Are you qualified to answer some of the questions posted here?

Question

I have only joined today and in only one section of this forum (Marriage and Divorce) I have come upon 16 totally incorrect postings of legal and medical fact.

First, you cannot diagonsis a medical condition from words on a forum. it is a disservice to the poster and to the community at large.

Second, unless you are an attorney, you cannot and should not be giving out legal advice.

For example, one repsponse told the poster that Yes, an IRA is split 50/50 during divorce and another said positively NO. The correct answer is, there is no way of knowning until we know the state in which the divorce decree was issued (whether it is Equitable Distribution or Community Property state.)

Another respondent claimed the poster's husband was bi-polar from smoking weed. That post needs to be deleted for obvious reasons.

So, back to my question. How many people on here who give advice are actually qualified to do so in the subject areas where they post?

In answer to one of the responses, I happen to be an attorney. I also own two IT businesses and have written Legal Position papers for NATO and the Governing Committee on Families and Children for the EU Board of Governors.

And in answer to the last poster, I don't know the woman's husband wasn't bi-polar. That was the point. NO ONE can know that.

It is very irresponsible for anyone to make such a statement, whether it is in the back room of a brothel or on the internet.

That is when it crosses the line from opinion to unsubstantiated fact.

Thank you PW and Steve. That is why I posted the question. I happen to be involved with two professional forums, one in IT and the other a legal forum and I deal with these issues every day.

Since I don't have to work much anymore I came on here and other places to keep busy. I'm not complaining about the opinions. There are a lot of people offering help, support and a hand that do good work.

This forum is like life, there are way too many children and not enough real people. And I plan on being here awhile because of the lack of real legal knowledge. That's not a slam. I don't expect many who come here to know what res judica means just as I have no idea what my daughters are talking about when they say Cierra (except for a soda drink).

I only hope that those who have no idea will not continue to prove it.

Answer 1

Who died and made YOU God?

And IF you're all that you say you are, it's a fair assumption that you are MUCH too busy to be goofing around in a forum such as this.

Answer 2

Perhaps a more useful question is why would anyone ask a legal or medical question here? I assume they would like to be pointed in the right direction and assume they would not take an answer from YA as being that which they based their final decision and action on. I doubt there are many doctors or lawyers pounding the keyboards for free when they can make 250 dollars an hour and more from clients who pay. But the majority of the questions are about affairs of the heart or opinions. No one is forced to take the answers and no one is legally scrutinized before being allowed to submit answers. There are a lot of kids here and there are some older people who have their own speciality fields but Relationships is a place where I post because I have been around long enough to have been hurt and seen hurt and if I can help people get through some of their hurt I will post. I do not have a qualification in psychiatry but I know what love feels like, and death, and rejection. I am sure if you read the rules (if you have time) there is a myriad of small print saying YA is not responsible for anyone acting on answers. Otherwise the whole thing folds. HOWEVER as you appear to be an expert I would think many of those who post questions would be absolutely delighted that you can answer the questions others have so magnificently failed to do. YA is a lot more like a bar n grill than the Grand Dining Hall at the Dorchester
so stick around. You may be able to help some people pick up their lives.

Answer 3

I think your points are very legitimate and poignant.

However, this is a yahoo q&a board which solicits, mostly, opinion. If I am having chest pains, I should call 911, not post it on yahoo.

If I am being sued, terminated, divorced, or inheriting a million bucks, again, I should seek the help and guidance of professionals.

Most of these posters are people just wanting validation of their own conclusions. Anyone who simply takes the advice of a fourteen year old giving their opinion on yahoo answers should be doomed to fail in the first place.

Just today, I saw a Q from Nancy freakin' Pelosi asking about Global Warming? You should read those answers. (By the way, there was no mention of the warming now occurring on the planet Mars - I think we're saving it until after Mrs. Clinton becomes Presidente)

Answer 4

And you're an authority on these things because?
As a 56 year old Reverend, married 32 years, college educated and experienced in life through travel, interaction with others, and diverse life experiences, I only answer what I'm qualified to answer.
I would suggest that you need to get a life if you think it's your mission to join Yahoo! answers to verify the quality and accuracy of what transpires here.
Using these forums is a voluntary choice, and I don't know of anybody forced here, you, me or anyone else. You pays your money and you takes your chances.
So if you don't like it, you probably wouldn't have made such an impact at this point that you'd be missed if you stayed away.
So, take care, and good luck in your future endeavors...

Answer 5

If you look for negatives, you will surely find them. When you were finding so much fault with the messengers here, surely you found also many that said repeatedly,
" Talk to a divorce attorney" , " You should see a dermatologist", or " Call your doctor/ veterinarian ASAP!", " Here is the name of the wedding planner i used", etc..
I am truly amazed at the number of people in all corners of the globe who only want to offer genuine help.

I asked a question about a Toyota I was planning to buy. Out of seven responses, three were certified mechanics who knew the car well. The others were owners who gave opinions I value much. They all gave me something to think about.

Perhaps you shouldn't see things with such a critical and assuming eye. It's not all black and white... there is indeed a gray area.

Answer 6

People who give advice are giving their opinion. Very few will claim to be drs or lawyers. Most will tell you that you need to seek the service of a dr or lawyer.

Most people who post and get answers are smart enough to figure out that it is just someones opinion.

There is an option called "BEST ANSWER". If the asker likes the opinion of the answerer then that answer is chosen as best.

Most people are not going to base their life on the answer they get from yahoo answers and do not take this a seriously as you seem to be. Let everyone have their fun.

Answer 7

I dont mean to sound rude, but who are you to come on a public forum and judge others? Of coarse half the ppl on here are not "license" "bonded" or otherwise "qualified" to give advice, but this is a public forum where everyday people come and ask questions and everyday ppl answer those questions using what knowledge they have on the subject.

I dont venture to guess that anyone is giving "legal" advice, but only giving their opinion on the subject.

Honeslty, how do you know the womans husband wasnt bi polar from smoking weed? Maybe it affected his brain in a way it wouldnt normally and caused him to become bi-polar.. After all the cause of bi-polar is an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain.. Pott could do that?? Who are we to say?

So please, get off your high horse and allow people to vent and discuss their buisness the way they want to.

Answer 8

How many lawyers or doctors would be on here giving out free advice anyway?
Especially lawyers????

If the poster takes the advice of the general public without fully educating themselves on the subject matter in question, then they are gullible.

Most on here just want a second opinion.
Some get on here for attention reasons.
Others are bored at work and pass away the work day on here.

Answer 9

Stop, anyone can answer a question either here or in one of the forums. Everyone on the web knows it is only a suggestion to help you make up your mind. No, No one is trying to pass them-self off as a doctor, lawyer or anything els. Remember it the World wide web.

Answer 10

Oh get a life! People come here seeking advice, no one claims that they are professionals. Live a little, will you? Give the rest of us a break with your legal crap! We're all intelligent enough to seek the adivce of both legal and medical professionals! Take a drink already!

Answer 11

Well the obvious question is what qualifies you?

Well then congratulations you are more qualified than most to post reponses to legal questions...so does that mean you will be offering free legal advice to those seeking advice on legal matters? I think that'd be very generous of you...