Confused

[sheridac]

Oh gosh, I was afraid this might go south. I must admit I am astonished this thread is still here.

JW~

You know I adore you. And, I know you are just trying to keep us safe. Because you adore us too. Me anyway!! And you are, as ever, the voice of reason. Unlike myself, who lacks self control. And reason.

I don't want this to get ugly on you.

 

[BratTink]

Well the mods "explained" why the thread was closed. The thread violated one of the rules and the thread originator had been warned previously to stay "on topic" so to the mods she was a repeat offender and as such any violation (however slight) was justification for closing the thread.

Any further questioning of the mods actions or their intentions also violates one of the board rules and that is why so many of the posts questioning the mods have been removed.

And the mods do generally take appropriate action when they are informed of board rule violations, as evidenced by the removal of a trip report to Alabama that was not Disney related after this brought to the mods attention recently.

The Dis is not a democracy, it is a privately owned board and the Admins and Mods are selected by the board owner to intrepret and enforce the board rules as they see fit. The board owner is aware of the issues related to the closed TR threads and fully supports the actions of his moderation team.
So basically if you do not agree with the way the Dis is being run then your best option is to find another board that is more to your liking.

If you do wish to remain a member of the Dis then I recommend that you be very careful about making any posts that might be construed as criticizing any member of the moderating team.

Its a very sad state of affairs. This was/is a great place to hang out and read entertaining reports about our favorite place in the world. I just hope that with the rules the reports don't become "we landed, checked in, ate dinner, went on a ride, came home". Admittedly its much funnier to hear how much pepto was needed after dinner

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

jw50: I thank you for warning me. I wanted to clairify what I meant in previous posts.

I am not trying to get into an argument with anyone here, including the mods. I wanted to express my opinion and get answers. I think it's best if I step away now, so I don't get myself or anyone else in trouble.

 

[Minnie]

JW - On most of your posts I find that I agree with many things that you have to say. I enjoy reading your posts and your views.

However on this particular instance I have to disagree with your post. I agree it is a privately owned board but when there is an issue that a member feel is continuing to be unresolved the only thing a member can do is continue to ask for clarification and resolution.

I am hoping that this thread and the many others that have been posted will bring actual guidelines so that they are known to all and are enforced equally. It's beyond time for this to happen

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I have to agree with everyone. Mel's trip reports were the bomb. I read at least 7 or 8 trip reports every week and they are all different, which is what we wan't here on the boards. There are several writers that go OT to enhance there stories with stories about there families that only add's to there reports. That is what makes great writers. There have been many great writers here on the trip reports board that have gone OT. ZZBUB, Horsegirl, janet2k, Kevin Stringer, FSUMARCHIEF, GADISNEYGIRL etc. It's such a shame that someone who is as talented as HappyHaunt can no longer write reports here. She was never offensive, mean spirited etc. I posted on the Community board inviting HappyHaunt to post her report there and it was deleated within minutes. So see she's not even welcome there.

 

[dandee00]

.

Any further questioning of the mods actions or their intentions also violates one of the board rules and that is why so many of the posts questioning the mods have been removed.

If you do wish to remain a member of the Dis then I recommend that you be very careful about making any posts that might be construed as criticizing any member of the moderating team.

I haven't posted for a while, but I couldn't resist.

I am curious to know why one cannot question a mods' action and/or their intention. Also, why is it if one does question, we would do so at the risk of being expelled from the Dis?
I realize this is a "private" board and is not a "democracy", but I was never under the impression it was a dictatorship.

Yes, there are rules and they are interpreted differently by individuals. I think in order for some Dis posters to understand why Mel's trip report was locked, we must ask questions. There may be some of us who need clarification of the rules, so we do not break them and end up being locked.

I enjoy this board and luv trip reports.
I hope my comments will not have me "axed" from the board or have this thread locked.

 

[M.T.Lott]

Quote: (sorry, don't know how to properly quote from other threads)
Originally Posted by 1000thhappyhaunt
I believe you will enjoy your travels through WDW with the happyhaunts much better if you actually know who we are. So... I add stories and dialogue and little pieces of us... along the way... so you KNOW us. At least a little bit. It helps you see Disney the way we do. And to understand the wonderful spell it casts over five ordinary people from Canada. I want you to live it through OUR eyes: through my laughing ones, through my husband's loving ones, through Tommy's innocent ones, through Calvin's spirited ones and, also, through Beth's eyes. Ones which are old before their time. Otherwise, I figure, what's the point? Of it. After all? (end quote)

I thought her TRs were incredible, she's quite talented, and I'm sad to see it go. That's all I have to say

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

I am tempted at some level to stay out of this thread. I will admit to my disappointment in the decisions that have been made around here as of late. I will also confess my own anger, and contribution to the button pushing that has seemingly gone on between various folks and the mods.

That having been said, one thing I would like to encourage us to remember is that there are people on both sides of this issue. First, many of us have grown to care for each other and consider each other friends. It is a natural reaction that when one of us hurts, we all hurt. You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. All for one and one for all - you know what I mean.

I believe the decisions made are wrong. But there's nothing I can do about it, as of yet. I have made the decision that if the guidelines stay as they are, I will not post more trip reports on this site. Its just not me. I am who I am, and that's all that I am. (Quick name that song!) I put a part of me in everything I do. It's just not in me to leave me out. I will hang around on the CB and in other places as well when I have time. I'll even pop in on the TR board to see what's happening.

But the thing I have been reminded of in my prayer time and thoughts about this is that the folks on the other side of this affair are people too. They have feelings. They too are fallible. (Did I spell that right?) They too make mistakes. But they hurt. Just like us. Many of us have said hurtful things, myself included, and that is regretable. In the spirit of open mindedness and kindness, I think it prudent that we remember who we are in all places.

Mods, I am sorry for any hurtful things I have said.

Having said that, I reiterate the fact that on this issue, I disagree with you. In the spirit of openness and fairness, I think it healthy that these conversations continue. I also think it would be appropriate for the loosening of the strings a bit.

But then again, I am not a moderator, nor do I have any interest in this website, other than the entertainment and information it provides. But any good leader ought to be able to hear the voice of their people. Sometimes being a good leader means making unpopular decisions. However, this isn't the President of the United States that we're talking about. We're talking about people who enjoy reading about other people's trips to the happyiest place on earth. That's all.

Might I just remind us that all of us are people. Rude comments from both sides are hurtful. We can disagree in a spirit in which people are not hurt - on either side.

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[sheridac]

Many of you have sent me pm's or emails. I promise I will get back to each and every one of you.

Just so you know.

 

[tiki23]

Mark, you certainly have a point. I posted a thread in this forum regarding The HappyHaunts TR that was deleted because I struck out in anger and disappointment.

People who moderate on bulletin boards are almost always volunteers and usually put in loads of time because they are passionate about whatever subject is being discussed. I'm one of them; I'm an Admin on one board and a Mod on another that discusses saltwater aquariums. When situations such as what's happening here on the TR board go on, it's gut-wrenching; mods lose sleep, they cry, they post like mad in the mods' private forums and I feel for them.

But with all of that said, I still feel they are wrong. Mel did not disrespect anyone, she didn't use bad language, she didn't write mean or hateful things - she wrote a wonderful, funny, joyful, tearful trip report that we all enjoyed.

What the owners and mods of this board need to understand is that information is everywhere - I could google a hundred Disney sites right now - but that the sense of community and joy at an internet bulletin board are rare. With the decision to close Mel's report yet again, it has become rarer still.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Would a slightly off topic trip report be more accepted on say the community board where everything under the sun is posted?

Maybe it could be a disney story instead of a "trip report"

 

[MrsMcMouse]

Mark, you certainly have a point. I posted a thread in this forum regarding The HappyHaunts TR that was deleted because I struck out in anger and disappointment.

People who moderate on bulletin boards are almost always volunteers and usually put in loads of time because they are passionate about whatever subject is being discussed. I'm one of them; I'm an Admin on one board and a Mod on another that discusses saltwater aquariums. When situations such as what's happening here on the TR board go on, it's gut-wrenching; mods lose sleep, they cry, they post like mad in the mods' private forums and I feel for them.

But with all of that said, I still feel they are wrong. Mel did not disrespect anyone, she didn't use bad language, she didn't write mean or hateful things - she wrote a wonderful, funny, joyful, tearful trip report that we all enjoyed.

What the owners and mods of this board need to understand is that information is everywhere - I could google a hundred Disney sites right now - but that the sense of community and joy at an internet bulletin board are rare. With the decision to close Mel's report yet again, it has become rarer still.

I think this is an excellent post and conveys the sort of sad disappointment that I think a lot of us feel.
I don't think anything particularly hurtful or mean has been said about the Mods. For the most part people have expressed their disappointment and annoyance in a clear and eloquent manner.

My personal view is that most of us feel that simply to close this thread for being off topic isn't good enough. The thread was undoubtably a Disney trip report with some family stories thrown in for colour. It is clear that there are varying degrees of how far off topic a story can be before it stops being a trip report and I don't see that this story was anything other than an embellished report.

I don't envy the Moderators - I wouldn't want the job but the fact is they have made a decision which a great deal of people are unhappy about. The thread wasn't harming anyone so what's wrong with leaving it open? I hope the mods can reconsider their view. It takes a strong person to admit they were wrong - we all make mistakes and I think this is a mistake.

 

[jw50]

Would a slightly off topic trip report be more accepted on say the community board where everything under the sun is posted?

Maybe it could be a disney story instead of a "trip report"

This question has been asked before and it appears that the answer is that it would not be acceptable since if it is a trip report it belongs in the TR forum and must comply with the TR rules. Posting it elsewhere to avoid complying with TR rules would not be appropriate and place an additional burden on the mods to move it to the forum where it belonged and then have to close it for not complying with the rules.

 

[curlyq]

What a sad day. I pulled up the trip report thread to catch up on my favorite trip reports since I had been gone for the weekend. I always look for happyhaunts first. I didn't see it at the top so I started reading a few others. When I still didn't see it, I started to get a sick feeling in my stomach. Then I came upon this thread and almost wanted to cry. I love Mel's trip reports and in no way saw anything that should have shut it down. At first I thought it was just locked and thought I'd be able to catch up on at least her last couple of updates, but after searching for it, it has disappeared. I'm not much into laying blame anywhere, but I just had to say how disappointed and heart broken I am that I won't be able to finish her report. After reading all of the really good reports you feel like you know the people so well and that is a feeling I really enjoy. I'm what you could call a professional lurker, but after reading what has happened, I felt I had to put in my two cents. If at all possible, anybody with the power to, please reconsider and let her finish her story. It is a great story that I thought reflected very favorably on the Dis boards, a story I sent many friends here to read. Please, Please, Please reconsider.

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

This question has been asked before and it appears that the answer is that it would not be acceptable since if it is a trip report it belongs in the TR forum and must comply with the TR rules. Posting it elsewhere to avoid complying with TR rules would not be appropriate and place an additional burden on the mods to move it to the forum where it belonged and then have to close it for not complying with the rules.

Not trying to be disrespectful but this question should be answered by the site owner or a moderator only. We need real confirmations on what is and what is not acceptable from those that make the decisions. Right or wrong that they may be too many of us.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I agree with you Mark about the mods here on the trip report boards. They felt they were doing the right thing and that is there choice. I'm sure they put alot of there own free time into these boards as Mods. I have read alot of there reports and they are excellent also. As i've said before that is what makes this board so great there are lots of different reports. I just do not think it was right to lock Mel out. I truly love your reports Mark. The stories of you and your family's life at Disney and home are wonderful. Let's hope the Mods have a change of heart and let Mel back in. I have been posting on the Dis since 1999 and I have never felt anything wrong with my favorite web site till now.

 

[dawn8226]

I went away for the weekend, and missed a lot. I am fairly new to the trip reports board, but I have found it to be one of my favorite lunch time activies. I love reading these reports, particularly about the Happyhaunts trip. I find it sad that I will not be able to continue the trip with them. I hope the moderators change thier minds.

Note: Edited after I found the answer to my own question.

 

[PoohnPglet]

Sorry, I feel like this may be a little off topic as well, but I am really interested in reading the exact language of the guidelines for this board.

I posted a message last night in regards to a sticky for guidelines that had been posted on 6-16-06 but that is now gone. And I am not finding actual guidelines anywhere.

Can someone help me out?

 

[MommyPoppins]

Would a slightly off topic trip report be more accepted on say the community board where everything under the sun is posted?

Maybe it could be a disney story instead of a "trip report"

Nope, someone tried that and her thread was locked also.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I have to say I enjoyed Happyhaunts trip reports also and with my upcoming trip was looking to her reports for guidance in creating a trip report to entertain the masses----I was in the middle of reading her latest when suddenly she came on and said "That's it I suggest you go" I was very disappointed! All I read about was her trying to thwart the attempts being made by her stroller to make another trip to WDW against her wishes and how she had her hair done for the trip and decided a home pedicure would be equal to that of the salon----But isn't that on topic----We all plan our trips to WDW to include these things!
I know I am going this weekend for a haircut and next week for a pedicure to look good for the mouse and I also bought a new stroller so my DD could ride in style around the world.
I just thought that would be part of the pre-trip report which none really has time to do before they actually go so include it in their post trip report!?
I am sad about not being able to finish reading her current report and agree with all the others who said she was one of the most entertaining writers on the TR board to date and hope someone will be able to let me know exactly what we are allowed to write about so when I do get back and start writing it won't be closed!!