Stronger forum moderating?

[Gearloose]

Please consider a stronger moderation on this forum. I feel that hate posts of any type, whether they are anti-US, anti-muslim, anti-christian, anti-jew, racist, homophobic, extremist pro or anti- any group, government or ideology have no place on this forum and, by their nature, can only cause strife and discord among members.

To put such material under the protective banner of free speech and claim it is just an opinion is a cop-out. To claim it makes for "interesting debate" is another. One does not have the free speech right to slander another person. One does not have the free speech right to advocate hate against another. I thought this was a chat forum as a subset of a fitness website--not a political/religious debate forum. There are plenty of those on the internet.

It should not be necessary for someone to leave this forum to avoid such posts, nor should it be necessary to use the ignore user feature. The ignore user feature doesn't exist in real life. We must learn to co-exist with our real-life neighbors. We cannot hit the ignore user button when our neighbor is blaring the stereo at full volume in the middle of the night or holding a KKK rally in their front yard.

A few may suggest that removing the political posts will take all the "fun" out of General Chat. I think that is fun we do not need.

[.V.]

I disagree - if one doesn't like them, they should simply ignore them.

I've been beaten up pretty badly for my redneck, intolerant totally anti-drug views. I still post them, and respect the right of others to post their pro-drug views. None of the posts agianst my opinion did me any damage, harm, or caused irrepairable psychosis. It's called being adult and respecting others right to say their piece - even if we don't agree with it.

Disagreeing and arguing aren't the same as flames.

Flaming is an unwarranted personal attack. For example if you say so and so is a stupid SOB, that might be a flame.

If you say it and post a photo of his IQ test results of 45, and a photo of his mother the german shepard, odds are it isn't a flame.

[Gearloose]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

I disagree - if one doesn't like them, they should simply ignore them.

I've been beaten up pretty badly for my redneck, intolerant totally anti-drug views. I still post them, and respect the right of others to post their pro-drug views. None of the posts agianst my opinion did me any damage, harm, or caused irrepairable psychosis. It's called being adult and respecting others right to say their piece - even if we don't agree with it.

Disagreeing and arguing aren't the same as flames.

Flaming is an unwarranted personal attack. For example if you say so and so is a stupid SOB, that might be a flame.

If you say it and post a photo of his IQ test results of 45, and a photo of his mother the german shepard, odds are it isn't a flame.

I'm only suggesting that I feel this forum is not the place for political agendas and hate messages-whether one agrees or disagrees with the message. It's the posting of the message itself I feel is out of place--not necessarily the content of the message. I'm pretty far off to one side in my own politics, but I don't feel this forum is the place to push my personal agenda. I have my own opinions on the current US administration and the war in Iraq. I do not feel a Fitness/bodybuilding forum is the proper venue to air them.

[.V.]

I totally see your point.

However ==>
I've engaged in a few very enjoyable debates here though. I'm pretty far off to one side myself (possibly opposite of yours). I just don't have a problem with discussion.

True, this is a fitnes forum. But it is also an online community - with likes/dislikes, agreements/disagreements, and a few a$$es too. It does tend to make it fun and sometimes lively. I've actually always enjoyed the level of moderation here. Although it is WAY less moderated than any forums I moderate. That might be why I spend more time here than on my own.

Have you ever noticed that whatever the shenanigans are in General Chat, the real posters are right back to trying to help one another in the fitness forums. Even if they were very disagreeable with one another just the day before.

Heck, I'd even help someone if I knew how.

[candyass]

As long as people remain respectable, there is nothing wrong with a healthy debate.

[Firehawk]

I agree, as long as it's respectable. I don't know what's wrong with people voicing their opinions as long as it's done in a clear and concise manner.

[Bronco]

There has to be a line.

Free speech yes, advocating violence or hate against any minority or against anyone period shouldn't be tolerated.

This forum should feel like a safe palce for everyone, if someone comes in and makes disgusting comments, like I have seen from mr zool, then that kind of behavoir shouldn't be tolerated.

That's just my opinion.

P.S Mr zool has been on my ignore list for some time now. And it's been nice to use that feature.

I see that he is succeeding in what he is trying to acomplish.

We all have our issues, things that matter to us. things that we believe in...perfect or imperfect to others thats irrelevant. THE right to voice our constructive opinion is one thing.

Zool's attacks and low minded opinons have not been contructive and I really really don't like to see it hurt the people I care about on this board. Or for that matter hurting anyone period.

This is in not about free speech issue. It's about simple respect!

[.V.]

Originally Posted by Bronco

advocating violence or hate against any minority or against anyone period shouldn't be tolerated.

There you go trying to censor those of us who hate everybody and everything again.

[Lift2Live]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

There you go trying to censor those of us who hate everybody and everything again.

LMAO!! Now that was too darn clever! I had to laugh...

[Bronco]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

There you go trying to censor those of us who hate everybody and everything again.

LOL cute :-)

Well watching people's reaction in the last 2 months, I really can't stand what he is doing to this board.

I mean people may have disagreements...me and Kayak for example...and we may have gotten into some doozies...but you got to be able to see what is a genuine discussion, and what is a bunch of BS that's just meant to hurt or irritate people.

I may not agree with some things and may have even been a bit harsh at times...but if I ever feel like I crossed the line, thinking about it with a cool head I apologize. The people that really know me, know that respect is something that I actually do have high regard for.