Many of the general discussion or political discussion boards of other BBS' i post at have been shut down until after the election because of the mud slinging.. quite frankly I'm surprised this one has survived as long as this. And all that scary stuff Jeff posted.. totally believe that.. I had plenty of threats from emailers who read my weekly column.. online or in real life, doesn't matter.
See my post in the Feedback Forum regarding this, but I think these many reported posts are "a cry for help." I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but it seems like a few "KEEP IT CIVIL" emails to offenders would help. Posting warnings in the thread probably incites a bunch of "He's not talking about me..." responses. Short-term banishment with progressive penalties for repeat offenses would help. If you guys are too busy and dispassionate about the D&D, why not turn the moderatorship over to someone who enjoys the discourse and is under control? Mango would be perfect; he seems to read everything and drops in a great contribution now and then...
By the way, perhaps it has to do with who reports the post or how much a post was provoked, but it seems like reporting a post, even one where someone else is openly called "*******" or "wanker" has no effect?
If the admins decide to close it, fine. I would interject, however, that this year in the D&D nowhere near approaches the poo being flung around here during the 2000 post-election Supreme Court shenanigans, and IMHO, if this board can survive that, this board can survive anything.
Geez! After going away this weekend and have a great time, I come back to this? Some of you people need to go outside and play!
I'll be the first or second or third to admit that when it comes to the D&D forum I can be downright mean,rude and filthy. kind of like the state of politics today. Does it make it right? No it doesn't. But that's the way things are. People hear what they want to and very little else. Being an ******* about it does seem to get the attention of the people I'm trying to "debate" with though. I care very much about the politics concerning this country and how it affects everybody in this country, wether I agree with them or not. That might not be a good excuse for being a jerk to other poster's here, but when I read something totally stupid and inane, I reply with my opinion. Some of the stuff on the GARM can be quite nasty too. People talk about players like they know them personally and attack them for whatever reason. What's the difference between that and what is posted in D&D? Compared to what happens and what is said out in public, the D&D forum is just a very small fraction of the real life of politics. I've seen firsthand how nasty elections can be and politics in general while working closely with two campaigns on the state level in Texas. But that doesn't dissuade me from voting or believing that the government can do something to help people or improve life in general. The three things I learned about politics in that time was,fight for what you believe in, stay as true to what you believe in as much as possible and lastly VOTE!!! there is no reason,except that you're dead, not to vote. and if you feel you won't have enough time on super tuesday to vote, then vote early . I can't apologize for what I said, no matter how rude and childish it was, anymore than I would want someone else to apologize for saying something that offended me. If that's how you feel, that's your right. The only thing I will apologize for is not playing by the rules of the forum when it comes to insults and foul language.
I like the bantor....never take it too seriously, and actually learn a bit here and there. Ah well, if it goes away, then the Hangout will just become more politically charged. DD
It's cute that you think so. If you are that unencumbered and passionate about the D&D, why don't you-- as Jeff suggested-- create your own message board and go to town? This is a Houston Rockets site. It needs an outlet for political discussion like a fish needs a bicycle.
I hope it does not go away, but I am sure it will only get worse until the election in November. Heck, if it goes away, I have to go back to keeping my anti-religion views to myself. DD
I know I dont post alot in here, but I still would like to throw my opinion in on this. it is obvious to anyone who looks who the troublemakers are...they are the ones that dont even make an attempt at civility anymore...the ones that cant even make one lousy post without calling their opponent various names for holding the position they hold...and as I have mentioned before, it sickens me that we cant even hold a civil discussion on the issues instead of the personal attacks. Now...while I am sickened pretty often around here, I dont feel that the best course is closing the forum...a forum ban for the most aggregious violators would do wonders towards cleaning this place up.. It would show everyone that the admins are serious about their displeasure with the BS from both sides...and still allow those that can discuss civilly a place to do it without the distraction of the vicious posters. there are still many here that can and do stay civil everyday (FB, Im looking at you) and it would be a disservice to take away the place they come to talk with others that love to talk about the important issues of the day. I myself have learned a ton of great stuff here that I dont have time to track down,and I thank everyone of you for it. I do realize however that this isnt a democracy, and therefor, I dont get a vote...but if I did....I would vote no on the issue of whether or not to close the forum...lets not penalize everyone for the actions of a few....
It's been bad lately and I'm mostly back to lurking. If it closes I'll be sad though. This is the only place I ever talk politics and I'd miss reading virtually every poster in here.
I thinkd it would be a real shame if this forum is closed. Would one of the Administrator's respond about the solution of providing a warning to and then banning posters who break the rules? Richard
Already done. Who doesn't understand the rules as they currently stand? It's the height of naivete to think asking nicely is going to get the basketful of assholes we have over here to behave themselves. Hell, we have people who are guilty of the exact conduct I despise simpering about can't-we-all-get-along solutions to the problem. Let me add something to this: why don't those of you that think a small, self-governed community of political posters would be ideal create an email mailing list and discuss the issues that way? Why does clutchfans.net have to provide your outlet? I meant what I said, it's cute that you think human nature is a temporary thing, but that's not been my experience over the years I've been here. The suggestion's already been made-- why not let one of us moderate the D&D? Well, I say why stop there? Why not let one of you, or all of you, host it, too? If we're not going to be responsible for the content on bbs.clutchfans.net, why should we accept the responsibility for providing the outlet for it?