Are we all equal on FR?

[JoeV1]

I wonder if the rules on this forum are applied equally? Several weeks ago I was denied posting privileges because I jokingly advocated a "plan b" in fighting the so far failed war on illegal immigration. My "plan b" was to have border guards retreat to within 200 yards of the border and while fitted with night vision goggles simply drop any illegals attempting to gain access to America.

Now frankly I am not concerned with the fact I was denied posting privileges for a day(reason given was "advocating violence")but I wonder if the folks who post pictures of exploding nukes over text that calls for turning the middle east, or N Korea into a glowing heap of slag. were also denied the ability to post. I did a cursory check and found the names of the posters associated with the nuke threats posting regularly after the aforementioned posts appeared.

Is it possible that some are more equal then others here? I have been referred to as a "newbie" as if that somehow makes what I say less credible then someone here a longer period of time. I believe opinions are opinions and the length of forum membership does not serve to make ones credibility stronger.

It does seem that there is a "good old boy's" network operating here and the old timers are given more leeway as far as the rules then are the newer arrivals. While I have been a FR member for only 8 months I have been an avid political forum debator for 8 or 9 years on places such as the NYT, WP, LAT and others.

There was another incident in which I was accused of a personal attack although I was merely responding to an attack on myself. I never used profanity and merely responded in kind to another whose main complaint was that I was wrong in criticizing the post of another person because that person was a 5 year member. I was also told I didn't know what I was talking about. This resulted in a few back and forth retorts which I frankly found amusing and in no way took as an insult.

I thoroughly enjoy verbal jousting and never shrink from a confrontation. It appears that others see fit to run to the moderator at the first sign of getting back what it is they dish out. It is at that time that I believe the good old boys network comes into play.

If any of you would like to see the posts that caused this simply ask and I will happily post them.

[Rise of South Park Republicans]

The "f" word? Generally when that is used it cheapens the opinions of all as they appear to be merely those unable to think of anything to say other than the old standard f word.

I do think Dick Cheney used it like a master

[Clemenza]

OK, Joe.

RULE #1 in Life: LIFE AINT FAIR!

RULE #2: DEAL WITH IT!

[Txsleuth]

I think your characterization of Freepers is WAY OFF--I never, ever haved claimed a halo, nor do I act like I have one, I don't think...and I don't know many freepers that do...

I know a lot of freepers that readily admit mistakes and usually laugh at themselves when doing it...I laugh a whole lot more when on FR, than get angry...

BUT, if you want stimulating debate, this is a great place, but if you play by the rules, it is doubtful that you will get in trouble...

I don't think a lot of what you think is "preferential treatment" is that so much as the context of the post...I have found that sometimes, depending on the urgency of the thread, or the context of the thread, different things are allowed that might not be at other times...

Sure, there are "favorites and old-timers", that is natural and if you want to and play by the rules, and get a thicker skin, you too will prolly end up in that catagory some day, just like I hope to....

[jer2911tx]

i would agree with the opinion that mods from any forum aren't always fair.
everyone has bad days when they are a little trigger-happy, i'm sure.

first thing that comes to mind with your 'plan b' is that is exactly the kind of thing liberals will use as a quote from this website to paint everyone here as racist for condoning the execution of immigrants.
i refuse to visit the DUmmies at thier site, but i have seen many snippets posted on various websites that regularly make their posters look like lunatics.
for people that don't read freerepublic themselves, all they may see is a snippet which may have been posted in jest that could leave a bad impression of the site overall./br
just sayin'

[Stu Cohen]

I don't think...and I don't know many freepers that do...

Hey, speak for yourself ;-)

[listenhillary]

We know the moderaters are ALL just sitting around twiddling their thumbs and always have time to read all 250 posts in a thread before they make the decision to ban someone.

"Does this make my nose look brown?"

[ASA Vet]

If you haven't drawn the notice of an Mod here on FR....then you're not a worthy poster

I've never been short sheeted by a Mod,
but September 20, 2000 I received a personal wedgie from Jim Robinson.

Does that qualify me as "worthy," or should I have started a thread to whine about his unfairness?

[Netizen]

If the mod thought he was an actual threat he'd have been visited by the government by now.

[mommadooo3]

I hear ya.

We were ALL newbies once.

[Stu Cohen]

first thing that comes to mind with your 'plan b' is that is exactly the kind of thing liberals will use as a quote from this website to paint everyone here as racist for condoning the execution of immigrants.

Is it possibly that people are becoming a litle too concerned with what "liberals" think?

Doesn't the fear of giving them "ammunition" give them the power to more or less frame the debate?

[hispanarepublicana]

Are we all equal on FR? No. Those of us who generally refrain from posting vanities (and when we do, we flag them "VANITY") are the "cool kids".

[ClancyJ]

How cute. Very enterprising kids there. Hopefully, they will avoid arrest in the future endeavors.

[Frank_Discussion]

;)

[colorcountry]

...filled them with rabbit pellets from their grandparents' hutch, then labeled them 'Smart Pills' and sold them for a nickel.

Same thing happened in my hometown, but they were labled "Pine nuts."

[Little Bill]

Remember when there was only Prodigy, and then there was the web. I remember searching for conservitve sites, a new world was on us.

[hispanarepublicana]

Oh, NOW I get it!! I advocated violence by the use of a rifle which is available to most people and that was a violation. However, had I advocated violence via a weapon only accessible to the military, such as a plasma weapon of some kind, then I wouldn't be in violation. Is that the way it works? Thank you for clearing that up.

It's like me having a crush on Mel Gibson, vocalizing that crush, and Mr. HR not minding it. BUT, if I had a crush on the guy named Mel next door, Mr. HR would very much mind it. It's common sense.

[MaryFromMichigan]

"Does this make my nose look brown?"

Q.- What's the difference between a brown noser and an *ss kisser?

A.- Depth perception.

:)

[Admin Moderator]

The fact that new sign ups every few months come out with the same claim as this gentlemen should make it self evident.

Every few months? But you've only been here for three months yourself.

[Political Junkie Too]

I, personally, fell onto this site with no prior knowledge of FR.

I found this site from the short-lived Newsmax forum. Newsmax was too yellow for me, and the forum was too crude. If that forum had survived, it would have been the right-counterpart to DU, not FR.

Also, are you suggesting anyone new has not contributed to make FR a popular site that it is today? Our donations mean nothing?

First, after three years you're not new. Second, as with most things, a critical mass emerges. The rate of growth slows, the marginal utility reduces, etc.

I joined in 2000, right after the election. Even back then, my posts were tagged with my start date by people who joined in 1997-1998. All I'm saying is that it takes time to build a reputation, and it takes a reputation to "earn" leeway.

-PJ

[Sloth]

Now frankly I am not concerned with the fact I was denied posting privileges for a day(reason given was "advocating violence")

I didn't lose posting privileges, but once I was told to 'knock it off' regarding a comparable comment I'd made -- like you, I was not advocating vigilantism but legal application of force by government authorities. Yes, the modding is inconsistent and sometimes contradictory. *shrug* Live with it.