Hi to all members

We have a number of threads running here that are bound to provoke thought, as well as evoke responses on many sides of the issues. We are in a major political season in the US and NeuroTalk is also a very diverse International community, with members of every culture and creed and color

We have this section of the community as a place to be able to get to know one another and discuss anything and everything, as long as the conversation falls within the ToS and guidelines for the community.

The lively discussion that takes place here is something we value, and as such we want to try to keep conversations open, and free of moderation as much as possible. But when open discussions become negative in personal ways *toward* any members here, it becomes necessary for us to intervene and apply the guidelines that are designed to keep the community running fairly for all members.

One of our guidelines states to "- Limit your direct discussion of politics, as people usually hold pretty strong opinions about this topic. Use the Politics Icon when posting a political thread."

We have allowed a lot more political discussion here recently, and also a lot of sensitive moral and ethical and controversial topics. People have deep and often opposing views on these topics and that is fine, provided that the expression of those views takes place in a respectful way toward all other members, even those we strongly disagree with.

I am making an open request for everyone posting here to stop and think before you hit that submit button. Would the words you have written be ones you would react to as a flame if they were coming *at* you from someone else?

I hope we can return to being able to discuss the heavy and the light things of life here without discussions becoming confrontational toward, or offensive to, this diverse membership ....... we all share this community

Cheri

ps here's a Link to NeuroTalk's Guidelines
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1293