Why Bother Quoting/Linking From Other Sources?

I realize that there are copyright issues and other legal aspects which need to be taken into account. But those aside, why even bother with any of these sources if they all wind up being labeled as bologna?

This has been bothering me for quite a while now. It seems like every time I start reading an interesting thread, one which contains a link or quote from another website, by the time I finish there's an abundance of responses stating how the source is one or more of the following: debunked, a known hoax, cannot be trusted, fear-mongering, lacks information to back it up, too little critical thinking, propaganda, outright hogwash, and so on.

Ironically, it seems that many threads which link back to mainstream media websites more often than not don't get that treatment, and yet so many people here will claim that the MSM cannot be believed and/or trusted. What makes MSM information any more credible than what can be read elsewhere?

[edit on 30-8-2010 by John_Q_Llama]

Well, if you link to sorcha fail you will get ridiculed.
If you link to a MSN sourse at least it's some indication that you are not just making it up as you go along, its a sign that at least some one else shares your delusion

The best is when you get to link to one of the sources the person you are arguing with normally likes to use

Simple.

So the majority of people only read your angle of the story that you're trying to get across in your thread.

Simple but true.

reply to post by John_Q_Llama

At the end of the day, if the thread you've created is satisfactory to you and something you are willing to put your "reputation" online or otherwise on, than that is how you evaluate it... Really, that's what it comes down to. There will always be someone to argue your point, your resources, what links or how many you've used, etc. that isn't the point (IMO) and should not be the end consideration. The consideration is whether or not your thread is sufficient for you... The discussion that comes from it, stands on its own...