The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Pro/Anti-Gun Debate Forum

DC · February 10, 1999, 08:27 AM

Jeff, Mort...
I used to debate on the CNN and NY Times Gun Control forums. It got hairy at times but there was a cyclic frequency to it:
For the most part the forums' regulars tended to be pro self-defense/guns and only when an "incident" occurred and was reported by the media did rabid anti's show up. They weren't interested in debating rationally and intelligently, they merely wished to spew vitriol. After awhile, they would leave. What was extremely disheartening was the selective and onesided censorship performed by the staff of the forums. Anti-gun venom and insults were allowed to stand and whereas many well reasoned pro-gun responses and arguements were edited to meaninglessness and or out right deleted.
It was also interesting to discover that (for CNN) the staff were unpaid volunteers who had been recruited from the boards. The head staffer and chief "moderator" of the gun control board was an admitted Liberal Demo San Francisco housewife.

My point: the flavor, expertise and knowledge of TFL members will discourage most of those that wish to merely spew. There may be an occassional hit and run, but for the most part only those anti's that wish to sincerely debate and/or gather intelligence info will participate.

------------------
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

February 10, 1999, 08:27 AM	#11
DC Moderator Emeritus Join Date: September 30, 1998 Location: Calif Posts: 4,229	Jeff, Mort... I used to debate on the CNN and NY Times Gun Control forums. It got hairy at times but there was a cyclic frequency to it: For the most part the forums' regulars tended to be pro self-defense/guns and only when an "incident" occurred and was reported by the media did rabid anti's show up. They weren't interested in debating rationally and intelligently, they merely wished to spew vitriol. After awhile, they would leave. What was extremely disheartening was the selective and onesided censorship performed by the staff of the forums. Anti-gun venom and insults were allowed to stand and whereas many well reasoned pro-gun responses and arguements were edited to meaninglessness and or out right deleted. It was also interesting to discover that (for CNN) the staff were unpaid volunteers who had been recruited from the boards. The head staffer and chief "moderator" of the gun control board was an admitted Liberal Demo San Francisco housewife. My point: the flavor, expertise and knowledge of TFL members will discourage most of those that wish to merely spew. There may be an occassional hit and run, but for the most part only those anti's that wish to sincerely debate and/or gather intelligence info will participate. ------------------ "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"