Mandatory thread icons?

Ahem *cough*

Excuse me?

Mandatory thread icons?!

In this case, yes.

You will comply.

Absolutely not.

I don't think I've ever looked at the icon before I clicked on a thread.

I think it's okay to make it mandatory. Unfortunately, I made a thread before reading the sticky. Kinda glad the mandatory stuff doesn't start until Oct. 1st

Is it really too much to ask to use the icon so people who don't want to read election threads can choose not to?

For a mandatory thing, it's not that big a deal and is to help foster the freedom to choose what people want to read and avoid.

It would be greatly appreciated if you guys would cooperate and use the icon.

Why are you always wrong?

Surely the words "Palin", "Obama", "Biden", "McCain" are good tip offs that the thread involves the election, no?

Can we have a gold star for threads started by Cass?

And perhaps a Hammer and Sickle for ones started by henryhill or whatever his name is......

And a cross for threads started by Faceman...

Yes it is too much to not ask but order people to do it. Let's not cloak it in niceties. You all are demanding that posters use that icon under the absurd argument that some on this board are unable to discern the election threads from the normal Red Room threads.

You are not asking.

I went through the first two pages and pulled out all the ones using the icon, not using the icon, and one that was ambiguous to what it could have been about:

Your arguement that some here can't pick and choose between election threads and non-election threads is a non-starter. Every single thread except the last one is obvious as to what it is about.

With or without the icon in use for that thread.

Perhaps instead of holding the hands of the losers who are wasting yours and Elwood's time by no doubt hitting report post, private messaging, or emailing you, you tell them to STFU and stop whining.

I like icons.

Or do you just like being contrary? Is it too much effort, or does it take too much intelligence to simply click an icon?

So what exactly are the consequences if we don't use it? Are you gonna start handing out warnings?

I'm truly hard pressed to give a shit about this and it's such a non-issue I can absolutely not come up with a single reason why you'd turn this into an opportunity for a nice little shitstorm (apart from the fact that everyone loves those, right?). I think I've started one or two threads on the election - and I sure as hell didn't use the thread icon not because I'm trying to be a dick but because I just never gave a flying fuck about thread icons and never used them before. As has been pointed out, you know, usually the thread title tells you quite clearly what the thread's going to be about.

What about all those financial meltdown threads I started, are they going to be considered election threads as well?

The only way you might get people to comply is by actually handing out warnings - and then that's a perfect opportunity for a shitstorm. You know, without the "mandatory" attached to the whole issue - a nice reminder might've done the job. Not for every thread as there'd still be honest mistakes but it might've improved. Now? Perfect opportunity to cause some trouble.

Ah well, as I've said - don't really care but this is beyond stupid in my humble opinion. It's your place so I'll try and comply but god damn it that was unnecessary...

I'm just lazy. I never use the icons.

And what I don't like is someone telling me I must use them. That's going to far.

Really, this is just a wee bit ridiculous, don't you think? The post icons are there for fun or (for some) to try drawing attention to the thread. But many of us do not care for them, don't bother with them, and don't recognize them. And while there are certainly some threads that are so baldly partisan in nature that politics and the election are the only possible description, many are more philosophical or tangential. So who evaluates proper usage? And what happens if we make mistakes by thinking our threads are not overtly political?

Honestly..I don't really know. I am as surprised as everyone else by this.

The icons were a compromise to begin with...instead of an election subforum the icons give warning to those who care that allows them to avoid the thread. It also allows people to find them easier...the political threads do a lot to attract guests and new users and the icon is an easy way to help them to find more and perhaps convince them to join the argument.

I just noticed a non-election thread that has the icon. Should we be concerned?

Scary!

The trolls are winning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elwood must authorize the Wordforge Patriot Act 2008 so TPTB can read all our PMs!

If you're not a troll you've nothing to worry about!

There is a difference between asking and demanding.

Mandatory anything (for the most part) just sux donkey balls.

You...are in a position to demand nothing.

I, on the other hand...am in a position to grant...nothing.

I have three very important points I think needs to be shared:

- I will always use as my thread icon.

- I also volunteer as mod to be Icon Nazi, and switch them all to the appropriate ones so the mods don't have to waste their precious time doing it.

- I am serious.

- I am hungry