Policy on locking threads that have been "clawed"

[dig dug dog]

Although I respect Strelnikov's request to close the Israel/Palestinian thread--especially since he began it--in my opinion, the effect of the closure is to reward Mr. Talons for his hostility and the over-the-edge conflict he apparently generated.

I feel that was an amazing thread. In spite of the strong feelings and tensions it sometimes raised, there was a robust exchange of ideas and points of view concerning a very important topic. I say this as one who "got as good as he gave" over the course of the thread. Whether everything relevant had been said remained to be seen. The thread had enormous staying power.

Suddenly, Mr. Talons decides to drop in his lovely two cents and all hell breaks lose. Instead of taking proper disciplinary action against the "verbal terrorist", the thread is "locked". I don't think this sends the correct message to the Forum as a whole about the power of individual members to control discussion around here.

How many other threads will Mr. Talons be allowed to disrupt?

dig dug dog

 

[talons]

Actually, if you could see the threads that were deleted they weren't that bad at all. I did not try to break up the thread. All I did was speak an opinion that was to harsh for delicate ears. The debate (i guess) was if it was an opinion or an insult. Believe me if I wanted it to be an insult I would have made that point clear. Question is, is an opinion that may go against everything you believe in bad or wrong? You decide for yourself. I don't come here to start flames I can do that anywhere. I just thought that a forum that was about a subject as obscure as tickling would be able to accept opinions that weren't exactly "mainstream". Besides, I have seen other posts on this site much worse than mine go virtually unnoticed. I have been labeled a troublemaker, and to some it may seem that way, but does an opinion of a controversial nature mean I am trying to cause trouble? I don't see it that way. I just don't happen to agree with mainstream thinking. Wether people in this forum want to like or believe it there are quite a few people like me out there in the real world outside this protected environment.

 

[dig dug dog]

Dear Talons,

Thanks for your reply. I don't know what you wrote that was deleted, but I do know that I'd rather see crude insults on a post (IF that is what they were) than to have the whole thread closed.

evilqueen made it seem that your posts were pretty awful, but I'd rather have the opportunity to educate and enlighten your, uh, less-than-complete understanding of the world.

Respectfully,

dig dug dog

PS...please see my response to you on the Europe/Jews thread.

 

[qjakal]

Terminology...

I saw a few of your posts before they were deleted, Talons, and the one was worded VERY badly...the others were confrontational and seemed to be aimed at questioning the Mods judgement and intentions. You say that if you intended them as insulting, they would have been crystal clear, and having seen many of your posts in the past, I agree with you on that. However, the tone of those that were deleted WAS ambiguous at best...and downright nasty if taken out of context. The last one was basically a calling out of the Mods for touching your posts, and seemed to be inviting deletion. The forum should be able to tolerate a LOT of viewpoints, no argument there...but the definition of an opinion is what the entire purpose of a Moderated Forum attempts to address. You write...it gets looked at and a decision is made. You assume its based on content rather than "tone" and get angry, which leads to another post that gets looked at and again, is deleted. The cycle repeats, escalating and growing nastier....at some point you need to step back and look at the ongoing process and your own responsibility for the "cycle". I haven't had a post deleted (I think?) yet, so I guess I shouldn't assume I would be calm about it, but in all dealings with the Forum leadership, i've found that rational discussion with a few reasons usually brings results. It IS a shame when a thread gets locked, especially one with relevance and a lively (if sometimes brutal) exchange of ideas ongoing..... Q

 

[Dave2112]

I didn't really go near that thread, so I can't speak from any experience here. I would only like to comment on the idea of handling the troublemakers over locking whole threads. Now let me explain before the world comes down on me. I'm not calling anyone in particular a troublemaker, nor am I questioning the decisions made by Myr and the mods who have to put up with this crap all the time.

It just struck me to say something, as I was thinking this the other day before this thread even came up. My suggestion would be to see if there are certain individuals who are almost always responsible for these threads going south when the rest of us would like to talk like civilised, non-insulting adults. Then deal with that element rather than have people not even wanting to get involved in controversial threads anymore, simply because we KNOW where they are going to go.

Again, I'm not the one "behind the glass" so to speak, so I'm sure there are a lot of things I haven't taken into consideration. This is only a suggestion, not a statement on how things are done.

Thanks for your time - Dave😎

 

[talons]

Dog, does the fact that my opinions don't coincide with yours mean I have less understanding of the world than you do? I am severely hurt by your words and I think that I may even cry.🙁

 

[kurchatovium]

I did not get to see any of the responses of talons so I can not remark on them, but I wish the thread could have remained openned.

 

[talons]

To the mods, it is obvious that alot of people want that thread reopened. I will not post there if it will make you reopen the thread. See, I am not a heartless son of a bitch, I am just a little different is all. I will cease to voice my opinions in this forum at least the ones that might be to much for the mainstream to handle. Boy, what a boring existence this will be. I will take the mods advice and seek another forum that can handle everyones opinions not just the ones they want to hear or the ones that are politically correct.

 

[dig dug dog]

Dear Talons,

From what I have seen on the Forum, I have to say that there are a number of important areas where you are still "learning the ropes". One such area is the skill of respectful, gentlemenly debate. This is more about the WAY you say something than WHAT you have to say.

At the same time, I got a bad feeling from what Evil Queen told us about your deleted posts (and other posts of yours) that you have something against Jews. (E.g. "Why do Jews hate everyone?") If this is so, then in my opinion there is a LOT you need to understand that you do not currently understand.

All the best and please don't cry--it would be better to listen and learn.

dig dug dog

 

[talons]

No hate for Jews here dog. I want to know why the Arabs are always the bad guys and the Jews always the good. I have no preference either way but maybe just maybe the jews aren't the nicest people in the world to be neighbors with either. My point is maybe its not all the fault of the Arabs seems like no one ever considers that.

 

[dig dug dog]

OK, Talons--that sounds like the beginning of a dialogue.

For starters: I'm wondering what your impression is of the numbers of Jews there are versus the number of Arabs.

Did you know there are about 300,000,000 (Three hundred million) Arab Moslems (and about seven hundred million other Moslems). The Arab part possesses 21 countries. By contrast, there are 5 million Jews in Israel, about 16 million Jews in the world and they have exactly one and only one country. It is the size of New Jersey (when you include the West Bank).

Point two: A key reason Arabs are "bad guys" as you call them, is that they have no democracy. None--not one--of their leaders is democratically elected anywhere in the Arab world. This is part of their general rejection or ignorance of the values and principles you take for granted. (If you think the TMF has tough censorship policies, try any Arab land!)

Anyway...it's late, so I look forward to discussing it further.

dig dug

 

[Dave2112]

This thread started as a discussion about a policy of locking threads. You guys are finding a discreet little way to re-open a thread that has not only been locked, but has been asked to be dropped. Let's not find a way to circumvent the rules here, please?

I don't think that anyone has anything against an expression of ideas. I have many unpopular thoughts about politics and the like, but I try to stay away from such threads if I know they're only going to set me off. You can have a differing opinion, yet still find a mature way to express it. I think that's all anyone is asking, not that everyone agree on everything.

To paraphrase an old quote, I'll always defend your right to have whatever opinion you have, Talons. I may even agree with some of them. It's just the way you go about it that ruffles some feathers. And before you go jumping down my throat, I say that in order to try and help you get people to listen to your opinions, that's all. People will listen when you speak in a mature, responsible manner. There's nothing wrong with having strong unpopular beliefs, but it doesn't mean you have to sink to a lower level just to express them. Toning things down a bit can only help you in the long run.

😎

 

[Deleted member 2452]

asking about policy?

i had a post deleted on a different thread. no one told me why, just boom! gone! i had to post a request for the reason, which was then supplied by the responsible moderator. i think it would be better if the mods sent an e-mail at the same time to the person they are deleting, so as to save feelings, and cut down on misunderstandings.
steve

 

[JoBelle]

Dave,

You're right...the thread seems to have appeared here, but it's also alive and well in the WWIII thread. So..

In as much as this thread is about "locked" threads, it's also about the clawing of Talons and his exchange with DDD. I suppose I'm all for the exchanges to continue because I'm wanting to back DDD's comments here.

Nothing was ever accomplished by ignoring an issue. No, the world isn't going to change becuase some guy gained a little insight on a tickling board. BUT, it's better than one person losing the chance to better understand a situation as well. Every forum in the world is a tool for education.

I suggest starting a new thread that is specifically geared toward the historical facts. A thread that isn't all about OPINION...maybe if you want to post there, you have to back up your words with more than emotion??? GASP!!! Held accountable??? YIKES! (LOL - Facts ...ummmm...Interpreted as they may be from each person!)

Just a thought.

Jo...who thinks that respect and civility go a long way toward not being viewed as the "bad guy."