Cafe rules

Okay, some of you seem to have gotten the idea that a minor news story gives you the freedom to link to it, gloss over it, and then shove your opinion into the Cafe to start a fight.

Sorry, folks, that's a debate post. Please put it where it belongs.

NEW CAFE RULES
1. No YouTube.
Youtube videos are not enough to start a topic. If you have news, post a text story. If you want to start a debate, please do not tell your opponents to watch an hour-long video first.

2. Keep Thread Titles Relevant.
Thread titles should be relevant to the topic. You can be funny, but please tell people what you are actually talking about so they don't have to go in there to see.

3. Don't create debate threads in the Cafe.
If you want to start a major debate, please put it in the Debate Corner. Just because a news article in some obscure publication happens to take your side does not mean it deserves a thread in the main Cafe.

THE DEBATE CORNER
4. Don't make new threads for old topics.
A new article about an old debate (see: creation/evolution and minor discoveries) goes in the topic-appropriate Debate Corner thread. You don't need a new thread for it. Your opinion is not more important than everyone else's.

5. No flaming/personal attacks.
Please avoid using personal attacks in debates. Excessive flaming will earn you a ban.

6. Don't be an asshat.
The basic rule is don't be an asshat. This means that we will make subjective rulings based on the situation, and any appeal to technicalities will be met with general laughter from the mods.

7. Controversial opinions:
Having a controversial opinion is not bannable. We don't ban people because the point they're arguing is "racist". If you believe it, you have every right to argue your side. That's what debates are for, people... every opinion has the right to be aired, and censoring opinions goes against everything we stand for.
However, if you resort to yelling "RACIST!" after people's posts, you will be banned. That's what derails topics.
That said, don't bring off-topic opinions. Your opinion that black people are inferior is not appropriate for a news thread about atrocities in Africa. Threads about Mexican immigration do not concern any race besides Hispanics.

WHAT THE PHILOSOPHICAL FORUM IS FOR
7. No "Ask a ..." Threads, Period
Self-explanatory. The Philosophical Forum is a place for discussions, not a question panel.

8. ABSOLUTELY NO FLAMING.
The Philosophical Forum WILL BE HEAVILY POLICED. No flaming, no flamebaiting, no borderline flaming, no getting angry, no trying to make other people angry. It's an area for people who want to learn more about religions or philosophies. Feel free to discuss your viewpoint or pit it against someone else's, but if you want to debate, you're probably looking for the Debate Corner.

9. Don't argue in Philosophical.
If a Philosophical Forum thread becomes an argument, please notify one of the Cafe moderators (Vash, Amaretti, or Toby_Christ) and they will move it to the Debate Corner if they find it appropirate.

Enjoy yourselves!