Flame baiting and trolling (1 Viewer)

[Gardener]

In a recent thread, the likes of which has become all too typical for this forum, a poster designed a thread that did not discuss any issue at all, but merely bashed and insulted "liberals". When the predictable responses came, the moderator supported the originating poster instead of sending the thread to the basement. Why? Is this now the defacto operating procedure of this site when obvious trolling and flame baiting receives support instead of being discouraged?

I would like to request that this site formulate a consistant policy when it comes to postings that do not discuss any issue at all, but merely bash people. There is a place in the basement ostensibly designed for such postings, and rightfully so as they have nothing to add to this site and only encourage more of the same. I don't really understand this change of policy where moderators are now running interferance for such postings instead of just relegating them to the place designed for such. Talk about a mixed message!

"Build it and they will come". Refusing to deal with people whose every posting is a flame bait is bad enough, but if we are now to the point where moderators are abetting the trolls, I think you folks need to rethink your M.O. What are you building here when people engage in obvious trolling and flame baiting and your moderators run interferance for them? Are you being consistant when you ask for civility, but your actual moderation takes the form of supporting the uncivil?


http://www.debatepolitics.com/conspiracy-theories/11267-watch-liberal-react.html

 

[Captain America]

That thread was started by ChessWarsNow. I think the forum offers this poster a little leeway out of compassion. (Everyone has a mentally challenged cousin. You can't hardly bar them from the family reunion now can you?)

Did his mama drop him on his head? Was it a war injury? Unfortunant genetics? We truly don't know.

But, for good or bad, he is a member of our family here. He is our Otis. He is our Potsy. He is our village, well, you know.

He can be rather entertaining when taken with a grain of salt. We take him with a grain of salt around here.

If a more credible poster tried his shena****ns, (<edit> wow....I can't believe the word shen anag ans was censored...) I imagine more stringent rules would reply. And while I see the validity in your suggestion when you wrote:

I would like to request that this site formulate a consistant policy

I am reminded of MY retarded cousin at MY family reunion and I realize that to not make concessions out of compassion will only dehumanize this site and make us appear less compassionate. Sometimes, it is necessary to weigh things on a case by case basis.

It's a tough call. Just my two cents.

Have a great day all....:2wave:

 

[Simon W. Moon]

I accept total and complete responsibility for this one. I meant to get around to doing some more re that thread, but I let RL obs slow me down. I should have taken some more time or reported the thread to another mod.

I didn't realize anyone else was even paying attention to the thread.

It's not so much a consistent policy issue as it is a lack of consistent availability. We mods all work as volunteers and have various other committments to our RL family and friends. We all like to spend some of our DP time doing something fun like participating in interesting threads.
Not making excuses, just 'splainin.

These sorts of things tend to turn into drawn-out dramas for whatever reason. On the up side, (I think) I've recently concluded a similar drama w/ another poster who holds similar ideas re what constitutes grown-up debate and discusssion.

I apologize for the delays.

 

[Captain America]

No apologies necessary Simon. You guys do a great job and I appreciate you all.

If anyone else has a problem with the moderators around here then dock their pay. OK?

 

[Gardener]

I accept total and complete responsibility for this one. I meant to get around to doing some more re that thread, but I let RL obs slow me down. I should have taken some more time or reported the thread to another mod.

I didn't realize anyone else was even paying attention to the thread.

It's not so much a consistent policy issue as it is a lack of consistent availability. We mods all work as volunteers and have various other committments to our RL family and friends. We all like to spend some of our DP time doing something fun like participating in interesting threads.
Not making excuses, just 'splainin.

These sorts of things tend to turn into drawn-out dramas for whatever reason. On the up side, (I think) I've recently concluded a similar drama w/ another poster who holds similar ideas re what constitutes grown-up debate and discusssion.

I apologize for the delays.

Well, your stock just shot up about a zillion points. Thanks for such a nice response.


My apologies, too, if I was too rough on you. I'm just concerned that with so many of these sorts of postings appearing recently that good people are being driven away.

 

[Simon W. Moon]

I'm just concerned that with so many of these sorts of postings appearing recently that good people are being driven away.

We all share this concern.
We intentionally try to err on the side of leniency.
The balance has to be recalibrated hourly.