an open letter revisited

[red-beard]

Let's bomb the OT forum with Off Topics posts.

[speeder]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
island911 said it best, the left on board hate me because I am effective.

At what, pray tell?? Changing minds, causing your opponents to re-assess their position(s), or just starting/participating in an exchange of ideas? You are about as effective as an off-kilter individual who shows up for junior high school every day w/ a bunch of extreme right-wing garbage slogans plastered on your back, your vehicle and your locker. Or stands on a street corner w/ a bull horn barking your beliefs at passing cars. People just shake their heads and hope that you get help.

I defend to death anyone's right to express their views in the U.S., even if I find those views uninformed or worse, but if you really believe that you are "effective" as a spokesperson for whatever it is that you purport to believe, then you are seriously deluded. Seriously.

[CarreraS2]

More active moderation is NOT needed.

That is contrary to the long (in internet years) history of this particular OT board.

Why don't people who are annoyed/bothered/can't handle certain subjects, people or things simply ignore them?

A "if you won't say it to their face, don't say it here" rule is really stupid, IMO (oops, I said "stupid!" sorry for the vulgarity, hope no one is offended).

Part of the beauty of the Internet is it allows people to come closer to saying how they really feel. Say things they ordinarily WOULD'T say in person. Have you ever been to PCA events? THAT's what happens when relative strangers say only what they would say face to face. "How's the weather?" Boring.

I'd really think twice about a more proactive moderation policy.

It's pretty clear who this is generally directed at. C'mon people, you are really insulted or bothered by those posts? Have some pride! At least save your indignation and sensitivity for something worth it. Those posts are so repetitious, uncreative, formulaic and "by the book."

Finally, I think NS is a fair guy, but it is difficult to be both a moderator AND an active participant, IMO. It is even moreso when the most vocal and repetitious are from the other end of the moderator's political spectrum.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by 87coupe
I've already added what I wanted to this thread. If you were offended by what I said, then I ask you 'Was it true?'. If not then I appologize.

I'd like you to think about something; would you have the discussions you do, in the tone you do, in line at the grocery store? Now imagine there are several thousand people within an earshot of you - would you still do it?

You mean that because you think my making multiple posts in a thread or discussion about politics or religion are wrong (like in China or Cuba)?" No.

If you want me to agree that your calling me immature was in any way appropriate since you don't know me and clear do not have much experience or a lot of years under your belt....don't hold your breath. I have not seen a lot of well reasoned posts on your part...here or in the tech threads.

I would be happy to repeat anything I post here in public since every word is true. What I really don't understand why you care what others discuss in threads that you can easily avoid...Is it really all about you?

[fintstone]

Originally posted by livi
Perhaps its time for a 'Tough Ultimatum revisited' thread.

I managed to be brave enough to brake up with her. Its still an almost daily struggle however. We are not in agreement regarding our daughter. And I could tell you some further horror stories on erratic / mad / dangerous behavior on her part. But I try hard to forget it and move on.

When things settle down I will post and let you know. You were all such great support. Thanks!

Hope it works out. Did you get to keep your daughter or did she?

[fintstone]

Originally posted by Tobra
...Oh yeah, even if I agree with you a lot of the time Fint, you need to grow some thicker skin if you think, "Fint's way or the highway" is a personal attack. If someone were to say, "Fint's a fuchin' pussy" because he is prone to whining about persecution for his political beliefs, that would be more of a personal attack thing.

You miss the point entirely. It is, by definition, a personal attack. If we censor folks speech...how do we determine what constitutes a "personal attack" or "inappropriate post." Clearly it is open to unfair interpretations....unless you follow a very tight definition....or unless it is something that almost anyone would agree is out of bounds. Often folks are slammed for "mean spirited" posts simply because the other side disagree. In a perfect world...one would not even be able to discern the politics of a moderator.
personally, I cannot understand why a poster would ever start a post by calling another poster a name or describing their behavior. Any post that begins by "Tobra you are a ****" or "Tobra you did *****" instead of some information or fact is uncalled for and clearly personal...then it just becomes a matter of degree.

Personally I would prefer someone with the nads to call me a "fuchin' pussy" than the silly lies that are told about me here of the inept attempts at psychoanalysis that are attempts to weaken the facts/argument I present. Both are signs of a weak argument or debater.

[dhoward]

[Wrecked944]

I need more slack.

[nostatic]

I need a vacation...

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by nostatic
I need a vacation...

Yeah, you do.

If you don't want politics at all, then say so, and I'll respect that. Outline what the hell you want and I'll respect it. After that last closed thread, I honestly don't know what the hell you want out of me, Todd.

[Rick V]

Originally posted by dhoward

[nostatic]

i opened it back up. Have at it. Some people don't want to self-police (or are unable to), and I'm tired of insults and allegations. I appreciate those that have pm'd me on this with words of encouragement (from both sides of the political spectrum interestingly enough), but short of banning 1-10 people, seems like the only option is to just let people do whatever they want. Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes a personal attack, and that will ALWAYS be subjective. And someone will always disagree and get their panties in a wad. So go ahead and swing for the fences. I'll only act on threads/posts that are reported or if I see something that is obviously offensive (no matter what my political persuasion). I should have known better than to try and engage a dialogue on this topic. Mea culpa. I'm gonna go play tennis with my son...

[cool_chick]

Have fun with your son. But I don't know what the hell I did in that thread to warrant the title of "usual suspects".....I was trying to demonstrate how it's wrong to personally attack for an opinion re: a topic, no matter how offensive it may be to someone (which is subjective anyway). I was trying to validate what you were saying.

I was serious, Todd. What the hell did I do to warrant the "usual suspects" comment, I wasn't personally attacking anyone.....what the hell did I do that was not "self-policing"? Outline what you want for this board, and I'll adhere to it. PM me with the guidelines if you like.

[mikester]

Originally posted by speeder
...Or stands on a street corner w/ a bull horn barking your beliefs at passing cars. People just shake their heads and hope that you get help.

... Seriously.

You've seen that guy eh? Lately he's been by my office at olympic and bundy at 5pm.

I actually don't know what he's saying or talking about though because I'm just far enough away.

[bryanthompson]

That guy was picketing Best Buy here in Lincoln for awhile. I always wanted to stop and figure out what exactly his deal was.

Has anyone else noticed that Best Buy always smells like BO? Every one of their stores I have ever been to has had the same computer nerd in a warm closet smell. I think maybe it's time they let the Geek Squad take a break and go have a shower. They're giving the rest of us (clean) nerds a bad name.

[CarreraS2]

Originally posted by nostatic
Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes a personal attack, and that will ALWAYS be subjective.

I think a personal attack is an attack on one's person.

Not an attack on some anonymous screen name on some little corner of cyberspace.

How effective or serious can an "attack" be when the "victim" of the attack can simply ignore the attacker and thus completely defeat the attack???

This is the Internets, people. Keep some modicum of perspective and everything will be ok. And leave Nostatic alone. Crying to the moderator on an Internet off topic board is shameful.

[snowman]

Your all a bunch of stupid, no nothing, slobs without enough intelligence to know when to go to the bathroom. ALL of you.

Theres a personal attack on everyone (except me). What you going to do about it?

I am also offended, thats really offended by the nasty references to Bush. Bush is great.

And the porn. Put a bag over their heads, at least.

[tabascobobcat]

Has this become another " social experiment" ???

[Aurel]

I think Fint should be banned. He annoys me.

Aurel

[speeder]

Originally posted by snowman
And the porn. Put a bag over their heads, at least.

Finally something we can agree on. Some of those women in the bikini thread are seriously fugly. Lose your lunch fugly.