Maybe DegreeInfo Really ISN'T Different From Other Boards

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by RosalindGash, Sep 3, 2005.

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  1. RosalindGash

    RosalindGash New Member

    There was a point, on the Katrina-related "Looting" thread I participated in, where I thought things could get ugly because of one near hysterical hate-filled post. But prayer works. After that person quickly ducked in and out - never to appear again - and discourse was continued by rational and respectful board members, the topic actually progressed in another direction - and several members really made some good (and interesting) points.

    Dialogue was continuing and a true exchange of ideas was taking shape.

    Then that thread, and all other Katrina-related threads (that were not about assisting with relief efforts?), were closed because of the personal feelings of the moderator. This crackdown was not limited to truly inflammatory or otherwise destructive threads, which I would not have had a problem with.

    And that's why I have a big problem.

    Bruce, you may not agree with everything - or anything - that was discussed on the Katrina-related threads (in general) or on the "Looting" thread I participated in (specifically). But, you don't have the RIGHT to decide for US what is important/worthy and what isn't. Isn't that the reason you gave for closing the threads? That the things being discussed were not important or worthy?

    Short of disrespect and/or hate-mongering, it doesn't matter WHAT is being discussed in the aftermath of ANY tragedy... if you think or feel that you have the right to close any thread because you deem it to be unimportant or unworthy, then you are abusing your authority as a moderator.

    There is a lot of talk on here about how other forums don't tolerate differing opinions, etc. Now, here goes DI doing the same thing. :(

    Why even have sections for OFF TOPIC or POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS if the threads are subject to censorship at the whim of a moderator?

    ========

    In 1903, Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, in his book The Souls of Black Folk, wrote "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line." Here we are, 102 YEARS LATER being censored not because of race-baiting or hate mongering, but because we actually want to have a meaningful dialogue about the color line!

    The color line can't be erased if it's not talked about. Racial intolerance can't be eradicated if meaningful discourse about it is not tolerated. So, for those who are interested in this type of meaningful discourse, which we now know is not welcome on this forum, I introduce to you:

    www.TheColorLine.us... "Let's Not Let it be the Problem of the 21st Century!"

    COMING SOON!
     
  2. JLV

    JLV Active Member

    You’ve been here three days, for god’s sakes. What do you know about this board? I think you just want to pick up a fight. Moderators have put up with a lot more than you can think of, and threads weren´t removed. This thread was closed only because it is DISGUSTING to be arguing about politics or racial disquisitions when thousands of bodies, still warm, lie in the streets of New Orleans. Out of respect for those people, I think those threads were rightly closed. There will be plenty of time in the future to discuss and to pontify about all issues that bother you.
     
  3. RosalindGash

    RosalindGash New Member

    I've been here much longer than 3 days. It's only recently that I decided to make my presence known. I don't want to pick a fight, despite what you think. I'm just not politically correct or a cyber-suckup... and I'm not afraid to call a spade a spade.

    Now, let's be real and fair. Nobody was arguing. Sure, there was one person who took things WAY too seriously and unloaded on me for no other reason than I identified myself as a person of color (a group that they had obvious problems with) in a response to something someone else had written. That person was a troll and disappeared after spewing his "you people" crap. Obviously looking to pick a fight and cause a distraction.

    Other than that nobody was arguing.

    Whether or not you feel it's disgusting to talk about such things is your opinion, and you're entitled to it. But, I'm entitled to mine, too. And so is everybody else who commented. Now since you don't seem to have read my posts, in which (different ones) I've said this at least twice already, I'll say this again.

    I personally think that right now is not the time to be talking about race issues when so many people are in need.

    But, I also think that if people want to talk about it, they should be allowed to do so and shouldn't be tarred and feathered for it. Is this not America? Those who think its disgusting can/should SKIP THE THREAD.

    Like you should have done, in this case, since you so strongly disagree with me. So, I posit that it's actually YOU who wants to fight. Either that or you just HAD to see your name next to a post. Otherwise you would have just kept going. Like I give a rat's patootie about you being angry, LOL.


     
  4. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    Rosalind

    You are wrong on several counts.

    1. The thread was closed because it was disgusting to be discussing politics when instead ALL efforts should be directed to helping the injured, displaced, and possibly dying.

    2. Moderators have the right to close or remove ANY inappropriate thread as they see fit.

    3. There is NO comparison between this board and the boards which are very "gang" like.
     
  5. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    patooties, misc.

    I agree with Dave. Roz, you got this one wrong. Dead wrong.

    You go look at aed or the Crabb forum. You go look at the incessant racism, homophobia, Nazi sympathisers, incitements to criminal acts, promotion of mills, and personal harassment which are staple feed in those places. How dare you equate DI to that? Get off your high horse and quit making a jackass out of yourself.

    I never noticed what colour you were, or care, now that I know.

    One other thing. Don't quote a Communist (Dr Du Bois) to defend freedom of expression. That's just silly. Hell's bells, Du Bois threw a tantrum when his assistant at "The Crisis" (the very esteemed Dr Frank Snowden, later of Howard University) corrected mistakes in Du Bois' Greek; he called him "boy", and explained that it was his magazine and he'd write Greek any way he liked. Of course, it's a bit hard to imagine Greek quotes, grammatical or no, in "The Crisis" now.
     
  6. qvatlanta

    qvatlanta New Member

    I don't agree with that statement and others like it. If that's the case, why is it acceptable to be discussing the Passat TDI while people are dying? Why is it even acceptable to bother reading this bulletin board at all? Wouldn't it be even less aceptable to call other people out on not being acceptable?!?! There's a very frustrating limit to what ordinary citizens can do beyond donating and making themselves available as volunteers, and saying "you should be doing X instead of Y" doesn't help that frustration.

    I do agree with Rosalind that it is depressing that people cannot discuss the issue of race in a mature fashion. However I've got no problem with Bruce closing threads because they are upsetting to people as long as it's even-handed. Any anti-Bush, anti-anti-Bush, highly religious interpretation or alternately cursing God, any note of failures involved and the reasons for those failures... it's all really upsetting in relation to Katrina and a cooling off period is not a bad idea.
     
  7. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    As long as Bruce's response would have been the same had this happened during President Clinton's administration, I have no problem with temporarily halting topics.

    A cooling-off period can sometimes be a very good thing.


    Tom Nixon
     
  8. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    However, you did just register on this site on 9/1/2005.




    Tom Nixon
     
  9. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I'm sorry you disagree with my decision, Rosalind, but you're very wrong. I do have the right to make those decisions, because it says "Administrator" under my name.

    This is a privately-owned board. You're more than welcome to participate, but if you don't like it, no one is forcing you to stay.
     
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