Thoughts on Politics, Social Issues, and the Open Forum - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mikemover · #1 02-03-2003, 08:55 PM

I just want to say that I am VERY HAPPY about the sudden surge in interest in all of these controversial topics we've been debating here. I think far too many people have been far too apathetic for far too long, and it looks like that may be changing, if this forum is any indication.

I also want to say that I am impressed by, and have great respect for, EVERY forum member that takes the time to read these posts, study the facts, form an opinion, and post commentary of their own--whether I agree with them or not--and I'm even more impressed by those with strong convictions, who stick to their guns in the face of opposition, threats of censorship and even ridicule.

I think ALL of these discussions have merit, and are a good thing. Some folks really need to either get over their fragile feelings, or stay on the sidelines where they won't get their delicate emotional feathers ruffled.

I think anyone who deletes a thread, whether it be a moderator or otherwise, is doing themselves and everyone else a huge disservice.

Silence=Death.

Mike

#2 02-03-2003, 09:05 PM

Amen Mike!

Ashman · #3 02-03-2003, 10:43 PM

Mike. While I do agree with you, that good debate is welcome, and great reading material, we as members and guest on this site, have to remember that out of the thousands of members here, some will be offended. thats just the nature of the beast.

I am not one to get offended unless someone is making a personal attack against me, but when posts are reported to me by several people who found it offensive, vulgar, etc etc. then I must do what is required of me.

Thats my job here, and whether I want to or not, I must abide by the rules set forth by Bill Wood, Our webmaster. This is his house, and when people disrespect it, they are not only disrespecting him, but they are disrespecting every other member here.

I'm all for a good civil debate, but when name calling, flaming, disrespect, and or complaints roll in. Thats where we have to step back and dow hat is necessary for the good of this site.

This site is here because people use it for informational purposes. When the information gets tainted, it ruins the ecperience for many.

I have spokenw ith many about this very subject,a nd I have spoken with other mods, and we are only going to do what is necessary when it is required.

IF people were to start bashing my homeland, but their reasons are justified, then I will accept their views, because they have a right to it. But I wont accept someone trying to force me to see things their way, when I have voiced my opinion on something. Now if they can in a civil manner prove to me that my opinion is wrong, I will then of course take that into consideration and will adjust my opinion if I am so enlightened.

Regardless of what has happened recently, I consider every member here who I interact with a friend. And you know what, friends fight sometimes. that is life, and I understand that.

Alon

mikemover · #4 02-03-2003, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashman
Mike. While I do agree with you, that good debate is welcome, and great reading material, we as members and guest on this site, have to remember that out of the thousands of members here, some will be offended. thats just the nature of the beast.

So we're going to satisfy the tiny minority who are chronically offended, at the expense of the thousands of happy members? That seems backwards to me...

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashman
I'm all for a good civil debate, but when name calling, flaming, disrespect, and or complaints roll in. Thats where we have to step back and dow hat is necessary for the good of this site.

So why delete an entire thread of quality discourse, ruining it for everyone, just because of one unruly participant? Why not just warn that participant, and if they persist, censor THEIR posts if you must...but not the whole discussion!

Mike

mikemover · #5 02-03-2003, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
...I suspect that he realizes that some abuse the use of the "report to the moderator" button. I also suspect that at times he can be between a rock and a hard place having to appear responsive to complaints while risking the ire of others. Not a fun job at times.

A valid point. The blame does not lie entirely on the moderators.

However, I think that if any particular member is such a wimp and so much in need of a "nanny", that member should just stay away from the Open Forum, instead of being "trigger-happy" with the "report to moderator" button, ruining an entire discussion for everyone.

Mike

BENZ-LGB · #6 02-03-2003, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
I think ALL of these discussions have merit, and are a good thing. Some folks really need to either get over their fragile feelings, or stay on the sidelines where they won't get their delicate emotional feathers ruffled.

I think anyone who deletes a thread, whether it be a moderator or otherwise, is doing themselves and everyone else a huge disservice.

Silence=Death.

Mike

Mike:

I agree 100% with this post and with your subsequent reply to the moderator's comments. Silence = Death.

Keep up the good work old chap.

Ashman · #7 02-03-2003, 11:53 PM

Mike your points are understood, and I do see where your side is. Yes there are some that are trigger happy with the reporting, but I find that things don't get reported too often.

ITs only in recent weeks where things got out of hand.

I know that As moderators I should try to be as open as possible to what goes on. Sometimes its hard to know if the choice made was the right choice. Nobody is perfect, and most times the decisions I make have to be done carefully.

On one hand, you want to satisfy the members who took offense to something, but on the other hand you want to allow a post to stay to satisfy those in discussion.

Its never a win win situation, because if the post is deleted, you satisfy some, and you anger others. there is no way around it.

ITs impossible to keep everyone happy. I try to get along with everyone, but sometimes my actions will anger some people. But that is something I have to deal with every day on this site, using my best judgement.

I think your comments and responses here have been enlighteneing, and it has made me think a lot about the decsion making I have to do here.

Alon

mikemover · #8 02-04-2003, 11:18 AM

Yes, happy birthday, Alon.

I do appreciate the job that you and the other moderators do here...It's a mostly thankless job, obviously. I also appreciate your passion for what you're doing, for what we discuss here, cars and otherwise, and your sincerity.

Personally, I don't think posting has gotten out of hand in recent weeks..I think a small handful of hyper-sensitive, chronically offended members have gotten out of hand.

I'm sure this will all sort itself out.

Mike

Ashman · #9 02-04-2003, 12:17 PM

Bill, thanks for the words about my birthday.

Now as with any new job, Mike is getting used to how we moderate here. He is used to moderating forums which have different rules and huge amounts of moderation going on. Its quite a change for him to moderate a site which is generally so civil and calm.

I've spoken with him and our moderation is going to be based on keeping things civil... I.E. Stopping flame wars, personal attacks and the like.

Heated debate is fine and good, but if attacks start flying, we'll prune out the attacks, but leave the post as is, for those with something significant to say the post will remain so they may say what they gotta say.

Alon

mikemover · #10 02-04-2003, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashman

Heated debate is fine and good, but if attacks start flying, we'll prune out the attacks, but leave the post as is, for those with something significant to say the post will remain so they may say what they gotta say.

Alon

EXCELLENT policy.

Mike

The Godfather · #11 02-04-2003, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXBill
Alon, first of all, happy birthday. Secondly, are you the head moderator and the other is the Junior moderator? I am glad that you made the above statement, it sounds very sincere. Can we expect the same from the other moderator? Will he weigh in on this thread?

haha, yes the junior moderator says he'll follow the lead of the senior one.

jsmith · #12 02-04-2003, 09:38 PM

Now can we get back to talking about cars? Seriously folks, we can't let the quality of the car talk on this forum go down any lower. I don't know, maybe some posters have gotten the wrong idea but even when talking about cars I have seen trash talking take the place of well considered opinions by real afficionados. I mean come on, there are so many cool cars that just came out - not just Mercedes but with almost every make there is! Well, not just new cars - I even like to hear about Dan's 533i...

How about it?