The mission of Old Elm Tree is to bring together people from across a spectrum of views, into a true community where they may see each other as fellow human beings, share ideas, and reach some understandings. Everyone is welcome here except those that would spout doctrinaire talking points, take a dogmatic approach to discussion, or treat others without respect. Old Elm Tree will not become an echo chamber for any point of view. We are challenging ourselves and others to let go of pre-conceived notions, and we seek and give mutual support in the effort. We cannot be all things to all people, but we want to be something important to those who choose to join us.
If you are new here, or just haven't read these yet, please make it a point to read the two threads in the first forum, Announcements for All Members.
Before the Revolution, colonists gathered under a great elm tree in Boston to rally together against the tyranny of the crown corporations. The Sons of Liberty hung the effigies of two tax collectors from the old elm tree in protest against the infamous Stamp Act. Ever since then, the old elm tree was called the Liberty Tree and became a focal point and symbol for the resistance to the tyranny of the crown corporations over the colonies.
You've Landed Right Where You Want to Be
This is Old Elm Tree: a great place to meet and talk, relax, think and enjoy yourself. We're new and growing and we need your help. Old Elm Tree is devoted to a couple simple concepts:
We want to provide an online community where each member is respected and valued.
We want to promote Free Speech.
We want to help artists, artisans and small business owners to develop and grow their businesses.
The trunk of Old Elm Tree is the discussion boards. We encourage you to join and take part in sharing ideas. Membership is free and always will be. That includes full functionality for every member. There are no fees required in order to post in any forum, or to have access to search capabilities, or any we have or may acquire in the future. No donations will be requested. There are no membership tiers. Every member is equal. We know that the main value in any discussion board comes from the members who post there. This is our way of recognizing that. We've started out with a sampling of forums and will add more as time goes on. This will mainly be driven by member requests, so please let us know what you'd like to see.
We want you to use the forums as you see fit. Share ideas. Network. Get Feedback. Meet like minds and start planning things together. Present your theories. Talk about politics, art, culture, sports or hobbies. History, architecture, cinema, sociology, or the infield fly rule. Think, create, use your imagination -- just run with it.
We want these forums to be comfortable and fruitful for all members, so we have a few rules:
No personal attacks are allowed. One can disagree with an idea or opinion while still respecting the other person and the other person's right to free speech.
No flames.
No spam.
The discussion forums will be moderated. We expect that in a very short time this will become too big a job for the two of us, so please consider volunteering to moderate your favorite forum, or a forum you'd like to see us start. Volunteering is good for your karma.
Coming Soon
So, what about revenue? How can we afford to do this? We are a small, two person operation. We're doing everything ourselves. We want this to pay for itself, and in the future provide an income for us so that we can devote ourselves to Old Elm Tree full time and grow it for you as much as possible. Our revenue will come from reasonably priced ads that promote what you do. All ads must be tasteful and valuable to the readers. We will provide many types of advertising, from small banner ads to full page galleries for artists and craftspeople.
Reuters: Top News Reuters.com is your source for breaking news, business, financial and investing news, including personal finance and stocks. Reuters is the leading global provider of news, financial information and technology solutions to the world's media, financial institutions, businesses and individuals.
Chile aftershock measured at 7.2 magnitude SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - A 7.2 magnitude aftershock struck near Chile's capital Santiago on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
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Financial reform deal fails, Dodd to move ahead WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Christopher Dodd said on Thursday that he will present on Monday his own version of a financial reform bill after compromise talks with Senate Republicans broke down.
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Police clash with protesters as Greeks fight cuts ATHENS (Reuters) - Police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens on Thursday as tens of thousands protested draconian cutbacks aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis shaking the euro zone.
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Biden appeals for Mideast peace talks without delay TEL AVIV (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called on Thursday for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to start without delay despite Palestinian insistence that Israel first cancel a settlement project condemned by Washington.
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Obama presses China on currency in trade speech WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama pressed China on Thursday to move to a "more market-oriented exchange rate" in a speech where he laid out a plan to boost U.S. exports in the coming years.
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Secularist list ahead in two Iraqi provinces BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A cross-sectarian, secularist alliance headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is ahead in two Iraqi provinces north of Baghdad, early results from the country's electoral commission showed Thursday.
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Ukraine's Yanukovich gets close ally as PM KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's new prime minister, Mykola Azarov, declaring state coffers were empty, promised on Thursday to meet all obligations to the International Monetary Fund and push through a realistic 2010 budget.
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Jobless claims fall, trade gap narrows WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly less than expected last week, hinting at a slow labor market recovery.
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Big majority wants Wall Street regulation WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An overwhelming majority of Americans wants Wall Street subjected to tougher regulation in the aftermath of the bank bailout and the bonus scandals that have rocked the U.S. financial sector, according to a Harris poll released on ...
BP to pay Devon $7 billion for oil fields LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - BP will pay $7 billion to Devon Energy for assets that will extend its reach into Brazil and bulk up its position in the Gulf of Mexico, as the world's top oil companies look to acquisitions to refill depleting reserves.
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