Full disclosure - I'm a new member, I'm interested in conservative politics, and although I plan to read a lot of what is on here, I may not post very much (time concerns - something I ran into trouble with when I was a regular on a different forum several years back).

That said, I recently published an ebook on secession (entitled --URL REMOVED BY TAXED--, which is the last shameless plug on it I'll make) and have been interested in what other conservatives tend to think of secession as a means to address political problems.  Clearly those who circulated and signed the petitions recognized that the petitions would fail - it could never be more than a publicity stunt to show disapproval with the presidential election.  However, established movements have had substantial support for years in Texas, New Hampshire, Vermont, as well as other states and regions.  Those individuals subscribing to that philosophy have a genuine interest in effecting their removal from the union.

My question - is secession treasonous, radical, or conservative?  I'm curious what your thoughts are.

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:25:05 AM
Full disclosure - I'm a new member, I'm interested in conservative politics, and although I plan to read a lot of what is on here, I may not post very much (time concerns - something I ran into trouble with when I was a regular on a different forum several years back).

That said, I recently published an ebook on secession (entitled --URL REMOVED BY TAXED--, which is the last shameless plug on it I'll make) and have been interested in what other conservatives tend to think of secession as a means to address political problems.  Clearly those who circulated and signed the petitions recognized that the petitions would fail - it could never be more than a publicity stunt to show disapproval with the presidential election.  However, established movements have had substantial support for years in Texas, New Hampshire, Vermont, as well as other states and regions.  Those individuals subscribing to that philosophy have a genuine interest in effecting their removal from the union.

My question - is secession treasonous, radical, or conservative?  I'm curious what your thoughts are.

Next time, shamelessly ask.

I can't post a link to something on which I have the copyright, which is relevant to the topic, and which I am clearly and specifically telling people what it is?

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:30:26 AM
I can't post a link to something on which I have the copyright, which is relevant to the topic, and which I am clearly and specifically telling people what it is?

If it's free, sure, but not if you're plugging it in hopes of a few sales.

Interesting.  So if I started a topic on soft drinks and how they relate to healthcare in a positive manner, and in my topic stated that I knew what I was talking about because I worked as a salesman for Coca-Cola (with a link to my profile at coca-cola), that link would be edited out as well? 

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:38:11 AM
Interesting.  So if I started a topic on soft drinks and how they relate to healthcare in a positive manner, and in my topic stated that I knew what I was talking about because I worked as a salesman for Coca-Cola (with a link to my profile at coca-cola), that link would be edited out as well?

Is your book free?

The link is free.  I get nothing if you click on the link.  But by putting the link, you can see that I'm not bullshitting about it, that I've done some research on the topic, and that I might have some credibility.

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:44:34 AM
The link is free.  I get nothing if you click on the link.  But by putting the link, you can see that I'm not bullshitting about it, that I've done some research on the topic, and that I might have some credibility.

Are you seriously arguing with us about promoting your book (hence, your "shameless plug" comment)?

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:44:34 AM
The link is free.  I get nothing if you click on the link.  But by putting the link, you can see that I'm not bullshitting about it, that I've done some research on the topic, and that I might have some credibility.

So it's not free? You miss the point, if someone comes here and their first post is to something they're selling, then it gets removed, it really is that simple.

Now you could do as the rest of the members and dazzle us with your learned intellect and as time goes by it should be quite apparent as to whether or not you know the subject inside and out.

Feel free to post like the rest and give some insight to your views, we are a debate forum, if you believe we should secede or not, then state why.

I'm trying to understand where I violated TOS?  Because by the responding posts, you've labelled me as a spammer, apparently, because I'm not sure where else that could arguably be against any TOS.  And it wasn't done as spam - the surrounding language was meant to be funny.  Now pretty much everything I say is dead in here because I'm "that guy who tried to sell a book."

This is like walking into a party, introducing yourself and putting out an interesting topic for discussion only to have someone clap their hand over your mouth because you announce one of your credentials relevant to the topic.  If the link was against TOS (which, I'm not sure it was), disable the damn link, don't place a giant "CENSORED" over it and call attention to it.  Christ. 

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:56:25 AM
I'm trying to understand where I violated TOS?

Clearly.

Quote
  Because by the responding posts, you've labelled me as a spammer, apparently, because I'm not sure where else that could arguably be against any TOS.  And it wasn't done as spam - the surrounding language was meant to be funny.  Now pretty much everything I say is dead in here because I'm "that guy who tried to sell a book."

Solar and I have turned down advertisers.  We are getting a lot of traffic, and it is growing, so this is a growing valuable medium.  We err on the side of ethics and common courtesy, so if you want to post a link on someone's forum, you should ask.  You're not a spammer, but you are leaving yourself an out for not coming back by saying your credibility is shot.  Nice try though.  If you want to stay, become part of the CPF community, then cool.

Quote
This is like walking into a party, introducing yourself and putting out an interesting topic for discussion only to have someone clap their hand over your mouth because you announce one of your credentials relevant to the topic.  If the link was against TOS (which, I'm not sure it was), disable the damn link, don't place a giant "CENSORED" over it and call attention to it.  Christ.

No.  It's like you walking into a party and pitching some MLM or Amway scheme.  You weren't there for the party.

Quote from: rkluess on February 07, 2013, 11:56:25 AM
I'm trying to understand where I violated TOS?  Because by the responding posts, you've labelled me as a spammer, apparently, because I'm not sure where else that could arguably be against any TOS.  And it wasn't done as spam - the surrounding language was meant to be funny.  Now pretty much everything I say is dead in here because I'm "that guy who tried to sell a book."

This is like walking into a party, introducing yourself and putting out an interesting topic for discussion only to have someone clap their hand over your mouth because you announce one of your credentials relevant to the topic.  If the link was against TOS (which, I'm not sure it was), disable the damn link, don't place a giant "CENSORED" over it and call attention to it.  Christ.

Good, now that you got that out of the way, lets address your question.

QuoteMy question - is secession treasonous, radical, or conservative?  I'm curious what your thoughts are.

It essentially is none and all of the above, it depends on the reasons for secession.
Say for example, if Ca wanted to secede from the US, I'd say treasonous, because it would quickly go communist, based on today's leadership, but if Texas did the same, no one could blame them.
But if you asked a lib, the response would be the exact opposite, just my opinion.

Quote from: taxed on February 07, 2013, 12:04:28 PM

No.  It's like you walking into a party and pitching some MLM or Amway scheme.  You weren't there for the party.

Nailed it!

I get that you are trying to protect your site from advertisers.  Again, context should matter towards that, and if you can't see from the context that I wasn't walking in saying, "Hey, buy this, buy this, buy this," then this site is going to have some severe problems.

Quote from: taxed on February 07, 2013, 12:04:28 PM
You're not a spammer, but you are leaving yourself an out for not coming back by saying your credibility is shot.  Nice try though.  If you want to stay, become part of the CPF community, then cool.

If you don't believe I'm a spammer, then I'm not sure what the original issue was?  Again, if the link was against TOS (which I don't believe it was), disable the link rather than censor it.  Had I not used the information as a link would it have been edited out?  Because if the answer is no, then I really don't understand the issue?  This strikes me as admins flexing their muscle against a new poster, which is a great way to make someone want to stay. 

Quote from: Solar on February 07, 2013, 12:07:20 PM

Nailed it!

Bate and Switch.