Forum Rules
I was just thinking how like the real world this forum is in its ability to seem to be one thing, and actually is another.
We discuss topics here of a wide and comprehensive nature, from what people eat for breakfast, to how people feel about the sanctity of life. We generally do this in respectful and considerate ways, but sometimes we get our dander up. Usually, the discussion is productive and interesting, (though I wish C&P responses were less prevelent)and I truly have learned to like and appreciate some of the members.
What I find disconcerting, and a parallell instance to the "real world", is that should a moderator, or administrator, find that he (or she) does not like the direction a discusion is going, either in topic or degree of rancor, he(or she)may simply remove the discussion topic and all.
I have been told, in previous posts along these lines, that this is the way it is, and, should I not like it, I may certainly choose to post elsewhere. The rules are clearly stated and available to all here.
Shouldn't we, as protective as we are of our rights, feel some degree of dissatisfaction with this?
Free speech is a cornerstone of the American Dream. Our founding fathers were no idiots and, I think, realized that free and unfettered discussion is intrinsic to the stability of democracy, and as important to the developement of or nation as any other factor.
That said, I want to thank the moderators and administrators of this forum. By in large, we have a good time here, and the purpose of freedom is held in high regard, and touted with vigor amongst the posters. For this I am truly grateful.
Peace to all of you, and know that I enjoy being a part of this forum.
Thomas
p.s. please excuse all typing, spelling, syntax errors. I am no typist, and limited severly by the dexterity of my two index fingers!
We discuss topics here of a wide and comprehensive nature, from what people eat for breakfast, to how people feel about the sanctity of life. We generally do this in respectful and considerate ways, but sometimes we get our dander up. Usually, the discussion is productive and interesting, (though I wish C&P responses were less prevelent)and I truly have learned to like and appreciate some of the members.
What I find disconcerting, and a parallell instance to the "real world", is that should a moderator, or administrator, find that he (or she) does not like the direction a discusion is going, either in topic or degree of rancor, he(or she)may simply remove the discussion topic and all.
I have been told, in previous posts along these lines, that this is the way it is, and, should I not like it, I may certainly choose to post elsewhere. The rules are clearly stated and available to all here.
Shouldn't we, as protective as we are of our rights, feel some degree of dissatisfaction with this?
Free speech is a cornerstone of the American Dream. Our founding fathers were no idiots and, I think, realized that free and unfettered discussion is intrinsic to the stability of democracy, and as important to the developement of or nation as any other factor.
That said, I want to thank the moderators and administrators of this forum. By in large, we have a good time here, and the purpose of freedom is held in high regard, and touted with vigor amongst the posters. For this I am truly grateful.
Peace to all of you, and know that I enjoy being a part of this forum.
Thomas
p.s. please excuse all typing, spelling, syntax errors. I am no typist, and limited severly by the dexterity of my two index fingers!
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I can appreciate whre you are coming from, but you have to remember, that this site is not the USA, and does not afford you any rights. The freedom of speech does not apply to a privately owned and operated internet forum. 0 -
This is a privately owned forum. The owners have the freedom to allow or disallow anything they want to. This lesson is one I live by; The guy paying the bills gets to make the rules. To put that into the macro look at our nation. We the People pay the bill we have the right to say how it gets spent. Freedom is not free.
I can't for the life of me see any restraint of free speech on this forum. The mods may delete or poof something that is not up to the level of decorum the owners want used. But all things considered we have a huge level of freedom of expression here.
The forum is so free that I can call Nunn a sissy cop hiding behind a badge and suffer no harm at all. [:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
This is a privately owned forum. The owners have the freedom to allow or disallow anything they want to. This lesson is one I live by; The guy paying the bills gets to make the rules. To put that into the macro look at our nation. We the People pay the bill we have the right to say how it gets spent. Freedom is not free.
I can't for the life of me see any restraint of free speech on this forum. The mods may delete or poof something that is not up to the level of decorum the owners want used. But all things considered we have a huge level of freedom of expression here.
The forum is so free that I can call Nunn a sissy cop hiding behind a badge and suffer no harm at all. [:D]
I understand that this is a privately held forum, not a debatable point, but I just feel like freedom to speak is hindered by statements as indicated in red below.
FORUM RULES
"In general we expect everyone to act like adults and to show respect for each other, just as you would if the other parties were guests in your home. If you are looking for an unmoderated free-for-all you will not be at home here.
We do not allow the posting of 'For Sale' or 'For Trade' listings anywhere on these message forums. If you have something to sell, please post it on our auction site at http://www.gunbroker.com We do not allow `For Trade' listings anywhere on our auction site or message forums.
Other stuff we automatically delete:
Auction tech support or billing questions. If you have a tech support or billing question click Help Center from the top of any auction site page.
Complaints or criticism about GunBroker.com, its staff, its policies, or any buyer or seller on that site. If you have a problem with an auction transaction use the auction feedback system and/or contact tech support.
Complaints or criticism about these message forums or their moderators.
Complaints about businesses, persons, or transactions unrelated to this site (in general all complaints will be deleted).
Questions about why a post was deleted. This page explains why.
Commercial advertisements for any product, service, or web site.
Posts containing links or references to any competing site.
Posts containing links or references to any web site critical of this site.
Posts containing links or references to any web site we do not like.
Profanity, nudity, vulgarity, racism, etc.
Posts that violate any federal, state, or local law, or that infringe on another party's intellectual property (copyright, trademark, etc.) are prohibited.
If we deleted your post it means that we did not want it here. If we delete a post and you re-post it we will revoke your access privileges.0 -
It's a Net forum - it doesn't matter. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tacking1
I truly have learned to like and appreciate some of the members.
thats sweet[:X]0 -
If you want an analogy, I liken it to Smith's Store at Union Cross years ago. People would go in there, buy an R-O-C-co-cola and a Moon Pie, gather up around the stove and join the discussion of whatever was being cussed and discussed at the time.
Smitty didn't join the conversation very often and he pretty much let people say and act any way they wanted to as long as they didn't cause trouble or spit tobacco juice on his stove. If you started trouble or spit on his stove, he would politely ask you to knock it off. If you didn't knock it off, he would politely ask you to leave. If you didn't leave, he would not so politely assist you on your way to the door.
Smitty didn't deprive anybody of any of their rights, but he did influence behavior in his store.0 -
I have poofed A LOT of material here. Some of it for what it was, and some of it for where I believed it was going. I, and the other moderators can't and don't monitor the forums all the time. So...If I see a thread, say, on the subject of needlepoint, and it started off nicely enough, but now is becoming argumentative. Now, I know from previous threads, that this subject can get really ugly, with name-calling and insults from both sides of the issue. I can't watch it due to having to work, sleep, etc. so I dump it because of its potential. Maybe that's wrong, but that's how I do it. 0 -
JamesRK, right on point analogy. If that doesn't put it in perspective for everyone, nothing else will! 0 -
I like to think of this place as a place to visit, as in a living room in someone's home, or in a place like Smitty's. If we were a guest in someone's home or business, and if we found someone there with whom we vehemently disagreed on the subject of discussion, we probably wouldn't throw a fit, poke him in the eye, throw our beer on him, or call him an idiot. No, we would probably move across the room to another group discussing something else, or leave the room altogether, maybe to check back later. 0 -
There are not many situation in life that do not have rules, and consequences for breaking those rules. This forum is no different.
Seems simple enough to me. [:D]0 -
Some of this has already been stated, but:
1. This is a private company (note "compnay" as in this is a business) and there is no free speech here. We are all subject to following the rules as set forth by the owner.
2. Moderators (and nunn with his administrator status) do not get paid for doing what we do. Therefore, we are not here 40 hours per week and we don't see everything. Some say the rules are not applied fairly but we try to do the best we can. But we sometimes don't see things so it seems like we let some things go while deleting others but it's only because we miss things from time to time.
3. The rules are clearly posted and we do our best to fairly apply them. Nobody's perfect, all we can do is try.
4. It's the Internet. Why take it seriously? Does having a thread or comment locked or removed REALLY impact your life all that much?0 -
Good Question Saxon, it certainly can as you well know!
The bottom line though is that we are guests here, we have prevliges not rights.0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
Some of this has already been stated, but:...............Saxon, too bad this has to be repeated adnauseam! I sure would hate for it to get so bad in here that we had to read and click one of those "I Accept" or "I Decline" contracts/disclaimers before each and every response can be posted!0 -
The way I see it, is this forum is a social outlet. We come here to talk, blow off steam, express grips and concerns, show off our guns and toys. Though I may not agree with everyone, I enjoy the company. Just like the sand box in the back yard, there are rules to be followed and we ALL agreed to them, this include the disciminate and indiscriminate poofing of threads. Kind of like getting kicked out for throwing sand.
Only problem I have is when I miss a heated thread that got poofed.0 -
quote:Originally posted by tacking1
I was just thinking how like the real world this forum is in its ability to seem to be one thing, and actually is another.
We discuss topics here of a wide and comprehensive nature, from what people eat for breakfast, to how people feel about the sanctity of life. We generally do this in respectful and considerate ways, but sometimes we get our dander up. Usually, the discussion is productive and interesting, (though I wish C&P responses were less prevelent)and I truly have learned to like and appreciate some of the members.
What I find disconcerting, and a parallell instance to the "real world", is that should a moderator, or administrator, find that he (or she) does not like the direction a discusion is going, either in topic or degree of rancor, he(or she)may simply remove the discussion topic and all.
I have been told, in previous posts along these lines, that this is the way it is, and, should I not like it, I may certainly choose to post elsewhere. The rules are clearly stated and available to all here.
Shouldn't we, as protective as we are of our rights, feel some degree of dissatisfaction with this?
Free speech is a cornerstone of the American Dream. Our founding fathers were no idiots and, I think, realized that free and unfettered discussion is intrinsic to the stability of democracy, and as important to the developement of or nation as any other factor.
That said, I want to thank the moderators and administrators of this forum. By in large, we have a good time here, and the purpose of freedom is held in high regard, and touted with vigor amongst the posters. For this I am truly grateful.
Peace to all of you, and know that I enjoy being a part of this forum.
Thomas
p.s. please excuse all typing, spelling, syntax errors. I am no typist, and limited severly by the dexterity of my two index fingers!
One thing you have to remember, there's not a "free for all" in this forum. There are posting guidelines and we are a PG-13 forum...we try to remain family friendly...albeit we do push the envelope on that at times. If a discussion turns south of those posting guidlines or that PG-13 rating, we have no choice but to step in and do something. Do you honestly think this forum would remain PG-13 and family friendly, if someone didn't do a little clean up from time to time.0 -
I've had just about enough of these inane forum rules topics.
By golly; I am going to buy GB Holdings, Inc. and go on a poofing rampage that will curl the hair of old ladies and burn the ears off children. It will be a scorched policy with a take no prisoners attitude.
I will pay a stipend of $20,000.00 USD a year to each of the mods. The criteria used to determine who is a moderator will be who can be the most heavy handed and unfair.
Any applicants for the positions?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
JamesRK, right on point analogy. If that doesn't put it in perspective for everyone, nothing else will!
I liked that too.[:)][:)] We still have a few "Smitty"like establishments around here.[:)][:)]0 -
The mere fact that I have been allowed to remain on these forums for all these years speaks volumes about the quality of the moderators and administration.
I hold views that are pretty unpopular..and speak them in a manner that face-to-face often have led to violent confrontations.
There has been any numbers of `poofs' over the years..something to be expected, given the nature of the subjects I argue about..but I thank the moderators for their ..generally..even-handedness they display on a regular basis.0 -
I have always felt the "forum rules" were up to each moderator as they see fit...
One doesnt like porn, delete the pics....another one likes it, leave the pics..
one is religious and gets his shorts in a twist when something is posted he doesnt like, and he poofs...another one doesnt care...
It all depends on the WHIM of each moderator and how THEY understand the rules...there is no "one rule" for everyone....0 -
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
If you want an analogy, I liken it to Smith's Store at Union Cross years ago. People would go in there, buy an R-O-C-co-cola and a Moon Pie, gather up around the stove and join the discussion of whatever was being cussed and discussed at the time.
Smitty didn't join the conversation very often and he pretty much let people say and act any way they wanted to as long as they didn't cause trouble or spit tobacco juice on his stove. If you started trouble or spit on his stove, he would politely ask you to knock it off. If you didn't knock it off, he would politely ask you to leave. If you didn't leave, he would not so politely assist you on your way to the door.
Smitty didn't deprive anybody of any of their rights, but he did influence behavior in his store.
Does Smitty monitor and censor the topics of conversation?0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I have poofed A LOT of material here. Some of it for what it was, and some of it for where I believed it was going. I, and the other moderators can't and don't monitor the forums all the time. So...If I see a thread, say, on the subject of needlepoint, and it started off nicely enough, but now is becoming argumentative. Now, I know from previous threads, that this subject can get really ugly, with name-calling and insults from both sides of the issue. I can't watch it due to having to work, sleep, etc. so I dump it because of its potential. Maybe that's wrong, but that's how I do it.
I have found Mr. Nunn to be one of the most fairminded and reasonable people I have come in contact with. Heck, I'd invite him to our next family reunion if I thought he'd come. (Hey Mr. Nunn, drive the caddy)0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
4. It's the Internet. Why take it seriously? Does having a thread or comment locked or removed REALLY impact your life all that much?
I will address this statement, not knowing if this is a general comment directed at the membership or a direct statement about my degree of passion with regard to this forum.
Mostly, I find this forum to be entertaining, and most enjoy those posters with tremendous wit and intellect as they skewer other, less apt, posters.
I enjoy wondering about the posters who seem to relish and focus on the probability of having a reason to justify going armed to the teeth.
Do I take any of it seriously? You bet. When you trample on free speech, I feel the same way many of you do about gun control.
I am not unhappy with the forum, and never indicated that to be the case, and recognize that it is a priveledge, in this medium, to be able to post here.0 -
Again, you have no free speech here. The guarantee of free speech does not extend to private organizations. If this issue is that imporetant to you, and you will not be happy unless you have assurances that you may say what you want when you want and how you want then you will not be happy here. We have rules. Sorry. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
Again, you have no free speech here. The guarantee of free speech does not extend to private organizations. If this issue is that imporetant to you, and you will not be happy unless you have assurances that you may say what you want when you want and how you want then you will not be happy here. We have rules. Sorry.
Please know that I hold in high regard and appreciation those that provide this outlet.
Hey what did all you guys have for supper last night?0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
.....if we found someone there with whom we vehemently disagreed on the subject of discussion, we probably wouldn't throw a fit, poke him in the eye, throw our beer on him, or call him an idiot. No, we would probably move across the room to another group discussing something else, or leave the room altogether, maybe to check back later.
There are some people that deserve (IMHO) to get poked in the eye and have beer beer bottles thrown at them, no matter where you find them. Some examples are, Black Panthers, Chavez, Danny Glover, Pigs, Nazi's, Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the like.0
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