Forum rules

[cowpatz]

Deeknow I presume the Gary to which you refer is me, Cowpatz, the original poster.

I am somewhat surprised that you exercised your right to lock the thread. Was there an offending post that you removed that necessitated the locking of the thread that we are not aware of?

This forum's rules are:

This "Off-Topic" forum, as you can tell by the name, is set up for subjects that have nothing to do with flightsim, or any of the other categories posted.
The rules are, there are no rules! biggrin.gif
(Except for the obvious: keep it clean, nothing explicit or offensive!)

Enjoy!

I believe the original post, being witty political satire, was entirely appropriate given the current political gamesmanship going on and did in fact offer some light relief.
If you read it carefully all of the political parties have been poked fun at.
I think you missed the point of view that the author was trying to convey in that each party has it's own oddities and this is what makes voting so challenging.
This particular forum is meant to be a bit more edgy and loosely moderated.

The only person that seems to have breached this rule is yourself by this remark:

I would point out that should any right wing nutters actually want to read more of this sort of clap-trap then they might like to visit the apparent source (which Gary has not credited for some reason) at the following site:
http://pc.blogspot.co.nz/2014/09/the-ant-a...pernz-2014.html

An uncalled for and offensive remark in itself. I'm certainly not right wing...far from it. I hover about the centre and drift left or right at the time depending whats best for the average NZ'r.
As for the original source, it was sent via an email so I have no idea of the original source of the prose.

Anyway time to cast me vote....eeny meeny miny moe.....oops can't say that one eh Clarkson.

[Ian Warren]

Wouldn't worry about it Steve ... I always get my comments locked down removed or edited because the what I say is exactly what I mean and in many instances its the open truth and all in Ianglish ! and people loose there heads over it what I say sometimes! SERVES ME RIGHT, not me ... you know !

This FORUM RULES! ... no no Not those rules but RULES

[toprob]

I hadn't read the post, the title looked a bit facebooky to me... and I come to NZFF to escape the rest of the internet!

However in this case I'd have to agree with the closure, 'Forums like ours don't benefit from this sort of discussion, politics and religion are too hot to handle.' sums it up, 90% of the time things get out of hand, so shutting it down before this happens is a good plan. Just because it was Dean's own reaction which took it over the edge doesn't make it any less of a good call:)

Personally I'd be happy to see a rule 'no politics, no religion', but I do consider it an unspoken rule...

[J7G]

In fairness, however, politics threads with regards to the international stage have never been locked. We should have consistency in that regard.

[toprob]

QUOTE (J7G @ Sep 20 2014,1:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In fairness, however, politics threads with regards to the international stage have never been locked. We should have consistency in that regard.

Maybe because it is a bit more removed, less people are likely to be involved = less people offended?
However a lot of members here vote with their feet -- I tend to keep out of those discussions, as I do find them the most offensive, but it makes more sense to me to 'block' the offenders temporarily.
NZ politics in the run-up to the election could easily be construed as blatant electioneering.

[Ian Warren]

Really the entire thing off politics and religion are a joke, If its not country fiddling its kiddy fiddling .... course the entertainment world aint much better .. yud rolf at that.

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (toprob @ Sep 20 2014,10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hadn't read the post, the title looked a bit facebooky to me... and I come to NZFF to escape the rest of the internet!

However in this case I'd have to agree with the closure, 'Forums like ours don't benefit from this sort of discussion, politics and religion are too hot to handle.' sums it up, 90% of the time things get out of hand, so shutting it down before this happens is a good plan. Just because it was Dean's own reaction which took it over the edge doesn't make it any less of a good call:)

Personally I'd be happy to see a rule 'no politics, no religion', but I do consider it an unspoken rule...

Rule 5 had been amended some time ago to include religious content and if enough members would like politics to be added to rule 5 let the admin know and it will be added
5. No pornography, sexual or religious content;

[cowpatz]

Whilst I agree with Rob that Religious and Political discussions are usually a hiding to nowhere I think in this case we are in danger of losing sight of the tree because of the forest....and Rob I take no offense at your derogatory remark about Facebook (against the rules....which coincidently have disappeared at time of writing)
Come on if anyone did not find that prose at least a little bit funny then they must really be drowning in PC misery. It was satirical social/political humour and this genre has been a cornerstone of comedy for centuries.

I could be doing the moderator a disfavour here in that he may have deleted an offensive post by someone called Gary and it was only his reply to that poster was left visible on the forum. If this is so then I humbly apologise for getting it wrong.
However, if not, it is going to be near impossible to post without "offending" someone. We wont even be able to discuss the Easter holidays, or what FS add ons we might want or get for Xmas without the religious connotation and offending the Muslims or Hindus (oops Non Christians) or even Blonde jokes as that is stereotypical sexual discrimination. Irish quips?

Maybe we just need to lighten up a little and in this specific forum censor posts that really are offensive or attacking.

[deeknow]

Ah, Steve, yeah sorry for the inappropriate naming

Also, thanks for clearing up your opinion that it was mere satire, I believe it's a stretch to call it that. In my mind it is a close enough fit to violate the following existing rules. We should run a poll to explicitly exclude political discussion if that's the consensus, in the mean time the moderation action stands...

The rules
...
2. Respect all other members and visitors to the forum -- no personal attacks, insults or derogatory comments;
3. Do not denigrate other parties; for example other forums, virtual airlines, addon developers or Microsoft;

QUOTE (toprob @ Sep 20 2014,10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

90% of the time things get out of hand, so shutting it down before this happens is a good plan

PS - and yes this was another reason for closing the thread.

[cowpatz]

Thanks Dean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire

A function of Satire is to make people think. Being derogatory on the other hand is to deliberately insult...there is no message or encouragement to think.
It is my understanding that Rule 2 applies to posting comments against other members not political parties, or Ants or Grasshoppers.
An insult is a disparaging remark like "right wing nutters", when directed at me or other members.

I simply request that in this section of the forum the moderators exercise a little bit of latitude in order not to stymie robust debate. It is called "Off topic" after all and with it's own rule subset.

Cheers

[toprob]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Sep 20 2014,2:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...and Rob I take no offense at your derogatory remark about Facebook (against the rules....which coincidently have disappeared at time of writing)

Which only shows how different people can react differently to issues. I have nothing against Facebook, but I do -- rightly or wrongly -- keep away from 'reposts' of jokes, motivational quotes, demotivational quotes, cute cats, and political jibes which, for me, mainly come through Facebook.

There does seem to be a suggestion that NZFF members share some 'basic' beliefs, apart from flightsim, but I don't think this is the case at all. Which is why the 'off-topic' forum is always going to be a minefield. It doesn't do anyone any harm to pause for a minute and consider the other members -- that isn't P.C., it is something which some people think is worth striving for.

[deeknow]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Sep 20 2014,3:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire

Thanks for the link Steve but I don't need a lesson on what is or is not Satire, and "constructive social criticism, using wit" certainly isn't on display in the original post.

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Sep 20 2014,3:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

An insult is a disparaging remark like "right wing nutters", when directed at me or other members.

Yep I agree. Not directed at you by the way, sorry if you took it that way.

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Sep 20 2014,3:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I simply request that in this section of the forum the moderators exercise a little bit of latitude in order not to stymie robust debate. It is called "Off topic" after all and with it's own rule subset.

That's a fair request. And I appreciate your considered response to this by the way.

[Fozzer]

Fortunately, I am a Member of a Flight Sim Forum, where "Moderators" and "Admin" are noticeable by their absence....They stay in the background.

Resulting in the Members having lots of fun and jokes amongst themselves, and not taking anything too seriously!
(How can anyone be serious regarding Politics and Religion?).... ....!

A relaxing, light-hearted experience, where we are not constantly looking over our shoulders for fear of "someone in charge" gunning us down, with THEIR interpretation of what is acceptable or not acceptable to them.... ....

That is the sort of Forum which I enjoy every day!

We have zillions of various suitable "Smilies" available to use, to illustrate our feelings in our posts...so that there is no confusion to our meanings in the text!

I am a "Moderator" on another Forum...and I keep well out of the way....Trust me!

Paul.....I mostly use Forums for fun and enjoyment, and chats to fellow Members!... ...!

...as the saying goes;..."'nuff said!"... ...!

[Naki]

There seems to be some double standards here! I commented about a post which had a lot more political bent a few weeks ago than than Steves post and it wasn't locked or moderated. Maybe because it was left leaning 😉

As I said before IMV politics should be banned from the forum. If I want to indulge in politics I go to Facebook.

Anyway this right wing nutter is back to viewing the election...

[Fozzer]

...funny you should mention that!

Every morning when I don my trousers, upon observing their contents, I do appear to; "lean slightly to the left".... ....!

Paul....Dress Sense!..... ...!

[Ian Warren]

I'll do your Ironing for you Paul , I'll do the Cooking when required , I'll do Drugs if I'm forced ... I simply won't do Politics! - they all a bunch of Idiots!