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View Poll Results: Would you support this idea
I would support it 19 54.29%
I'm nuetural or apathetic to it 6 17.14%
I would oppose it 10 28.57%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2008
drgoodtrips's Avatar
drgoodtrips drgoodtrips is offline
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Feel the power of the dark side.

 
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Potential Rule Change

Hi all,

I want to emphasize from the beginning that this is *NOT* a change to the rules, nor is it one that is inevitably going to be enacted. In another thread, it was suggested to give the moderating staff the power to vote to determine, subjectively, whether or not a user is SPAMing the forum, even if he or she is technically adhering to the rules of the site (a bit of commentary with an article, for instance).

That is, if it is determined that a poster is basically advertising for a candidate or cause, doing nothing to further (and possibly stifling) discussion, such a poster might be given a "general SPAMing" warning, and a continuation of the behavior would result in points. The decision would be made by a near-unanimous or unanimous decision of the mod staff (exact details would be hashed out) to avoid any impression of favoritism or squelching an unpopular or partisan point of view. That is, a substantial cross-section of the moderator staff with its diverse political opinions would basically all have to agree that a poster was a SPAMer.

This is the general idea, and certainly if it were sufficiently well received, there would be discussion among the moderators and the board members at large as to what the particulars were, etc. The purpose of this poll is to get a general consensus as to whether or not the board membership would find such a policy favorable and/or trust the mod staff to implement it.

So, the question is, would you be amenable to such a policy?
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Old 05-13-2008
Kash's Avatar
Kash Kash is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

At first it seemed like a good idea because I've noticed some members who are nothing more than shills for particular people/causes. But I decided to vote against it simply for the fact that I've noticed some mods aren't exactly impartial either, and could very well be just as liable for pushing agendas or belittling a certain person/idea.
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  #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2008
Captain Trips Captain Trips is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kash View Post
At first it seemed like a good idea because I've noticed some members who are nothing more than shills for particular people/causes. But I decided to vote against it simply for the fact that I've noticed some mods aren't exactly impartial either, and could very well be just as liable for pushing agendas or belittling a certain person/idea.
Thank you very much. Glad I'm not the only one aware of this.
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Old 05-13-2008
Tim Tim is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

I haven't noticed any spammers like that recently, although while I am posting regularly I am not here for most of the time so I must miss the night time antics.

I'm confused about the vote part. When did the hoi polloi start having a say in the rules? That is a sincere question. Forums are definitely not democracies and couldn't be: benevolent (hopefully) dictatorship is the model.

I'm just wondering why we are asked for our opinion on this rule?
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"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1
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Old 05-13-2008
AjaxPress's Avatar
AjaxPress AjaxPress is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kash View Post
At first it seemed like a good idea because I've noticed some members who are nothing more than shills for particular people/causes. But I decided to vote against it simply for the fact that I've noticed some mods aren't exactly impartial either, and could very well be just as liable for pushing agendas or belittling a certain person/idea.
It would require the majority of the moderating staff to be partisan not just a few and like drgoodtrips pointed out, the staff consist of a wide range of attitudes.
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"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004
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Old 05-13-2008
Captain Trips Captain Trips is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim View Post
I haven't noticed any spammers like that recently, although while I am posting regularly I am not here for most of the time so I must miss the night time antics.

I'm confused about the vote part. When did the hoi polloi start having a say in the rules? That is a sincere question. Forums are definitely not democracies and couldn't be: benevolent (hopefully) dictatorship is the model.

I'm just wondering why we are asked for our opinion on this rule?
There hasn't been a lot of spamming here lately. Unless I, like you, am missing a ton of it at night.

Which I seriously doubt.

This is more about personal issues and pissing matches than it is about "spamming." That's what it looks like to me.
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Old 05-13-2008
AjaxPress's Avatar
AjaxPress AjaxPress is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim View Post
I haven't noticed any spammers like that recently, although while I am posting regularly I am not here for most of the time so I must miss the night time antics.

I'm confused about the vote part. When did the hoi polloi start having a say in the rules? That is a sincere question. Forums are definitely not democracies and couldn't be: benevolent (hopefully) dictatorship is the model.

I'm just wondering why we are asked for our opinion on this rule?
I think that since this particular rule would involve more subjective opinion than most rules, the admin team would like to believe that individuals are being treated fairly.
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Is our children learning? -George W. Bush

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"—Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004
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  #8 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2008
Tim Tim is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Trips View Post
There hasn't been a lot of spamming here lately. Unless I, like you, am missing a ton of it at night.

Which I seriously doubt.

This is more about personal issues and pissing matches than it is about "spamming." That's what it looks like to me.
Yes - I think of spamming as the anti-semitic stuff that flooded the forum last year and, as far as I was concerned, really did trash whole sections for a few months.

It doesn't matter what the topic is. It was really disruptive and lowered the tone of everything.

I don't see anything comparable now.
__________________
"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1
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  #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2008
AjaxPress's Avatar
AjaxPress AjaxPress is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Trips View Post
The admin team would like to believe that.

The admin team first needs to admit that members OF that team may have dishonest agendas of their own.

That this particular rule would involve more subjective opinion than most rules it opens the door to allow more OF these kinds of dishonest agendas .
But it would require a minority to override the mass-majority and the agenda would have to be truly dishonest.
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Is our children learning? -George W. Bush

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"—Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004
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  #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2008
Captain Trips Captain Trips is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim View Post
Yes - I think of spamming as the anti-semitic stuff that flooded the forum last year and, as far as I was concerned, really did trash whole sections for a few months.

It doesn't matter what the topic is. It was really disruptive and lowered the tone of everything.

I don't see anything comparable now.
Nor do I.

What I AM seeing are more personal, childish "pissing matches," baiting and insulting bullshit taking place rather than discussing topics.

I guess people are bored. We have three candidates running for president that are different only in age, race and gender. They're all openly corrupt liars.

What else can we do but attack each other I guess ?
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Old 05-13-2008
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Si modo Si modo is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

I thought the three posts in any 24-hour period was supposed to address the spamming done by some groups.

IMO, that rule seems to be working well.
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Old 05-13-2008
Captain Trips Captain Trips is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Si modo View Post
I thought the three posts in any 24-hour period was supposed to address the spamming done by some groups.

IMO, that rule seems to be working well.
3 threads you meant.

Yes, it is working fine.
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Old 05-13-2008
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Si modo Si modo is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Trips View Post
3 threads you meant.

Yes, it is working fine.
Sorry. You are right. I meant three threads.
__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition
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  #14 (permalink)  
Old 05-13-2008
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iamwhatiseem iamwhatiseem is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Discuss Spam and not other members and admins.

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Last edited by iamwhatiseem; 05-13-2008 at 03:33 PM.
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Old 05-13-2008
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iamwhatiseem iamwhatiseem is offline
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Re: Potential Rule Change

Due to a few members only this thread is, at least - temporarily closed
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