[Rules/Guidelines] It's not what you say, but how you say it.

[MyndFyre]

Hello,

Recently there has been yet another string of flamebaiting and flagrant disregard for other people's standpoints.  This must stop.

Almost always, it's not what you're trying to say that gets your post squashed.  It's how you say it.  And with that in mind, I'm reiterating the rules in a more clear, precise way than they've been set forth before.  This is not an extension of the rules; rather, it is a practical interpretation of them.

Rules:
1.) No ad hominem attacks.  This means no attacking other people in a personal way.  Also, please avoid reductio ad absurdum attacks.  This means don't purposely misinterpret someone's specific statements in a general way, to make their arguments look stupid.
2.) This forum is for academic debate.  You are allowed to have personal opinions.  However, be prepared to back them up.

Guidelines:
1.) Don't verbally assault other people for any reason.  You're welcome to attack their positions, but do so in a logical, meaningful way.  Please avoid logical fallacies, particularly when they are in the form of attacking a person or a group related to an argument as opposed to the argument itself.
2.) Be precise and specific with your statements (as opposed to speaking broadly about a topic), and don't hesitate to cite examples.
3.) Comment on news stories when you cross-post them here.  Most of us are capable of reading news sites elsewhere, so if you find something very worthwhile, please comment on why you think that is.

Thanks for contributing to this forum.  Just remember, every time you flame someone, God kills a kitten.  Think of the kittens.