OK guys this has gone far enough. We've let this slide far too many times for far too long. We've given you guys a chance, we've tried to be nice and clean things up or give warnings, but nothing has changed. As a result, beginning immediately there will be a no tolerance policy taken towards any threads dealing with politics as they ALWAYS end up in flame wars. This is not a political forum. We do not allow political threads whatsoever. However, we will still let them slide in one way and only one way regardless of what the rule specifically says, if there is no bickering, no Bush bashing, no partisan bashing, etc... and you guys can still stay on topic, you can keep them. If even 1 person deviates from this, they're gone. Just be warned that you may not receive a warning if you are in violation so be careful. Any violations will result in inmmediate 3 day bans to cool off. If you come back and have issues or an attitude with us, we may increase it to any amount that we see fit. Let me remind everyone of a few key rules:

1. This is not a flame war site, so please do not engage in such. No distinction will be made between the instigator and those who merely participate.

2. Personal attacks against other forum members will not be tolerated, nor will any type of "trolling" for a fight. This includes political attacks, slurs, or sneering at any viewpoint or political party.

10. Do not start threads on religion or politics in the Lounge area or anywhere else in this forum. Experience with the forum has proven that religious and political discussions inevitably become flamefests, which are prohibited (see the first rule above). So don't start them.

The next issue to deal with is attacks on moderators. When we close threads down, we always end up making someone mad. It's going to happen but it was done for a reaon. Many times we shut down the same types of threads over and over again and these same people never learn. We don't do things to be mean. We do things to keep this forum a friendly place. We actually do get complaints about all the bickering that goes on here and those complaints far out number the people that get mad at us for closing them down. Guess who we agree with? We don't need to post those complaints for all the world to see and we won't but we will listen to them. The hardest thing about closing many of these threads down is that there are moderators that may agree with parts of it and other moderators that may agree with the opposite side of the argument. That is irrelevant though as we have a common job to do and those threads aren't allowed. It is sometimes tough to do what we do. Here's another rule to get to know better:

11. Attacks on moderators will not be tolerated, and may result in an immediate permanent ban. Moderators sometimes have to make difficult judgment calls, but remember we *are* human (well at least most of us are!) Hopefully we'll make decisions that are considered "correct" by the majority of the community. Do not post complaints, criticisms, or moderation questions on the forum. These posts will be deleted and no explanation will be given. If you have a concern about a particular moderator, send a private message to a Super Moderator or Administrator. And if you have constructive suggestions on improvements that can be made to the forum or its moderation, please post them in the Suggestions area.


I post that one up there and the next one below to deal with a problem we've had lately. People get mad at us personally for closing their threads down. You know what makes us mad? It's when these people out of spite start a new thread in defiance of our removing the first one. This is not toleated and will result in a ban of unspecified length but not limited in length. Don't do it. There have only been a few people guilty of this but sadly it's the same people over and over again that do it. There are those that like to start threads at night when they think the mods aren't online. I stay in invisible mode so you don't know when I'm online. I encourage the other mods to do this too. If you look at the times that I post, it isn't hard to see when I'm around and when I'm not. The same goes for everyone else. It's pretty easy to see that there is almost always a mod online to keep order. Here is an eye opener for some people, you can disagree with our decisions all you want, don't do it publicly though. It won't change anything. See this rule:

12. Keep in mind that this is not a democracy. We have the right to refuse service to anyone. If you make yourself too big of a pain in the butt to the moderating community or otherwise are a bad influence on the forum, your access may be revoked.


We as the mod community stay pretty close together and re-enforce each others decisions. When you bash one moderator, you bash us all. We have our own little section of the forum to discuss problems/issues in. We all know what is going on. I'm not typing this to make it sound like the Nazi's just walked into the lounge and suddenly took over. I am just stating there will be much more strict enforcement over rules that we've always had but have let slide. There have been those that have shown that they don't really care about what we think or about our rules and we are about to show them what we can do about it. We don't want to be mean. We aren't here to be mean. We are just here to keep things clean. This new no tolerance policy will not affect 99% of the people here. Most people have been very nice and realize that rules are here for a reason. To the 1% that this will make mad, you have 2 choices, get over it or leave!

Finally, please don't get mad at me personally for saying all of this. It won't change anything. It is the consensus of the entire mod community and I support the idea completely. There are many more on the forum that want to see this happen and we are granting them their wish.

I support rotarygod 100% :P

OK guys this has gone far enough. We've let this slide far too many times for far too long. We've given you guys a chance, we've tried to be nice and clean things up or give warnings, but nothing has changed. As a result, beginning immediately there will be a no tolerance policy taken towards any threads dealing with politics as they ALWAYS end up in flame wars. This is not a political forum. We do not allow political threads whatsoever. However, we will still let them slide in one way and only one way regardless of what the rule specifically says, if there is no bickering, no Bush bashing, no partisan bashing, etc... and you guys can still stay on topic, you can keep them. If even 1 person deviates from this, they're gone. Just be warned that you may not receive a warning if you are in violation so be careful. Any violations will result in inmmediate 3 day bans to cool off. If you come back and have issues or an attitude with us, we may increase it to any amount that we see fit. Let me remind everyone of a few key rules:

1. This is not a flame war site, so please do not engage in such. No distinction will be made between the instigator and those who merely participate.

2. Personal attacks against other forum members will not be tolerated, nor will any type of "trolling" for a fight. This includes political attacks, slurs, or sneering at any viewpoint or political party.

10. Do not start threads on religion or politics in the Lounge area or anywhere else in this forum. Experience with the forum has proven that religious and political discussions inevitably become flamefests, which are prohibited (see the first rule above). So don't start them.

The next issue to deal with is attacks on moderators. When we close threads down, we always end up making someone mad. It's going to happen but it was done for a reaon. Many times we shut down the same types of threads over and over again and these same people never learn. We don't do things to be mean. We do things to keep this forum a friendly place. We actually do get complaints about all the bickering that goes on here and those complaints far out number the people that get mad at us for closing them down. Guess who we agree with? We don't need to post those complaints for all the world to see and we won't but we will listen to them. The hardest thing about closing many of these threads down is that there are moderators that may agree with parts of it and other moderators that may agree with the opposite side of the argument. That is irrelevant though as we have a common job to do and those threads aren't allowed. It is sometimes tough to do what we do. Here's another rule to get to know better:

11. Attacks on moderators will not be tolerated, and may result in an immediate permanent ban. Moderators sometimes have to make difficult judgment calls, but remember we *are* human (well at least most of us are!) Hopefully we'll make decisions that are considered "correct" by the majority of the community. Do not post complaints, criticisms, or moderation questions on the forum. These posts will be deleted and no explanation will be given. If you have a concern about a particular moderator, send a private message to a Super Moderator or Administrator. And if you have constructive suggestions on improvements that can be made to the forum or its moderation, please post them in the Suggestions area.


I post that one up there and the next one below to deal with a problem we've had lately. People get mad at us personally for closing their threads down. You know what makes us mad? It's when these people out of spite start a new thread in defiance of our removing the first one. This is not toleated and will result in a ban of unspecified length but not limited in length. Don't do it. There have only been a few people guilty of this but sadly it's the same people over and over again that do it. There are those that like to start threads at night when they think the mods aren't online. I stay in invisible mode so you don't know when I'm online. I encourage the other mods to do this too. If you look at the times that I post, it isn't hard to see when I'm around and when I'm not. The same goes for everyone else. It's pretty easy to see that there is almost always a mod online to keep order. Here is an eye opener for some people, you can disagree with our decisions all you want, don't do it publicly though. It won't change anything. See this rule:

12. Keep in mind that this is not a democracy. We have the right to refuse service to anyone. If you make yourself too big of a pain in the butt to the moderating community or otherwise are a bad influence on the forum, your access may be revoked.


We as the mod community stay pretty close together and re-enforce each others decisions. When you bash one moderator, you bash us all. We have our own little section of the forum to discuss problems/issues in. We all know what is going on. I'm not typing this to make it sound like the Nazi's just walked into the lounge and suddenly took over. I am just stating there will be much more strict enforcement over rules that we've always had but have let slide. There have been those that have shown that they don't really care about what we think or about our rules and we are about to show them what we can do about it. We don't want to be mean. We aren't here to be mean. We are just here to keep things clean. This new no tolerance policy will not affect 99% of the people here. Most people have been very nice and realize that rules are here for a reason. To the 1% that this will make mad, you have 2 choices, get over it or leave!

Finally, please don't get mad at me personally for saying all of this. It won't change anything. It is the consensus of the entire mod community and I support the idea completely. There are many more on the forum that want to see this happen and we are granting them their wish.

1,2,10!
:eek: :p
Fair enough Rotarygod, I kind of like this idea anyway. Political threads never really stay on topic here anyway.

deja vu

deja vu
The first person to violate the rules will see firsthand how this hasn't happened before.

so... who's going with me to Crawford???... Ooppss, Bush already left, dang... :D

the enforcement? cause the threat has.

Anyway.
I want to see it in action, i'm thirsty. Looks like a personal attack, smells like a personal attack, plus, I didn't like this guys tone.
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=70852

You do know that thread is closed right?

The first person to violate the rules will see firsthand how this hasn't happened before.

Well, I am not really into politics anyhow (especially when it comes to bickering) - sooo... sounds like a good plan.

I'm pretty new to this board, so I wasn't aware of the previous rules against political comments, etc. Seems like common sense to me, I'm here 90% to learn about cars and share what I know, 10% to socialize and meet new people.

You do know that thread is closed right?
Teh pwnage! :p
:eek: :eek: :eek: 3000 posts and I didn't even notice. *Runs to see what Mr. 3000 delivered :p

Edit: Well that was a letdown :D Have fun at that meet RG, sorry for the hijack.

You do know that thread is closed right?
Yeah, I thought people were getting banned? Still a personal attack there for anyone to read. Still looks bad on Thew.
http://www.ropma.com/images/ban_him.jpg

We have a place for those types of threads. The rules don't specify what the punishment is if any. It is at our discretion whether we feel it was inappropriate or not. See rule #5:

5. Don't make slanderous accusations. If you have a problem with another member or business, and cannot prove it absolutely, don’t bring in into the forum. It could be treated as grounds for a lawsuit if you do. Provide your proof in any such posts. Post with accusations but no proof will be deleted, and the poster will be notified. If your beef is over a purchase/sales experience, we have an area of the forum devoted to that, the "Good Guy/Bad Guy" forum.

:(
I wanted to see some banning.

I tell you, it's a damn good thing I'm not a mod. Hell, I'd probably ban myself :p

:(
I wanted to see some banning.

I tell you, it's a damn good thing I'm not a mod. Hell, I'd probably ban myself :p
You're BANNED! Go check out the Honda forum...:D

I think Abbid did publicly ban himself once!

You're BANNED! Go check out the Honda forum...:D


I already signed up. :D

Lol, and I didn't even get to vote in that poll!

Oh well, we'll see if a thread pops up in the good guy/bad guy section and then maybe there is some proof (although my dealings with Thew have been decent, and I always got what I ordered without any damage)

Back on subject:

RotaryGod, how does one become a Mod anyhow (on this board?)

:(
I wanted to see some banning.

I tell you, it's a damn good thing I'm not a mod. Hell, I'd probably ban myself :p

how does one become a Mod anyhow (on this board?)
nominations and voting by the moderating staff

RotaryGod, how does one become a Mod anyhow (on this board?)

You can write up a form of application and send it in to one of the admins. From there it goes into debate in the mod community. Typically however you have to be asked to join by the mod community. There are a few people that are inline for a spot but we don't have any vacancies right now. It's nothing personal against them. Can't figure out why they ever wanted me!

I wonder if I have ever been nominated? I have more posts that abbid :p so I should be :D
haha.

I wonder if I have ever been nominated? I have more posts that abbid :p so I should be :D
haha.

Post count definitely isn't a primary qualification.

http://www.exoticlizards.com/reptile-supplies/cricket-sm.jpg
HA, BURN!!

oh wait, I burned myself. :o

Post count definitely isn't a primary qualification.
damn dude, you ruined my self burn, another battle your way

Jtimbck2 - 2
BlueEyes - 0

Good move on the mods part to enforce the rules!!

im keeping the ava......

Banizzle!!

97 your avatar was against forum rules and removed by me.

yea i knew it would get removed. just seeing how fast it would take :o

Thanks is all I can say.

You can write up a form of application and send it in to one of the admins. From there it goes into debate in the mod community. Typically however you have to be asked to join by the mod community. There are a few people that are inline for a spot but we don't have any vacancies right now. It's nothing personal against them. Can't figure out why they ever wanted me!


I am up for a spot right? And this silly rule does not apply to me, right? I mean, no one but rowdy takes me serious! :eek:

Heck, some of my my best forum friends I met by way of political spats! :p

I am up for a spot right? And this silly rule does not apply to me, right? I mean, no one but rowdy takes me serious! :eek:

Heck, some of my my best forum friends I met by way of political spats! :p
Lol Klegg. I don't agree with you most of the time, but you sure as hell are a hysterical guy. Love your blog thread :D

I am up for a spot right? And this silly rule does not apply to me, right? I mean, no one but rowdy takes me serious! :eek:

Heck, some of my my best forum friends I met by way of political spats! :p

Ok-now I'm steamed.

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/6752/onemillionbandagesbyambitiousx.gif

My rule as moderator will be soaked to the bone in flawless german efficiency.

Yep... go RG.. ban 'em all! :D

hmm,let me get this straight, so if somebody,(lets say leans more towards the right ) bashes (lets say somebody that leans more towards the left) its ok , and repercussions,punishment(banning) is not warranted?
just wondering... ;)

i think i should ban myself because im an idiot.





i drink from my rotary cup and spill all over myself.

*ban me*

hmm,let me get this straight, so if somebody,(lets say leans more towards the right ) bashes (lets say somebody that leans more towards the left) its ok , and repercussions,punishment(banning) is not warranted?
just wondering... ;)
We believe in equal opportunity banning! It just so happens most of the aggressive attacks lately originate on the "left" and more aggressive responses from the "right". The mod community is actually also split between both sides. We don't argue about it though and don't even discuss it. Per rule #1, " No distinction will be made between the instigator and those who merely participate." That means it can be an all one sided bash fest (yes that means no arguing back and forth!), or a two sided fistfight. It doesn't matter. We don't care. They'll all be dealt with and possibly without so much as a warning or an explanation depending on the offense. Excuse me while I go trim that short little black mustache under my nose...

We believe in equal opportunity banning! It just so happens most of the aggressive attacks lately originate on the "left" and more aggressive responses from the "right". The mod community is actually also split between both sides. We don't argue about it though and don't even discuss it. Per rule #1, " No distinction will be made between the instigator and those who merely participate." That means it can be an all one sided bash fest (yes that means no arguing back and forth!), or a two sided fistfight. It doesn't matter. We don't care. They'll all be dealt with and possibly without so much as a warning or an explanation depending on the offense. Excuse me while I go trim that short little black mustache under my nose...
yes, take care of that underbrush, thanks for the reply :)

We believe in equal opportunity banning! It just so happens most of the aggressive attacks lately originate on the "left" and more aggressive responses from the "right".

Could I request affirmative action banning? Who else here likes affirmative action?

We believe in equal opportunity banning! It just so happens most of the aggressive attacks lately originate on the "left" and more aggressive responses from the "right". The mod community is actually also split between both sides. We don't argue about it though and don't even discuss it. Per rule #1, " No distinction will be made between the instigator and those who merely participate." That means it can be an all one sided bash fest (yes that means no arguing back and forth!), or a two sided fistfight. It doesn't matter. We don't care. They'll all be dealt with and possibly without so much as a warning or an explanation depending on the offense. Excuse me while I go trim that short little black mustache under my nose...
Hageln den Führer! :p All in fun Rg.

Could I request affirmative action banning? Who else here likes affirmative action?
I certainly don't!

Do you think you could stop making refrences to Nazi's and Hitler? To some people, the mere name alone is enough to raise their blood pressure.

I'm going to just go back and quote Aoshi. "All in fun". The bickering on the forum, isn't all in good fun. It's an analogy that basically says while we aren't nazi's and we don't want to be all controlling and evil, this forum is not a democracy and it works the way we say it does.

I'm going to just go back and quote Aoshi. "All in fun". The bickering on the forum, isn't all in good fun. It's an analogy that basically says while we aren't nazi's and we don't want to be all controlling and evil, this forum is not a democracy and it works the way we say it does.

I agree with you wanting to stop all the flame wars and that you have that right. All I would like is that you stop comparing things as simple as a internet forum to Nazi's and Hitler.

Dude, be as controlling as you want, but please pick a different analogy.

I'm a strong supporter of this new policy, and I look forward to a more peaceful, fun-loving lounge without all the hate.

And I'm glad to see that this policy is being executed as planned.

I'm a strong supporter of this new policy, and I look forward to a more peaceful, fun-loving lounge without all the hate.

And I'm glad to see that this policy is being executed as planned.
did you just tattle? ;) :eek:





: runs out the door :

I'm a strong supporter of this new policy, and I look forward to a more peaceful, fun-loving lounge without all the hate.

And I'm glad to see that this policy is being executed as planned.

Ditto that.

I run a tech related message board, and we had to take the same stance. No politics, no religion. Too much crap would spill over from pointless political threads and started to poison the rest of the forums.

I can only imagine it would get worse with a site the size of rx8club.

A smart move. (after a year we're quite happy with that decision, and it turned out to be a miniscule percentage of our users who where the source of the problem) And of course they couldn't help themselves and got banned. :D

The bannings have begun!!

Excuse me while I go trim that short little black mustache under my nose...

I for one welcome this brave new plan. In keeping with the above statement, and my history of utterly bad taste, and my half breed origins, I have prepared a plan to help speed the implementation of these new rules. (and to poke a bit of grim fun over what looks to be a brewing issue over nothing) :p

The relocation plan for the malcontents is ready. We have prepared special cyber "relocation centers" for all political offenders. Those of you with programing skills shall be taken to one part of the forum...you will stremline abbids code until your fingers bleed. You will get two rations of "bawls" or "redbull" per day. the rest shall go to another part of the forum. Trust us..you shall be reunited later.

Each of you will all be assigned triangle "rotor" symbols to denote your rank in the new world order

Our new lounge motto "Arbeit Macht Frei"

The bannings have begun!!

who got banned now? :eek:

magellan and jsh from what i can gather

I don't know if it's old news, 30 mins ago, but Trumagellan and Jsh1120. Feel bad for Jsh, always enjoyed reading his posts. Whether I agreed or not, he managed to present evidence, novel, I know.

At least their walking the talk this time.

I'm a strong supporter of this new policy, and I look forward to a more peaceful, fun-loving lounge without all the hate.;)

Oh..I see it now. Uh........well. I guess I must get educated on what violates the "Lex Fori" Latin. I feel all educated and all.

All I can say to the absent is "veritas nunquam perit "


And looking at who got banned. Well, not a critisim at all, but one has to wonder "quis custodiet ipsos custodes "


But alas, ceteris paribus cedo maiori

Gosh, I love latin

;)


We still have each other.

We still have each other.And I love Latin, also. Heck, I was probably the only one in my college class who could read his diploma. :p Or your appropriate comments.

And looking at who got banned. Well, not a critisim at all, but one has to wonder "quis custodiet ipsos custodes "




lol a curious argument indeed

Oh..I see it now. Uh........well. I guess I must get educated on what violates the "Lex Fori" Latin. I feel all educated and all.

All I can say to the absent is "veritas nunquam perit "


And looking at who got banned. Well, not a critisim at all, but one has to wonder "quis custodiet ipsos custodes "


But alas, ceteris paribus cedo maiori

Gosh, I love latin
I'm such a peon, and feel so out of the loop, I have no idea what's going on. My imagination makes it funny though :p

I'm such a peon, and feel so out of the loop, I have no idea what's going on. My imagination makes it funny though :p

Not at all. It is a dead language, and I am not very good at it.
Heck, I am pretty much a Lusus naturae!

OK LAST night i closed a thread. then i thought hell ill just clean it up as much as possible and re-open it. then i shut my computer down adn went and had dinner with my family. i sign on this mornign to this-

Re: "Cleaned up?"Well, you deleted most of the posts, except you left in Rowdy's nice attacks on those who posted criticism of Bush, and (of course) you have no problem with Doc piling on after Rowdy's post.

You might want to consider if your own political leanings sometimes get in the way of even-handed monitoring of the Forum.

i am tired of tryign to explainmy actions to 124spider. but i will say this one last thing. I left rowdy's remarks because he was saying how annoyed he was at the political bashign showing up in various threads. this is exactly what RG was talking about.

But i am now done with the arguement. 124 spider is Banned s Doc is banned. and before the day is out several others probalby will be as well.

7 days each

I'm such a peon, and feel so out of the loop, I have no idea what's going on. My imagination makes it funny though :p
I'm with you BlueEyes ... : popcorn? :

ummm, popcorn!!

What happens when you get banned? just can't log in? can't come to the site? can log in but can't post?

P.s, no I don't want to find out first hand :p

I'm with you BlueEyes ... : popcorn? :
i'll need some popcorn, im cowering in the corner...i need to be able to access this forum this weekend for my trip...and i do not want to get banned.

sacra apucatum! What did doc do? :eek: :confused:

am I learning latin swear words here? I hope so!

ummm, popcorn!!

What happens when you get banned? just can't log in? can't come to the site? can log in but can't post?

P.s, no I don't want to find out first hand :p
Hey! Share that popcorn, man!

Now where is that couch??? Hmm...

This is getting interesting. BTW can you guys tell me how much you're paying for a gallon of premium where you live? :D

haha, premium, I don't know. Regular was 1.99/litre CDN this morning apparently. Which is 6.31/gallon USD.

I'm with you BlueEyes ... : popcorn? :
Hey Red, ESTNE VOLUMEN IN TOGA, AN SOLUM TIBI LIBET ME VIDERE? ;) :p

^^i think that was some latin swearing or some sort of sexy proposition? i only know a few of the legal lattin words and can sometimes decrypt the rest

Actually, it is "Is that a scroll in your toga or are you just happy to see me."

Hey Red, ESTNE VOLUMEN IN TOGA, AN SOLUM TIBI LIBET ME VIDERE? ;) :p
OK I tried babelfish but it seems Latin is such a DEAD language that it won't even translate. I got nuttin..... but mebbe yer gonna get b4nn3d for bein naughty? :eek:



It probably says "go fix me 'nother turkey pot pie..."

bonus points for naming the movie

SoRrYf0rTeHjAcK

I'm feeling like a stool pigeon here today... :D

How about some banning here (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=70595)???

Hey Red, ESTNE VOLUMEN IN TOGA, AN SOLUM TIBI LIBET ME VIDERE? ;) :p


IRON
MY
TOGA
B****


(No, I'm not being nasty, just a reference to a thread that was bumped this morning)

OK I tried babelfish but it seems Latin is such a DEAD language that it won't even translate. I got nuttin..... but mebbe yer gonna get b4nn3d for bein naughty? :eek:



It probably says "go fix me 'nother turkey pot pie..."

bonus points for naming the movie

SoRrYf0rTeHjAcK

Now this is a proposition(and it is tasteful too!) ..Dorme mecum, apunde te vel me? ;)

It probably says "go fix me 'nother turkey pot pie..."

bonus points for naming the movie

SoRrYf0rTeHjAcK

Breakfast Club of course;)

Glad to hear...

Can't people disagree without people getting ugly?

To disagree with YOUR opinion does not equal stupidity on the other party involved.
To be right about something does not mean you can belittle or bash someone.
Don't be afraid to say sorry or admit your at fault.
Being true to what you believe does not mean your arrogant or ignorant.
(while it does not free you from it either)
Discussion about topics does not equal being forced to agree or follow.
Agree to disagree and move on when you feel things are headed into ugliness.
READ carefully before you respond

I've been guilty of some of that stuff but that's pretty good advice for the newbs or veterans. The rx8club is my first experience on forum's and it's been overall a good one. BUT, it's only as good as those who participate and don’t expect fairness or perfection (from anyone, even mod’s LOL)…if it can’t be found in the world, don’t expect it on a website.

Ok, I don't speak latin, but does "quis custodiet ipsos custodes" mean, who keeps the keepers.

Or in today's lingo, who's policing the police?

Zoom, when you're done swinging around your banning stick, check your PMs. :p

First off, rx8club is a tremendous resource for us rx8 owners and enthusiasts and the mods and admin all deserve our gratitude for providing and managing this site (which we get to enjoy for free).

And I agree with the motivation here... trying to keep things cool is a great idea, in theory.

However - and I realize I risk getting banned for bringing this up - I'm not sure saying "no politics" is a practical approach. There have been many threads/posts that could be considered political even though they don't mention specific leaders like Bush or Clinton, specific parties, or specific ideologies: some posts express pride in Texas for offering help with the hurricane, some criticize other countries for not offering to help. Some posts are about the looting in New Orleans. Some question why we didn't act more quickly or do more to prepare. Some posts blame environmentalists for gas prices. Some posts discuss strict drunk driving penalties. Some discuss the stampede in Iraq. Some question the motivation of protesters at Crawford. Some make fun of the protesters. Etc.

All of those topics are current events, news, and political. Some of the posts have been intelligent and informed, some have not. Some have been mean and/or hateful, some have been respectful. Some threads have been locked, some have been left alone. Often someone posts an opinion/position, like Rotarygod expressing anger that not enough of the international community offered aid after the hurricane. I responded, mentioning (among other things) that the international community offered a lot of help after 911 and the Tsunami. Neither rotarygod nor I were banned, but both of us wrote things that could be considered political.

Even this post could be considered breaking the rules... it's meant to be a sincere question about the practicality of policing a lounge, but it also could be interpreted as a criticism of the moderators (which is not its intention).

I usually think of a forum lounge as a place for people to express their opinions and have their discussions so that it doesn't spill over to the rest of site. No matter how good a job the moderators do, policing the lounge will inevitably result in some political threads being left alone while others are locked, and some members who break the rules getting banned while others are not.

So, why not just let people do what they want in the lounge? If people want to go back and forth on these topics, what harm does it cause? No one is being forced to read anything in here.

In any case, rx8club is a wonderful site and thanks for all your hard work. I will abide by the forum rules (and hopefully this opinion piece is OK).

BAN!!!

j/k

First off, rx8club is a tremendous resource for us rx8 owners and enthusiasts and the mods and admin all deserve our gratitude for providing and managing this site (which we get to enjoy for free).

And I agree with the motivation here... trying to keep things cool is a great idea, in theory.

However - and I realize I risk getting banned for bringing this up - I'm not sure saying "no politics" is a practical approach. There have been many threads/posts that could be considered political even though they don't mention specific leaders like Bush or Clinton, specific parties, or specific ideologies: some posts express pride in Texas for offering help with the hurricane, some criticize other countries for not offering to help. Some posts are about the looting in New Orleans. Some question why we didn't act more quickly or do more to prepare. Some posts blame environmentalists for gas prices. Some posts discuss strict drunk driving penalties. Some discuss the stampede in Iraq. Some question the motivation of protesters at Crawford. Some make fun of the protesters. Etc.

All of those topics are current events, news, and political. Some of the posts have been intelligent and informed, some have not. Some have been mean and/or hateful, some have been respectful. Some threads have been locked, some have been left alone. Often someone posts an opinion/position, like Rotarygod expressing anger that not enough of the international community offered aid after the hurricane. I responded, mentioning (among other things) that the international community offered a lot of help after 911 and the Tsunami. Neither rotarygod nor I were banned, but both of us wrote things that could be considered political.

Even this post could be considered breaking the rules... it's meant to be a sincere question about the practicality of policing a lounge, but it also could be interpreted as a criticism of the moderators (which is not its intention).

I usually think of a forum lounge as a place for people to express their opinions and have their discussions so that it doesn't spill over to the rest of site. No matter how good a job the moderators do, policing the lounge will inevitably result in some political threads being left alone while others are locked, and some members who break the rules getting banned while others are not.

So, why not just let people do what they want in the lounge? If people want to go back and forth on these topics, what harm does it cause? No one is being forced to read anything in here.

In any case, rx8club is a wonderful site and thanks for all your hard work. I will abide by the forum rules (and hopefully this opinion piece is OK).
If you refer back to the original post (and title), what Rotarygod and the other moderators are trying to control are those that we call "flames". Benign political discussions (like you mentioned) are generally well tolerated. It's the name-calling, left-is-better-than-right (and vice versa), arrogance, intimidation, and other bickerings that are no longer tolerated in the lounge.

The problem is that for every 20 posters who can have a rationial discussion about politics etc, there's one person who has to take a digital crap on the thread and ruin it.

I've never seen a political or religious thread that didn't degerate into petty bickering, but I wouldn't mind seeing one some time.

Often someone posts an opinion/position, like Rotarygod expressing anger that not enough of the international community offered aid after the hurricane. ... Neither rotarygod nor I were banned, but both of us wrote things that could be considered political.


I even went back and retracted my statement a couple of posts later but not one single person seemed to notice it and everyone came down on me for it. I wasn't bitching about our government either. Go look at the intent of this thread. No more political bickering. That means no more liberal/conservative fighting along party lines that we always have.

This post here is another example of selective reading as it deals with the fact that we shouldn't allow any political based threads. If you had noticed that when I started this thread I did say that we would still, even though we shouldn't and don't have to, allow political types of threads as long as they didn't get personal, there wasn't Bush bashing, partisan bickering , etc, etc... I said that once they get out of line, and they all do very rapidly, they will be closed and the offending posters dealt with. This is being more than generous and is the way it is going to be. The other alternative if this isn't an acceptable compromise on our part is to ban them all entirely and you people can all go find another lounge forum to play in. People do have different opinions and do have a right to agree or disagree on topics. We are a car forum first and foremost. We are not a political forum, current events forum, etc. We just allow some of them to be talked about here. There was a vote in hthe mod community to possibly do away with the lounge altogether. It didn't pass but it was a very real option that was considered. In many ways it wasn't a bad idea.

The problem is that for every 20 posters who can have a rationial discussion about politics etc, there's one person who has to take a digital crap on the thread and ruin it.

I've never seen a political or religious thread that didn't degerate into petty bickering, but I wouldn't mind seeing one some time.
We as the mods would have no problem with those threads if there wasn't any fighting and name calling in them. I wish we could allow all topics to be discussed freely but we apparently can't. If threads get out of hand and we start punishing those who created the issue in the first place, the hope is that they will go away, whether it be on their own or with our help. This would hopefully leave those who can play nice to discuss whatever they want to and we wouldn't have to come across so harsh. Basically this is an attempt to take out the trash and clean things up before they get worse. Luckily this really only affects a very small numbers of people.

*PleaseDontTakeAwayTheLounge*

thankyou :D

Pete got banned. I was there man, saw the whole thing!!

Are you singling out Bush, or can no comment whatsoever be made towards any sort of person involved somehow in the political process? For example, could you still say:

"Clinton's only legacy was left on a fat chick's blue dress."

A quote like that might be a bit harsh and beyond the rules, but what about saying something like

"I disagree with Lieberman's stance on taxes" and go on to present a well stated and logical personal opinion on the ideology?

Finally, often people will make jabs jokingly or as "zingers" towards another poster or someone that poster supports. Doc was good at this, but as long as the poster it is directed at is not offended will there be punishment? I realize that this is a family forum which also relies on advertising, but if a person the comment is not directed to is a bit touchy and takes offense, will that warrant a banning as well?

How many times do I really have to say it? Seriously? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH SIDE YOU ARE ON, WE ARE NOT GOING TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN YOU OR THE PERSON YOU ARE ARGUING WITH. READ RULE #1! I admit I've said some things in the past. Lots of people have. I also wasn't always a moderator and wasn't held to a higher standard and the rules haven't always been enforced. What's behind us is over and done with. Just because it was said in the past and gotten away with doesn't mean it will again. We had alot of complaints lately from members on the forum who actually do listen to the rules so we won't be doing threads like that anymore if they even hint at getting out of hand. The only reason I singled out the Bush bashers is because that is where a huge majority of our troubles have started on the forum LATELY. It's not saying that this is the only source of problems but too many people seem to have a problem with him and start crap here based on it. Then the people that disagree with those comments will start fighting back and forth. To make matters worse, it is almost always the same few people and they will do it on threads that had nothing to do with that in the first place. We really don't care what side of the fight you are on. We have moderators on both sides of the issues that may agree or disagree so don't think this is a one sided ruling. It would make alot of people mad if we did it my way. We voted to do it this way though and that's what I must support. No complaining about it. That's my duty. The problem with even innocent little pot shots at other people is that not everyone takes them that way. The people making the comments may know it but the innocent bystanders that read it may not. This makes people mad. If in doubt about saying something, don't. If it was truly an innocent little comment and the humor was obvious yet someone still got mad, that's one thing. Don't use that as an excuse though. There are some people that like arguing back and forth. There are some that thrive on confrontation and then they beg us not to close the thread down. Tough. As I said, this is a new way of doing things from a functional standpoint. These have always been the rules and we have always let them slide. No longer. Anyone can quote all the old posts they want. That was then, this is now.

If you'll notice, doc and a few others that liked to make "zingers" towards others have been given some mandatory time off. We are serious this time. Sometimes things were innocent, sometimes they weren't. It's a very fine line that many cross very easily. It's not just me that are in support of moderating in this manner although alot of people have been directing things at me personally. You guys are acting like this whole way of being less tolerant is my sole doing. This is the consensus of the entire mod community. We have all voted on it. We've even voted twice over the past year with the same result both times and still did nothing in order to give people the benefit of the doubt. We've been nicer about warnings and have given many second chances. It changed nothing. Just before everyone thinks I am the one with the almightly banning stick and close everything I personally disagree with, please know one thing. I HAVEN'T BANNED ANYONE OR CLOSED A SINGLE THREAD!!!!!

We are here as an RX-8 forum first and foremost. That's why we are here. I have answeed every single question at some point in this thread and sometimes more than once. The rest are in the rules.

RG, here's a hug {{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}} it's always tough to be the adult.

besides, you got a kicka$$ 'tar. want a cookie? :D

hey where are my bonus points!!!

hey where are my bonus points!!!
same place my chicago sub forum izzzzz?????? :D

oh golly!

And this, is why I love you RedSheDevil...

I even went back and retracted my statement a couple of posts later but not one single person seemed to notice itI didn't interpret your "Other countries are actually offering to send aid now. I am shocked. It took them a few days." post as a retraction, but rather as an update to the situation and your complaint about it. But that's all off-topic and beside my point.

Like Rotarian_SC, I'm still unclear about what is considered appropriate. We can praise or criticize Bush, but we can't bash him... where is the line drawn between criticism and basing? We can, I assume, criticize Cindy Sheehan and protesters of the Iraq war. Is that true only for existing threads or can we also start a thread criticizing Sheehan? Can we call war protesters un-American? How about traitors? How about brave? Can we call the protesters of the war protesters un-American?

I assume we can question the accuracy of Michael Moore's statements. However, earlier today I read a thread with nothing in the starting post but a quote of a letter Moore wrote; now the thread is gone (I assume because you're not supposed to start political threads). Had that person quoted it, but added a logical commentary showing why Moore is twisting things around, would it have been allowed? What if it had a compelling commentary supporting Moore's points? What if it was a reply instead of a new thread?

How about the thread started earlier tonight complaining about Jesse Jackson's claim that the government would've acted faster if the victims were not mostly black? Why was that allowed? Would it still have been allowed if the poster supported Jackson's position?

I know hypothetical "what-if" questions like this can be annoying, so please understand that I'm not trying to be difficult... I just don't see how it's possible to consistently enforce a policy like this because what seems inflammatory to one person may be considered harmless or amusing to someone else.

Again, my post is not meant to be a criticism of the mods. And none of the mods have to answer me, but out of curiosity... why not just let people have their petty arguments in the lounge? What harm does it cause as long as it's restricted to the lounge? Like alcimedes, I'd like to see some political threads that didn't deteriorate into flamewars. But isn't it better to have the option of sifting through the crap to find worthwhile posts than to not be able to read the worthwhile posts at all?

What is so unclear? This is mindbogling! It is all in the rules. Technically ANY political thread whatsoever is not allowed. We MAY, as in might, allow some threads to stay since politics has such a large role in many things. Negative posts about any political viewpoint or "sneering" at another viewpoint is not tolerated. We will not complain about compliments. That is not against the rules. If you are unsure whether or not a post will be seen an inappropriate, just don't post it! That's the easiest and best thing to do. You can never lose by not posting on politics and can seldom win if you do.

"Why not just let people have their petty arguments in the lounge?" How about, Why not just play nice in the lounge? Why not just let people have their petty arguments on some other website's lounge?

"What harm does it cause if it is restricted to the lounge?" What harm does it cause if it isn't allowed at all? If you received the complaints about them from other members, you'd see there is in fact some harm in them being there at all. There is no harm in them not being there. It's a simple case of yes or no. There are many who want them gone and a few who want them to stay. The crowd that wants them to stay is not going to get their way. Especially when the mod community wants them gone.

It's much better to not have to sift through crap. That's why we don't want anymore of it here. The internet is a big place. I'm sure there are many other places that have this information and allow these conversations/arguments to take place.

We are called the RX8CLUB.com We are supposed to be a light hearted fun place to go first and foremost centered on the car. Fun does not include arguing about politics by our definition although it may to others. Why do we allow other topics that don't deal with the RX-8? As long as they stay nice, we do. If they are inappropriate, we don't. It's simple really. Politics and religion never stay nice or apppropriate so we just aren't going to allow them anymore.

End of discussion!

What is so unclear?
Before I start my rant, RG is someone who has more knowledge about "rotary stuff" then 99.99% of us.
I respect you for this.

You're going to blow a gasket trying to get "some" members change their ways...
Either they don't hear what you're saying or they're ignoring you...
A suspension won't work because they'll just log in under a different user name...

None the less, I applaud your efforts...

When we ban or suspend someone, we also use their IP's. If they've used several different computers before with different IP's, we just ban them all. We know what they are. It isn't really a problem. It's not possible to keep someone gone who is truly determined to come back but we can make it very difficult. We also do have trespassing laws and lawyers if we really wanted to go that route. Anyone that joins the forum agrees to a contract of sorts and can be held accountable if they violate it. Anyone who is so determined to keep coming back to piss us off isn't doing it to contribute to the forum. It's out of spite. We'll actually just keep banning them until they realize it is a waste of their time to keep trying. Those who we just give a few days off, when they come back, if they play nice, we have no issues with them. It's kind of like real laws. Break one and get punished. Play nice and don't. A second offense will be dealt with much more harshly. I do't see the problem with that.

I know there are those that appreciate this attempt. Even though it is a pain for the mods, in some ways it is actually kind of fun. In the end we will get our way and the forum will be a better place because of it. We wouldn't seem so mean if everyone else was nice all the time. That's just the way it goes.

Thank you to all the people who support this decision. We are actually all quite nice people that don't want to just punish people for any little infraction. We get a little emotional too. We are only human. We just want the forum to be a better, nicer place and this is the fastest way to get rid of some of the aggression.

Fair enough rotarygod! Even though I'm slightly apprehensive, I actually would like to see more constructive discussions here and I welcome your efforts. In all honesty, my concern really stems from my surprise over posts like
Obviously none of Louisiana’s mostly African American leaders are doing much to remedy the situation.I think the best thing for Jesse Jackson to do is be dropped from a helicopter right in the middle of New Orleans, that ought shut him up for a while.Every time Jesse runs his mouth like this, I just figure he's trying to shake somebody down to support his latest mistress.being allowed (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=1029951) while more benign stuff is not.

Regardless of that, thanks again for your time and effort running the place!

Fair enough rotarygod! Even though I'm slightly apprehensive, I actually would like to see more constructive discussions here and I welcome your efforts. In all honesty, my concern really stems from my surprise over posts like
being allowed (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=1029951) while more benign stuff is not.

Regardless of that, thanks again for your time and effort running the place!
agreed with what he said...that thread crosses some lines and may offend some people

And this, is why I love you RedSheDevil...
:D :D :D

I'm an idiot! viva!

Fair enough rotarygod! Even though I'm slightly apprehensive, I actually would like to see more constructive discussions here and I welcome your efforts. In all honesty, my concern really stems from my surprise over posts like
being allowed (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=1029951) while more benign stuff is not.

Regardless of that, thanks again for your time and effort running the place!

I actually have to agree with Deslock on this. Even though I personally may agree with some of the negative comments posted about Jesse Jackson, there are obviously others who highly respect him. How are some of these comments allowed?

And now there is the thread on Kanye West's comments about George Bush "not caring about black people". Talk about an explosive political topic! While I feel a desire to post my thoughts in that thread, I hesitate to do so for fear of violating the forum rules and being banned.

I think the prior questions/comments regarding confusion of what is and is not allowed is an even more valid point now than when it was originally asked in light of all these new topics and posts.

I simply do not think that you can try to walk a thin line like this. Doc was suspended for comments that were far less inflammatory than some of those being made in these current threads. I think it would make more sense to simply not allow the political discussions at all. As it is, I see several posts that I certainly would think would constitute good cause for being banned.

*BAN ME*

I hear the banning lounge is nice.

I think the moderators have made their point on this topic. Everything else seem to be just a rehash of the same concerns about how the rules should be enforce. Just like the RX-8s PCM can never be fully understood by those outside of Mazda, the rules can also never be completely drawn in black and white. That's why we have a group of moderators and not one single one enforcing the rules so we can have a consensus view on things and eliminate or at least minimize any perceived bias.

If anyone has a problem with a thread, please tell us. It is pretty hard going through all of them line by line. I did close the racist thread btw. The link to the Kanye West comment has also been removed.

Now I can say I've closed something!

If anyone has a problem with a thread, please tell us. It is pretty hard going through all of them line by line. I did close the racist thread btw. The link to the Kanye West comment has also been removed.

Now I can say I've closed something!

Appropriately so, I might add!

The Bush's go fishing in N.O

Another Scandal


All of the evidence is not in, but it appears that
Secretary of State Rice has admitted in a recent
press conference that she slept with President George W. Bush.

Will send details when they become available; all I have so far is this photo

Nice photoshop. Did you post these out of spite over our rules or do you honestly want to get kicked out of here?

Off topic: Your title under your name should read "I support single moms". It fits perfectly with the avatar!