I posted a note in the Democratic Forum, and a reader suggested I do the same here. It's a great idea.

Basically, I wanted to let people know that BellaOnline forums are for mutual support. That a Republican should feel safe coming in here to express views, and that a Democrat or Independent won't be tearing into them in this environment.

Here is what I said in the Dem Forum:

"Just FYI, this is the Democratic Party forum. Not saying anyone can't talk here, but people looking for support for Republican views might post in the Republican Party forum here on BellaOnline?

I am trying to be delicate here, as I post in the Rep forum from time to time. But when I do post there, i try to be respectful of where I am. I try not to rip into Republican viewpoints since it's just not the right place to do it. :-)"

Does this sound fair? So we can turn this to be the exact same thing - respect from the Dems for the forum you are visiting?

Non-Republicans should be respectful of the Republican viewpoint if they come into this place.

That was actually how I thought the forum was set up in the first place since it had two separate forums.

Yeah, exactly. There ARE other forums that would welcome these debates on BellaOnline, i would think. People can debate right and wrong, good and evil, and opposing viewpoints in the Philosophy forum here. The Current Events forum might also be a better place to present both sides and argue the differences. Or even the Independent Party Forum?

Just some suggestions. We really do want people who have a certain POV to feel there is a safe haven for them somewhere on the Internet, where they can share their views and not have people come in and argue how "wrong" they are.

I thought I would bump this up to the top because apparently some people are not listening to you Jilly.

Thanks for the bump, Kay.

I think I will make this post sticky for a bit.

Good thoughts, Jilly! Each forum on BellaOnline is for a particular subject and no one wants to be hassled or ripped into for going to a forum and expressing their POV.

Debates can be fun and enlightening - but, discrimination and insults just have no place anywhere on BellaOnline.

Current Events is an excellent place for a mature and sensible debate.

ahh but debating is so fun.

I agree that the Current Event forum here on BellaOnline is a better place for debating the pros and cons of the various parties. :-)

To be able to express one's opinion unencumbered by fear of reprisals, abusive verbal inuendo or ridicule is the hallmark of a good forum. I hope that we can maintain mutual respect for each other's views here.

Hmm ... I hope what I wrote earlier wasn't what caused these comments. I always do try to be sincere and polite even when I feel I must disagree with someone. Clarifying facts that might be missing from a debate is, IMO, completely different from arguing or being abusive. Please let me know if anything I wrote was inappropriate. I am still fairly new here at BellaOnline.

Sincerely,
-Deb

I agree, Jill. I hope that the Democratic Party forum lives up to the standards you outline here. I promise to do my best as moderator to make sure it does.

Thanks for this post.