The politics of politics on Geekzone

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MikeB4

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#240920 2-Oct-2018 17:26

Forum staff please delete this thread if I am speaking out of line.

In the last few days we have seen two members banned. These could easily have been avoided. Although these are political topics being discussed here the FUG and further to that the norms of common courtesy and manners should apply.

I have been guilty of breaking these “rules” as have many others, I propose we self police the tone of posts we make here and post having regards to the FUG and common courtesy. We should debate the issues not attack the individual, respect that others have different views and beliefs and respect they are entitled to present those. It is okay to be different, it is okay to disagree. It is not okay to be rude and denigrating to those who think differently. It is not okay to be racist, sexist or ageist.

If we follow the rules the pollical section can be enjoyable for all who wish to participate.

freitasm

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#2100233 2-Oct-2018 17:37

MikeB4:

I propose we self police the tone of posts we make here and post having regards to the FUG and common courtesy. We should debate the issues not attack the individual, respect that others have different views and beliefs and respect they are entitled to present those. It is okay to be different, it is okay to disagree. It is not okay to be rude and denigrating to those who think differently. It is not okay to be racist, sexist or ageist.

The two cases this week were out of line. One called myself a five years old and the other accused us of banning only non-subscribers members. These are clearly FUG violations in that they attacked myself personally. No warning is needed when I think the violation requires immediate action.

In the past there were some cases of lack of restraint where we thought that the member's contribution in the non-politics sub-forum would still be welcome - in these cases I used a feature that allows us to ban users from posting in a specific thread or sub-forum.

I don't believe these two people would "self police" themselves.

I am also worried about some users who think they can go around the FUG by just posting stuff one bit removed from being outright racist. There was one such case a couple of weeks ago and that user was banned from the site.

I watch all the politics discussion and where people express their views on government actions or how officials behave it's all good. When people start showing signs of racism, xenophobia, sexism then I keep an eye on these people - and trust me, changing some words to make it look less racist does not always work.

We do not need extremism from any side of the spectrum here.

Fred99

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#2100249 2-Oct-2018 18:43

MikeB4:

If we follow the rules the pollical section can be enjoyable for all who wish to participate.

TBH - I think that's a bit optimistic.

We're living in times where "common good" as a concept is considered to be talking dirty, "greed is good" (uttered by the fictional Gordon Gekko) has no shock value any more, Gordon's gone from a scumbag zero to a popular hero. Consider this forum as a microcosm of what's out there - and despite some FUG transgressions - it's remarkably civil on the whole.

The enjoyable thing is the security of knowing that I'm always correct on political issues.

clevedon

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#2100583 3-Oct-2018 11:13

Fred99: The enjoyable thing is the security of knowing that I'm always correct on political issues.

That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.

SJB

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#2100753 3-Oct-2018 12:59

Fred99: The enjoyable thing is the security of knowing that I'm always correct on political issues.

I'm sure everyone would agree with you. They too are also always correct.

freitasm

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#2100759 3-Oct-2018 13:06

freitasm:

We do not need extremism from any side of the spectrum here.

Funny enough a few times that I closed a discussion or banned people I received messages saying that Geekzone was "left liberal" site - as if this was a problem. It just happens the extreme right seems to be more "vocal".

One of the people warned posted saying he was a centre person. Once he continued posting his views supporting extreme right-wing position I banned him - and received an email soon after with threatening words, "perhaps I have friends in alternative media with large audiences perhaps I tell them about this so they can do a story it might help to massively boost your members but might bring some actual trolls in."

Yes, so much for "centre position".

As I said, I don't mind left or right views. Extremist views and personal attacks are not tolerated, from either side.

[Updated to include literal quote from said person]

MikeB4

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#2100824 3-Oct-2018 14:42

freitasm:

freitasm:

We do not need extremism from any side of the spectrum here.

Funny enough a few times that I closed a discussion or banned people I received messages saying that Geekzone was "left liberal" site - as if this was a problem. It just happens the extreme right seems to be more "vocal".

One of the people warned posted saying he was a centre person. Once he continued posting his views supporting extreme right-wing position I banned him - and received an email soon after with threatening words, in the lines of "I have friend in the alt-right who will destroy Geekzone". Yes, so much for "centre position".

As I said, I don't mind left or right views. Extremist views and personal attacks are not tolerated, from either side.

It is disappointing and disturbing that you or any of the staff have to endure threats and abuse. What goes on in the minds of some folk.