There are numerous sites where you can argue about every subject know to man (or women ) but very few sites where you can find as many like minded, helpful astronomy folk as right here.
By all means, take a break, go and find a site that suits your politics or point of view and argue/dicuss life there.
I'm getting out of astronomy for a number of reason but I'll still keep this coming to this site regularly.
Nowhere does it say in the TOS that this site allows 'freedom of speech' or that it's a democracy. It never has and never will.
If you choose not to visit IIS because an inappropriate joke got removed, that's your loss, and certainly seems an immature response to me. What you may not find offensive, other people certainly did and certainly do.
That's why this site has rules.
Like Geoff said, there are plenty of other forums out there to post and read jokes (crude and offensive or not), and to debate about global warming, politics and any other inflammatory topics that have no place on IceInSpace.
IceInSpace is unique - always has been and always will be. It's our rules, and our tolerance, and our friendship and community, that set us apart.
As far as special interest forums go, I doubt anyone will find a more open and inclusive one as IIS.
The mistake I have made is "taking ownership" of it. I have on several occassions.
Alas it does take a cold shower to reawaken one to refocus on the purpose of this site. I've taken a few after also thinking "bugger this, I'm off...".
I don't agree with many things posted here. I've formed opinions about other members. Yet, I can still offer debate to them, whether they are open to it or not. If they do, great. If not, too bad. You can't please everyone, even though MY opinion IS the ONLY one that MATTERS, !!!
Nowhere does it say in the TOS that this site allows 'freedom of speech' or that it's a democracy. It never has and never will.
If you choose not to visit IIS because an inappropriate joke got removed, that's your loss, and certainly seems an immature response to me. What you may not find offensive, other people certainly did and certainly do.
That's why this site has rules.
Like Geoff said, there are plenty of other forums out there to post and read jokes (crude and offensive or not), and to debate about global warming, politics and any other inflammatory topics that have no place on IceInSpace.
IceInSpace is unique - always has been and always will be. It's our rules, and our tolerance, and our friendship and community, that set us apart.
Good luck in your future.
It's not the fact the joke was removed but the fact I wasn't given the courtesy as to why, then when I questioned and try to debate the issue this was also removed, I don't like that type of dictatorial approach and never will.
Lack maturity, I doubt it young man, and making such a comment about a fellow forum member in the open, which in itself is a breach of TOS, I find more offensive than you may have found my joke.
I've been on this earth a lot longer than you and have seen and done things that you probably never will, those that may have found it offensive would be IMO immature and in the minority.
Every now and again I push the rules until they break. I will not go away after I have done this, just retreat 'til next time.
I do not feel at all personally aggrieved just disapointed that my 'extreme' views cannot be tolerated by the general community by rules we all agree to on joining.
If you feel that the rules are wrong then change them from within the organisation.
Until then I will still participate and if I transgress so be it.
Okay Trev so we know the site has become PC central but with all the different opinions and values represented by the membership I imagine there is little choice. But hey there is always PM's if you think your post wont be kosher. There's a whole new world in PM's .
I'm no prude by any stretch of the imagination, however I have lingered on some of the other Astro sites that are open to anyone, even joined one and left the next day.
I even use a few choice words from time to time, not here I might add, but privately.
Some of these sites should be closed down for the filth and language allowed openly, and they back all this by saying, "we are all adults and can say what we want" if you don't like it go away.
Trevor I prefer it here with some rules and regulations, and a truly family orientated forum, others may not, hang in there mate and cool down, I especially enjoyed your input from time to time. may not always agree, but that is life.
Okay Trev so we know the site has become PC central....
Mark
I just like to add Mark that this site has always maintained it's core values and rules.
From the day that I joined I remember these basic rules and when Mike asked me to become moderator he ask me, and the other mods, to uphold his wishes to keep this site up to these standards.
And from the feedback we get on the forum and in private the majority of members like it that way too.
We don't always get it right, sometimes we may slip up and reverse our decisions and sometimes we also like to join in the fun.
We're only human.
But members need to understand that at the end of the day we are here to help Mike and Terry run this forum to the respectable level of their wishes and maintain an even handed approach towards all members as best we can.
I think this has partly helped make IceInSpace the success that it has become.
I've had several posts removed without any warning, Trevor. It's no biggie.
I get a bit hot under the collar sometimes, especially towards one individual, but, he was a negative curmudgeon and deserved it.
Cheer up, dude, and stick around! We're here to enjoy astronomy, when the clouds allow us.
Note the rules are there to keep the site running the way it has been all these years -- to a particular level. Just cop this one and move on -- there's no point getting worked up and inciting personal attacks over an indiscretion; yours, theres, or whoevers.
I just like to add Mark that this site has always maintained it's core values and rules.
From the day that I joined I remember these basic rules and when Mike asked me to become moderator he ask me, and the other mods, to uphold his wishes to keep this site up to these standards.
And from the feedback we get on the forum and in private the majority of members like it that way too.
We don't always get it right, sometimes we may slip up and reverse our decisions and sometimes we also like to join in the fun.
We're only human.
But members need to understand that at the end of the day we are here to help Mike and Terry run this forum to the respectable level of their wishes and maintain an even handed approach towards all members as best we can.
I think this has partly helped make IceInSpace the success that it has become.
Regards
Andrew
Thats pretty much what I was implying Andrew but remember when the moderators sometimes join in it can cause a little confusion as to what is acceptable and what is not.
Thats pretty much what I was implying Andrew but remember when the moderators sometimes join in it can cause a little confusion as to what is acceptable and what is not.
Cheers
Mark
With all due respect Mark, I think you know exactly what is acceptable and what is not, and if it's something we join in on, it's usually not to the level of contravening the TOS.
If we ourselves find that we've overstepped the mark we moderate our own posts too, you may not see it, but we do.
If, on the other hand, you see one of our posts which you feel is offensive then all you need to do is report the post as well, simple.
See Trevor, take a deep breath and put it in perspective, you love it here you know you do, tomorrow it will all seem like a silly cuffuffle
Oh dear I am terribly offended by that attrocious picture. I think it should be removed and the person who posted it should be banned from posting for the next 10 seconds.
I too have had posts removed without warning. No big deal I just try to curb my enthusiasm for next time.
I think the moderators do a wonderful job of keeping this forum in order. I know what it is like as I am a moderator on the unwired forum where we have to endure all sorts of abuse from unhappy customers. These people do give us a hard time sometimes because they don't understand that we are not actually part of unwired although the forum is financed by them and are just users or former users trying to pass on knowledge that may help them.
We do remove the offensive material but keep a copy in our private section and try to write explanation of our actions to the posters by PM's
!!!
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