted.&nbsp;

This is an excellent discussion, one issue in which I have dealt with recently in one of the discussion forums.&nbsp; I, personally, would only vote down on a post if the poster writes something completely ridiculous and/or downright wrong with the information posted (as well as disrespectful).&nbsp; Granted there are those who will have a difference of opinion in many areas and aspects of life/military, there still should be a discussion or "challenge" to the posting prior to any opposing votes.&nbsp; I recently had one of my comments voted down because I had a difference of opinion to a poster I responded to.&nbsp; It's honestly nothing to be upset about and I definitely wasn't but rather than respond to my comment, the poster opted to simply vote against what I wrote (despite the fact I started my comment with "with all due respect").&nbsp; Since when are beyond the times of simple and respectful debate?&nbsp; I believe that if we would only take what the other person is saying with consideration then respond with our own respectful retort it could make us better leaders and soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.&nbsp; Remember, this is a platform where people of all ranks can have healthy discussions regarding military life without the threat of being "trumped" by superiors while maintaining decorum, military bearing and a fine line of respect for each other and those who outrank us.&nbsp; I will say that I have voted down on one person because I responded to something they posted regarding an action they committed as wrong and premature and rather than responding or defending their point of view, they simply voted my comment down.