For years, the unwritten rule around Stampede Blue was simply 'don't be a jerk' to members of the site. This roughly translated into basically not insulting, demeaning, or needlessly bashing other members of the community, which includes readers, writers, and editors.

Basically, be respectful of all people who have accounts at Stampede Blue.

Stampede Blue is kind of like a sports bar or a section of the bleachers. It’s a public place. In such a space, obnoxious behavior is not tolerated. If you were interfering with other fans’ enjoyment at the stadium, or in the parking lot prior to kick-off, by harassing, baiting, insulting, or mocking them, you would be asked to leave. This holds true if you are doing the same thing to writers for this site, who you have to consider as the 'owners' of the bar or stadium.

As I will always state confidentially, the vast majority of our members here are insightful and respectful. The diversity of personalities, beliefs, and styles makes this a great place to talk football.

Knowing that, here are the following community guidelines that define the old 'Don't be a jerk' adage a bit more:

Follow The "Golden Rule" Of Blog Posting

Before hitting "submit" to post your comment or diary, ask yourself: 'Would I be embarrassed to say this in front of strangers who were physically present in the room with me and could respond to my face'" If the answer is 'yes,' then don't put up the post. Don't post something you will regret later. It's not a fun feeling, and it might get you banned from the site (which, you know, kind of sucks).

Differences Of Opinion

In general, if you disagree with someone's opinion, offer a reasoned, thoughtful counter argument. If you can't do that, don't comment.

Don't just insult the person, dismiss their opinion, and then go on to make lewd sexual comments about their mother if you disagree with them. Doing this will result in your comment getting deleted and either a warning or ban from the site. Flame wars over topics won't be tolerated. They detract from others enjoying the blog, and often get needlessly personal. Life is too short to get into personal arguments over football.

This difference of opinion rule also goes towards writer or editor here at Stampede Blue. If you personally disagree with an opinion expressed here by a featured writer or site editor, offer a reasoned, thoughtful counter argument. If you can't do that, don't comment. If you start insulting the writer or editor, or if you do anything that they could potentially view as 'instigating something' or 'trolling,' that is a violation of the guidelines.

No Religious Or Political Discussions

This is a sports blog, not a politics or religion blog. We talk about football here, and sometimes other sports. But, mostly football. We'd like everyone to feel as though this place is a bit of a sanctuary from all the political and religious talk seen everywhere else.

Copyright

If you see an article at another site you wish to share with the Stampede Blue community, don’t paste the whole article into your FanPost or comment. Post a few short paragraphs along with a link to the site that initially posted the content. Appropriating content without consent is the same as stealing. It’s wrong, it's disrespectful, and it could get you sued.

Enforcement

Violation of the guidelines, depending upon the severity, will result in comments, FanPosts, and FanShots deleted and a warning sent to you via the system. If you violate the guidelines after one warning, this will result in banishment from the site.

If you are banned, you can always contact the site admins and ask to be reinstated. Site admins are best reached at sbnationcolts@yahoo.com.

Thank you.

-The Editors