Please read, new board policy

[Meezers]

I may be in the minority here...but I work in a very stressful environment.

A 9-1-1 Center in a county of 900,000 people is no walk in the park.

Now I work at a much smaller agency but do work 12 hour shifts...almost always with no breaks unless it is an emergency bathroom break.

Now we have internet access in here.

I enjoy coming to these boards to meet people and "have happy thoughts".

I have noticed that you can't ever tell when a thread is going to turn nasty...I will be happily reading along and BANG....the thread is turned and it is scary!

I for one will be glad to comply with the new rules....freedom of speech is one thing....but I have noticed that people tend to be much more mean-spirited when they don't have to speak to you in person.

PS....okay now I realize I should have used a different word than "scary"....how about "mean"...."spiteful"...."nasty".....and it just comes out of left field! Here I was reading about fireworks (example only) and someone picks a fight about something totally non-related....well...you can't really avoid those unless you avoid whole board.

 

[chadfromdallas]

I will be happily reading along and BANG....the thread is turned and it is scary!

That scary, scary text just jumps out at ya

 

[Charade]

My guess is that you would be able to post it (since it's primarily factual and from the associated press), but no one would then be able to react to it.

Or maybe not?

Sort of shuts down the whole "discussion" part of a discussion forum.

It's just that you can't discuss *that* topic!!

 

[bsnyder]

Scary threads?

It's an anonymous message board. If you read something that scares you, or that you take offense to, why not just back out and go on to another thread?
There are hundreds and hundreds of them here that are completely safe and non-scary.

 

[shortbun]

Well, are the moderators going to state all acceptable topics. Are we allowed to express opinions? I'm sure I saw opinions posted by moderators very recently. Is this because not all people agree with those? I posted recently about how many threads had been closed in amazement and THAT thread was actually removed. I have no idea why. It wasn't even a debate. I don't really post here that often because my time is limited but I do enjoy the fun had and I thought that's what everyone was doing(most everyone).

 

[WDWBetsy]

I'm all for expressing opinions. Personal attacks should not be allowed.

But censorship of a topic that is allowing people to vent and exchange productive thoughts? Hmm... makes me rethink sponsorship of the DISboards next year.

I've been involved in some discussions where people actually made me rethink my own opinions. I've always said that if you don't like a particular thread, go to a different one or report those who abuse the rules.

If DISboards moderators or webmasters are going to lock threads because they get out of hand or delete abusive, personal-attack posts, that's one thing. But saying that you could possibly be asked to not post on the DISboards if you tread into "banned topics" that are IMHO not that controversial kinda bothers me. Is this just a ban on posts that are interpreted as "who's to blame" or any opinions on anything about the Hurricane Katrina preparations, response, or investigation?

I will abide by the rules, however it would help if they were more specific. After all, the Community Board lists under it: "Join our moderators in a discussion forum for any topic, Disney or otherwise. Swap stories, information, ask questions...just be friendly " I see no better use of a community board than the respectful discussion of matters that can affect us all.

 

[disney4us2002]

Good, finally. How many times can the same people state the same thing? Perhaps I'll check in here now and then to read again. I saw many vents but not many, if any, productive exchanges.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Ok I think it is reasonable to say I wasn't completely clear in my original post so let me clarify. We are going to strictly enforce publicly posted board policy from here forward:


3. NO FIGHTING: Several Internet news groups are marred by the actions of a few selfish people who turn an otherwise positive forum into a soap box for their anger issues. Internet newsgroups are not moderated, and therefore, anything goes. These boards are moderated in an effort to keep the discussions appropriate to the topic at hand. Those who feel they can not abide by these rules are welcome to read the posts on the board, and respond via email to the person who posted the message. Messages that are argumentative or sarcastic in nature will be deleted without discussion.


We do not believe in censorship, and open discussions about various issues is encouraged. We ask that everyone conduct himself or herself with respect when speaking to other people. It is okay to disagree, as long as the discussion remains respectful of the feelings of others. Once a discussion begins to step over that line, the post in question will be deleted. In extreme cases, individuals who are not able to conduct themselves as responsible group members will be asked not to return.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I wanted to add on other thing

I really blame myself for a lot of this mess. Within days after this started people started making posts against guidelines. I was the one who said "This is huge and people are really upset. Let's let them vent a little and it will settle down".
I really believed that.
Unfortunately that has not proved to be the case. Many many people have been driven from this board by people arguing and fighting. This board had mostly become about the same people trying to score "points" and posting the same thing over and over again in different ways.
Please remember we are a Disney internet board. Our primary mission is Disney trip planning. As a sideline to that we have developed quite an active community. Mostly it's a good community full of people that want to help people and enjoy the boards. When those people are being driven from a board there is a huge problem. We are not a debate board. Nothing will be solved by whatever is discussed here. But what we can do is provide a place for information, for caring and for doing useful things for the members of our community that may really need our help, even if it's just a place to talk about what is happening to them.
That is far more important than endless arguing over who is to blame.

 

[C.Ann]

I wanted to add on other thing

I really blame myself for a lot of this mess. Within days after this started people started making posts against guidelines. I was the one who said "This is huge and people are really upset. Let's let them vent a little and it will settle down".
I really believed that.
Unfortunately that has not proved to be the case. Many many people have been driven from this board by people arguing and fighting. This board had mostly become about the same people trying to score "points" and posting the same thing over and over again in different ways.
Please remember we are a Disney internet board. Our primary mission is Disney trip planning. As a sideline to that we have developed quite an active community. Mostly it's a good community full of people that want to help people and enjoy the boards. When those people are being driven from a board there is a huge problem. We are not a debate board. Nothing will be solved by whatever is discussed here. But what we can do is provide a place for information, for caring and for doing useful things for the members of our community that may really need our help, even if it's just a place to talk about what is happening to them.
That is far more important than endless arguing over who is to blame.

-------------------------

This makes perfect sense to me, Alex.. Emotions were running SO high when those people were suffering so badly in NO.. I'll be the first to admit that I was FURIOUS and probably would have "blamed" Tinkerbell if she was standing in front of me, was on the front page of the newspaper, or looking out at me from the television screen.. Fortunately, I recognized on my own that my anger was getting the best of me and I needed to remove myself from this board until I cooled down and got a better grip on myself.. I'm glad that I took that short break - otherwise I probably would have found myself banned - or at the very least, "warned"..

I'm not angry anymore - just terribly sad that there is so much loss and suffering going on in this country right now..

Thanks for explaining your position a bit better..

 

[Planogirl]

I felt a desperate need to vent when Katrina happened so at least for me, you were on the mark Alex. However, now there is the possibility that my state will suffer and I can't guarantee that I won't get upset by some things. I have been very emotional at times the last few days in fact.

I think that I need to just avoid posting here if there is the possibility that I can post in outrage and perhaps cause a fight. I don't wish to be banned because I care too much.

 

[Charade]

It is possible for people to disagree and vent without personal attacks and name calling.

[soapbox]
What's the difference if I disagree(or disprove) something someone said about digital cameras or TVs or lawn tractors for that matter and the current nominee for the SCOTUS if it's done in the same manner?. The later can be done without malice and usually is but for some reason, during political "debates" name calling and personal attacks on people's intelligence (which is sometimes disguised by the use of "intellectual" vocabulary) easily bubbles to the surface which typically kills any legitimate dialog and chases good people away.
[/soapbox]

Have a nice day!!

 

[ThAnswr]

It is possible for people to disagree and vent without personal attacks and name calling.

[soapbox]
What's the difference if I disagree(or disprove) something someone said about digital cameras or TVs or lawn tractors for that matter and the current nominee for the SCOTUS if it's done in the same manner?. The later can be done without malice and usually is but for some reason, during political "debates" name calling and personal attacks on people's intelligence (which is sometimes disguised by the use of "intellectual" vocabulary) easily bubbles to the surface which typically kills any legitimate dialog and chases good people away.
[/soapbox]

Have a nice day!!

I think the problem here is that ANY debate or disagreement is being construed as a personal attack.

You and I have disagreed over the years and have had some pretty heated disagreements, but there was always a point where humor took over ("You swine"). What appears to be "vitriol" can turn on a dime to good humor/laughter and often does. And that is what certain individuals are either missing or don't want to see.

Now there are some here who go right over the top with the name-calling and insults from the get-go. Btw, being called a leftie is not name-calling in my book. Getting back to the point, those individuals who go over the top should be dealt with on an individual basis. Strangely enough, the community often deals with them by ignoring them and then they either change their tactics or they go away. Problem solved.

A community isn't just pixie dust and fluff. It's relationships built up over years and the sharing of experiences, and yes, the sharing of ideas. And Katrina was a situation in which it was impossible to ignore and caused individuals to have very strong opinions, and it should have. That's the nature of what we saw over a 1 week period.

Frankly, if my opinion is no longer welcome and my presence seems to be more of an annoyance to some, I'll go elsewhere. But, so will my sponsorship, my money, and my support. That's not a veiled threat: That's reality. If I don't like one supermarket and I feel I'm not being treated with respect, I go somewhere else. That's real life.

 

[ThAnswr]

I Nothing will be solved by whatever is discussed here.

And you and I are going to have to agree to disagree. Whenever information is being passed along, whether an opinion piece, a phone number, a quote, a link, etc. something happens. Someone takes the trouble to read that article or click on that link and possibly see something they never saw before. Part of solving a problem correctly is keeping oneself informed.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I think the problem here is that ANY debate or disagreement is being construed as a personal attack.

You and I have disagreed over the years and have had some pretty heated disagreements, but there was always a point where humor took over ("You swine"). What appears to be "vitriol" can turn on a dime to good humor/laughter and often does. And that is what certain individuals are either missing or don't want to see.

Now there are some here who go right over the top with the name-calling and insults from the get-go. Btw, being called a leftie is not name-calling in my book. Getting back to the point, those individuals who go over the top should be dealt with on an individual basis. Strangely enough, the community often deals with them by ignoring them and then they either change their tactics or they go away. Problem solved.

A community isn't just pixie dust and fluff. It's relationships built up over years and the sharing of experiences, and yes, the sharing of ideas. And Katrina was a situation in which it was impossible to ignore and caused individuals to have very strong opinions, and it should have. That's the nature of what we saw over a 1 week period.

Frankly, if my opinion is no longer welcome and my presence seems to be more of an annoyance to some, I'll go elsewhere. But, so will my sponsorship, my money, and my support. That's not a veiled threat: That's reality. If I don't like one supermarket and I feel I'm not being treated with respect, I go somewhere else. That's real life.

And you and I are going to have to agree to disagree. Whenever information is being passed along, whether an opinion piece, a phone number, a quote, a link, etc. something happens. Someone takes the trouble to read that article or click on that link and possibly see something they never saw before. Part of solving a problem correctly is keeping oneself informed.

Two EXCELLENT posts and ITA with both.

I understand and appreciate Alex's points: his "playground"; his rules. That's the way it's been and users should be aware of that when they sign up. However, over 70,000 people have been invited to play and sometimes the games may get a bit rough and tumble.

Like in any game, the umpires should discipline or eject the offenders, not shut down the whole game because of the actions of a few.

Everyone needs to keep in mind that it is all too easy to read into posts on Internet message boards emotion and/or intent that the writer may never have meant. I think that leads to a lot of misunderstandings. Admittedly, some message's intent & emotion is abundantly clear, but there are many times I've misread something or assumed the writer had some other intent. Debates tend to increase that probability.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[rcyannacci]

And you and I are going to have to agree to disagree. Whenever information is being passed along, whether an opinion piece, a phone number, a quote, a link, etc. something happens. Someone takes the trouble to read that article or click on that link and possibly see something they never saw before. Part of solving a problem correctly is keeping oneself informed.

ITA!

I can even point to actions I've taken as a result to information posted here and dialogue exchanged. Based on one of my DIS friend's activism, I decided to get active in a bake-sale for the humane society. I also followed a link that someone posted to make a contribution.

I also feel like I have a better sense of the whole situation, based on listening to arguments for all sides.

I really appreciate having this forum because the community in which I live is fairly liberal, and I want to make sure I don't isolate myself from the views of others. America is so large and diverse, and even if I may disagree with someone's position, I always walk away from the computer feeling like I know just a little bit more about who we are.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I think the problem here is that ANY debate or disagreement is being construed as a personal attack.

You and I have disagreed over the years and have had some pretty heated disagreements, but there was always a point where humor took over ("You swine"). What appears to be "vitriol" can turn on a dime to good humor/laughter and often does. And that is what certain individuals are either missing or don't want to see.

Now there are some here who go right over the top with the name-calling and insults from the get-go. Btw, being called a leftie is not name-calling in my book. Getting back to the point, those individuals who go over the top should be dealt with on an individual basis. Strangely enough, the community often deals with them by ignoring them and then they either change their tactics or they go away. Problem solved.

A community isn't just pixie dust and fluff. It's relationships built up over years and the sharing of experiences, and yes, the sharing of ideas. And Katrina was a situation in which it was impossible to ignore and caused individuals to have very strong opinions, and it should have. That's the nature of what we saw over a 1 week period.

Frankly, if my opinion is no longer welcome and my presence seems to be more of an annoyance to some, I'll go elsewhere. But, so will my sponsorship, my money, and my support. That's not a veiled threat: That's reality. If I don't like one supermarket and I feel I'm not being treated with respect, I go somewhere else. That's real life.

this post and the next one by this poster are fabulous
and make very good points

 

[septbride2002]

I think the problem here is that ANY debate or disagreement is being construed as a personal attack.

You and I have disagreed over the years and have had some pretty heated disagreements, but there was always a point where humor took over ("You swine"). What appears to be "vitriol" can turn on a dime to good humor/laughter and often does. And that is what certain individuals are either missing or don't want to see.

Now there are some here who go right over the top with the name-calling and insults from the get-go. Btw, being called a leftie is not name-calling in my book. Getting back to the point, those individuals who go over the top should be dealt with on an individual basis. Strangely enough, the community often deals with them by ignoring them and then they either change their tactics or they go away. Problem solved.

A community isn't just pixie dust and fluff. It's relationships built up over years and the sharing of experiences, and yes, the sharing of ideas. And Katrina was a situation in which it was impossible to ignore and caused individuals to have very strong opinions, and it should have. That's the nature of what we saw over a 1 week period.

Frankly, if my opinion is no longer welcome and my presence seems to be more of an annoyance to some, I'll go elsewhere. But, so will my sponsorship, my money, and my support. That's not a veiled threat: That's reality. If I don't like one supermarket and I feel I'm not being treated with respect, I go somewhere else. That's real life.

Bravo! This was totally the point I was trying to make, you just said it better!

~Amanda

 

[Teejay32]

I wanted to add on other thing

I really blame myself for a lot of this mess. Within days after this started people started making posts against guidelines. I was the one who said "This is huge and people are really upset. Let's let them vent a little and it will settle down".
I really believed that.

I think you were right for the most part, seeing as how it was you yourself I was arguing with here one night and most of that died down...the remainder is the normal political brawling. You can't always separate the two these days but I give you lots of points for trying, and I imagine that both the opinion-makers and the "people being turned away" have to learn to live with each other somewhat - those seeking a place to avoid a censorious atmosphere or political discussion in the world today clue the rest of us in when they find it. JM.02

 

[ThAnswr]

In other words.............good luck.