Moderator Approved topics?

[satterfi]

What's wrong with discussing sex/politics/social issues in the 'General and Off Topic forum'?

I understand the moderators need to squash profanity and other language that might offend the causual 8 yr. old internet browser, but locking out topics because a moderator doesn't like the topic seems over controlling.

I'd like to hear other people's opinion on discussing controversial topics.

If you don't like the subject, then don't read it. Is that too simple?

I buy products from site sponsers to support this site, so I think I have at least a small say so in this topic.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

I think that some of the topics, have bred animosity between members. If such topics fall by the wayside........Bitog will still survive to fulfill its intended purpose......to share knowledge of lubricants.

 

[labman]

Dump them, the sooner the better. I am really sick of seeing a bunch of lies every time I scroll down through looking for something interesting on oil and other automotive topics. I figure somebody has to puncture these idiots balloons, but it takes up time I could be spending with my dogs and car and truck.

There are plenty more forums oriented to politics, sex, religion, etc.

Keep the off topic section, there are some good threads in it. I hang out in a bunch of sites, but think I may get better answers to some questions here than elsewhere on none automotive subjects.

 

[sprintman]

It's become an extreme right wing gabfest. As an early member here I remember when it was factual and very good fun. Anybody trying to post a balanced view gets slammed here now. We don't need religion/politics/race etc on this once great forum.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

quote:

---

Originally posted by sprintman:
It's become an extreme right wing gabfest.




As an early member here I remember when it was factual and very good fun. Anybody trying to post a balanced view gets slammed here now. We don't need religion/politics/race etc on this once great forum.

---

The first part deserves a comment, but I will restrain myself.

I will agree on the rest.

[ March 23, 2004, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: sbc350gearhead ]

 

[radiometer]

First, I am of the firm opinion the moderators are performing an excellent service for this forum. We owe them expressions of thanks, gratitude for the work they do to keep it on track. Many times I'll be looking at what seems to be an interesting heading for a thread and most of the time I easily come to the conclusion I am here for lubrication and automobile care information. I don't have a lot of interest in the other stuff. Oh, yes, I'll sometimes take a look at the political threads, but I keep in mind that they are not what I come here for. Most of the time I don't read things unrelated to what this board was set up for.
For myself, "Thank you moderators and administrators for the fine service you provide to us".

 

[TooManyWheels]

I have to agree wholeheartedly with sprintman. There are three or four persons who seem to use this board primarily to post new threads to espouse their personal points of view, not really expecting intelligent discussion. And then there are the dozen are so who can be counted on to pile on in predictable ways, without the customary restraint of respect or civility.

It wouldn't be so bad if this material were somehow separated from the general discussion, but as it is it severely negatively influences the tone of the board for those who came in for oil info.

The good thing is that there are five to ten people who have either have a diversity of opinion, or can enunciate and/or back up their opinions with class, but they are overshadowed by the rest.

[ March 24, 2004, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: TooManyWheels ]

 

[XS650]

Is it possible, or could it be made possible for people to exclude certain forums so that when they take a look at the days new posts at
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_daily
the just don't see "general" or whatever forum they aren't interested in?

A couple of other great features would be to be able to have the system highlight posts from people you think are worth reading and to filter out posts from certain mouth breathers.

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, I like the "off topic" section ..even with the mild (and this is mild, believe me) amount of flame.

First repeat after me....

It's only an internet message board ..not my life.

Somehow people are putting far too much weight upon the "real effect" this can possibly have upon anyone.

Now I really haven't tracked it ..but has any of the, shall we call them "heated", discussions bled over to any disrespect in the "ON-TOPIC" threads?

I keep thinking of the cyote and the sheep dog in WB's cartoons ...or more "real", a middle easterner and a college friend of mine. They played basketball ..double dated ..worked together .were the greatest of pals ..until the topic of Israel came up and they fought (verbally) tooth and nail ..and then ..back to normal.

This is much ado about nothing IMHO ..and I somewhat agree with satterfi. I've purchased from Blackstone, Amsoil, AV lube, and AutoRX ...and will probably use Terry Dyson in the near future. NOW THIS IS BOB'S SITE and he can govern it however he difines it in his benevolent dictatorship (I mean that in a nice way) ..this isn't a democracy. The commercial aspects of this site cannot be ignored however.

I say ..lighten up (in how anything here impacts you) ..take it with a grain of salt ..kiss your wife ..hug your kids ..know your car is better cared for because of being involved on this site and remember....

..it's only an internet message board
..it's only an internet message board
..it's only an internet message board

 

[needtoknow]

I find the Off Topic good fun. Kinda like fencing (the one with the swords), gets the morning going. I don't expect to change anybodys mind, most here have their's already made up. Sex, religion, and politics are emotion boiling topics but still need to be discussed not hidden away because someone elses opinion does not match yours. Maybe for those offended we could have 2 Off Topics, one for Sex, Religion, Politics and one for other things not those. I do bet that most people will gravitate to the SRP forum, "I hate it but can't take my eyes off it" thing.

 

[outrun]

Under no reasonable cicrumstances should we have to go down such a road here.

In fact I am tired of the FCC,,,tires of the like of Pat Robertson's etc and there dictums of what can/cannot be said.

As long as profanity and threats are not made let people talk here.

Animosity is a natural function of power *lol*

I say if you start making "thought approvals" the moderators will turn into George Orwells dreaded thought police.

How better way of controlling the worlds voices and thoughts by shutting down there emails?

BITOG.com all in all is a good thing compared to some of the outright stupidity and garbage of other web boards.

General and Off topic is the right forum for those that want to vent and find expert answers to lifes other problems unrelated to what we dump in the engine crankcase.

Please do not ruin a good thing.

As the adage goes if aint broke....

 

[JohnnyO]

Another automotive board where I am a moderator does not allow political discussion, or at least very very little, so that's part of the reason why I like coming here. OTOH, racism, religious bigotry, etc. has no place either. Whatever, no biggie. My .02.

[ March 24, 2004, 10:27 AM: Message edited by: JohnnyO ]

 

[tweeker43]

i think the moderators do a great job, considering the incredible effort that must go into it. i've had one post removed, and that's because it did have some mature (very offensive, but very funny) material.

i broke the rules and they corrected the situation.

as far as friction on the gaot area, i may disagree with several people's politics, but the advice and analysis i see in the other sections is fabulous.

my best friend is diametrically opposed to me politically. big deal. he's a great guy. so when i disagree with someone here (gaot), it's not an issue. i'll consider anyone's opinion.

this board is one of the first sites that i go to everyday, and one that i spend the longest time at.

whether we agree on politics or not,

 

[Last_Z]

quote:

---

Originally posted by sprintman:
It's become an extreme right wing gabfest. As an early member here I remember when it was factual and very good fun. Anybody trying to post a balanced view gets slammed here now. We don't need religion/politics/race etc on this once great forum.

---

I don't think your comment is fair! You don't talk about the left-wing side of the house....you don't even talk about yourself....you slam the US every chance you get, but yet I don't see you mentioning that here. What happenned to fair and balanced?

I stilll think this is a great site and much more mature than any I've been to so far. We do have many disagreements, but what do you expect? We have more than 3500 members and everybody has a different view on things.

I say this with all due respect!

 

[XS650]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Last_Z:
What happenned to fair and balanced?

---

The phrase was hijacked by a right wing news network. It is now a code phrase meaning "far right".

 

[satterfi]

My recommendation to the moderators, administrators, board owner and the +3600 users:

Instead of locking out threads when in your opinion "Enough is enough", delete individual posts that break the forum rules. Specifically this one:

"You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of ANY law."

Posts like the following should be deleted since it is not within the bounds of the forum rules.

"One more lying distortion as I have come to expect from you. You may as well quit, your credibility is zilch, zero, nada here. Kay never even flatly said there were no WMD, let alone suggested they were a fantasy. You need to take your lies elsewhere. Too many people here know the facts. "

or the one that included the phrase:

"the typical American bible thumping right winger when he's not busy banning the teaching of evolution in various US states "

Locking the entire thread because people don’t keep their emotions in check is the wrong approach. Deleting individual post sends a strong message. Follow the rules or your posts will be deleted. Break the rules consistently, and you will be banned.

I’m not looking for a big group hug, just intellectual discussion.

 

[outrun]

Oh great now BITOG has to be some politically correct socialist problem free paradise?

Common bring on the left wingers right wingers and who cares.

As long as you do not have to resort to name calling like somepeople since they do not have the aptitude to reason should be the sole reason for getting bounced.

I can not believe some people are suggesting we lock this forum.

Hmmm..whats next banning words on the forum like the book Fahrenheit 451 in which society could only "read" picture books *lol*

 

[Schmoe]

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!

Hey! I just got Rush tickets for June 23, Dallas!!!! Center Stage, none the less.......... RUSH ON!!!!

 

[carrera79]

Amen Outrun. I care about everyone's views. Bring it all on. I'm so tired of people who essentially say "Free speech for all, as long as they agree with me"

 

[rjundi]

Personally, this board is about lubricants and related items. The Off Topic section seems to be a waste of good bandwidth and costs money to run. There are many many other forums devoted to the typical topics people post here.