I am almost ready to leave ats due to partisanship, disinfo, agendas and lack of research or sources

It's just like any other website, theres some topics that are very well researched and there are some that aren't. I tend to skim through topics until I find a good one which isn't hard because there are some very good threads here. Where else would you go if you stopped going on ATS? There isn't a site that exists that contains purely accurate content, it's just the way it is.

OP, I can understand how you're feeling but you have to learn to take a step back and not let it affect you too much. Sure there are topics that can be quite frustrating to be a part of but rather than get angry, try to respond to those who anger you with reason and intelligent retort.

Yes I also have seen a lot of topics here turn into those "you're wrong and I am right" threads but thats the beauty of ATS where a subject can be debated for us to come to some sort of truth.

For example the "Chemtrail" Threads are very common to be very heated debates. There have been a few that I have participated in where the pro-chemtrail side shows some video from youtube or a quote from an obscure website with no scientific proof and the anti-chemtrail camp responds with science and documentation from accredited sources yet we are insulted, called names and dis info agents.

Does that make me mad? sure it does. Does it make me want to quite? no. What it does do is make me want to be more active in gathering actual scientific data to bring to the table to help prove my point. Will that convince the pro camp? no but maybe it will be enough to have them say "Hmmm, this guy has a point" and perhaps see things from both sides rather than just their own.

The truth of the matter is regardless of what side of the argument you're on, sometimes the best thing you can do is to continue to bring fourth good evidence to help prove your side of the coin. Not everyone is going to listen but at least you can feel comfortable in the fact that you did the best you could to help get to the truth of the matter. "You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink"

Also there are a lot of members here that I do NOT agree with at all, but I do respect their point of view and what they have to say. Its only when they resort to name calling and such, when they cant prove their point that I lose all respect for them.

Everyone has their own opinion and you have to respect that just as they should respect yours.

I get called a dis info agent all the time but I don't let it get to me. In fact to me it just proves that perhaps I am a little closer to the truth than the name caller would like to admit.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass, what do you want, a cookie, you a sad man, igonore the topics you don't want to read, but don't cry and say "well I am gonna leave cause I dont like this or that", so get the hell out!

My biggest problem is the lack of communication on the issues. If you offer up an 'alternative' opinion, it is so often met with dispersions on ones character. I try to debate folks on the 'left' and 'right' since I am neither! What I get in return is insults and threats!

Moreover, on more than one occasions certain mods have deleted legitimate posts saying they violate 'TOS'. I have read the TOS here and can think of only one instance where I made a disparaging remark about a cop tasering an old lady where I was clearly in the wrong. Other instances have been petty and nonsensical and often done just because the mod does not agree with my political leanings.

I am also finding the threads less interesting. There are fewer facts to back up peoples assertions. If the 'economy' is getting better prove it with 'unbiased' data! If you think there is NWO then show me the EVIDENCE!

Good luck to all, but I am looking elsewhere for open debate.

I must admit i agree with you. As sad as it is, the slide of ts towards ATS towards mediocrity and commercialism is upsetting.

The overbearing presence of videos and advertising is really lowering the quality of the general posts.

Attention grabbing title

ooh, interest aroused

click,

another video

close tab

Just kick back and read more instead of posting.

That's what I've done and it's worked... i think ATS is still a great place with great people, but i do agree.... i think the threads seem to be getting worse and it's definitely changed.

Now i just enjoy reading and occasionally getting involved in a thread if need be.


Just have fun OP.

I've been reading on ATS starting around 2004 and it's changed a lot in quality of members and subsequent threads. Ever since Obama took the stage when he first started campaigning, the quality has dropped off a lot. I never remember there being nearly as many gay debate threads than there has been recently as well. You'd think we''d be smart enough to know its a non-issue. Our economy and other things I think are just a tad bit more important.

Originally posted by Darth_Prime
the same people that say " Obama is just a puppet" are the same people who say " the world is going to hell because of a democrat"

you have to remember the president is nothing but a puppet, it has nothing to do with them being a democrat or a republican trying to pass whatever there trying to pass...

Dude, I think you just contradicted yourself.........

reply to post by iamjesusphish


I too have thought about leaving ATS. It used to be a place for open, free discussion, but now it seems ATS is just another mouthpiece for the right wing fill in the blank phobes. People here just repeat what they hear Dobbs or Beck or Palin or Limbaugh are saying. All I can say to them is just because they are shouting very loudly, does not make them correct.

reply to post by iamjesusphish


I too have thought about leaving ATS. It used to be a place for open, free discussion, but now it seems ATS is just another mouthpiece for the right wing fill in the blank phobes. People here just repeat what they hear Dobbs or Beck or Palin or Limbaugh are saying. All I can say to them is just because they are shouting very loudly, does not make them correct.

reply to post by iamjesusphish


I too have thought about leaving ATS. It used to be a place for open, free discussion, but now it seems ATS is just another mouthpiece for the right wing fill in the blank phobes. People here just repeat what they hear Dobbs or Beck or Palin or Limbaugh are saying. All I can say to them is just because they are shouting very loudly, does not make them correct.

Originally posted by GorehoundLarry

Sadly, censorship is strong on ATS...so much for deny ignorance right?!

Sad indeed! We are not allowed to talk about, or really even mention marijuana or other substances deemed illegal by the Federal Gov. The reason given by the mods via U2U was this:

"ATS is a family-oriented site, after all, and we have Many members who are either underage or are at very impressionable times in their lives That's all."


I responded to that Mod with a few serious questions:

Originally posted by Paroxysm, via U2U
If this was really the reason for not wanting to allow ANY discussion of "illegal/illicit" substances, then why would ATS allow discussion of anal rape, and such: www.abovetopsecret.com...

What type of impression do you think news articles and discussion surrounding being raped in the anus by a rifle barrel or broomstick might have on those who are "underage or are at very impressionable times in their lives"??

Does the ATS staff really think that discussions surrounding Marijuana legislation, or even "how much I smoked last night" leave a worse impression on those who are "at very impressionable times in their lives", than a graphic discussion (or news article) regarding how our US Armed Forces are performing anal rape & and sodomy on prisoner's overseas??

Maybe my questions were just too difficult to wrap their mind around, because sadly I never received a response or answer to them.


I can personally ignore the partisanship here. Sure it pisses me off, but it is the censorship here on ATS Which makes me want to head for the door!


[edit on 9-8-2009 by Paroxysm]

Man...I might be a total **** for this...but what is the purpose of announcing you are going to leave? It isn't going to fix the place and if you truly want to leave, nobody here is going to be able to stop you. I've left forums before due to the problem you describe but I've always chosen to just walked out and be done...no muss...no fuss

I am sure most would lvoe you to stay...as would I but I gotta say if you really wanted to leave I think you'd be gone already

-Kyo

Star and flagged. If they won't remove the politics board and ban political garbage, the least they can do is remove all political threads from the "hot topic" and "Top flagged topics" lists. It causes nothing but trouble and on top of that, it's THRUST into our faces. Perhaps an "Ignore board" option would help.

Two topics that will always be hot buttons that garner hate and resentment and that will never be solved in an intelligent debate are Politics and Religion.

Originally posted by tamusan
Whats going on at yellowstone?

The day that thread started is the first day I read something on ATS. Over the next few days I read each and every post that was made there and I was amazed at the teamwork that I saw. I have never posted to the thread, but I have read all 469 pages. Everytime I think that I might stop reading ATS, I think of that thread. If anything serious is ever going on, this is the only place on the internet I feel viable solutions will be presented.

Yes, please stay....folks like me that are not good at putting down in words how we feel need you.
I got hammered for this thread www.abovetopsecret.com...

I stared some of the post that were against my views. We need all sides of the perspective to get the truth.

By the way , I miss Tentacles

reply to post by Grayelf2009

By the way , I miss Tentacles

Do you mean Tentickles? They posted to a thread a couple days ago. Something about their computer exploding. Sure they will be back.

reply to post by tamusan

yeah .....cool. See, Im not even a good speller, but I have other talents that most others don't have. We all need each other.

I hardly post or read here unless I have something significant to contribute.

ATS is like america

5% are A students
5% F students
90% C students

alot of people it seems that havent even been here over a year..maybe not important, but how can you have such a grasp within such a short duration?

were you here lurking for more than a year, on a differetn handle maybe?

I have been here since 04, I agree with you but theres alot of good stuff here still.