Proposed update to front porch forum rules

[Engineer42]

You misunderstand me. I have no business objecting to how you want to run your show. It's not about me. Obviously, there are members here who want to talk with each other about politics and religion after the day is done and their tractors are back in their sheds. Their intimations are ignored and dismissed.

Can't you set aside a sub-forum to let your members unwind and share opinions on matters that they feel are meaningful to their lives? If we can talk about stew recipes and guns, why not politics and religion?

See post #1

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

I wonder why politics and religion are not allowed anywhere anymore. That was the rule here in the US at the dinner table; especially, with guests. Not in France or Germany or anywhere I have been to in Europe.

Forum rules that gag people from discussing matters impacting their lives have a purpose. Getting hog-tied is for farm animals headed for slaughter.

By the way, East Central Ilinois would be near the Fox river? There are some nice bars in Geneva.

I can understand the reason for limiting some of the topics on some occasions, i.e which religion is best, which candidate is best, and so forth. But when generalities in politics or religion are deemed out of bounds it seems that maybe the moderators need moderating.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

I saw that coming in and thought it was a great idea. It is exactly what a forum site needs to grow exponentially.

The owner will not be able to implement his plan if he hires doofuses for the cattle drive to get his herd to market.

Based on Moss's demographic description, there is a pool of able members. Pick any four or five and invite them to serve as moderators. But don't make them bullet-proof. That will allow them to become like our politicians who forget that they are our servants. Any business that is not sensitive to their customer base eventually bites the dust.

If a post is deleted or a thread shot down, the moderator need to sign his name to it and give specific reasons for the shut down and leave that in a publicly accessed place.

 

[MossRoad]

You misunderstand me. I have no business objecting to how you want to run your show. It's not about me. Obviously, there are members here who want to talk with each other about politics and religion after the day is done and their tractors are back in their sheds. Their intimations are ignored and dismissed.

Can't you set aside a sub-forum to let your members unwind and share opinions on matters that they feel are meaningful to their lives? If we can talk about stew recipes and guns, why not politics and religion?

First, I can't "DO" anything. I don't run the forum. The forum owners run the forum. It's not my show to run.

Second, there already is a place for colorful off topic discussions. It's called the Front Porch and you can request access to it from the forum owners.

Third, for even more fun, the forum owners set up another website called Top News Talk where you can talk politics to your heart's content.

Again, you joined here just a few short weeks ago and already are asking for changes.

Take it up with the owners.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Sharing opinions on what is good or evil, truth or baloney, isn't a bad thing. This is what is done in academia and among scientists even. Debate hones the mind to discover things that don't work. But when folks start slinging mud, that's the time for the bouncers to step in.

Also, moderators must not be allowed to participate in discussions. It's not fair to let referee fight in the ring and call foul at the same time. If a moderator wants to fight, ditch his role, put on gloves and be prepared to get floored by a haymaker that can rip his head off his neck.

Excellent point, once a moderator participates in a thread he should be disqualified to moderate that thread or perhaps have to wait until his last post is at least 20 back.

 

[MossRoad]

If a post is deleted or a thread shot down, the moderator need to sign his name to it and give specific reasons for the shut down and leave that in a publicly accessed place.

I don't think any have been deleted since January, but could be mistaken.
Check any of the closed threads since January. A reason has been given for all of them.

 

[Diggin It]

Again, you joined here just a few short weeks ago ...

O'Rilly?



Perhaps you left out the 'other again'? Or misplaced the one?

 

[MossRoad]

O'Rilly?



Perhaps you left out the 'again'?

Gimme the goods!

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

The la

I don't think any have been deleted since January, but could be mistaken.
Check any of the closed threads since January. A reason has been given for all of them.

The last one I saw closed was talking about origins not religion and because some were talking about specific creation other than naturalistic creation the thread was shut down for daring to delve into religion.
Revealed a little something about the moderator IMHO.

 

[MossRoad]

Which thread was that?

 

[MossRoad]

It revealed a lot to me, and you caught that. It's called censorship. Censor by all means but give guidance as to why it is necessary. It insults the intelligence of members when they are shunted here and there or shut out of a thread because a moderator wants to. It happens but in far off places I have been to where the local populace has no voice but do as they are told. To see this happen in America to a forum of educated middle age and retired white men is so sad.

You agreed to the rules when you joined the forum. If they rub you the wrong way, talk to the owners of TBN. If you get no satisfaction, you have some choices.

 

[Engineer42]

Ok, thats twice that I've seen. What's with the white men references? Just what are you trying to stir up?

 

[Diggin It]

Revealed a little something about the moderator IMHO.

I would have closed that thread several pages earlier.

To see this happen in America to a forum of educated middle age and retired white men is so sad.

Ok, thats twice that I've seen. What's with the white men references? Just what are you trying to stir up?

I've seen memberships cancelled for much less.

 

[fishdrivel]

I like it and will glad when I reach the front porch. That is quite a long climb.

Emphasis needs to be added that everyone learn to use the 'Ignore' button to govern themselves and not leave it all up to the moderators.

I have been on here and other forums and have never put anybody on ignore. I have found people worthy of it and let go. I have often ended up with decent relationships with people who ticked me off.

We all have responsibility -
you have the ability to respond any way you want.
I choose not to respond in kind.

 

[fishdrivel]

Always appreciate the feedback.

It's tough to compare a gun forum to a tractor forum but as you see we're trying to improve. Not because of losing members since that isn't why I make decisions but rather trying to serve the members that are here.

I am on another forum that has a political forum. I never go there. I am more than capable of talking politics but the PF on other site is way out of control.

I am a Christian and more than happy to talk with someone interested. I do not like religious discussions on a forum like this. I don't like the prospect of having to ignore misinformation or talk to a man who is not listening.

In my short time here I am very happy with most posters. Please keep up the good work.

 

[Torvy]

I am a Christian and more than happy to talk with someone interested. I do not like religious discussions on a forum like this.

In my opinion, religious discussions don't have a place here other than, perhaps wishing people a happy holiday of whatever type.

Politics is another thing, though. Buying equipment and laws related to rural life invariably touch on political topics. These have real impacts on rural life and we should be able to discuss them in the context of whatever the thread topic happens to be. I don't think we need to devolve into partisan politics, per se, but if the policy that is affecting people is advocated by a sitting or former politician, it will come off as a partisan dig. I would just stick with don't advocate directly for voting for a particular party or person and don't just insult a party or politician. Pointing out policies and their impacts is important.

 

[sree251]

In my opinion, religious discussions don't have a place here other than, perhaps wishing people a happy holiday of whatever type.

Politics is another thing, though. Buying equipment and laws related to rural life invariably touch on political topics. These have real impacts on rural life and we should be able to discuss them in the context of whatever the thread topic happens to be. I don't think we need to devolve into partisan politics, per se, but if the policy that is affecting people is advocated by a sitting or former politician, it will come off as a partisan dig. I would just stick with don't advocate directly for voting for a particular party or person and don't just insult a party or politician. Pointing out policies and their impacts is important.

What you are advocating is polite communing of polite souls in an inclusive public place where no feelings get hurt. That would be a municipal cemetery.

TBN is an amazing forum of men who love working the land with their machines. They need a venue for sharing practical knowhow and for unwinding when the day is done. Even Jack Nicklaus wouldn't want to talk golf with his buddies all day long at his club. TBN needs to be a club for people to talk shop and chat about anything that matter to them. All they need to attend to them are waiters bringing them the beer and the food. Not moderators.

And if religion is a bad word, change it. Call it metaphysics. It's the same thing with a progressive, scientific appeal.

 

[ovrszd]

I did make quite a bit of money day trading currencies. I am, by nature, not a gambler but the cash was parked and doing nothing at the time in one of my offshore accounts. My relationship manager said he could let me trade on a 100 to 1 margin. I was tempted and the Devil got me. I made a couple of trades, not on the computer but through calls to my relationship manger in Singapore from Amsterdam. The memory of that experience still send shivers down my spine. I made enough money in one trade to buy myself a brand new fully loaded BMW 745 listed at $70,000.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

 

[ovrszd]

Of course, you can. You don't have to own the company to want to make it better. This is called taking initiative. You have got the stuff but don't want to do anything.

Okay, I'm going to officially sign my name to this. You are a Troll. An evil disruptive Troll that only wants to harm this forum. Where's Muhammad when we need him.

 

[ovrszd]

It revealed a lot to me, and you caught that. It's called censorship. Censor by all means but give guidance as to why it is necessary. It insults the intelligence of members when they are shunted here and there or shut out of a thread because a moderator wants to. It happens but in far off places I have been to where the local populace has no voice but do as they are told. To see this happen in America to a forum of educated middle age and retired white men is so sad.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Says the Troll.......