Get Yer Ya-Yas Out [FR Moderating Gripe Thread]

[I Am Not A Mod]

LM here.

It's been a while since we had a thread along these lines.

I can tell from comments I am seeing in threads, on abuse reports, and in Freepmail that some people are unhappy with various policies and their implementations by the staff here.

I've seen allegations that certain factions are picked on. I've seen allegations that the moderators have killed activism. I've heard rumors that we killed Kenny, and even that we killed the radio star. I see certain personality conflicts acting up, and know that one (or both) sides in it feel that we aren't doing what we should.

So let's open this can of worms.

This thread is for making your grievances heard. If you think something stinks or is wrong, make your case here. Back it up with facts. Let the audience at large weigh in on your evidence.

I'll read the thread. Jim will too in all likelihood. So will the other moderators. Depending upon how well you make your point, and depending on if you can convince Jim, me, the other moderators, and/or the world, maybe you can change things. And if you don't, then it might make you feel better to have vented, so it won't make this thread a total loss.

I'm not going to reply to this thread for quite a while. Rather, I am going to sit back and watch to try and get a feel for the general tenor. I encourage those who are both happy and unhappy with things to particpate in this thread.

Let's rock.

[Mo1]

I use to visit the NA a lot when I first joined but because of those who made fun of my spelling and use of grammar

Oh hang around with me more .. Compared to my spelling and grammer faults .. no one will notice your's *L*

[hellinahandcart]

I do my best. That's all any of us can do.

[onyx]

Nope,
you'll have to guess.

[P.O.E.]

The following does not apply to most threads here on FR, thank goodness.

But I thought this is as good a place as any to post the mildly entertaining Ultimate Guide to Godwin's Law

(Excerpt below)
What is Godwin's Law?

As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.

[Senator Pardek]

Well I most certainly called shadowdancer insane - yet you did not come to his/her defense - odd...

[farmfriend]

At the moment, Free Republic is a site devoted to blocking the leftists from taking control of our government.

So you say, but actions speak louder than words and are more apt to be used as evidence in a court. Just trying to get you to think and protect yourself.

[Quix]

Should we say

DIMINISHING the control of the leftists, commies, globalists, treasoners . . . have over the government?

Seems to me they've had far too much for decades!

[NYC GOP Chick]

I do my best. That's all any of us can do.

Did you ever know that you're my hero? ;)

[Copernicus]

Is it possible Free Republic learns the hard way what every censor since earliest time has already discovered? To wit:

To regulate content externally by force creates as many problems as it solves?

If you wish to have discussions about "rolling back government largesse and corruption" you must do exactly that-HAVE DISCUSSIONS.

Rules and templates for proper discussion technique date back at least 2000 years (from Euclid's Elements to Roberts Rules of Order).

To the best of my knowledge Free Republic has chosen to adopt NONE of those rules or templates.

And this from a presumably conservative website!

Yes, there are disruptors, yes, there are ignorami, yes, there are outbreaks of temper and passion. So what?

There are any number of techniques to deal with every one of these situations-none of which involve hamhanded moderation.

If there is any interest in my point of view I will be happy to discuss the topic from the basis of general principles or specific anecdotes from my personal experience as my time permits.

You asked, I answered, please don't ban me. (Truth to power and all that.)

Best regards,

[farmfriend]

Post 666. LOL! Talk about playing devils advocate.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

The evil post 666...

[Texasforever]

Well I most certainly called shadowdancer insane - yet you did not come to his/her defense - odd...

You ain't even man enough to admit it. At least you pinged Shadowdancer.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Continue. This is interesting.

[ShadowDancer]

Honestly, I do have to admit I like to be annoyed from time to time. Gets the blood going, makes me think. I'm not talking annoyance, I'm talking outright nastiness. I've co-existed with that woman for years now. Mostly she grates my nerves, sometimes she makes me laugh but other times she makes me cringe. I don't cringe easy and I don't take it lightly when it's directed at someone who is decent and doesn't deserve it.

I'll take what's thrown at me and then some. I won't ever quietly watch it given to someone who's kind and doesn't deserve it without giving it back and then some. Never. If that makes me banning material, so be it. I don't live my real life that way and I won't do it any differently here for the people I know deserve my respect and loyalty.

On that note, I'm out of here. I'm tired of arguing for now and my pillow sounds damned good.

[little jeremiah]

1. Thank you for everything you do; your service is invaluable.

2. (here's my complaint) Why do you guys tolerate breakem vilifying scripter and his articles about homosexuality? Breakem consistently supports the homosexual agenda, is totally irrational about it, and I get the feeling you guys tolerate him just because he's been around for years.

[Senator Pardek]

Don't lose it!

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Good night.

[farmfriend]

Just playing devils advocate.

[nopardons]

No, that's what YOU do.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

She's back!