We have some new posters that need some advice. Hoptown Hall is not the place to take out a personal vendetta or spread malicious gossip. There is occasionally a fine line between what is responsible posting and what isn't. PLEASE do not post rumors that you do know now are true.

One guidline is that private individuals that have no public role are not open for discussion. Elected officials or those who hold service postions that serve the public aren't either if the intent is simply to unfairly malign them without cause. You don't have to like them, and you can say so, but please keep the criticism fair and substantiate it with reasoning when you do. Politics are often played out in underhanded ways, but please don't do that here. Elected officials have private lives that deserve privacy and unless something in their private life affects their job performance, then it's probably best to leave it alone also.

I do not want private grievances played out on this forum. Both elected officials and ones who serve in public capacities are going to create situations where people disagree with them, often times in the strongest of terms. It is okay to disagree with their decision making as it affects the public, you can also criticize their decisions till the cows come home, but try NOT to make it personal and try to keep it fair with a great respect for the truth.

PLEASE resist posting simple rumors. If you want to investigate something, as a reporter would, and cite sources, etc, and are in doubt about whether to post something, check with me. I don't want to referee every post, but if you have something controversial you are sure is in the best interest of the public to know, let me know. I don't mind discussing it with you.

But new posters take note. We ask that you keep the content of your posts truthful and in accordance to the standard we have set for respecting the truth, and there IS only one version of it, so it's up to you to find it out BEFORE you post.

Thanks. If your thread is missing, now you know why.