Wildrose Alliance video of Calgary leadership forum

[First Lady]

Wildrose Alliance video of Calgary leadership forum is now available on our website.

http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/calgary-forum-video

Total is about 2 hours long, well worth viewing.

[Table 5]

So is CP your advertising outlet for all things Wildrose Alliance?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Table 5

So is CP your advertising outlet for all things Wildrose Alliance?

This was being discussed in another thread. I thought a new post was warrented. If the mods see it otherwise; I will gladly bow to their wisdom.

Would you be asking the same thing if some other poster had put this up?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Would you be asking the same thing if some other poster had put this up?

Nope, but you're directly tied to a political party, so I'm naturally a little skeptical about your motives. I'm all fine and dandy with political discussion, it just seems that your sole purpose on this forum is to pimp the Wildrose Alliance.

But hey, that's just my opinion. I don't make the rules, so keep on keeping on.

[Hemi-Cuda]

IMO there have been too many threads for this party on here lately. political discussion is fine, but now it's turning into a recruiting drive

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

IMO there have been too many threads for this party on here lately. political discussion is fine, but now it's turning into a recruiting drive

I totally agree. I guess when you have paid employees working for the party who also post here that is what you get.

[KTrain]

I agree as well. I'm fine with one Wildrose thread for your to post your advertising but you've become a one trick pony when it comes to starting new threads.

[CrusaderPi]

I have no problem with WAP threads. We could make one 'official wildrose alliance discussion thread' but it would probably turn into a giant mess that no one reads with 3 people arguing amongst themselves for 500 posts. *cough* zietgiest *cough*.

If someone wants to start a thread on a specific discussion they should be allowed. Even if it is vaguely similar to another existing thread. If no one cares about whatever the thread is about, it'll drop off the first page and we'll all forget about it.

[Azure]

Oh get over it you guys.

There have been a lot of posts here because the party has been in the news a lot lately. And in case none of you bothered to check, which you didn't....or you wouldn't be making stupid comments like you just did, most of the discussion has been generated by people like me, and others who have no direct tie to the party.

I bet none of your support the WRA, which would explain why you have a problem with it.

One thing you should also remember, CP is the largest online community for people to discuss things in Alberta. It would frickin' make sense to be a part of that, don't you think?

First Lady and Firefly have only ever defended their viewpoint or make it easier for us to read about their policies. Considering that a big part of the advertising is done online these days, you guys sound like a bunch of Liberal whiners for having a problem with a party that you don't support actually taking advantage of that and being ahead of the game by joining CP.

In fact, some of the WRA candidates have said that reading CP gives them a gauge of what the overall mindset of Albertans is. Because we are not actually a political forum, and a hockey one, there are a vast amount of different opinions here.

Again, smart to dial into a community like that, not only to read what they have to say, but to question, and debate with. Or even present what you think.

God forbid a candidate puts his/her feet to the Flames and ventures into a public forum on a daily basis where they can be challenged constantly about things we have a problem with.

Don't we always complain that our candidates don't seem very accountable to the public? That they don't care about public opinion? Firefly has been a member of this site for a LONG, LONG time. Long before she joined the WRA. Considering she has been the one generating the most discussion about the WRA, I think she has earned the right to be able to do that. Especially by coming back and trying to explain certain things to people. Things some of you are just too lazy to go look up.

No, we don't want candidates that bring themselves down to our level, and to the places where we talk, debate, argue and call each other names. We want them in Edmonton, in the provincial buildings where they come across as arrogant celebrity figures that don't give a damn about public opinion.

[starseed]

I like these updates, but I dont see a problem with having one thread for the WAP leadership race.

...and Azure... I think you should lay off the caffeine for a month

[Azure]

I have my moments.

[JerzeeGirl]

Originally Posted by Azure

I bet none of your support the WRA, which would explain why you have a problem with it.

One thing you should also remember, CP is the largest online community for people to discuss things in Alberta. It would frickin' make sense to be a part of that, don't you think?

First Lady and Firefly have only ever defended their viewpoint or make it easier for us to read about their policies. Considering that a big part of the advertising is done online these days, you guys sound like a bunch of Liberal whiners for having a problem with a party that you don't support actually taking advantage of that and being ahead of the game by joining CP.

Don't we always complain that our candidates don't seem very accountable to the public? That they don't care about public opinion? Firefly has been a member of this site for a LONG, LONG time. Long before she joined the WRA. Considering she has been the one generating the most discussion about the WRA, I think she has earned the right to be able to do that. Especially by coming back and trying to explain certain things to people. Things some of you are just too lazy to go look up.

Actually I do have a problem with being classed as a Liberal whiner or lazy for thinking it's not kosher to advertise a political party on a public website....and I would have a problem with it if the party I do support did it as well.

I have no problem discussing my political points of view with members of the WRA, Liberals, Tories, NDP or whoever but I do think when you stop discussing and are just posting the latest info on Party X's leadership forum for instance then that's different.

I applaud the WRA for taking the steps to know their constituents and what's important to them but if I want to learn more about their party, I'll go to their website.

[Azure]

I guess it depends on what you think advertising is. Some of us were actually waiting for the videos to be uploaded, some we're thankful that she posted them here.

Otherwise, like I said most of the discussion has been generated by people who aren't officially affiliated with the party.

Seems to me the complaint, or whining as I called it and still think it is.....is because people don't like the attention the WRA is getting in the first place. And part of that is complaining that the WRA is advertising on CP.

And sorry, I don't see that posting videos here that many of us were waiting for as official advertising.

Advertising would be buying up the ads on top and promoting the WRA.

I applaud the WRA for taking the steps to know their constituents and what's important to them

No you don't. And this is why.

but if I want to learn more about their party, I'll go to their website.

Far as I'm concerned, because of the amount of people that visit CP on a daily basis.....3,000 some active members, and over 11,000 guests.....we are the best place possible to figure out what people think due to the variety of posters.

What I find so funny is that people are complaining about this, now.

First Lady has been a member of this forum for over 2 years now. How come none of you were complaining about her being here when she first joined?

Oh right, now that the WRA is gaining popularity, suddenly First Lady and Firefly being members here and continuing discussion becomes a problem.

Some of you are really, really showing your bias here.

[Azure]

This is what First Lady said in a different thread when someone challenged her why she was posting her. I applaud her response, as I wouldn't have been so lenient and nice to people who have a problem with someone being a part of a forum due to their political leanings, or even their affiliation to a political party.

Originally Posted by First Lady

I am not looking for support. I post on several forums, a couple are very political and tend to be right of centre. It's like preaching to the choir.

I very much enjoy reading responses that are opposite or different to mine.They give me food for thought and at times make me rethink my position. I think it expands my knowledge and understanding of Albertans. So I guess if I have an "agenda"; it is bettering myself through listening to diverse views from Albertans.

Perhaps you would prefer I be like all the other political hacks and stay within my defined group; sorry, I like diversity.

If you don't wish to join the discussion or have a personal dislike for me; it is very simple to choose not to click on threads that I start.
I will not be offended; that is a difficult task to accomplish.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Azure

Oh right, now that the WRA is gaining popularity, suddenly First Lady and Firefly being members here and continuing discussion becomes a problem.

Some of you are really, really showing your bias here.

I think there were grumblings back then too.

Personally, I don't mind it on CP, but perhaps it should be in the Power Ring forum.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Azure

I guess it depends on what you think advertising is. Some of us were actually waiting for the videos to be uploaded, some we're thankful that she posted them here.

Otherwise, like I said most of the discussion has been generated by people who aren't officially affiliated with the party.

Seems to me the complaint, or whining as I called it and still think it is.....is because people don't like the attention the WRA is getting in the first place. And part of that is complaining that the WRA is advertising on CP.

And sorry, I don't see that posting videos here that many of us were waiting for as official advertising.

Advertising would be buying up the ads on top and promoting the WRA.



No you don't. And this is why.



Far as I'm concerned, because of the amount of people that visit CP on a daily basis.....3,000 some active members, and over 11,000 guests.....we are the best place possible to figure out what people think due to the variety of posters.

What I find so funny is that people are complaining about this, now.

First Lady has been a member of this forum for over 2 years now. How come none of you were complaining about her being here when she first joined?

Oh right, now that the WRA is gaining popularity, suddenly First Lady and Firefly being members here and continuing discussion becomes a problem.

Some of you are really, really showing your bias here.

That's it for me, right there. If First lady and firefly had signed up a month ago with the obvious intention of just using this site for their agenda, then I wouldn't be too happy. However, they've both been contributing members of this board for years, and still continue to post in many threads. So I don't see the problem here, and this thread should be treated like posters should treat any thread on CP: IF you don't like it, don't read it.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think there were grumblings back then too.

Personally, I don't mind it on CP, but perhaps it should be in the Power Ring forum.

Yeah, I'm reading through them right now.

But, most of the complaints were that First Lady wasn't getting involved enough in actual discussion on here, and was relying on her blog or the website to post what she meant.

I would tend to agree with that. THAT would come across as advertising. But both First Lady and Firefly.....Firefly especially, have been involved in a lot of debates.

I think its awesome. That a political party, be it whatever, would come to CP and be a part of the community.

I wish more of them would do it. The PCs, NDP, Liberals, Green Party....all of them. Because honestly, if someone from the Liberals would be a part of this forum, and we could all pile on him with all our questions and he would try to answer them best he could, my respect for that candidate would go up ten-fold.

So much of politics is public perception. I'm sure most of the not so biased observers here respect First Lady for putting her feet to the flames here and venturing into a very public forum to try and get a gauge on what we as a community think.

It wouldn't help First Lady to talk to me. Or talk to Ford Perfect, peter12, or some of the people on here that have said they will vote WRA is Smith wins. But, it does benefit her to talk to Troutman, Slava, IFF and some of the other not so convinced members and find out what their problems and concerns are.

As someone who has done 180 degree turnarounds on numerous issues, I know for a fact that CP is a community above any other. People here come across as genuine and very convincing. And if someone has a different opinion, we tend to listen. God knows I've done enough of it in the past.

So, excuse me if I defend the right of ANY member of ANY political party to come here and post. I wish more of them would do it.

[starseed]

Truth is, First Lady did radically change my perception of the WAP for the better. I was worried it was a very socially conservative party controlled by the religious right.

I am a Liberal federally, but I very much respect First Lady for taking the time as a political candidate and listening to us and answering questions.

If the WAP was the only party in my riding capable of defeating the PC (which it very much is), then I would absolutely consider voting for them. (unless Dyrholm is elected leader)

[JerzeeGirl]

Well I'm glad you've decided what I do or do not support for me, I guess I was confused about my own declarations there.

I have no problem with an ongoing discussion of political points of view - they can be stimulating and help you discover what your true political pov is rather than just going by what the media tells you. I don't take part in them on this message board for a reason - that's not what I'm personally here for.

And yes, I do respect both FirstLady & FireFly for being willing to put their personal political beliefs out there, no matter what you think. They invite discussion and potential criticism for doing it and that takes a lot of guts.

And I really do applaud the WRA for trying to get in touch with their constituents - one could argue that the other parties would be smart to do the same if they want to become relevant in the hearts and minds of the public they claim to want to represent.

I wasn't aware that there had been a request for the video link that FirstLady posted - without that info - it came across as advertising. I really took more exception to the name-calling from Azure for not agreeing with posting the link than I did with FirstLady's actual post, btw.

[photon]

From a moderator point of view it's difficult. The spirit of the non-advertising rule is in place to prevent people from leveraging the community which Bingo has established and grown over the years for their own benefit, without asking permission or paying for advertising.

For some things like a personal business or a website with advertising that someone registers just to post a link to, it's a very clear answer.

For something like this, it's more cloudy. On one hand having someone close to the party is a benefit for members who are interested in the subject, direct access to the source so to speak. And there's no $$ gain to the WRA for posting here, but there is an indirect gain.

On the other hand if the WRA wanted to spread their message through other venues they would have to pay to advertise. And we also have to consider if more and more people come and promote their own things, does that become a problem. People coming to promote their cause rather than coming to participate in the community, diluting things to the point where there is no community. Extreme case yes but something to consider.

On other sites I've been on and moderated, they had rules about self promotion.. so someone could write "hey look at this great restaurant!" and that was fine, but if the restaurant owner comes along and says "hey look at my great restaurant!" that's not. Not saying that's the intent here, just making a clear example.

Add in the line between self promotion and providing information.. while it's easy for someone to have good intentions and post just trying to provide info and appear to be self promoting, it's just as easy for someone to promote themselves while appearing to be just providing information.. not that I think CP's community is so great that the WRA or anyone else would be leveraging it to win something; we're big but not nearly that big.

Anyway, just wanted to put that out there for how I personally view these things and why it isn't an easy call. We want to allow as much freedom as possible while still maintaining the integrity of the community.

EDIT: Maintaining integrity as well as protecting the value of advertising and just making sure people are being respectful; no one likes it if someone puts a sign on your lawn if you didn't give them permission.