Ab News Section....how Does One Approach?

[PetitAnglais]

I have looked into some of the threads and indeed dipped a nervous toe in but they seem often to resemble a bar room brawl between left/right. I just wondered if a constructive debate is possible, is there is some sort of secret code I could use so that I don't start a fight myself!

[ummmm]

Good luck with that.

[boxtops]

LOL - just post, and duck :-)

[vulcan]

Just dive in, you wont drown but might cause some spluttering.

[jackthehat]

Don't say;
"Right O,
Septics,
Peace Muesli,
Hand-wringers,
Bed-wetters"

Or,
Brag about your superior driving skills,
Berate the unemployed/benefit claimants as shiftless and feckless.....

....and you might just get away with it.

[ummmm]

LOL.

[tonyav]

Don't mention the Daily Mail either.

[Bazile]

Just approach it like a amateur boxing match and wear headgear .

Having said that , there are only a handful of posters , who appear to be contentious , sometimes .
It's pretty harmless most of the time

[friedgreentomato]

Well really it depends on your politics you could as others do and just post blatant racist, homophobic, sexist comments, stories or remarks.

Or

You could take the sensible way and stay away!!!

[beckersjay]

And don't even venture into the Religion and Spirituality section without full body armour!

[Baldric]

Find a suitable subject,
Roll your sleves up,
Get stuck in!

[Bazile]

Dont forget that you will need to sign a dis-claimer , in case you should seek to claim compensation for psychological damage :-)

[Zeuhl]

LOL jack

and

don't express an opinion and add 'End Of'

avoid 'Noo Labour' - if you want to castigate Blair/Brown etc (and who wouldn't?) most people recognize it as New Labour

ditto 'ooman rights' or 'elfansafety' - any intelligent criticism of either isn't helped by moronic spelling

also avoid 'simples' or other meerkat references as they seem to drive some people nuts

Finally, don't take aog too seriously

he's actually a 14 year old from Omaha but we humour him as he's studying UK popular culture (1950s) as part of his college course and we're helping him with his 'man in a C&A blazer' module.

[Answerprancer]

Try to keep your cool (like I don't) LOL

[Answerprancer]

Totally agree with what Zeuhl just said.
Actually, AOG is a notorious agent provocateur and sells Socialist Worker when he's not campaigning for the CND.

[Bazile]

Gosh , Ab News sounds like the badlands

[baza]

dip your toe in, if it's too cold do a wind up and stand back, watch the temperature rise, great fun.

[jno]

I think as long as you reserve your scorn for actual politicians rather than for fellow citizens, people who don't vote the right way, those of other colours or cultures, or other ABers, you'll get civilised debate. Political positions tend to be almost as entrenched as religious ones - almost - so you might not change anyone's mind; but sometimes a killer fact or statistic can prove highly effective, if you know where to find one.

[woofgang]

what ummm said, that should be best answer I reckon.

[Answerprancer]

"reserve your scorn for actual politicians rather than for fellow citizens"...

"We should be united against the common enemy!"
"...THE PEOPLES' FRONT OF JUDEA!!!"
"NO!!! THE ROMANS!!!!"

...comes to mind.

[rojash]

Have a look at one of this guy's posts.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/members/youngmafbog/

That'll give you (1) a pretty good idea of what's to be avoided, and (2) a pretty good idea of what sort of replies you'll get unless your posts are slightly to the right of Attila the Hun.