This Board

[RedSands]

Maude is correct. We could lose this board. Either in its entirety or by decent individuals no longer wanting to post. Personally, over the last week I have questioned how much I want to say on this board anymore. I feel completely defeated when I spend time to post half a page about how certain things in the economy work, only for it to be deleted.

I understand that we need to maintain integrity on this board and not personally attack, as I have PM’d to many people. However, I would politely ask that the complainers make sure they complain because of violations to the rules and not because you don’t like someone’s politics or you are an offended outsider. This to me is a bigger violation to the system than anything else!

I am not trying to tell people what to do. I am just shocked at some of the innocuous things that were deleted. Entire threads, not just posts.

If this gets deleted, than at least I tried!

[Laurie Jane]

Funny, I was thinking about this board - in fact, this whole FT world - this morning as I walked my dogs (Jack Russells). And what Maude said rang true to me when I came in and read her post - this is not a democracy. It's this weird little cyber alternate universe. Kind of like those dioramas that you used to make back in fifth grade? (I made one of the Scarlett Letter..fitting, I suppose.) I spent so much time on it, was so absorbed in making it perfect. But in truth, it was a cardboard box with some figures stuck in there. It wasn't real.

Anyway. Dave and Ronen founded FT. They run it, along with whomever else, I dunno how it all works. But it's their site. They can shut the whole thing down if they want to. Sure, we pay our $20 or whatever to upgrade. Big deal. It takes time and money to run this place, I wager it's a labor of love for them and ...why should they even want the headache? So I guess my point is...you know what? whatever it takes. If posts need to be deleted to keep the peace, then delete em. But maybe we can help minimize that by trying to calm down and remember that 1) the figures in this cardboard box are real people with real feelings and 2) nonetheless, it is a cardboard box. It just ain't worth getting so hepped up about someone's opinions that differ from your own (and I am the champion hepper upper, believe you me. I lose way too much sleep over this kind of stuff so I am making this speech to myself more then anyone else.)

Sorry about your deleted posts, RedSands. I like reading the economics!

LJ

Edited to add - I used to think that Dave and Ronen were married! Obviously that one of them was a woman, I will let you guess which one

[tracyred]

I've enjoyed reading your viewpoints, RS. I may not always agree with you, but you clearly explain and support your positions and stay above the fray.

[Adrienne]

Thanks Maude for clarifying FT's position. I agree completely that "free speech" comes with responsibilites. FT is set up where you only open and respond to what you want to. I don't read some people's posts or if I do I don't bother to respond because I don't agree with them. I don't understand why others can't do this either.

Sue and Traci make some excellent points that I didn't consider. My son is often on my lap when I'm posting and I don't want him to see offensive language either. To date, the most disturbing thing he has seen on FT, and commented on, was avatars of tragically dead babies so I make sure not to go to the loss board when he is around--simple choice on my part.

I believe that this entire nation has been rocked to the core with hurricane Katrina and the anxiety persists with Rita's advance. This microcosim of society has done the same thing it seems.

Personally, I have never been bother by what anyone has posted for years and years until recently. I have never been "scolded" about what I posted either and that is what really set me off and prompted my other post. What happened to just having fun, supporting each other and embracing our differences?

[AngelaM]

Originally Posted by RedSands

I understand that we need to maintain integrity on this board and not personally attack, as I have PM’d to many people. However, I would politely ask that the complainers make sure they complain because of violations to the rules and not because you don’t like someone’s politics or you are an offended outsider. This to me is a bigger violation to the system than anything else!

Amen sister.

Now, I'm heading to lunch to sing "kum ba ya."

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by RedSands

I understand that we need to maintain integrity on this board and not personally attack, as I have PM’d to many people. However, I would politely ask that the complainers make sure they complain because of violations to the rules and not because you don’t like someone’s politics or you are an offended outsider. This to me is a bigger violation to the system than anything else!

I am not trying to tell people what to do. I am just shocked at some of the innocuous things that were deleted. Entire threads, not just posts.

If this gets deleted, than at least I tried!

DITTO

[RedSands]

LJ,

Great analogy!

Yesterday, I was going to write that this is a private site as well.

But, my point is that some people may be offended by some of the things that are typed and some people may be offended by the fact that their posts get deleted and complained about. It is a vicious cycle I guess.

[dr j]

Red Sands...

I missed Maude's post. Is it still up?

A little history. I was one who requested this board be implemented. These types of threads were being posted on other boards and it was disruptive. I thought we might as well have a place to get it off our chests. We didn't have a moderator for a long time and things went pretty well. After awhile though it was causing Dave and Ronen more work so I offered since I started the mess. Unfortunately some people felt the moderator couldn't moderate and have an opinion so I resigned. We have had Maude ever since- who I really don't know..... but may be the alter ego of someone here.

I too hate it when whole threads get deleted for one post that's out of line.

Sometimes I love this board, sometimes I hate it. Just like politics in real life... go figure.

dr j

[BC-3boys2luv]

Dr. J

I was around when this bb started and I know you did a lot of hard work to get it going and establish how it would work. You did a great job and I just wanted to say thanks, because I'm not sure if I thanked you then or not.

[Julester]

Originally Posted by tracyred

I've enjoyed reading your viewpoints, RS. I may not always agree with you, but you clearly explain and support your positions and stay above the fray.

Ditto! RS! You "Non-panty" wearing hoochie mama you!!

But I love this bb and am addicted! Kum ba ya!!!!

Jules