Thanks so much

[smarticus]

I truely would like to take this opportunity to thank most of the moderators for their never failing efforts to prevent any opinions not expressed by themselves, from receiving enough discussion to die a natural death. There have been so many of late.

[Padawan]

[smarticus]

Likely a popular book with several here. If not, you've just given them something to add to their Christmas list.

[John_H]

Originally Posted by smarticus

...from receiving enough discussion to die a natural death.

The painful, wrenching, wretched, agonizing natural death.

Sometimes "death with dignity" is a much better fate.

[mdfortwoguy]

I'm not quite sure I understand the locking of multiple threads for examination when nothing is going wrong with them...

[smarticus]

Just like watching TV. If YOU don't like what's on, you can change the channel,...but you shouldn't be allowed to cut down the poles that carry the cable so that no one else can see it.

[WhiteNBlack08]

I wasn't going to give the OP the dignity of a response, but here goes...

I've been an active member of this forum for well over a year now, and have NEVER had a post edited, blocked, or removed. I've never been warned, cautioned, or even come close to being banned. I have contributed where I see fit, and could provide an insight and benefit to other smart owners. I have on occasion heckled other members and vendors as well, when I felt they were not holding themselves to high standards.

But posts such as the one that started this thread really fry me. It is very obvious that all you're after is inflamatory responses that will again get you "sensored" or somehow prove that the Moderators are after you. Stop for a minute and put this into perspective. If your being edited, sensored, or having threads closed and 99% of the rest of us are not, where does the problem really exist? This forum exist for the benefit of ALL smart owners. If it's not constructive keep it to yourself, or go somewhere else that is appropriate for that kind of discussion.

We're here to talk smart cars.....

[sandalscout]

Originally Posted by WhiteNBlack08

We're here to talk smart cars.....

Then why have the offtopic areas?

I do agree, if you have a problem with a thread, don't post in it, don't read it. I'm a moderator on several forums, and a founding admin on one other forum, and I never see the censorship on those forums as I do on here. Granted, I'll ban someone being a jerk, or lock a thread that's extremely uncalled for, but if the debate is grown up, we leave them be. If we have a problem with a particular user, we tell them in private, and/or remove the questionable post, but that's it.

[BobDiaz]

Some control in a forum is necessary. Hot controversial topics can quickly get out of hand and lots of people end up either very upset or feeling hurt.

At the same time, it is possible to have some topics as long as bashing does not occur. For example "Gay Smart Car Owners" provided a common meeting point for Gays who also own or are interested in a Smart Car. As long as Gay Bashing was kept out of the thread, several interesting points were covered.

On the "Smart Car Gun Thread", there are Smart Car owners who own guns and love the sport of shooting. As long as we kept out of the ugly debate of Gun Control vs. Gun Rights, Smart Gun Owners could address different gun issues.

I understand the need to stay away from political debate, but I would hope that we can have some threads that users of the forum could share common interests.


Bob Diaz

[John_H]

Originally Posted by smarticus

Just like watching TV. If YOU don't like what's on, you can change the channel,...but you shouldn't be allowed to cut down the poles that carry the cable so that no one else can see it.

It's this advice that should be adhered to for those who take offense with a thread and vocalize their distaste in - if not flames - heated diatribes.

Forums should not be a place where hatred or insults flourish. Take the initiative to ignore a thread in the first place rather than railing against people (or ideas) within that thread.

Debate is typically welcome when it's productive. When it's just a bunch of shouting and macho posturing, it's senseless and only detracts from the experience.