A serious question.

[norealtalent]

... We step in if forum members become rude to each other or post material that is blatantly offensive. Sure we all have different opinions as to what is blatantly offensive... and maybe sometimes the threshold is set too high or low...
Widget

It's pretty simple, moderate yourselves and nobody will have to do it for you. I didn't say it was easy, just simple.

[4313B]

It's pretty simple, moderate yourselves and nobody will have to do it for you.

You got it. That way I don't have to cuss and bust heads together. What a relief that would be!

[Robh3606]

It's pretty simple, moderate yourselves and nobody will have to do it for you.

Exactly, makes it more enjoyable for all.

Rob

[BMWCCA]

Hesitant to waste even more bandwidth on the topic, let me just say as a long-time lurker, recent poster, the moderators on this forum do a superb job maintaining a balance that allows enough camaraderie in light-hearted exchange without ruining the main purpose of these forums which is (I shouldn't have to even say it) to supply and share JBL information. My hat is off to you all.

There are myriad places on the Web to exchange random thoughts, self-aggrandizing posts, or to display unrelated handiwork. I'm not against knowing more about the folks on this forum but when the noise level approaches that of a Personals section, enough is enough. Those of us who don't contribute to the noise won't miss what gets lost in moderation and those who do can always take it elsewhere. An opt-in Off-Off-Topic forum may solve the problem but really shouldn't be necessary. As a moderator on an unrelated forum, I'm aware what a thankless job it can be. But I also know the best forums in which I'm involved are those that are moderated.

Thanks again for all you do and the service all the Heritage forums supply.

-Phil

[Rolf]

I promised to let this thread go away by itself with never to comment further. It is for me hard to do but I stay away. Some people will get a pm. Sorry.

[Ken Pachkowsky]

My point is, is this place so terrible? Taken on the surface it feels like a small group of perhaps six people are dissatisfied with the status quo... considering we are made up of people from so many walks of life and cultures from all over the world, I think the place functions pretty damned well. I must confess I don't understand the gripes, but I hope we can focus on the positive and move forward.

for me an intellectual discussion isn't "crap" it can be stimulating and valuable. I find it immensely interesting how well educated conservatives can hold to their beliefs... that said, there is plenty in the Off Off Topic area that is far from stimulating or valuable. I have probably missed some nuggets because I don't have the patience to wade through the stuff I have no interest in... I simply choose not to go there, it is my choice and the beauty of having a specialized area for those topics... it makes it rather easy to avoid.

Widget

Great post Widget. I tried to edit down the quote but you hit the nail on the head. Please don't count me as dissatisfied. On the contrary, as stated previously in the thread, I enjoy the diversity of this group. I also agree there is plenty of garbage in an off topic area. Although feeling the posts in question were dealt with properly, the thread should not have been closed. I have noticed that questioning what a moderator does can be misconstrued as a personal attack, or overall disrespect of their responsibilities and contributions. That is not the case and I trust we are all mature enough to understand that.

Ken

[Mr. Widget]

...Although feeling the posts in question were dealt with properly, the thread should not have been closed.

I have no idea as I haven't looked at that thread since it was moved into the Off Off Topic area... I did see a handful of interesting images when it was first posted... I gather from Bo's comments that it changed course.

I really don't understand what's the big deal about closing questionable threads... whatever needs to be said that hasn't already can certainly be said in a new thread. I just don't understand why people get so upset when a meandering thread gets closed... how are two or three meandering threads somehow worse than one longer one?

I have noticed that questioning what a moderator does can be misconstrued as a personal attack, or overall disrespect of their responsibilities and contributions.

It is hard not to take it that way... we don't edit posts, delete posts, or close threads lightly... we take this stuff very seriously and give it a lot of thought and do a lot of soul searching before we take these actions, so then when someone comes along and questions it as though we just carelessly made a stupid blunder it does feel personal. I guess it shouldn't... but I know in my case it usually does... of course it may be the PMs calling me a stupid SOB that make me take it personally. Ok, I just made that part up, other than a few death threats no one so far has called me a stupid SOB. I see my PM box filling already.


Widget

[4313B]

of course it may be the PMs calling me a stupid SOB that make me take it personally

Turn PM's off. Of course then they'll just catch you with the "Report Bad Post" feature.

[hapy._.face]

... how are two or three meandering threads somehow worse than one longer one?

...don't we want to keep the sewer consolidated into one drain pipe?

[Mr. Widget]

...don't we want to keep the sewer consolidated into one drain pipe?

I assume that isn't an actual question, rather a joke of some kind?

If you are asking my opinion, I don't really care what goes on down there as long as it doesn't back up... yes the play on words is my attempt at humor but it is also a serious answer.


Widget

[hapy._.face]

I assume that isn't an actual question, rather a joke of some kind?

It's a joke- one I thought you (in particular) would find humor in. Thank you for clarifying (I wish more people did this!)

If you are asking my opinion, I don't really care what goes on down there as long as it doesn't back up... yes the play on words is my attempt at humor but it is also a serious answer. Widget

Perhaps we need a septic tank.

[boputnam]

Perhaps we need a septic tank.

We got one - "Off Topic"...

Except the picturebooks - I enjoy them.

[Steve Gonzales]

I've been a small part of this forum for a couple of years and have seen my fair share of trouble. I've seen some good improvement in the moderation here recently, yet, I've often wondered how a handful of people seem to get away with outragous comments, tantrums and rude behavior and then some people get their posts deleted or their threads closed and they don't even approach that level of behavior?. Yet that type of bias doesn't ever get addressed. A double standard of sorts. There is one particular person that has started more trouble and said more crap to alot of different members, I can't believe he's still here, yet he is held in high regard because of his 'contributions' , what does that say to the rest of the membership when it is just quietly swept under the rug and that's that?. I know that this is a can of worms to open, but in my opinion, based on what I've seen, it is correct. Having said that, if you are not accutely aware of this, I'm sure that there are members on the other side of the fence that are, and judge some of the moderation here as biased for those kinds of reasons, to some degree. Moderators should be just that, moderators, trying to bring a level fairness to an issue without censorship unless it is vulgar, pornographic or threatening. I've come to understand that there is a pecking order here and that some can get away with murder and some better toe the line or else. I am not condeming the whole moderating team, only if the shoe fits. If you can say to yourself: " I treat everyone's opinion equally", then I'm not talking about you. If you can handle the question to yourself without having to think too long before the answer is yes or have to qualify the yes, I applaud you. I've been tempted to get into a flame war a couple of times here recently, but have chosen to take the high ground and not get pulled into someone's twisted idea of a 'discussion'. This is still a wonderful site to enjoy. I hope my frank opinion isin't taken as a blanket put down across the board, it is not meant to be and I think I've made that quite clear in the details of this post. I will be the first to admit that I've done my share of damage in the past but have tried my very best to be nice and/or apologize if I sense I've offended someone. All members should ask themselves : "Could I handle my responses to a fellow member better?" and "Is there a more tactful way of handling situations that annoy or bother me, better?. I have done this, have you?. Equal consideration is what I am talking about, not perfection. You can't please all of the people all of the time, for sure. I thank each member for letting me speak freely, now I have to go put on my asbestos, Regards, Steve Gonzales

[Mr. Widget]

I've been tempted to get into a flame war a couple of times here recently, but have chosen to take the high ground and not get pulled into someone's twisted idea of a 'discussion'.

Thank you for not letting your emotions get you into a flame war... we've all had those urges. At times it can be pretty damned difficult to just step away...

I've sent you a PM with my take on the situation. We are all still learning here...


Widget

[4313B]

There is one particular person that has started more trouble and said more crap to alot of different members, I can't believe he's still here

Who is it? We'll take them up with Don.