Schools Thread : Xmas Truce Proposal

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 09:57

Xmas Truce Proposal

As it's December now, I'd like to suggest that we all make like the Paul McCartney song and pass the peace pipe.

More formally, I'd like to propose not that we refrain from posting but that we simply refrain from comment on the "other side" - whoever that means to you - meaning you can say positive things about your own campaign or make points etc, but no negative campaigning.

Fine - this is all a bit rich coming from me. But maybe we can get from now until the vote (at least) without any more fights.

It's just a proposal, but one I am happy to sign up to. Let's increase the peace.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2006, 10:04

Im willing to back a truce proposal along the lines that dada suggests and I believe it should run for the 12 +1 days of xmas finishing on Three Kings/ Epiphany day which is January 6th.

We already had a mini-truce for a week. Bob and I stuck to it. However.....

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 10:09

So you don't want it to start until when?

I'm proposing we start now.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2006, 10:16

Xmas day is the usual day for Xmas truces to begin. No way I want to start anything xmassy on dec 1st. Apart from our night out being today that is.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Dec 2006, 10:23

I think this is a great idea Dadaist and IMHO the sooner the better! . As a Mod I have to read the Schools Thread though to be honest I do get fed up with the flurries of negative campaigning and would probably skip reading it given a choice. I suspect many others out there feel exactly the same.

It wouldn't stop anyone from posting positively on the topic, so not quite the same as our previous 'truce'.

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 01 Dec 2006, 10:30

Marya wrote:I think this is a great idea Dadaist and IMHO the sooner the better! . As a Mod I have to read the Schools Thread though to be honest I do get fed up with the flurries of negative campaigning and would probably skip reading it given a choice. I suspect many others out there feel exactly the same.

It wouldn't stop anyone from posting positively on the topic, so not quite the same as our previous 'truce'.

The last few pages could pretty much be deleted and I'd look to the moderators to do that. There was a point where it was being moderated strictly and what a breath of fresh air. I think the thread holds little value or purpose. A shame when the vote is less than three weeks away.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 10:45

I propose the truce starts now. Over to you, Porty - it doesn't have to be an Xmas truce if that is what's holding you back. It can just be a truce.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Dec 2006, 11:06

gilo wrote: The last few pages could pretty much be deleted and I'd look to the moderators to do that. There was a point where it was being moderated strictly and what a breath of fresh air. I think the thread holds little value or purpose. A shame when the vote is less than three weeks away.

I've now moved the discussion of Texan golfers and Linlithgow residents to the New Schools Proposal - The Wilder Issues thread, Gilo.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2006, 11:31

Dadaist wrote:I propose the truce starts now. Over to you, Porty - it doesn't have to be an Xmas truce if that is what's holding you back. It can just be a truce.

I feel if I agree to a truce on negative campaigning then by implication I accept that I have been negatively campaigning. I simply don't accept that.

Not playing games but give me some examples of things I would no longer be able to say and I will give it serious consideration.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 11:47

The truce I am proposing only seeks to stop this in the future. I don't want anyone to have to admit to anything directly or by implication by signing up to a truce - it's supposed to increase harmony and peace and not make things worse.

For example, someone who has never done anything even remotely negative could still sign up to the truce - all you're doing is saying that, while it holds, you'll just talk in positive terms about your own campaign.

Once it starts, I'd hope nobody would point the finger at anyone, and if someone's reaction was to accuse you of something you may or may not have done in the past, then it's they who are at fault and have broken it.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 11:52

refrain from comment on the "other side" - whoever that means to you - meaning you can say positive things about your own campaign or make points etc, but no negative campaigning.

I think this is specific enough. I think if we had to start going into specific examples it would risk missing the spirit of what a truce is and also risk unintentional violation by someone saying that, because their specific bit of negativity wasn't covered by an example, it doesn't apply.

I'm proposing that we all only say positive things about our own campaigns, talk in terms of facts (like the early Seanie posts) but refrain from criticism of the other lot.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2006, 12:13

Dadaist wrote:[, talk in terms of facts (like the early Seanie posts) but refrain from criticism of the other lot.

Why not just suspend Portyman?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 12:36

I'd hope that Portyman would sign up to it too.

I've tried to explain it and said when it should start. I've said I'm happy to start now, and Marya appears to agree with it.

It's an experiment, and all experiments carry the risk of failure.

I'm still happy to sign up and start now.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2006, 12:52

Can we have some other rules, like its only polite to answer questions and sources for claims and assertiins must be disclosed?

I'm still in favourr of a Xmas truce.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 01 Dec 2006, 13:43

Thank goodness .... but did you have to drag Paul (Folk Music) McCartney into it, Dada???

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 01 Dec 2006, 14:06

Porty wrote:Can we have some other rules, like its only polite to answer questions and sources for claims and assertiins must be disclosed?

I'm still in favourr of a Xmas truce.

I'd be in favour of that - although I would have a rule gainst repeated questioning.

Would either Marya or Bellybabe be willing to come up with the rules for this truce and also to be the final judges on whether its terms have been broken?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Dec 2006, 16:13

Dadaist wrote: Would either Marya or Bellybabe be willing to come up with the rules for this truce

Not right now I'm afraid. Bit preoccupied to come up with yet another set of rules and regulations. Still think it's a good idea tho'

Dadaist wrote:and also to be the final judges on whether its terms have been broken?

but of course...

ali · Post by **ali** » 01 Dec 2006, 18:53

why don't the two of you just PM each other from now on and do the rest of us a BIG xmas favour.
Talk about angels dancing on the head of a pin - Blimey!!!!

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_132.html

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2006, 19:01

I think it's hilarious that, having proposed a truce, they then spent the rest of the afternoon arguing about the terms.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 01 Dec 2006, 19:05

Does this mean they'll come out from their trenches, shake hands and have a wee football match? Or would they soent the time arguing where the match should be played?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 01 Dec 2006, 19:10

SoupDragon wrote:Does this mean they'll come out from their trenches, shake hands and have a wee football match? Or would they soent the time arguing where the match should be played?

I think your second proposition would be what would happen

, SoupD.

Anyway, I'm sure they adore each other really

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 01 Dec 2006, 20:11

SoupDragon wrote:Does this mean they'll come out from their trenches, shake hands and have a wee football match?

Weird you should mention that, Soupy - that's exactly what happened in the Paul McCartney video. Are you a fan of his?

CHEERS,
NELSON.

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 01 Dec 2006, 21:30

Nelson Hatstand wrote:
SoupDragon wrote:Does this mean they'll come out from their trenches, shake hands and have a wee football match?
Weird you should mention that, Soupy - that's exactly what happened in the Paul McCartney video. Are you a fan of his?

CHEERS,
NELSON.

I can highly recommend "Silent Night - The Remarkable Truce Of 1914" By Stanley Weintraub. It's an amazing account (not of the Paul McCartney video). It was a while ago that I read it but I seem to remember that the German Officers had loads of alcohol as compared to the poor British.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 01 Dec 2006, 22:50

I was in a show once where that episode from WWI was featured.

No, I wasn't the Christmas fairy!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Dec 2006, 05:49

Just to clear things up.

Dadaist and I have a permanent truce. No matter how bad it gets in the trenches we shake hands at the end of the day.

The proposed truce is for the greater good and will be unlikely to effect Dada or I to any great extent. Which is of course partly why he suggested it in the first place.

So is it a truce from midnight on dec 24th til dawn on Jan 6th?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 02 Dec 2006, 08:14

Agreed.

Anyone else who wants to sign up to the love agenda feel free to take your place in the circle.

I'd really like everyone's hatchets to stay in their belts before, during and after this **** council vote. I hate the fact that there will probably be upset people no matter what way it goes.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 02 Dec 2006, 09:37

Fantastic! This what we all want to see. My old gran (Mrs Loopy- Bananas) used to say, never let the sun go down on an argument. She was usually right.

Congratulations on reaching peace accords, Porty and Dadaist!

ali · Post by **ali** » 02 Dec 2006, 11:28

Cleopas wrote:Fantastic! This what we all want to see. My old gran (Mrs Loopy- Bananas) used to say, never let the sun go down on an argument. She was usually right.

Congratulations on reaching peace accords, Porty and Dadaist!

Your old gran was a real philosopher!!!
Where did she study?

Was it the Woman's Own or the People's Friend?

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 02 Dec 2006, 11:52

Ali wrote:

Your old gran was a real philosopher!!!
Where did she study?

Was it the Woman's Own or the People's Friend?

Neither. She was a Sunday Post woman through and through!!

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 02 Dec 2006, 11:57

Truce is probably wise - could turn the POL Xmas night out into swedge-city otherwise.

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 02 Dec 2006, 12:47

ali wrote:
Cleopas wrote:Fantastic! This what we all want to see. My old gran (Mrs Loopy- Bananas) used to say, never let the sun go down on an argument. She was usually right.

Congratulations on reaching peace accords, Porty and Dadaist!
Your old gran was a real philosopher!!!
Where did she study?

Was it the Woman's Own or the People's Friend?

cleo wrote:Neither. She was a Sunday Post woman through and through!!

Oh, you "two"...

ali · Post by **ali** » 02 Dec 2006, 13:39

Nelson Hatstand wrote:
ali wrote:
Cleopas wrote:Fantastic! This what we all want to see. My old gran (Mrs Loopy- Bananas) used to say, never let the sun go down on an argument. She was usually right.

Congratulations on reaching peace accords, Porty and Dadaist!
Your old gran was a real philosopher!!!
Where did she study?

Was it the Woman's Own or the People's Friend?

cleo wrote:Neither. She was a Sunday Post woman through and through!!
Oh, you "two"...

Eh??

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Dec 2006, 13:58

Dadaist wrote:
I'd really like everyone's hatchets to stay in their belts before, during and after this **** council vote. I hate the fact that there will probably be upset people no matter what way it goes.

I promise I will do my best to keep peace pre-truce.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 02 Dec 2006, 14:02

Appreciated.

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 02 Dec 2006, 14:13

ali wrote:
Nelson Hatstand wrote:
ali wrote: Your old gran was a real philosopher!!!
Where did she study?

Was it the Woman's Own or the People's Friend?

cleo wrote:Neither. She was a Sunday Post woman through and through!!
Oh, you "two"...

Eh??

Cleoali, I'm mistaken.

Why dont you delete one and just become Alipas?