RANT: Accepting Personal Responsibility, et. al.

[indolikaa]

I'm a little pissed off this evening because once again, a 'veteran' member was disciplined by Staff and others are not happy about it. So, in the tradition that has become The Rant, I want to say a few things about it.


ALL OF US agreed to the Forum Rules/AUP when we signed up to post on these forums. The most critical of those are reprinted for your protection anytime you choose to post on this forum. I would also like to point out that at the end of that discourse are the words If you don't follow our rules your post may be removed without notice or you may get banned without notice. You find our complete Forum rules / Acceptable Use Policy(AUP) here.

I understand and respect the fact that many of our members here do not speak English as a first language. However, more often than not, that has nothing to do with the issue at hand. It has to do with the perception people have about how the Staff here does their job. And to be honest, it's not even a subject that should or needs to be discussed in public. Has it not been mentioned before that if you have a problem with a moderator's conduct, you are to contact them or Baldrick directly? It may not be a written rule, but it's common sense!

I am going to bring a subject forward that is sure to cause controversy: zzyzzx's signature line. It has been suggested that because zzyzzx has been here since this board was first created, he gets preferential treament. Hence, the reason why his signature line is allowed to be bigger than forum rules dictate. I am going to bring another subject forward, that being the temporary banning pyrate83 got for his advertising thread. Since both have been made public, I feel both are fair game.

In regards to zzyzzx, there are obviously some unhappy people around here who feel he should be severely disciplined or banned because of his, for lack of a better word, unwillingness to follow the rules? Some people feel that offline is out of line for politely reminding zzyzzx about his signature rather than banning him outright, when in the same breath offline has no qualms about banning pyrate83 outright for advertising.

My question is simple: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?!

How Baldrick chooses to enforce the rules is nobody's business. This is not your public soapbox, this is Baldrick's private world. Either choose to accept the rules or find another place to play. If he wants all avertisers to be immediately banned, so be it! If a veteran member is being given more 'time' to correct their ways, so be it! The method in which Staff chooses to enforce the rules is of no concern to you if you aren't breaking them. And when you are, the punishment handed out is based not only on the rules of this site, but the objective view a moderator may have to take.


While we're on the subject of moderators who abuse their power, I'd like to make one point perfectly clear to our resident crybabies. It has been suggested that some of our veteran members get preferential treatment when it comes to questionable posts. I, for one, have been accused both publicly and privately of getting preferential treatment after a newbie orders an Indolikaa Special from the menu. Well guess what? I'm NOT getting preferential treatment.

One of the skills you acquire when you've been here for awhile is knowing what the boundaries are and how far you can push them. If you REALLY think I get away with my tirades because of my post count, or because of my standing in this community, you're suggesting that I'm an ass-kisser. And for the record, I don't kiss ass. I never have, and I never will. And I think some of you out there need to hear this, because your petty bitching is really beginning to annoy me!

All of us come here for one reason or another. For me, this is my social release. I enjoy the off-topic scene and the ability to sometimes help people with their hobby-related problems, but for the most part, I'm here to meet with friends and shoot the breeze. I happen to enjoy poking fun at people who do stupid things, and sometimes I lash out at people for their behavior. This is who I am. I'm not going to put on a different suit just because I am at videohelp.com, or because some people might get offended by me or the things I say.


It's real simple. YOU are responsible for your conduct, and YOU will be judge accoringly. Accept personal responsibility for yourself and your actions, and stop worrying about how Staff is handling other people's issues. It's none of your business.

Pyrate83 screwed up. He admitted his mistake, apologized, and has been invited back to our community. We should be patting him on the back for being an adult about the matter, not starting threads to question the integrity of others because of his misdeed.

[gitreel]

I salute you indo.

That was very well constructed, and excellent reading.

[andkiich]

Accept personal responsibility for yourself and your actions, and stop worrying about how Staff is handling other people's issues. It's none of your business.

See, now you've probably lost half the people that you were trying to ge to. Asking some people in this day and age to take personal responsibility for their actions!! Egads, man!! What do you want a utopia!

Seriously though, some people just don't get it, others take things personal, while still others think that the anonimity of a board such as this gives them the right to be as bragadocious as they can. They'll always be here, and the best we can hope is that the moderators will keep separating the wood from the chaffe. They've done a good job so far IMHO.

[smearbrick1]

I hope someone is making a Cliff's Notes version of this initial post... I started reading it and just got really bored! In the scheme of things (life, love, happiness), does this all mean that much? If this site caved in tomorrow I think I could move on. There would be, however, at least a 5 to 10 minute period where I would just be inconsulible, but...

[indolikaa]

I hope someone is making a Cliff's Notes version of this initial post...

Accepting Personal Responsibility[/u]]

'Grow up or piss off, you ******* crybabies!'

THE END.

Will that work?

[stiltman]

blah....blah....blah...blah...

Screw off

That being said I think OT has changed this summer. Maybe it does ever summer, but this summer seems a little more than usual

[Supreme2k]

If ANYONE needed banning, it is the starter of this thread!

This thread completely offends me, even though it does not pertain to me and I agree with it.

It pisses me off that someone can start a thread like this just because they have so many posts. The mods aren't playing fair, since he has yet to be banned. Is he not simply "selling" us his opinion? It seems like a dirty double-standard.

Since WE are the community, WE run these boards. I say it is time that WE ban those who believe that they are above the law!

Just as Caesar prolaimed at Vesuvius, "Yvan eht nioj!"

[indolikaa]

<< note to Indolikaa: Always read Supreme2k's post twice! >>

[stiltman]

If ......WE......

You got a mouse in your pocket?

[johns0]

Just as Caesar prolaimed at Vesuvius, "Yvan eht nioj!"

Gee,where`s my mirror?

[jimmalenko]

Time for my rant...

Every day we see judgements being made that may not be to the exact letter of the law and may include some leniency.

Let's step out of the forum for a second for this example:

Ever had a policeman let you go if he caught you a couple of kms/h over the limit ? Or knocked down the speed so your fine is about $100 less ?

A straightforward example, but very pertinent in proving the part that interpretation, common sense and common decency play in our everyday lives.

Back into the forum, the Mods have to police the forum rules, which are, at best, ambiguous regarding many things. They use their best judgement day in day out to ensure that this forum continues to be as we know it.

Personally I think a banning for advertising was possibly a bit over the top, offline didn't think so. You get that. I know I've had a few mods PM me over my time here if my avatar has been unsuitable. I think possibly a PM to pyrate might have sorted the issue without the need for banning, but that's just my opinion.

I know as a sports umpire that the one of the hardest things to do is order someone from the ground with a yellow or red card. It could end their game. Does what they did deserve missing the rest of the game ?

Anyway...

[Supreme2k]

As far as this "banning" business goes:

Was pyrate any more than only technically banned? Was he even gone for a whole 24 hours?

I just found it odd that some people didn't have patience for something that really didn't concern them.

I've modded other boards where they actually had a Suspension option. Just like the Waiting Period when you first sign up, you can suspend a members posting privileges for a certain amount of time. It's for those Above a slap on the wrist - below banning situations.

Pyrates situation (realistically) barely counts as a suspension.

[indolikaa]

Um, pyrate admitted he was boozed during his little vacation. Are we to assume that he would've understood and been able to comply with a PM or other communication?

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I'm boozed up, trying to talk sense to me is like trying to give an enema to a hungry lion.

[Phlexor]

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I'm boozed up, trying to talk sense to me is like trying to give an enema to a hungry lion.

If that's the case, why not give up drinking? If ppl can't talk sense to you when you are drunk, what happens when yor friends try to talk you out of doing something you'll regret?

And if you think that is all perfectly okay, they why should anyone take advice from someone with such poor judgement?

[indolikaa]

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I'm boozed up, trying to talk sense to me is like trying to give an enema to a hungry lion.

If that's the case, why not give up drinking? If ppl can't talk sense to you when you are drunk, what happens when yor friends try to talk you out of doing something you'll regret?

You can't talk sense to ANYBODY when they are drunk. The statement was rhetorical.

And if you think that is all perfectly okay, they why should anyone take advice from someone with such poor judgement?

Excuse me?

Who are you to pass judgement on whether or not my opinions are corrupted because of my beliefs?

I hate people like you. They take a cheap-shot like this and run for cover. Stick around next time you have something derogatory to say about someone and face the response you've earned like a man.

Wad.

[Supreme2k]

Where did the AA sponsor com from? No one has yet to question the veracity of of statement from an admitted sheep-****** or pot smoker, yet a little rib about drinking makes someone go ballistic?

[The village idiot]

I think OT has changed this summer. Maybe it does ever summer, but this summer seems a little more than usual

That would be my fault I sowed the seed of the evil ewe, and it grew like Zebra muscles on a water cooling intake.

[Phlexor]

Umm, just because no one can talk sense to YOU when you are drunk, doesn't make this the norm for everyone.

[indolikaa]

Umm, just because no one can talk sense to YOU when you are drunk, doesn't make this the norm for everyone.

I beg to differ.

I am a construction superintendent during the day, and an on-call EMT during most evenings. And when I'm feeling real frisky, I'm on the Major Crimes Apprehension Team with local law enforcement. I deal with drunks and heavy drinkers day and night.

I have been employing and working with alcoholics, and those who claim they aren't alcoholics, since I moved to Arizona three years ago. I've also had the priviledge of dealing with drunks at both the emergency medicine and law enforcement level. And you know what? I've never found a drunk that you can reason with. It's no coincidence that law enforcement normally accompanies emergency medicine calls if alcohol is involved.

If that's what you TRULY believe, you are either an alcoholic in denial, or you don't out much. You show me a university study of any type that demonstrates cognitivie and intellectual capacity doesn't suffer when BAC exceeds 0.08 or 0.10 and you can make that argument. Until then, volunteer with your local emergency medical services for a year, and see how much fun dealing with drunk people can truly be.

Denial is not just a river in Egypt, sir.

[smearbrick1]

Denial:
The first sign of addiction.

[Phlexor]

Ever thought that ppl who do not have judgement problems while drunk just simply don't present themselves in a noticable manner? And how about ppl who know how to handle their booze? I can be drunk but I dont have to near liver failure. Sure I see plenty of ppl who drink and become uncontrollable. I live in a the country in a government housing estate (I'm there because of dissabilities and circumstances, not because I'm some sort of moron). I've seen it all. People around here drink all day and night, any day of the week. Maybe the fact that I have Asperger's Syndrome give me a differnent level of control? Who the hell knows. Plus when I drink I do it in my own home or that of a friend and don't leave untill I am sober.

[indolikaa]

Ever thought that ppl who do not have judgement problems while drunk just simply don't present themselves in a noticable manner?

You will not convince me that persons can make good judgements even though they are drunk, unless you can link me to a government or university study that says otherwise. All people handle alcohol differently, yes, but the signs of intoxication are there and can be seen, even in those who try to mask the symptoms.

And how about ppl who know how to handle their booze?

You're speaking to one of those people. I never drink outside of my own house, never within 12 hours of needing to drive, and NEVER within 24 hours of being on-call. The criminal charges for such behavior are steep, but they are nothing compared to the civil charges.

Maybe the fact that I have Asperger's Syndrome give me a differnent level of control? Who the hell knows.

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html

When I studied mental health syndromes and their role in emergency medicine, I was taught that alcohol and/or drugs, combined with regressive social behavior, leads to substance abuse, addiction, and for many people, severe bouts of depression.

This is not a good combination...

[makntraks]

Where did the AA sponsor com from? No one has yet to question the veracity of of statement from an admitted sheep-****** or pot smoker, yet a little rib about drinking makes someone go ballistic?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaaha....
Sup2k you rawk and I wish I had the time to stand at your side and spread the good word. We'd been there a few times before, but for the most part I got sick and tired of things here... just like the things being pointed out and responded to in this thread...

Keep up the good fight!
Peace,

makntraks

[iooi]

Is he not simply "selling" us his opinion? It seems like a dirty double-standard.

An old british expression springs to mind here relating to another thread you started....
Calling, Pot, Kettle & Black......
are the words just rearange them to fit...
Interesting to note NO mods responce in this thread. As a mod at another board (work related) that is a deffinate NO NO.

[Capmaster]

Is he not simply "selling" us his opinion? It seems like a dirty double-standard.

An old british expression springs to mind here relating to another thread you started....
Calling, Pot, Kettle & Black......
are the words just rearange them to fit...
Interesting to note NO mods responce in this thread. As a mod at another board (work related) that is a deffinate NO NO.

Point taken. No further good can come of this thread.

Gets out keys ....CLICK!