Banning of a poster and the recent incivility

[RightinNYC]

As some of you may know and for the others that don't, 26XWorldChamps undertook a purposeful effort to harass and intimidate multiple members of this forum. PM's were sent to numerous persons urging them to flood false reports of racism to the Mod Staff, even after Champs was informed that the material in question was not racist. In both of these scenarios, his stated intent was to get these members banned from the forum or force them to leave on his own. This form of vigilantism is not acceptable, and Champs' repeated violations of the "Don't Be a Jerk" rule have resulted in a ban from the forum.

This is a forum based on civility. Things may get heated at times, but above all we must understand that we are here together as a community. We must all remember to focus on the politics and avoid being pulled into the personal. This community aspect is destroyed and trust is ruined when members take it upon themselves to run off and harass posters they do not like or agree with. This is fair notice that any future actions along these lines will meet with the same result

After investigating the issue thoroughly, the mod team considers this issue to be closed, and we hope not to have to deal with an issue like this again.

Furthermore, we are aware of a growing impression amongst some members that there is an increasing level of destructive and over-the-top partisanship here. As we are entering a period of time when more people who've never debated politics online are getting interested and involved in these debates, and we enter the partisan conflict of a Presidential election about which many members hold deep passions, some increase of normal partisan behavior is inevitable and will not be discouraged. It is important that this is a haven for the full plurality of political viewpoints, and we will not set a precondition of a specified level of nuance. We believe reason is the truest arbiter and its merits will stand on it's own without defense in the pantheon of rational debate.

However, in as much as we encourage the free flow of ideas and positions, we will not stand idly by when people abuse the freedom of thought as a means to disguise violations of our standards of civility, through destructive partisan attacking. There very well may be more "Don't Be a Jerk" violations in the future as a product of this. We moderators hold deep feelings as to the importance of intellectual freedom, and we will always be vigilant in our self regulations so that our application of this rule does not extend into thought control. We will also step in whenever we see someone cross the line. We believe our record stands as sufficient proof to merit faith in our judgment, as faith in our judgment is a fundamental premise of the credibility of our actions.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, we encourage you to bring them up here.

-The Mod Team

 

[MC.no.spin]

Re: Recent incivility and the banning of a poster

As some of you may know and for the others that don't, 26XWorldChamps undertook a purposeful effort to harass and intimidate multiple members of this forum. PM's were sent to numerous persons urging them to flood false reports of racism to the Mod Staff, even after Champs was informed that the material in question was not racist. In both of these scenarios, his stated intent was to get these members banned from the forum or force them to leave on his own. This form of vigilantism is not acceptable, and Champs' repeated violations of the "Don't Be a Jerk" rule have resulted in a ban from the forum.

This is a forum based on civility. Things may get heated at times, but above all we must understand that we are here together as a community. We must all remember to focus on the politics and avoid being pulled into the personal. This community aspect is destroyed and trust is ruined when members take it upon themselves to run off and harass posters they do not like or agree with. This is fair notice that any future actions along these lines will meet with the same result

After investigating the issue thoroughly, the mod team considers this issue to be closed, and we hope not to have to deal with an issue like this again.

Furthermore, we are aware of a growing impression amongst some members that there is an increasing level of destructive and over-the-top partisanship here. As we are entering a period of time when more people who've never debated politics online are getting interested and involved in these debates, and we enter the partisan conflict of a Presidential election about which many members hold deep passions, some increase of normal partisan behavior is inevitable and will not be discouraged. It is important that this is a haven for the full plurality of political viewpoints, and we will not set a precondition of a specified level of nuance. We believe reason is the truest arbiter and its merits will stand on it's own without defense in the pantheon of rational debate.

However, in as much as we encourage the free flow of ideas and positions, we will not stand idly by when people abuse the freedom of thought as a means to disguise violations of our standards of civility, through destructive partisan attacking. There very well may be more "Don't Be a Jerk" violations in the future as a product of this. We moderators hold deep feelings as to the importance of intellectual freedom, and we will always be vigilant in our self regulations so that our application of this rule does not extend into thought control. We will also step in whenever we see someone cross the line. We believe our record stands as sufficient proof to merit faith in our judgment, as faith in our judgment is a fundamental premise of the credibility of our actions.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, we encourage you to bring them up here.

-The Mod Team

:applaud:applaud

I agree with the ruling 100 %. You guys are real pros.

Well written! You should be a judge!

 

[RightinNYC]

Re: Recent incivility and the banning of a poster

:applaud:applaud

I agree with the ruling 100 %. You guys are real pros.

Well written! You should be a judge!

All the good parts were written by other mods, but thanks anyways. :2razz:

 

[aps]

Re: Recent incivility and the banning of a poster

I'm not sure what put the mods on notice about this. I wonder if I was the first one who made mention of it. If that is the case, I have to give credit to WI Crippler for asking me about a statement I made in a post. I wasn't even that direct about it, but he asked me what I meant, and I provided an explanation. I call that outstanding moderation of this message board. (I think Tashah may have noticed it too.)

:clap: :bravo: :2bow:

 

[jallman]

Would it be in bad form to do a little dance over Champs' banning like he did over Navy leaving? :lol:

 

[Jerry]

As some of you may know and for the others that don't, 26XWorldChamps undertook a purposeful effort to harass and intimidate multiple members of this forum. PM's were sent to numerous persons urging them to flood false reports of racism to the Mod Staff, even after Champs was informed that the material in question was not racist. In both of these scenarios, his stated intent was to get these members banned from the forum or force them to leave on his own. This form of vigilantism is not acceptable, and Champs' repeated violations of the "Don't Be a Jerk" rule have resulted in a ban from the forum.

This is a forum based on civility. Things may get heated at times, but above all we must understand that we are here together as a community. We must all remember to focus on the politics and avoid being pulled into the personal. This community aspect is destroyed and trust is ruined when members take it upon themselves to run off and harass posters they do not like or agree with. This is fair notice that any future actions along these lines will meet with the same result

After investigating the issue thoroughly, the mod team considers this issue to be closed, and we hope not to have to deal with an issue like this again.

Furthermore, we are aware of a growing impression amongst some members that there is an increasing level of destructive and over-the-top partisanship here. As we are entering a period of time when more people who've never debated politics online are getting interested and involved in these debates, and we enter the partisan conflict of a Presidential election about which many members hold deep passions, some increase of normal partisan behavior is inevitable and will not be discouraged. It is important that this is a haven for the full plurality of political viewpoints, and we will not set a precondition of a specified level of nuance. We believe reason is the truest arbiter and its merits will stand on it's own without defense in the pantheon of rational debate.

However, in as much as we encourage the free flow of ideas and positions, we will not stand idly by when people abuse the freedom of thought as a means to disguise violations of our standards of civility, through destructive partisan attacking. There very well may be more "Don't Be a Jerk" violations in the future as a product of this. We moderators hold deep feelings as to the importance of intellectual freedom, and we will always be vigilant in our self regulations so that our application of this rule does not extend into thought control. We will also step in whenever we see someone cross the line. We believe our record stands as sufficient proof to merit faith in our judgment, as faith in our judgment is a fundamental premise of the credibility of our actions.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, we encourage you to bring them up here.

-The Mod Team

First, who cares about Champs? Banning him is like swatting a fly.

Second, since when does the Mod team give a **** about letting the members know what's going on regarding banns/suspensions, etc? The existence and nature of this thread is very out of character of for the mod team. Something has changed or is changing, what’s up?

 

[Alex]

First, who cares about Champs? Banning him is like swatting a fly.

Second, since when does the Mod team give a **** about letting the members know what's going on regarding banns/suspensions, etc? The existence and nature of this thread is very out of character of for the mod team. Something has changed or is changing, what’s up?

I agree with this. I remember a Mod bragging about banning Aquapub not too long ago in a thread. Was it really necessary to mention Champs by name in this thread?

 

[Zyphlin]

Alright, I'm a rather new mod, but I gotta just blink a bit here...

Every other perma ban that's happened I can remember people yelling for some actual information from the mod team. So this time, with a lot of things that started the investigation into this coming out during an open thread, and knowing this has been an issue in the past, the mod team decided to be open and forth coming with this. Partially to answer any questions people may have, partially to show that this kind of action will not be tolerated again, and partially to address a growing problem on the forum that we end to keep a much keener eye on.

So now, this time, when the team IS more open about things, people are now mad that the team was open about it?

 

[Alex]

Alright, I'm a rather new mod, but I gotta just blink a bit here...

Every other perma ban that's happened I can remember people yelling for some actual information from the mod team. So this time, with a lot of things that started the investigation into this coming out during an open thread, and knowing this has been an issue in the past, the mod team decided to be open and forth coming with this. Partially to answer any questions people may have, partially to show that this kind of action will not be tolerated again, and partially to address a growing problem on the forum that we end to keep a much keener eye on.

So now, this time, when the team IS more open about things, people are now mad that the team was open about it?

No one is "mad" on my part. Everything you mentioned above could have been done successfully without mentioning a member's name. It seems a little vindictive when a name is used.

I agree that we should be informed of reasons for recent bans and infractions, but in a more neutral way.

 

[Caine]

No one is "mad" on my part. Everything you mentioned above could have been done successfully without mentioning a member's name. It seems a little vindictive when a name is used.

I agree that we should be informed of reasons for recent bans and infractions, but in a more neutral way.

So then everyone can be pi.. "upset" that the name wasn't mentioned....:roll:

This was done appropriately. Carry on.

 

[Jerry]

Alright, I'm a rather new mod, but I gotta just blink a bit here...

Every other perma ban that's happened I can remember people yelling for some actual information from the mod team. So this time, with a lot of things that started the investigation into this coming out during an open thread, and knowing this has been an issue in the past, the mod team decided to be open and forth coming with this. Partially to answer any questions people may have, partially to show that this kind of action will not be tolerated again, and partially to address a growing problem on the forum that we end to keep a much keener eye on.

So now, this time, when the team IS more open about things, people are now mad that the team was open about it?

Mad about the mod team’s history of elitism when it comes to sharing this information, yes. If the Mod team would now care to stoop down and slum it with us common folk, then please, present full disclosure of the disciplinary actions or just shut the **** up and stay in your manor.

If the current attitude of the mod team is to be more open then you will have to endure some heat for the past. Frankly, every post on this thread, especially mine, is a violation of forum rules per questioning mod disciplinary actions. How do you answer for this?

 

[jallman]

I agree with this. I remember a Mod bragging about banning Aquapub not too long ago in a thread. Was it really necessary to mention Champs by name in this thread?

Yes it was. Champs took some very blatant steps to form alliances to get other posters banned. Mentioning his banning serves a dual purpose; to open up a discussion about incivility disguised as partisanship AND to serve as a warning to those aligned with his directive of harassing other forum members.

 

[jallman]

Mad about the mod team’s history of elitism when it comes to sharing this information, yes. If the Mod team would now care to stoop down and slum it with us common folk, then please, present full disclosure of the disciplinary actions or just shut the **** up and stay in your manor.

If the current attitude of the mod team is to be more open then you will have to endure some heat for the past. Frankly, every post on this thread, especially mine, is a violation of forum rules per questioning mod disciplinary actions. How do you answer for this?

Not exactly. You would do well to read the opening post in this thread and be mindful of civility when discussing these issues. You may question the mod team's action, but you may not give them heat for taking appropriate actions. There is a civil way to go about this discussion and then there is the way you just conducted yourself.

 

[niftydrifty]

Alright, I'm a rather new mod, but I gotta just blink a bit here...

Every other perma ban that's happened I can remember people yelling for some actual information from the mod team. So this time, with a lot of things that started the investigation into this coming out during an open thread, and knowing this has been an issue in the past, the mod team decided to be open and forth coming with this. Partially to answer any questions people may have, partially to show that this kind of action will not be tolerated again, and partially to address a growing problem on the forum that we end to keep a much keener eye on.

So now, this time, when the team IS more open about things, people are now mad that the team was open about it?

You can only be confused about that, if you assume that all people on the forum must be of one mind about everything. They aren't.

 

[Jerry]

Yes it was. Champs took some very blatant steps to form alliances to get other posters banned. Mentioning his banning serves a dual purpose; to open up a discussion about incivility disguised as partisanship AND to serve as a warning to those aligned with his directive of harassing other forum members.

The correct action is for the Mod team to step in and quietly click the ban-button. Problem goes away, everything is peachy. IMO this thread was made to show off to us mere mortals how wonderful the mod team is, to give them a special venue to inflate their egos for simply having don their regular, standard job.

Wow, great job mod team, you banned a troll, good for you :mrgreen: And though I wonder why you let it get to the point where he was forming alliances and apparently grossly harassing people, that doesn’t matter now ‘cuz you finally banned him.

Of course, you must know where this is going.....resentment for refusing to discuss the (just) banning of someone who did matter: teacher....and how hypocritical the mod team now looks for their willingness to discuss the banning of someone who doesn't matter at all: Champs.

 

[Alex]

Yes it was. Champs took some very blatant steps to form alliances to get other posters banned. Mentioning his banning serves a dual purpose; to open up a discussion about incivility disguised as partisanship AND to serve as a warning to those aligned with his directive of harassing other forum members.

All of which could have been done successfully without mentioning the name. I have no problem with mentioning bans or infractions, we need to know what the Mods expect of us, but naming names is unnecessary.

 

[Jerry]

Not exactly. You would do well to read the opening post in this thread and be mindful of civility when discussing these issues. You may question the mod team's action, but you may not give them heat for taking appropriate actions. There is a civil way to go about this discussion and then there is the way you just conducted yourself.

Questioning mod team disciplinary actions is only to be don in PM, NOT ever never ever in public, I have the warning points to prove it.

You may also note, my dear DM, that I am giving them heat for this thread, which is not a Mod action. You would do well to understand that and the forum rules.

 

[Jerry]

All of which could have been done successfully without mentioning the name. I have no problem with mentioning bans or infractions, we need to know what the Mods expect of us, but naming names is unnecessary.

Frankly I don't understand why an appropriate thread wasn't opened in the Basement where everyone could talk **** about whoever was harassing them. This thread makes no sense.

 

[Jerry]

You can only be confused about that, if you assume that all people on the forum must be of one mind about everything. They aren't.

Whenever we've wanted to discuss these things in the past, we were stepped on by the holy mod team and told to shut it with threats of points and temp bans. So given that history, given the established precedent that we were under no circumstances ever to discuss this in public under fear of penalty, Ka-BLAMM!! a Mod open a thread about exactly that.

This thread being in a regular public forum, establishes the premise that we are now allowed to address mod actions in public...but try it, and you'll see that you will be issued points for doing so, hence hypocrisy.

 

[niftydrifty]

Whenever we've wanted to discuss these things in the past, we were stepped on by the holy mod team and told to shut it with threats of points and temp bans. So given that history, given the established precedent that we were under no circumstances ever to discuss this in public under fear of penalty, Ka-BLAMM!! a Mod open a thread about exactly that.

This thread being in a regular public forum, establishes the premise that we are now allowed to address mod actions in public...but try it, and you'll see that you will be issued points for doing so, hence hypocrisy.

You make some good points. but there's a difference between a forum member publicly questioning mod actions, and the mod team explaining mod team actions.

the recent "unpleasantness" wasn't just about 26x's shenanigans, it was also about dozens of non-debatable thread topics being started. will there be action on that, too?

 

[jallman]

The correct action is for the Mod team to step in and quietly click the ban-button. Problem goes away, everything is peachy. IMO this thread was made to show off to us mere mortals how wonderful the mod team is, to give them a special venue to inflate their egos for simply having don their regular, standard job.

Wow, great job mod team, you banned a troll, good for you :mrgreen: And though I wonder why you let it get to the point where he was forming alliances and apparently grossly harassing people, that doesn’t matter now ‘cuz you finally banned him.

Of course, you must know where this is going.....resentment for refusing to discuss the (just) banning of someone who did matter: teacher....and how hypocritical the mod team now looks for their willingness to discuss the banning of someone who doesn't matter at all: Champs.

That's a pathetic attempt at showing your impotent frustrations over something that happened an epoch ago. Teacher got himself banned by his actions. You seem to have not gotten the memo so let me recap it for you: teacher committed infraction after infraction with no remorse for his transgressions. His banning was ultimately his own doing and so needed no further discussion.

Champs got himself banned by forming coalitions to foment division and attacks on other posters. Discussing this was a way for the mods to assure those posters Champs' actions hurt that the mods were doing something proactive to ensure the civility of this forum. It also discouraged similar attacks by others.

I am going to invoke rule 6A at this point and kindly ask that if you want to discuss the issue at hand, please do. However, the teacher issue is closed and will remain so.

 

[jallman]

Questioning mod team disciplinary actions is only to be don in PM, NOT ever never ever in public, I have the warning points to prove it.

You may also note, my dear DM, that I am giving them heat for this thread, which is not a Mod action. You would do well to understand that and the forum rules.

This thread is a mod action, decided on by the mods and published for the benefit of the forum. Back down, jerry, before you find yourself in trouble. Neither of us wants that.

 

[jallman]

Frankly I don't understand why an appropriate thread wasn't opened in the Basement where everyone could talk **** about whoever was harassing them. This thread makes no sense.

You missed the upheaval, johnny come lately. That's not the mod team's fault. Perhaps a perusal of the Basement would be in order before you decide to flap your gums again?

 

[Zyphlin]

If you have specific comments in regards to this particular banning or the statements therein, until the point in which this thread is locked, its fine to do so here. I am not infracting people for questioning it simply because it appears the intent to keep it unlocked was for discussion to happen here, if it was going to happen.

However other rules apply. If you simply want to mock, curse, or flame/bait the moderator team, take it to the basement. The thread still follows the need to remain civil and feelings can be put across just as well without the above things.

In regards to Champ's names being stated, this was something talked about between the Mod team and it was decided that since the actions leading up to this were in public view that it would be proper to place his name, as there was no reason to try and skirt around it.

 

[jallman]

If you have specific comments in regards to this particular banning or the statements therein, until the point in which this thread is locked, its fine to do so here. I am not infracting people for questioning it simply because it appears the intent to keep it unlocked was for discussion to happen here, if it was going to happen.

However other rules apply. If you simply want to mock, curse, or flame/bait the moderator team, take it to the basement. The thread still follows the need to remain civil and feelings can be put across just as well without the above things.

In regards to Champ's names being stated, this was something talked about between the Mod team and it was decided that since the actions leading up to this were in public view that it would be proper to place his name, as there was no reason to try and skirt around it.

I might also add that any threads placed in the Basement with the intent to flame the mod team over this issue will be shut down through the invoking of the global enforcement of 6A. Don't waste your time, folks. Address your grievances and offer suggestions but do not think this is an opportunity to slam our good moderation team.