More power to the mods!!!

[radhak]

I'd like to propose/suggest a small change.

Recently I saw a great topic for discussion locked up fast because a newcomer to the board posted - maybe a bit hastily - a link with steep political slant. And I can think of others in the past that suffered the same fate (and could happen in the future).

I propose that if the mods feel any particular post crosses the line, they simply blank it out, or even zap it (that post) out, and send an automated email/pm to the poster informing the action and a boiler-plate reason. This should not take much more effort than locking the thread, would warn the poster to be more careful, and still allow the original discussion/thread to continue.

I for one would personally be really okay getting my post deleted like this if it over-reaches; it'd be better than the thread locked but still available for everybody to read, particularly the last 'offensive' post glaringly prominent.

And further, if anybody posts after any such bad post (BP), they should not quote it. If they do, their posts should also be zapped. Keep it clean, keep it simple.

[gsmittle]

Sounds good to me...

...with maybe an option to reword/rethink the offending post.

g.

[radhak]

...with maybe an option to reword/rethink the offending post.

g.

I was hesitant to suggest that - for the mod to do it, too much effort and subjectivity; for the poster to do it, potential for lotsa back-and-forth.

Nah - simply zap it !

[jackellis]

I'd be very much in favor of Radhak's idea, especially after having my hand slapped once (believe me it hurt, too).

[shoottx]

I'd be very much in favor of Radhak's idea, especially after having my hand slapped once (believe me it hurt, too).

I had my hand slapped once, it was a very gentle pat. I believe the moderators do an outstanding job of keeping this site a wonderful forum. I was amazed at the civility, and the inspired comments in this post http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=40823 It could have gone bad terribly quickly. So thanks to the mods

The moderators might also kill a thread with the offending post being an indicator of the wrong direction. I agree that removing an offending post is more appropriate than killing a whole thread.

[crokett]

We already can delete individual posts if we choose to. I opted to lock the thread you referenced rather than delete the offending post because I only wanted to have to moderate it once. I agree that the thread had potential but it toed the line and I could not see the political comments kept out of it for very long. I was just disappointed it happened on the first post.

I will zap individual posts that are offensive or against forum rules.

[Stytooner]

If it is a regular active member, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and they would get a PM. If it is a first time poster, they ain't gonna get that benefit. It gets deleted and no reason given, especially if it's spam. Why bother.
If the intent is clear to me, then away we go.

If I am curious as to intent even on a first timer, then they may get a PM, or at least I might start a background discussion, but it would be observed closely.

Except for blatant spam, most things are open to interpretation and I believe in the majority rule of the mods.

[leehljp]

If it is a regular active member, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and they would get a PM. If it is a first time poster, they ain't gonna get that benefit. It gets deleted and no reason given, especially if it's spam. Why bother.
If the intent is clear to me, then away we go.

If I am curious as to intent even on a first timer, then they may get a PM, or at least I might start a background discussion, but it would be observed closely.

Except for blatant spam, most things are open to interpretation and I believe in the majority rule of the mods.

Lee expressed it well in the same terms that I would state it for me.


While "moderator's views" are the subject here, a word on religious usage:

Concerning religious discussions or allusions. Because of my ministry background, I tend to (IMO) be a little on the strict side of judging what is religious. Quite frankly, if something is not religious to one but IS a religious word or symbol, it still has religious meaning to others and can cause great disturbance. The "lack of meaning" of a religious term, symbol or name to one person IS offensive to those who are adherents to that term, symbol or name. The "lack of meaning" is degenerative at its core and inflammatory at best - out in the real world and here too.

I see this on a world wide scale. I see US citizens and other countries come to Japan (and I see foreigners in other countries) who think nothing of certain habits or language that are extremely offensive in the country of visiting. The offender says, "It didn't mean anything to me". That still does not mean that the act has no meaning. Same with religious names, terms and symbols. Wars have been started over things with "no meaning" to one side. And that one side who says it has no meaning - gets offended because it does have meaning to others. So . . . the best recourse is NONE where equality on a WOODWORKING forum is the goal.

. . . And I am probably the most strict along that line here.

When the "Names and symbols" issue came up last year, it would have been easy to overlook everything, but that would not have been fair or right, IMO. That was the hardest thing for me to do here and I hated the offense that I caused in taking that stand. But I would do it again because I see the meanings, on a world wide scale, that are attached to religious words and symbols.

[TB Roye]

Mark recently edited part of a post I had made and sent me a PM as to why. I had no problem with it and thanked him as it allowed the tread to continue in a postive manner.

I think if a post is edited or delete and the person is given a reason in a PM that is fine as it will allow the discussion to continue. Some time I think will all step over the line by accident and need to be reminded of the rules, gently like I was. Now when a Newby jumps and tries to fan flames or incite some thing he should be bounced and the Thread closed or the ofending post deleted.


Tom

[dkerfoot]

Not Broke - Don't Fix It.

I have felt the "Hand of Mod" 2 or 3 times. I never like it, but it has always been done gently and I appreciate the proven success of this forum in keeping things civil.

The Mods have a tough enough job as it is without adding complication to it.