Now that it seems Syria is safely on the backburner and we won't be flooded with questions, I think its time for a general discussion on where this subreddit is and where we would all like it to go. We have some general things already planned to spruce up the look and feel (supposedly. I'm a numbers guy and their discussions might as well have been Greek...), but ultimately it is the content and the discussions that make this subreddit what it is.

And you all might have noticed that moderation has increased. We haven't been focusing on the questions themselves, but mostly on the comments/replies and removing those which are either inflammatory or make unsupported assertions that are also highly inflammatory. While we try to spot these, please report anything you feel should be removed because it lacks support, not because you do not agree with it.

As a reminder, from our "Read our updated and expanded guidelines" about top-tiered comments (i.e., direct replies to the question):

Top-tiered comments should only be serious responses to whatever the thread is about. If it's a question, they must be answers... Memes, jokes, insults, or other unhelpful comments are not permitted, though exceptions may be made for jokes if they are only part of an otherwise informative comment. The answers provided in /r/ask_politics should be informed, comprehensive, serious and courteous... Sources in top-tiered comments are not an absolute requirement at first if the comment is sufficiently comprehensive... If you are asked for sources or further substantiation, you are required to make a good-faith effort to find and provide them.

In other word - don't post a flippant response and be either comprehensive or have plenty of support/links backing up your statements.

Now that brings us to the questions themselves... I've noticed a trend that questions will give the pretense of support by saying "As many experts say..." or "Studies show..." and other rhetorical tricks to set the level in some fashion as if the assertion itself must be true. Unless you're willing to cite the experts, studies, sources, etc, please do not ask this in your question. Also, be careful not to write pointed questions. For example, since I still have Syria on the brain, there is a difference between...

"Many countries think that we should punish Assad for using chemical weapons. Are they right?"

and

"Is the international community right to want a response for Syria's use of chemical weapons, including military strikes?"

The latter allows for much more discussion and is less likely to draw simply responses. If you're going to lead with a question, lead in this way so that replies almost necessitate sources.

Now that announcements are over, here are a few other things that we can discuss:

1. Should we adopt the use of tags? How general/specific should they be?
2. Would you want us to step up and remove questions we find lacking/inflammatory?
3. Are there any other ideas from our community that we would like to discuss?