On Balance, the new DDO site policy reform is generally good.

Pros CaseAs the pro I will be arguing that the site policy is good, as the impact from site policy will likely be overall, good. MY opponent must seek to prove that the policy is bad, and that the impact of the policy will be bad.Personal attacks, negative ad-hominem, harassment, name calling, insults, etc. - these are all forms of intellectual violence. This kind of speech is not backed up by reasoning, and the claims made cannot be objectively verified. Intellectual violence is used only to hurt other members of DDO.In the words of Isaac Asimov, "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent." (A) The policy will bring an end to bullyingThe primary focus of the site policy reform will be to end ad-hominem, insult, disrespect, and other forms of personal attack/threatening. This kind of behavior is absolutely detrimental to a site that revolves primarily around the virtues of formal debate, and respectful discourse.Look to modern day debate competitions for an example. Leagues such as the NFL do not tolerate insults or ad-hominem in their tournaments, as this kind of conduct is never beneficial to an argument. Although ad-hominem can be convincing at times to the less intelligent, when it is presented to judges who cast votes based purely on logic and reasoning, it can be seen that these kinds of arguments are absolutely useless.Furthermore, insult, libel, slander, and negative ad-hominem are all only forms of bullying. Users who are prone to insulting their opponents do nothing but offend their opponents, show them disrespect, and bully them. Calling someone "stupid" or "retarded" for your own enjoyment is the definition of a bully, and a site that seeks to generate thoughtful, respectful discussion should abhor this kind of behaviour.There are almost zero instances where bullying is ever justified.Finally, insult and ad-hominem give people an excuse to put someone down without any good reason. I agree that people ought to be able to voice their opinions, but this website is not the forum for people to voice opinions based only on personal insult and attack. If you wish to visit a website free of (most) censorship, I suggest you travel to 4chan, and voice your opinions there. There is a time and a place for all kinds of speech, and DDO is not the place where members should be allowed to assault and belittle their fellow debaters, purely because they do not agree with their opinions or lifestyles.(B) The policy is fairThe policy applies equally to every member, and is not particularly austere. The policy provides leniency and judgement from the moderators especially in mild cases. Members won't simply be perma-banned the first instance of attack, or even the second. Bans will only come after repeated, extreme attacks. SummaryThe new reform to the site policy will usher in a new era for DDO, that shifts away from petty tribalism and mud-slinging, and instead shifts towards intelligent, respectful discussion that will hopefully lead members to new levels of enlightenment. The times where members will be allowed to bully the socially awkward, or uneducated has come to an end. With this policy, you will no longer be allowed to make regal declarations of stupidity, instead you will be challenged to prove that your opponent is a fool.It's high time that the members of DDO began to treat each other with some decency. If you want to be a belligerent, aggressive, war-like, primitive, ape who can only solve his problems with direct insult and mental violence, I suggest you take your petty squabble elsewhere.