Why is RP becoming a place to speak about politics more and service members' and Veterans' issues less?

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 12:10:11 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 12:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 12:48:44 -0500

You are not wrong with your observation. I often wonder the same thing. If all that effort was used to assist new potential recruits with questions, help out fellow serving members with guidance, lift the spirits of others, and assist fellow vets with guidance... this platform would be booming. We could actually help each other out and make a difference. But unfortunately there are a few select people on RP that constantly post, and it is always political. I think to say there would be no political conversation is naïve; but there is plenty more we could be discussion and posting.

I joined to help in my career, as I progress. Being in the Guard we do not have access to a lot of things the active components have and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on RP that I try to tap into.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 12:50 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 12:50:57 -0500

RallyPoint is much more than just a social media platform for Veteran's Issues as it includes Politics, Astronomy, Mental Health, Trauma, Military/Civilian transition or vice versa... and a whole host of Topics. As a result it is a Professional Social Media site much like Linked In is for Business professionals in the Civilian Social Media environment. - Wikipedia has a short definition/writeup on RP... Here is the Link to read what they have stated: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RallyPoint
Kerry

RallyPoint - Wikipedia

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 3 at 2022 1:30 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:30:20 -0500

I don't check the MY Feed very often, just go to the Answers Page. Doing that cuts out the majority of the I hate Trump or I love Trump stuff.

Response by SSgt Jim Kirkpatrick made Jan 3 at 2022 1:32 PM

SSgt Jim Kirkpatrick — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:32:08 -0500

If you think the 2 aren't connected, I believe you are sadly mistaken.
As an example, in the early 1980s I was a lowly E4 with a wife and child. As such, I was eligible for the food stamp program. When I found this out I was overjoyed! I could insure that my wife and child would be well fed!
Fast forward 6 months, and the question came up in Congress.... "Why are our enlisted military people eligible for food stamps?"....so it was "fixed".
...by Congress changing the requirements for food stamps to EXCLUDE military personnel.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jan 3 at 2022 4:27 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:27:55 -0500

It's a good question Sarge, but military and veteran personnel have opinions about more than just duty or veteran issues. I see no harm in such discussions until one viewpoint or the opposing viewpoint, degrades a *discussion* into hateful, or personal attacks. That truly bothers me that supposedly more (worldly experienced) fellow vets and service members show disrespect towards oneanother.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2022 6:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 18:10:19 -0500

Exactly! It’s terrible.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 3 at 2022 10:33 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 22:33:32 -0500

Simple solution, don’t participate in topics you don’t care for.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2022 12:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 00:31:49 -0500

I've been thinking about that lately. Been on RP for some time now, and in the beginning, we had a connection and dialogue with our active brothers and sisters. To me it seems the establishment didn't like old timers having a say in what is currently happening, and for a time we did. When people are forced to stop having a voice, they move on. MHO

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 8 at 2022 8:53 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 08:53:38 -0500

Rally Point has always been a place where people speak their minds. I bookmarked the "Answers" tab a long time ago so I read the more serious stuff where soldiers ask for advice and help so they are the first thing I read. Then I go to the "My Feed" tab to follow the other stuff.
I have noticed a recent trend of some persons (rarely) who made snide remarks to others in the "My Feed" area who have begun bringing their vitriolic comments to harry the same targets (people) when in the "Answers" tab.
Maybe they can't be civil or they just can't help themselves.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 8 at 2022 2:17 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 14:17:41 -0500

When White House policy starts to impact the military you are gonna get points in time where people ask questions.

But honestly it is refreshing because most of the time it is PFCs asking the same 8 questions

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 9 at 2022 6:06 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 09 May 2022 18:06:24 -0400

I would ask the same question. However, political conversations have great value. My problem is with the attitudes, disrespectful discourse and outright hatred which is portrayed in the site.