Forum rules change

[newt]

Edit, by CapnK: Right now, there is no debate. Just the implementation of a couple easy-to-understand-and-follow rules/policies intended to bring more civility to the discussions here at the CPYOA forum..

Most of you know me and know that I try and keep out of others business and respect their opinions. As moderator, I often can't keep out of the fray, and there have been a fair amount of people lately who have gotten their feelings hurt in the group. So I am proposing rules for the group with consequences for repetitively not following those rules. I look at it this way:
I really don't care what we discuss as long as we are civil. But it has been shown on this group as well as others that people get rude when they discuss guns, politics and religion. People feel like they can say things on line that they would not say to someone face to face.
Something most of you probably don't know is that I am a moderator on a large sailing forum. I have learned from their actions and reactions and hope to take the best of what I have learned to make this a better forum- but the bottom line?
It is each one of you that make a quality forum...
And that is why keeping it civil and friendly is so important  to me. I want to keep you as friends and fellow sailors. Every one that loves Compacs should have a place in this forum.
Soo....
Please give me your input as I draft a set of standands for the posts. I want them to be your rules and not just mine. And then everyone will have the same expectations...

[Billy]

Newt,
I love this form.....almost as much as I love my boat! Ironically, I would even bet that I spend more time on this forum than on my boat. I do not want to see it go away or be band from it. So please, if what I am about to say is out of line, please just delete my post I'll consider it a warning and I will not post anything like it ever again.

We have an "all others" forum. If we cannot post "all other" information than remove the forum and let this be a Com-Pac only forum.  But if not......

This is America, where we have freedom of speech. and I am offended by all this politically correct nonsense. I am tired of people's intolerance of other people's intolerance.

The same people that have no problem bashing our former President get offended when someone bad mouths the present one and vise versa. Can you say double standard??? And for the record I didn't vote for Bush and i didn't vote for Obama.

And why would people be offended by someone else's opinion. It's just that, an opinion. If anything I am offended that I can no longer speak my opinion. I am offended that I cannot share my religion with others for fear of offending them. What could be more important than religion? But I digress. Are these the same people that demand 19th place trophy's and do not keep score at little league baseball games? What is this doing for our future, and we wonder why this generation feels so entitled. While we're at it, let's quit giving grades in school and just give "participation diplomas".

I heard a funny quote the other day, "If a conservative doesn't want a gun he doesn't by one. If a liberal doesn't want a gun he tries to outlaw them." the same could be said and reversed for abortion. But the last I checked, we do have the right to bare arms and freedom of speech. There will always be conflicts.

While I do feel that "personal attacks" should not be tolerated, everyone should respect everyone and their opinions as well. That is what MADE (not makes) this country great. Forms that are started and made to be attacks or to ruffle feathers should not be tolerated as well.

I understand the need for moderation, and language is not necessary to convey a point. In fact while I am not offended by bad language, I do pity those who cannot converse with out using foul language. But we are sailors and sometimes a curse word can be appropriate. If people are easily offended they should stay out of the "all others" forum. Plain and simple.

[Craig Weis]

Billy. I believe your being influenced by newt too much.
I say, no rules on Off Topic topics. Don't like it, don't read it.

skip.

[nies]

I answered newt, but it got lost, so I will repeat myself...............this was settled a long time ago, don't open or visit area if you are a offended..........I need to post before newt decides to block and remove me ,if NEWT RULES I think its time to move on......this site has been a real joy but I will not submit to the thought police, ...............Phil

[Tim Gardner]

While I seldom participate in the OFF TOPICS, I do love Skips rants and the replies from all the others.  We truly have a diverse group.  If we want "only think like me's" around us, go join a yacht club somewhere.

Face it, you are already a different bird just by owning a non-racing sailboat.  Let's keep our differences, and our freedom to view or not to view the off topics.

Newt - my vote is to allow the off topics unless they get personal.  refrain from locking a topic - moderate the offender's post with an explanation to the offender.

FWIW  tg

[Craig Weis]

"moderate the offender's post with an explanation to the offender."

newt did. He told me in private he 'Locked This Post'. That's OK with me.

He did not 'spin his collar around' and consoul me before locking the post.
Or what ever the proper terminology is. I told him power corrupts.

But I don't have my finger on the trigger. Or button or anywhere but on these keys.
The pen is mightier than the sword.

Well if we need to be tamed so be it. We have the right of free speech, we do not have the right to be heard. That's called tolerance/different opinion/ or some other thing, dab nab it all anyway.

skip.

[lostsailor101]

Tim I like the way you think .... I'll go with this one........my vote is to allow the off topics unless they get personal.  refrain from locking a topic - moderate the offender's post with an explanation to the offender.

"Hold on.....There's no crying in baseball"

[newt]

I see where this going guys- and I am the first to get out of the way of a sailor and his boat. BTW-Newt never ruled...He was trying to keep the spambots and the hard feelings out of this forum. I withdraw myself from your company. Fair winds my friends.

[Tim Gardner]

Newt - No one is asking you to quit - at least not me!  I think a moderator is a good thing, and is a crap eating job.  I just think deleting a post is better than locking a topic.  If you ever need help or a second opinion on an unruly poster, send a private message to me & I'll respond asap. Be glad to help out.

Respectfully, TG

[kahpho]

I'll second the sentiment that you should not leave. Being a moderator can be a thankless job. I for one would like to thank you here and now.

The Off Topic section has seemingly kept some of the rhetoric out of the other topics that I really come here for. If it does, then it's of some use. Maybe it just needs a bold warning under the heading.. "Beyond here there be Dragons"

mel

[lostsailor101]

Newt no disrespect to you was intended on my part. Being a moderator is a thankless job like some of the others have said. I have never used that section, but respect the rights for others who want to. The main point I wanted to highlight was to not let any of the post become a personal attack.

"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."

Don't leave Newt, try to remember that we are all here because we like our little boats and the off topic is just a place to voice opinions .

[newt]

I talked to Capt. K tonight. He owns this site. He will be taking back moderation duties for a few days. Those that have been flaming me with email can address him directly.-it is his site I have tried to maintain, not my own. I think I will go up on the bow and watch the sun set for a while:) Man I love sailing...

[brackish]

Rules should be simple:

No name calling, either directly or indirectly.  Directly i.e. directed at any specific individual that contributes to this group.  Indirectly, i.e., verbally demeaning a group, of which some members of this forum will invariably be part of.

No lying, i.e. either making up things or referencing irrelevant information and submitting same as "facts"  for the purpose of advancing ones position in a debate.

As an old debate judge these two rules are essential to the exchange of ideas, no matter how spirited the process is.

I also believe that off topic means off topic.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THERE. Even "new posts" identify the post as off topic, and it is not necessary for anyone to go there.

I've more or less stopped participating in the political off topic.  This forum is the same as others in that those that hold to a different ideology than mine will not be swayed by my words so it is more or less a waste of time.  With regard to those that agree with my ideology, that is preaching to the choir.

Newt, while I wish you would stay, if it really bothers you there is no reason to suffer that.  While I would vote to keep the off topic and allow a civil discussion of political matters, the real value of this forum is the exchange of information and ideas about the boats.  I've learned so much in a little over a year from having access to the combined experience and wisdom of those who have had their boats for much longer.  So whatever is necessary to maintain that exchange is OK with me.

[CaptK]

First:

I stand with Newt/Mark 100%.

Second:

This forum is for Com-Pac Owners and enthusiasts.

Starting today, that is the scope and limit of the discussion here. Yep: No More Politics.

If you wish to discuss politics or post links to political things or whatever, there are plenty of places online where you can do so.

Just not here.

This is non-negotiable, and MY decision alone. If you want to grief about it, send me a PM. But the decision has been made, and that is how things are now.

It does not even merit further discussion. No prior postings will be deleted from the database (all member post counts will remain the same), but that area of the forum is temporarily locked, and will likely go out of public sight in the very near future. I will keep you informed about these changes as they happen.

Third:

Be Nice To Others.

I don't need to explain that.

That's all for now.

[Billy]

fair enough. I love these boats!