-Removed-

Skip, I don't think Richie was talking to you, he just happened to post a reply after yours.

'Troll' is not a derogatory term, it's an accusation.

Troll

Mithi,

The differences among us are exactly why I enjoy the discussions about all sorts of issues here. Where else can I have a discussion with thoughtful and intelligent people about these issues. The users of this site are a community, society, or family of sorts. Having open and honest discussions about whatever a user wants to talk about is part of the fun.

As I said those who don't want to participate in a particular discussion don't have to -- so why ban them for those who want them? As an example I find some of the contribution arguments silly and way too heated but I simply stay away. I don't join in and start saying nasty things about people and how silly I think they are being at the time. In my view it's what they want to talk about so let them.

I'm not saying as mentioned in my earlier post that some moderation might not be helpful. Another thing people supporting this ban have mentioned is why can't I or the others go elsewhere to discuss politics? Well I lurk on poltical forums on a regular basis and find the discussions there have a tendency to go nuclear very quickly (far worse than those here) and are not worth participating in. The people there tend to be extremely nasty and lack the desire to have a worthwhile discussion.

By the way no one in favor of this ban has answered my question as to why they cannot simply stay away from discussions they want to ban and let others who want to participate do so.

Brian

Quoting Mark Harrison:

Quote:
Perhaps I've missed it, but I've not seen any joy expressed that some may leave or stop posting.

'Happy' probably wasn't the best choice of words, but I see where he is coming from.  There have been a couple of posts that say, basically, "if you leave because of the ban on those topics, we really don't need you here." 

Quoting DJ Doena:

Quote:
'Troll' is not a derogatory term, it's an accusation.

Troll

Oh come on.  The term is meant as an insult and to claim it isn't 'derogatory' is being disingenuous. 

But Forget here is the p[oint you miss.

The General Discussion Forum says specifically
"Discuss anything and everything, within the bounds of the forum guidelines."

Now personally speaking I was surprised when Ken set up the General forum, I didn't think it was needed but he made the choice.

It is no longer a General Discussion as defined, there are topics which now are off-limits. That goes against the very definition that the Forum has. Now understand, I never started any of the political discussions, though I have participated, nor will I start any Religious discussions, I understand yhe passions that can be involved in both areas. THat said, if someone wishes to start one, then the self-appointed thought police, which are still very active with their vendetta, should have no participation at all. In fact, one of the things that I found most disturbing is the clear evidence of vendettas on the part of some users, in an attempt to control the speech and thought of the forums, some of them act in concert, I never saw Ken take any action regarding the behavior of these people and that alone has been very disappointing and simply one of the many factors which has stopped my Contributing, it is disappointing to see that they are still actively engaged in their attempts, though I am not surprised. Ken needs to take action to control these people and their behavior as people, not just me are being driven to minimal participation status, which should not be allowed at all. We need ALL users who wish to Contribute to learn how to Contribute and actively do so, somebody explain why it is good for some us to feel we that we will not provide the data which was once so readily and freely given. I have watched other databases come and go as they too had users fall by the wayside for some of these same reasons, once users believe that they have the power to exercise muzzling of others simply on the basis "I don't like him and I don't like what he says" then we have a problem and that is what has happened.

Pleas take note that none of my posts in this thread have in any way violated the Forum Rules, yet the thought police have been active. Nor does this post and fully expect that they will flex their muscles yet again. They don't realize that I know who they are.

Ireally wish I didn't feel obliged to type this but...

BTW, for the record, I am never happy to see a user leave, now matter how frustrating I may find him/her. I just want people to learn how to behave and be tolerant of others, and the tolerance usually goes something like this, Be tolerant of ME and my opinions...I will not be tolerant of you and yours.

Skip<sigh>

Quoting Dr Pavlov:

Quote:
It is no longer a General Discussion as defined, there are topics which now are off-limits. That goes against the very definition that the Forum has.

Skip<sigh>

Yes. Exactly.

I love to discuss politics and religion (I had my doctorate in theology while I worked on a degree in government, and have a degree in English, so talking/writing about these subjects is my meat). But there are people who go beyond disagreeing about their views and use terms which offend and actually attack people who see thing in other ways. That's where reasonable moderation could step in, rather than an outright ban on these topics.

Like others here, I have tried forums on politics, and those on religion, and I prefer to discuss these subject with people who have other interests in their lives, like DVDs, television, films, etc.

One problem which has never been addressed is the post which uses a derogatory term, which becomes objected to, and then where the offender never owns up to the realization that anything could have been taken offense to... If you call me or my family or friends a name we object to, cop to it... realize that you, as the speaker/writer, may have inadvertantly or deliberately offended someone and apologize. Instead, the offender has occasionally told me I was the offensive one for objecting to the use of the derogatory term, that it was used intended to be offensive and that I need to grow a thicker skin. This is where I've tossed out a red arrow, which gets objected to. Look, if you offend me, I will attempt to be civil in my response. If you tell me I'm wrong in being offended: you're being a jerk, and need to be sat outside for a while.

Which has nothing to do with the subject of the thread the offensive term was used in.