“Seek first to understand, then to be understood”
1.) First, please READ THIS ENTIRE THREAD – and the full text of any discussion thread you wish to participate in.
Skipping to the comments to express an opinion without reading the content of the discussion is not helpful.
Often, unfortunately quite often, we find many of the points injected into comments are already outlined in the construct of the thread itself; questions asked while the answers are in the primary post.
2.) STAY ON TOPIC – please do not post something unrelated to the specific matter and content of the thread subject. There is ALWAYS a daily open thread available for any subject you feel should get attention. Never place unrelated, “O/T”, or “Off Topic” comments on a thread unrelated to the topic. It is not ok to say: “sorry, O/T but”… or any iteration therein, it is actually quite rude.
The Treehouse operates on the ‘old school’ standards and practices of civil discourse amid the original blogging community.
3.) NARROW YOUR THOUGHTS – Quality beats quantity. Please construct your comments to target specific areas and not broad generalizations about the discussion topic at hand. If you have four or five disconnected points, break them up into individual comments.
4.) AVOID GENERALIZATIONS – Do NOT speak in riddles. Words like “he, she, they, it, them” should rarely be used. Spell out “who” using the name, spell out who “they” are at the beginning of every sentence in your paragraph; so that there is clarity as to who you are talking about. Avoid using acronyms.
5.) BLOCK PARAGRAPHS – Do not post huge blocks of text. Think of the reader, and modify your presentation for understanding, not for exclaiming. Do not write to yourself, you are writing to others, so please structure your thoughts so other people can grasp and enjoy. NEVER post massive blocks of text without paragraph breaks.
Do not post huge blocks of text
6.) PARAGRAPHS – Should NEVER be longer than two or three sentences taking up three to five standard lines of text. Again, you are writing to be understood, the emphasis should be on the reader comprehending what you are sharing.
Do not post huge blocks of text
7.) SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION – This is not school, and we do not demerit for poor spelling, nor do we allow anyone to call others out for the same. However, if your construct is too poorly written the context is lost and important details can be missed. Read the comment carefully before you send it. Proofread it again. Does it make sense?
8.) TIME – Everyone ‘s time is valuable. Many of our discussion threads are 500 to 1,000+ comments long. We try to limit the comments to 500 and then post another related thread, but with some research threads it is challenging to do so because we do not want to break a continuity.
9) CITATIONS – There’s a big difference between an opinion and an assertion of fact. Feel free to provide opinions; however, if you are making an assertion of fact, you must attach a citation for review. If you do not have a citation – don’t post; this avoids spreading rumors, gossip and unfounded claims. Also related, do not post random links without an explanation of the reason, purpose and content that is behind the link.
10.) THOUSANDS ARE WATCHING – For every person writing a comment, there are easily hundreds of thousands of reading lurkers on every discussion thread. Do not disparage our conversation with vulgarity, profanity, or any expressions of any “ism”.
11.) MODERATION / FILTERING THE HATE – Because of our honest approach at seeking facts and truth, and openly discussing various analytical theories along the way, we are bombarded by those with ulterior motives which include:
- Intentional efforts to distract
- Intentional diatribes to affix labels to our objectives
- Intentional expressions of rabid hate, vulgarity, and threats.
- Trolling and professional obfuscation.
- Concern Trolling as a tool of distraction and derailing conversation.
- Psy-ops and intentional efforts to diminish fact-finding.
We do our earnest best to stop the agenda-horde at the moderation gates, however sometimes they get through. If you see something untoward say something. When a new comment surfaces that we view is likely presented only to argue, we watch carefully – but we also are not perfect. You can help. Feel free to alert us via email.
12.) MANNERS MATTER – Simple kindnesses and courtesy should always be present in tone and content. When writing, ask yourself before you hit send: does this add value?
13.) NO PERSONAL ATTACKS – Ever. The fastest way to lose commenting privileges is to ridicule, bully or personally attack another person’s opinion or comment. Unfortunately, people, often good people, let their passion interfere with good manners and personal judgement. If you cannot be polite or respectful, pause – and – do not comment.
14.) TONE and HONESTY – Often the information and research CTH provides are about challenges we face and/or events that are hidden from larger review. It can be frustrating to see the scale of corruption; however, only you control how that information is absorbed by you. The truth doesn’t care about our feelings. Try to keep an even keel and optimistic disposition.
15.) DEVICES – It is a reality that many people use their phones to browse information and/or comment. Cellular phones and iPads are okay for reading, but also present challenges in commenting. Please make every effort to avoid the run-on issue of text from these devices. Put extra spaces in your paragraphs. Also remember your service provider (ISP) may have filters to limit the websites they permit you to view. It’s not CTH, nine out of ten issues are related to your service provider. This issue is worse in 2021 for obvious reasons.
SUMMARY: The Tree House community has historically accomplished a lot. Through exhaustive research and analysis our accuracy and reputation for truthful fact-finding, regardless of where it leads, is well regarded. Retain that distinction of intellectual armament.
We are The Conservative Tree House, not because of political affiliation, but rather because the word “conservative” expresses our outlook. We would rather be deep, than wide; we would rather be honest, than popular; we avoid semantics in favor of accurately presenting both intention and meaning.
We are bold in our willingness to go into conversational places where others do not, and we are brave enough to stand firm for principles which are time tested.
We would rather advertise our outlook, so the viewer can understand our perspective on a particular subject, than deceptively claim we are something else and deliver an inherently biased view. The entire spectrum of the MSM is based on the latter.
Every reader knows where we stand on any given issue, and our opinions -while they may be unpopular- are based on solid research and analytical insight into the subject matter at hand. This is why our predictive analysis is routinely more accurate than others.
Lastly, this Treehouse is a conversation. Hopefully, just like sitting on a porch with friends. Because the “conversation” is the ends and not the means, this approach inherently means YOU are important; do not diminish yourself.
[Remember] …” However, each of us got here, it’s probably a fact that we have the turmoil of those storms in common, perhaps some unease that we could share and always, we also find fresh ground to cover from day to day.
We’re developing valuable relationships as we trust one another in our community in the woods. The chatting in the branches encourages, strengthens and equips for some serious walking.
We think the Treehouse is a good intellectual armory for those who doing long distance walking for the sake of our nation. We hope you’ll think so, too. Find yourself a good branch….or just pull up a rock to the campfire”.
Wolverines faithfully patrol the perimeter.
Humor is good way to avoid fear. Be kind and please be respectful… Manners really do matter… after all, this is a fellowship.
Thank you for this reminder. You’ve made the treehouse a great place to be.
I can’t tell you Sundance what a rock CTH is for me in these bizarro days.
Thank you for all you do.
More dawgs, less cats.
Love dogs, but they are pack animals. We need the discernment of suspicious cats. 😉
“Now this is the law of the jungle,
as old and as true as the sky,
And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper,
but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk,
the law runneth forward and back;
For the strength of the pack is the wolf,
and the strength of the wolf is the pack.
….
When ye fight with a wolf of the pack
ye must fight him alone and afar,
Lest others take part in the quarrel
and the pack is diminished by war.
Actually cats work together too. In a Pride. The lions are famous for this. I once had five cats who were siblings and they “worked together” when it suited them to do so.
Our old cat (21) was found one night teaching 2 yearlings how to catch a mouse in our living room. It was obvious they were novices. He seldom bothered with them except he is passed on his skills.
My mom used to say they have a secret life. She lived in small town and in early morning winter she would see their paw tracks in the light dusting of snow on sidewalk. Alone, no people. It was their world at night.
I have seen a mother cat teach her kittens how to kill a mouse.
It’s that Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular name.
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there’s the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo, or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey—
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter—
But all of them sensible everyday names,
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular,
A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum—
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there’s still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover—
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular name.
TS Eliot….Practical Cats! Loved that book.
How refreshing & enlightening
in this day & age,
Thought most deep, as if spoke from a stage!
Cats make my eyes itch. Time for packs of dogs…soon! Happy New Years.
That’s Manny the Selfie-Cat and his Entourage. He’s a pretty cool cat, for a cat.
https://kingdomstv.com/meet-manny-the-selfie-cat-who-takes-hilarious-photos-with-other-wildlife-15-pics/
I appreciate the reminder.
Wow, ask and ye shall recieve. I posted a request, to repost the guidelines maybe 5-6 hours ago, and here they are.
Thanks Sundance, Ad Rem, Menagerie for all you do.
Delivered….. 😉
Please filter out the word libtard- liberal retard. Thank you. ❤
But it’s so perfectly triggering.
Peoria Jones. Calling someone a retard is not perfectly triggering. Please review the guidelines.
I don’t believe I’ve ever written “libtard” here, and don’t call people “retards” either. Not my style.
But I do think “libtard” is a rather funny term. We all know exactly what it means, and it reminds me of the late, great Rush Limbaugh. Certainly not worthy of censorship.
I personally love the term libtard… i use it online and in person regularly.
where does it end?
Seems only at a sterile silence.
I am all for kindness and courtesy, but good grief, are we truly that fragile?
I’ve been called a CONservatard. I laugh
That being said, there is a stigma created by the propaganda media over the word conservative. I believe more people would be open and willing to visit any site if it did not have that word in it.
I’ve forwarded posts from this site about very important facts to people and I believe some wont even bother to read it simply because they were programmed to believe conservative is far right etc …Doesnt help spread the truth to the sheeple.
There, I said it.
I forwarded things and liberals won’t read it bc of the source. They only read sanctioned sources which means they are safe in be their cocoon of unawareness. I call myself Christian Conservative or Patriot. I’m certainly not GOP.
I don’t think calling a site conservative actually deters readers; their closed minds do. Russell Brand is lately incredibly on point against liberals. He’s saying that real intellectual freedom is currently coming from the Right and he’s encouraging people to look towards us; they can read the signs like I did as a newcomer to find fair minded sites like this one.
It IS very frustrating to be rejected bc of closed minds instead of fair discussion.
They are no longer “liberals” anyway. They are lefties, marxists, or the new fascists.
I hear you. Im always thinking of ways to enlighten people on the fence to the truth.
I consider myself a Constitutional Christian…if someone wants to refer to me as a conservative it is their label not mine but I am fine with it
My training as an accountant — which I don’t work as — makes one a conservative by default.
It’s not that CTH participants are fragile; it is about creating a written record that is credible. Silly names make those engaged in the name calling, and the site by extension, seem less than serious.
How about ‘Karen?’ it’s both racist, demeaning and my dear auntie’s name. Not only that, often the people accused of being airheaded over zealous pushy idiots are not as portrayed.
It is a Big Tech attack against us that was embraced by everyone but I don’t find the humor that Deplorable had. Bc it’s not funny. (Yeah. It’s a trigger for me. My problem I know but I dislike it bc I think it’s wrong on several fronts.)
How is “Karen” racist? It has zero to do with color, ethnic heritage, etc. It has to do with close minded, bullying behavior particularly over the useless mask issue. Your personal experience notwithstanding, many people truly have succumbed to the mass psychosis of masks and the fear porn of a fake pandemic.
“Karen” only applies to white women. Racist leftists love posting it partly because they are racist and partly because it perpetuates division.
“Karen” has become a way to refer to ANYONE, without consideration of race or GENDER, who complains or insists everything be done to their specs without regard to others…they are selfish and noisome about it
Speaking of ‘karens’… The actual Brandon Brown, the race car driver, is now having difficulty getting sponsors as a result of the “lets go Brandon’ phenomenon. So I can understand that people actually named Karen or Brandon see this very differently.
I am also a Karen…in name only. I ALWAYS tell people my name with a modifier: I’m Karen but I’m NOT a Karen.
Everyone has such thin skin today and to get upset at all these little quips is insane. Seems some have totally lost their sense of humor. Let’s lighten up a bit.
How about “hall monitor?” Same ideals and behaviors different monicker.
I went into the local grocery store and two different times the woman who wanted to force me to wear a mask was named Karen…that’s what her name badge said….and she said to me those times, “this is so bad”, that I wouldn’t don some rag she got for me. Meanwhile the shelves are empty in this grocery store owned by a mega corp….THAT is bad…
Just a little bit more censorship huh? We use slang words because other people understand what they mean. If it hurts your feelings that is something you might just have to get over. Karen has a meaning that is a sign of our times and is an important word for use when needed.
I know what you mean, jet. Me, I’m a high-tech red-neck. LOL
Duchman i thought of your post today the second i saw this thank you and Ad rem for keeping our tree the best place to understand our current state of affairs your the best God Bless R.D.
I have read your T’sOS and agree. One of the greateswnt things I’ve found here is a tip from a treeper about an article, study, or informative video. And I love the last point-humor (coming from a lifelong class clown!).
A great reminder to us all…I have learned so much from my fellow treepers…thanks for your inspiring insight. and, of course, Sundance ROCKS!
13.) NO PERSONAL ATTACKS . (If some one has an opinion that is contrary to yours, you do not have the right to call them a Troll.)
Please don’t go. Our local paper chased me to away through loud and unkind bullies. They actually tried to find me in rl. We need all voices here. You were correct.
Don’t forget there are actual paid alpha bet agency trolls on every popular conservative site. Could have been a mirror troll got you bc you make sense??
Calling someone a troll is perhaps number one on my list of things that make me keep an eye on commenters. Most of the time it is used because someone disagrees, yes. But we are overrun with group think these days. I thought conservatives were known for independent thought, but since Covid especially, people want everyone to agree with them on everything.
Yes, but from a long time reader there are new persons with distinct way of writing, here now, that are not of this milieu…
I do not personally have a problem with a counter opinion but with group think your opinion, in particular, takes on a form of droning that tends to thread jack different topics…expressing your opinion is fine but when you and 10 of your like-minded “friends” post the same declaration 5 times each it is QUITE onerous
Actually, I posted only my comment, and have no control over those that agree and post accordingly, who were not “friends”, but simply folks that agreed with my post.
I reckon you are saying that we should refrain from posting if we agree with the original poster…
Yours is a typical liberal attitude, an effort to convince others that myself and “friends” are posting only to further our “agenda”.
You and your kind, sir, are another good reason to say “Adios” to CTH.
I am saying what I SAID….multiple x 10 posting of the same opinion on the same thread is not advancing the argument and I would argue with the known animosity some would display is an act of hostility at times to render a response
That’s sad, Clay. Sounds like “if you cannot stand the heat–get out of the kitchen.”
Thank you for the reminder. I appreciate the information you share.
Amen
Now that we’ve been reminded of the guidelines, maybe we should all go back and read yesterdays post with the concentric circles and reminder not to alienate people in our own circle.
Im not sure which post you are referring to. Can you link me?
Thanks for what you do and what this place is all about!
Thank you for the reminder. I will obey
I realize this is a stretch, but is there any way to downsize or constrain embedded images in posts.
It would be nice if images only took up 1/4 of a page as large size images can break up subthreads, losing continuity.
Thx.
Thank you, thank you. For those of us that don’t comment often it is much appreciated ❤️
The first derivation I ever read of this back during the TM days just made me say, WOW! I am home.
Threads were, as SD describes, massive and chock full of just incredible information and insight. It was all I could do to NOT comment some days and nights.
Reading again is a great reminder to all. I continually struggle with succesfully managing my worth to the treehome.
Many times I must ask myself, ” does my comment add any value?”
Thank you SD, Puddy, Menagerie, Sharon and all the others that allow us all to be One BMF Wolverine Voice!
Does my comment add any value?
Thank you for this reminder. If we all remembered to ask this question, we would be so much more influential in our contributions.
That’s one I need to remember — “Does my comment add any value?” Thanks!
I had a crazy dog like that once.
We used to have so much fun together.
You made me laugh till it hurt remembering him with that picture.
Thanks! 🤣
We think the Treehouse is a good intellectual armory for those who doing long distance walking for the sake of our nation.
Indeed it is, amazingly so.
God Bless CTH!
Thank you for helping us – me – with this kind reminder. I will be most mindful, personally, for my current and future commenting.
I personally have fallen into any number of these guidelines.
Thank you.
I agree. I’m too verbose. Embarrassingly so. It’s fully appreciated!
I just wanted to put a heartfelt thanks for The Conservative Treehouse and the wonderful people who work here, and the wonderful people who comment. You are my people, and I share your information with others.
Best of luck to us all in 2022 and beyond.
Happy New Year ♥️
Thank you .. I will strive to behave
Although I do read articles on other sites, I rarely read more than a few comments because of the hostility and general lack of any thinking, critical or otherwise.
This is kinda like a safe space for me, and so many of the posters are absolute gems. Thank you for keeping it real.
Thank you for your reminders. Not for others but it for myself. I’m alone with my thoughts much of the time and a gentle nudge to do better is appreciated. I don’t know how to turn on ‘response to comments.”I try but it doesn’t work….? I push send and hope I don’t offend.
I greatly appreciate this place and I find the comments and links very helpful. Thank you to all who kindly give time and energy to our communal enlightenment, education and hopefully (can’t be too often!) An occasional chuckle. 😉
Anything I say is a fact.
😂😂😂
LOL…if YOU say so
Thank you, I will be much more careful in the future. The rules are good and appreciated
Please stop using the terms “progressive and democrat”. They are socialists and communists!
I call them Dimm/commies…both terms are very descriptive to their policies and attitudes
Folks demanding others Stop, usually presented not as a request but as a demand sans courtesy, is something I find quite off-putting.
Along with demanding that the most cognizant and inquisitive group on the ‘net “Wake Up.”
🙄
Thank you! A timely reminder for all of us.
I’d like to repeat rule #5…
5.) BLOCK PARAGRAPHS – Do not post huge blocks of text. Think of the reader, and modify your presentation for understanding, not for exclaiming. Do not write to yourself, you are writing to others, so please structure your thoughts so other people can grasp and enjoy. NEVER post massive blocks of text without paragraph breaks.
I’ve struggles to read some posts that are just that- a huge block of text. It’s not the amount of text, but the squishing together…it is just to hard to read.
Hit that “enter” button twice, and voila, a nice space between paragraphs!
Thanks again for the site. CTH and the Treehouse community has probably been a lifesaver for me, perhaps literally. The community validates my hope and faith, my historical perspective, my current perspective, and in difficult times keeps me from going off the rails.
Before the 2 .0 launch, it was easier to maintain a conversation with the notifications menu that was part.of the platform. Early on, my email notifications were.an attempt to stay in the conversation but I had to turn those off due to volume. Likely user error made the option unworkable for me with every comment on the article being alerted instead of just replies to my posted comments. Can someone clue in this GenXer?
I find people dont read my posted article but will ask ? that are answered in such. Thank you for a very nicely put reminder to behave and thank you for all your articles Sundance. Happy New Year
I would like to add to review your comment for grammar, punctuation, and FORMAT changes before hitting the post button…it is inconvenient and irksome when someone posts a comment extending the length of the comments section to 1 1/2-2 times its width making reading the comments MUCH more difficult
“The Last Refuge” Thanks Sundance but it may sadly be that these guidelines will truly make CTH the last refuge of civil discourse. An article you wrote around Christmas was inspiring, thoughtful, and unlike anything else out there. My wife rarely reads in-depth opinion, but I asked her to in this case, she sighed and said “yes” we need more of this.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/12/24/its-christmas-let-us-rejoice-and-reject-this-human-created-foreboding/#more-223374
I hope these guidelines can be upheld and that humanity might learn from a small group of Treepers who fought for principle and dignity. Here’s to a new year.
The absolute longest and most confusing threads I have ever read anywhere are the ones posted here re: the Trump Russia collusion thing. I’ve tried to read and follow and understand what is being presented, but finally throw my hands up and mentally agree that all these lines of info and dates and names are probably very important, but I’ll have to take the author’s word for it. I honestly don’t know how to make the subject better or clearer since we are way past bullet points, paragraphs, or Venn diagrams.
Nobody puts it together or makes it more digestible than does Sundance.
Still, it can often take more than a single read to get it all.
The Conspiracy thrives on overwhelming us with so much corruption that it is almost impossible to tease out the threads, it’s part of how they hide and protect themselves, it’s simply too much for most.
Thank you for reminding me, especially reminding me I will need to practice precis. God bless you.
After perusing some of the comments, I believe some commenters failed to understand the message.
Just one caveat: in threads with hundreds of comments, I plead guilty to not reading every one before I post. If I read all the comments, sometimes I’d be here all day.
I always seek to understand.
I find myself here less and less. The Anti-Cop sentiments and the Anti-Military sentiments that are pervasive in the comments of several threads are sickening…..and adopted by admin here.
My son is in the military and is a police officer there. And folks here want me to say “he’s no friend” and “paychecks & overtime will override” his internal fortitude to do the right thing when it matters?
No thanks. Some “sanctuary.”
Thank you for writing this. I really enjoy reading the comments, I hope Stillwater read this, as much as I am a Christian person, he needs to cut it short or post his sermons elsewhere..
I rarely comment here, but make no mistake, this a top three of my favorite reads…Especially when I seek the truth!
What’s interesting about this thread is that of all the posters that are saying:
“Yeah,I’m guilty of that”
“I’ve done that too much”
“I don’t know how to tone it down”
None of them are the ones that violate half the rules everyday, multiple times.
Glad I found CTH many years ago. This site is very informative, but I just wished we had more tools to fight against this Biden regime at our local level.
read, checked that box…..rock on brothers.
ThankYou For Being Here😘😁
Sorry in advance, I slip up at least one a weeks…..ha.
Yes, Comrade Sundance. I will re-read Orwell’s 1984 so that I know what kind of language to use. I wouldn’t want to offend the delicate sensibilities of author or commenter nor vary from the accepted daily narrative and thereby have to be reprogramed.
Excellent summary of your objectives, & participants’ expectations!
I love this. It should go without saying, however, common sense isn’t so common nowadays.
I was put in time out after an unfortunate outburst last week in a moment of stress. I deserved it. I have simply decided to read much more and comment much less, and to never comment in the state I was in that night. Thanks to you moderators, Ad Rem and Menagerie.