Should I clamp down on free speech?

During yet another fight between MKL, Jerry, and this time Bob, it was suggested in the thread on Venetian comps that I invoke the temporary ban privilege.

I think it is indeed time to revisit my current liberal policy on free speech. I've received PMs requesting that various people be banned. Once I start down that road, I'm sure I'll be bothered a lot more with them. I'm a strong believer in free speech, and hate to make rules restricting it. However, some of the fights are getting out of hand, and changing the whole character of the forum.

If I decide to try to clean house, what should the new rules be? Perhaps writing anything that could not be said on network television, except in quoting another, would no be allowed? Perhaps just a general rule to act like gentlemen. I'm one who likes to live by rules, so want to make it as clear as possible what is allowed.

The question for the poll will be "Should I clamp down on free speech?", but I welcome all comments on the topic.

Can your code writer (JB?) write code that gives someone a 24hour timeout where when enough people flag a post of someone that's what happens.

Timeout = being that one cannot post in the forum for 24 hours.

Or something of that nature maybe.

Quote: rxwine

Can your code writer (JB?) write code that gives someone a 24hour timeout where when enough people flag a post of someone that's what happens.

Timeout = being that one cannot post in the forum for 24 hours.

Or something of that nature maybe.

I could ask him to write code for that. I'll take that idea under advisement, and welcome comments on it, but my initial instinct it to oppose it. I don't want this turning into junior high where cliques gang up on certain members, and flag every post they write. I'm also more in favor of the republic model of government than a democracy.

Quote: Wizard

I think it is indeed time to revisit my current liberal policy on free speech.

I don't know why you included my name in this, please find one post where I've used offensive language. I go out of my way not to, its a cheap shot and quite frankly, its beneath me.

I think actual, substantive arguing is fine - mkl and Jerry have actually had more than a few of those.

But when it degrades to just name calling:

Quote: mkl654321

Let's try some more common vulgarity:

Fuck you, Bob, you worthless asshole.

This is fun!

That's not really substantive at all. Or entertaining (JerryLogan has had some of his own moments, so I don't mean to single mkl out necessarily).

I'd say maybe a rule to "keep it civil"? Or is that not specific enough?

Quote: EvenBob

I don't know why you included my name in this, please find one post where I've used offensive language. I go out of my way not to, its a cheap shot and quite frankly, its beneath me.

I just meant you were involved. Your comment in that thread was fine with me..

Quote: Wizard

During yet another fight between MKL, Jerry, and this time Bob, it was suggested in the thread on Venetian comps that I invoke the temporary ban privilege.

I think it is indeed time to revisit my current liberal policy on free speech. I've received PMs requesting that various people be banned. Once I start down that road, I'm sure I'll be bothered a lot more with them. I'm a strong believer in free speech, and hate to make rules restricting it. However, some of the fights are getting out of hand, and changing the whole character of the forum.

If I decide to try to clean house, what should the new rules be? Perhaps writing anything that could not be said on network television, except in quoting another, would no be allowed? Perhaps just a general rule to act like gentlemen. I'm one who likes to live by rules, so want to make it as clear as possible what is allowed.

The question for the poll will be "Should I clamp down on free speech?", but I welcome all comments on the topic.

I, for one, promise from this point forward not to respond to, reference, or even tangentially engage in any kind of discussion with JerryLogan or EvenBob. I know that Jerry, in particular, will continue to make posts that reflexively gainsay everything I say, and to call me a liar, but I don't have to dignify him with any acknowledgement, let alone a response. EvenBob (despite his moniker) is kind of uneven--sometimes he sounds rational and measured, and isn't even impolite, and other times, he raves like a lunatic. Regretfully, I'll have to block him, because the good stuff isn't worth the bad (and I'm sure several people feel the same way about me).

I WOULD like to remark that to me, the most repulsive aspects of these two person's posts have been their rabid racism and homophobia, and that is something that has no place in ANY forum of public discourse, except perhaps if the American Nazi Party has a chatroom (and why wouldn't they?). But once again, I shouldn't have reacted to it; ignoring it was the best policy.

Again, I apologize for overstepping the bounds of civility. When a couple of internet posters call me a liar, as well as impugning my character, insulting me, and in general making ad hominem attacks, I shouldn't lower myself to their level. So that's more than enough about JerryLogan and EvenBob, and I'll get back to posting that more substantive stuff that you all know and love :). Peace (and free beer).

I swear I'm getting deja-vu on this... maybe it was the remains of another forum board in gambling that had the same falling out.

I'd send them both the quiet corner for a while until they even calm down and learn how to speak civil to each other or bow out and find other pastures. It's gotten to the point where both are just trolling around looking to argue on every thread they can find, and in many cases there's a profound inability on actually read or write in a coherent manner that furthers anyone's knowledge.

I'd -guess- the number of unique posters per day has dropped over the last few weeks. I could be wrong. But it's getting less fun here.... it was fun to debate EvenBob on the finer elements of US healthcare policy, and while I may have been ruder than necessary at times, I think I got something out of it. I'm not sure I've got much out of any the f-bombs between JL and MKL recently

Quote: thecesspit

I'd -guess- the number of unique posters per day has dropped over the last few weeks. I could be wrong. But it's getting less fun here.... it was fun to debate EvenBob on the finer elements of US healthcare policy, and while I may have been ruder than necessary at times, I think I got something out of it. I'm not sure I've got much out of any the f-bombs between JL and MKL recently

Yeah. No one does. For my role in that, I apologize. I was set off by all the racism and paranoid homophobia I was seeing from them, and their attacks on me were getting a bit too personal. Responding in kind, however, was not the answer.

Quote: mkl654321

I apologize. I was set off by all the racism and paranoid homophobia I was seeing from them

We understand, it wasn't your fault. Had I known you were so easily pushed over the edge, I would have been kinder to you. Or something.