Posts that promote racial divisiveness do not belong on RP and need to be controlled!

2015-09-17T16:04:25-04:00

Discussions such as this do not belong on RallyPoint. If this is what RP is going to become then I might as well stick with Facebook. This is supposed to be a family...our military family and having individuals challenge the racial views of members of this family is nothing but detrimental! Like any family, we will have differences of opinion but this post is inflammatory and these things shouldn't be allowed on this site.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-it-time-to-prosecute-republicans-for-violating-the-u-s-constitution

Is It Time To Prosecute Republicans For Violating the U.S. Constitution? | RallyPoint

"An oath of office is an affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, and it is typical to believe the person taking the oath not only intends on fulfilling that “affirmation,” they actually comprehend what they are swearing to uphold. It is increasingly evident that since the American people twice elected an African American man as President, Republicans...

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 4:05 PM

2015-09-17T16:05:56-04:00

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I 100% agree. I haven't seen any post like that so far.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 4:10 PM

2015-09-17T16:10:18-04:00

Ironically I never even saw it because it has so many downvotes.

I am not sure what I think about actually not allowing it to be posted or deleting it though. I do admit that I can't see any reason for posting it other than to try to start an argument, so perhaps you're right.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 17 at 2015 4:14 PM

2015-09-17T16:14:27-04:00

I saw it but I didn 't bother reading all of it. I just ignore crap like that. However I do seem to remember that RP recently posted a way to block other posters if you don't like what they are posting.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-09-17T16:47:53-04:00

I want to add some clarification as to why I am worried about this type of post. We have teamed with LTC Yinon Weiss and the rest of his outstanding RP team in an effort to use RP as a means of disseminating strategic level information to our Civil Engineer Career Field members. We have hit a roadblock in participation because my airmen simply don't want to get involved with another "Facebook" type experience (we had one go south on us previously). I sell RP as a professional environment where valuable information on topics such as training, transition, etc. can be found without worrying about political rants, silly videos, and other things that bog down the flow of valued info. I know I am not alone in loving this RP platform and it has HUGE potential to support the flow of information as we downsize the HQ level forces, but posts like the one I referenced in the OP squash much of that potential and it bothers me.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 17 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-09-17T17:11:05-04:00

Well said

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 17 at 2015 10:10 PM

2015-09-17T22:10:44-04:00

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member what happened to the free exchange of ideas?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 11:19 PM

2015-09-17T23:19:05-04:00

I can't help but notice that the offending question has been edited at least twice since it was posted this morning. No doubt the onslaught of down votes and a message from an admin had something to do with that.
For my part, I try to answer obvious attempts to stir angst and vitriol as professionally and calmly as possible, and watch them founder trying to get a negative response.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 18 at 2015 1:50 AM

2015-09-18T01:50:14-04:00

I think this post was in response to other posts that do the same thing except make an assumption in the question that President Obama is a criminal or Muslim or not an American. There are a lot of those.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 18 at 2015 1:51 AM

2015-09-18T01:51:21-04:00

I think it would be better to control people that post 30 questions in a row or just copy and paste every news story they find.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 8:14 AM

2015-09-18T08:14:50-04:00

I've not been on RP long, so this is just my two cents worth. I joined this forum because it combines what I like about professional forums such as LinkedIn without the things I dislike about less structured social media sites such as Facebook-while not becoming either. It's also been an enormous pleasure to communicate with such a wide selection of the people I understand and connect with best...veterans and service members.

I have learned, and continue to learn.

I think we have to keep in mind that associating ourselves as former or current military professionals includes consent to the core principles that shape our Armed Forces...and I don't recall a time in my service career when it was considered "positive" to engage in discussions that could lead to a breakdown in good order and discipline.

That said, the very nature of these tools removes some of the "formality" that separates us in 'real world' interactions; and that can be a positive...when it leads to constructive thought and improvement of how we contribute as a segment of American society looked to as guardians of our national ideals. The flip side is that it can be extremely detrimental when used as a platform to disrupt or question those ideals.

There are members here who I don't always agree with, and I'm certain there are RP members who disagree with me...However, I've yet to come across a need to insult someone, and honestly, I've been treated very fairly. Some of these "less than professional" discussions on topics such as politics or religion actually can serve a good purpose in that they allow service members and veterans from very different points of view to discuss their grievances and concerns within the context of what both sides not only agree upon, but deeply cherish. I for one have found this encouraging and frankly, re-assuring. All niceties aside, let's not forget that should the worst suggestions of politicians, pundits and "trolls" come to fruition...we have great potential to help lead society away from, or directly into, chaos. For this and many other reasons, I think it's good that as a community, we take every opportunity to re-fresh among ourselves, our commitment to the nation, and each other.

If there is any formal action that needs to be taken on the part of the RP community, I suggest that it would be to consider whether or not you would say what you are posting to that person face to face, and in a serving capacity. I would never tell a serving member something that may cause them to question the authority of their superiors, or the orders they have to carry out under the UCMJ...neither would I walk up to someone who served years before I was ever born and disrespect them-though I may respectfully debate their opinion if I feel it is incorrect. If there's nothing I can say within the bounds of that respect, I consider it unworthy of the risk of being drawn into pointless and potentially harmful argument.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Sep 18 at 2015 8:40 AM

2015-09-18T08:40:41-04:00

Ooooooh. I don't feel the love. How would prosecuting Republicans for ignoring their oath of office be promoting racial divisiveness?

Your challenge is with free speech and an exchange of ideas.

Walt

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 18 at 2015 9:01 AM

2015-09-18T09:01:38-04:00

I agree, but the referenced post does not "promote racial divisiveness"! I read it and did not read anything of the sort. I didn't agree with the post at all, it was political, and maybe a little extreme, but certainly not racially charged at all.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Sep 18 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-09-18T09:51:52-04:00

From the link I quoted:
“The validity of the public debt of the United States shall not be questioned.” As if the Founding Fathers foresaw that in the 21st Century a cabal of racist conservative legislators would balk at or question paying the nation’s debts because an African American was twice elected as President, they included in Article 1, Section 8 the task assigned to all members of the federal legislature."

Why do the Republicans keep shutting down the government and threatening shut downs?

Shouldn't such activity be strictly off the table? It's in the 14th amendment: “The validity of the public debt of the United States shall not be questioned.”

Why did Mitch McConnell say his goal was to make President Obama a one term president?

I myself think it is pretty cool the way the president keeps rocking on.

Walt

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Sep 18 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-09-18T09:55:22-04:00

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 18 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-09-18T16:12:42-04:00

"This is supposed to be a family...our military family and having individuals challenge the racial views of members of this family is nothing but detrimental! "

Perhaps more explanation is needed. But if the views being challenged are wrong shouldn't that be championed?

Response by Sgt Matt Koeneman made Sep 19 at 2015 1:17 AM

2015-09-19T01:17:50-04:00

Why don't they belong SMSgt Eric Johnson Jr? Didn't most of us on here take an oath to protect the Constitution of these United States? Or do you only want to allow free speech when you agree with it?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 2:32 AM

2015-09-19T02:32:23-04:00

SMSgt Johnson, although I agree that diversive threads are not helpful I disagree with you on two important points.
1 I do not get the impression that this writer is merely trying to inflame racial tensions
2 no matter how much I disagree we are all free Ericans entitled to our opinions. Political correctness has gone hog wild and I want to encourage discourse and debate. That is how we all will learn. Tolerance is not merely a weapon to be used against conservatives but a principle that liberals must live by as well. We all would be well served to be more tolerant and hear each others opinions out. Who knows, we might learn something for even those who are mistaken can teach us something about our own perspective and tolerance.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Sep 21 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-09-21T22:53:23-04:00

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 21 at 2015 11:19 PM

2015-09-21T23:19:38-04:00

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member this post is ridiculous. The whole point of this site is the free flow of ideas. You want censor posts? People here are generally more accepting and are quite respectful of one another. The post in particular you reference brought about good discussions and the entire thread was polite. Perhaps you should re-evaluate your membership here.

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 23 at 2015 6:40 AM

2015-09-23T06:40:51-04:00

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member It generates discussions. This poster is a liberal ass hat, but he is also a brother in arms and for that reason alone he has a place on here. If you think you can get intelligent conversations with a military insight from Aunt Caroline and Mookie from the car wash on Facebook, I would go with that. If not then do what I do: Skip it and move on to the next post.

If it were the first time a liberal said I did not like the President because I am a racist. I might have my feelings hurt, but since it is standard operating procedure for the stupid I don't even care.

If 2 people agree on everything, there is no need for one of them.

Response by C Hunter made Feb 9 at 2018 10:48 PM

2018-02-09T22:48:48-05:00

I’m really enjoying RallyPoint because there is so little drama here and so many through provoking subjects. I’m pleasantly surprised that there are so many different view points and so little bickering.