TO FORUM MODERATOR - How about closing inappropriate topics?

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I try to keep my political, social, and religious views to myself.


The SINGLE biggest reason I am still a LONE WOLF modeler today and do not socialize much with others in the hobby is that eventually Politics or Religion get brought into the fray, and "Oh you didnt vote for the so-and-s0" or "You dont believe THAT religion" type issues get brought up and it just goes to Hell on a tobagon after that...Thats the danger here, it just gets people devisive, bitter, and creates the same social/political/religious cliche's that have in my opinion screwed up the country.


As for me...just to clear up my position.

Political Party - Monster Raving Loony Party ( Originally created in England, Mr. Graham Chapman and Mr John Cleese our first party nominies)

Social Viewpoint- Usually scoping the room looking Cool sipping a Gin and Tonic!

Religion - upstanding member, 24hr Drive-Thru Church of Elvis, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thank'ya Ma'am....[8D]

Oops! Mr. "vsmith"? It appears you just disregarded your prime directive. Oh, well. We'll let you off the hook this time...

[Anonymous]

Brunton,


Since you saw fit to include me and 2 of my post I feel it only right to give you my thoughts,

First if you really did read the actual message and not just the topic you would know that I am by my own admission a newbie, I wanted to learn so I asked a question to which I recieved replies from those who were interested in responding. there were many who read this but did not reply that was there choice. It is like TV if you dont like the program turn the channel.

Second the topic "Who here is a Firefighter" was written to ask those who would know about the way a true fire or accident scene would look like to gain some knowledge. Firefighting was a common interest that some shared, some did not that's ok. I would then assume by your assault of these forums and the moderators that in your would only trains may be talked about. This is my hobby not my life.

I told myself to just dismiss your remarks but felt a sense of disbelief that any one would not be allowed to ask a question here.

THE ONLY DUMB QUESTION IS THE ONE NOT ASKED.

Censorship, the word can stir many passionate feelings. I will not subcribe to any forum that censors it members and removes the human aspect of this hobby and neither should anyone else.

If I have said anything to offend you Sir I apoligize right here and now. My words are ment to invoke thought not anger.

[Anonymous]

Can we please move on here....this is getting old.............delete delete delete!

Funny how this topic is getting SOO much attention..(pun intended).

Jim

[3railguy]

I agree that having our political and religious views challenged on train forums is inappropriate. As someone else posted it entices flame wars. Simply because we want to get away from it all and discuss trains.

[Anonymous]

Certainly, no one is forced to reply. Likewise no one is forced to post incendiary statements and shouldn't expect no one to offer a differing view when they do.

I'm a bit confused. Is it attitudes like mine that screw it up by disagreeing with someone's opinion or by suggesting we discuss the topic for which our hosts are providing the forum? Never mind, it was only a rhetorical question.

If I was interested, I'd ask, exactly what "my type" is. I didn't realize I'm "hard pressed to be civil." Thanks for your imput. I'll try to be more civil in the future.

Again, I thank the forum administrator's efforts to keep our discussion on topic.

Civilly yours,

Wayne

[Anonymous]

"While I hate political discussions here, I've never been able to turn my back on what I consider wrong statements or outright lies. As a result, I've personally been excoriated for offering a counter view to certain political statements made in the forums. I've also been accused of taking away people's right of free speech for suggesting these discussions don't belong in a Train forum."

Wayne,
As reader of many forums , it's attitudes like yours that screw it up for others and really **** people off . Because your type is hard pressed to be civil . Your type just can't leave alone and move on . Nobody forces you to reply . And what makes you and those like you the the arbitrers of what is wrong or a lie . It's just your opinion . Like a bunch of old ladys on here .
My favoite saying is . " What goes around comes around "
Unless you do point to point
Certainly time for me to move on , it's only a hobby !
Joe

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

I see no problem with how the forum has been going lately. We could use a little humor or "off track" posts once in a while.

I applaud the move made. here. "Humor or off track" posts that include religious or political themes have proven themselves to be a magnet for trouble. If the subjects could be discussed reasonably and cordially it would be fine. The record here shows that it soon turns into a flame war by those too immature to participate in a cordial manner.

While I hate political discussions here, I've never been able to turn my back on what I consider wrong statements or outright lies. As a result, I've personally been excoriated for offering a counter view to certain political statements made in the forums. I've also been accused of taking away people's right of free speech for suggesting these discussions don't belong in a Train forum.

Again, thank you for restoring the forum to its primary mission, a discussion of railroading.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

I see no problem with how the forum has been going lately. We could use a little humor or "off track" posts once in a while.

[Anonymous]

yankee:

You have a good wife. I think my experience has been losing the battle and losing the war lol

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jjwest870

well.. I am a long time member of the Atlas forums and spend a lot of time there but I have to say.. this forum, by far, has a very high concentration of valuable threads.
I have found it to be useful with little fluff.

Absolutely! I've gotten too much valueble info on this forum that would have taken me an incredibly long time of rustling through books and magazines to find. As long as the topics or posts are not vulgar, profanity laden, or as Bergie pointed out-political it seems that we should be able to let the "fluff" float on through. [;)][8)]

If it's not interesting, bypass it. After going through 3 or 4 MTH topics in which there was quite a lot of heat [|(] [banghead] [:0] being displaced it seems like light hearted topics wouldn't be harmful here. [:p][:D][8D][8)]

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Muddy Creek

QUOTE: Originally posted by yankeejwb

I had a lady that lived across the street from me growing up that made it her mission to see how often she could get the cops called on me because I had a band that practiced in our attic. were we loud? YUP! Was it causing a disturbance in the neighborhood? Yeah, in all honesty it was. But did she get anywhere by being hostile and tattling on me to the cops? Nope. Actually, it made me worse! If she had been friendly about it and used a little diplomacy, I know things would have been different. [B)][:D]

This is completely off this "off-topic" topic, but your post reminded me of someone I met who did handle the loud musician problem diplomatically. Someone moved into a house near his, separated only by a small expanse of woods. After a number of late, sleepless nights, he dragged himself through the woods and pounded on the door until someone heard him above the music. He politely asked if the person was aware how the loud music was, how well it travelled through the woods was and how late at night it was.

Realizing his behavior was disturbing the neighbors, the newcomer apologized, promised there would be no more problems and parted friends with his new neighbor. He was true to his word and either soundproofed the place or practiced elsewhere after that.

The time: Mid-1960's, the town: Woodstock, NY. The noisemaker: Bob Dylan.

Wayne

On the Osbornes, Ozzy through a log through a window and Sharon through a ham and produce at the neighbours........well maybe that's a bad idea.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by yankeejwb

I had a lady that lived across the street from me growing up that made it her mission to see how often she could get the cops called on me because I had a band that practiced in our attic. were we loud? YUP! Was it causing a disturbance in the neighborhood? Yeah, in all honesty it was. But did she get anywhere by being hostile and tattling on me to the cops? Nope. Actually, it made me worse! If she had been friendly about it and used a little diplomacy, I know things would have been different. [B)][:D]

This is completely off this "off-topic" topic, but your post reminded me of someone I met who did handle the loud musician problem diplomatically. Someone moved into a house near his, separated only by a small expanse of woods. After a number of late, sleepless nights, he dragged himself through the woods and pounded on the door until someone heard him above the music. He politely asked if the person was aware how the loud music was, how well it travelled through the woods was and how late at night it was.

Realizing his behavior was disturbing the neighbors, the newcomer apologized, promised there would be no more problems and parted friends with his new neighbor. He was true to his word and either soundproofed the place or practiced elsewhere after that.

The time: Mid-1960's, the town: Woodstock, NY. The noisemaker: Bob Dylan.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

well.. I am a long time member of the Atlas forums and spend a lot of time there but I have to say.. this forum, by far, has a very high concentration of valuable threads.
I have found it to be useful with little fluff.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by yankeejwb

I had a lady that lived across the street from me growing up that made it her mission to see how often she could get the cops called on me because I had a band that practiced in our attic. were we loud? YUP! Was it causing a disturbance in the neighborhood? Yeah, in all honesty it was. But did she get anywhere by being hostile and tattling on me to the cops? Nope. Actually, it made me worse! If she had been friendly about it and used a little diplomacy, I know things would have been different. Same thing here. Brunton, if you jump on people and come across as a grump, you'll get nowhere. I'm not trying to get in on a dogpile against ya, I'm just being honest. Are you right? Yeah, and since Bergie pulled the voting post I guess that verifies your concern. But there is such a thing as winning the battle and losing the war...
My wife taught me that [B)][:D]

[#ditto]

[Anonymous]

I bring nothing to this forum. I just got started in HO trians some months ago, and I found this place and learned much. Both of my sons play football, which is like a full time job, and things got delayed. After all this time, I'm just now buying a DCC system (we have been working things with and old MRC transformer).

So, I always read everything here, but I am in no position to help anyone, hardly. When an "off-topic" thread gets started, then I can sometimes say something. It makes me feel like I belong, a little.

There's nothing wrong with it. Its like a bunch of guys putting a roof on a house together, or out back shooting clay birds together, or building the benchwork for a train layout together. And some subject comes up, which has nothing to do with roofing, or shotgun loads, or trains. And you talk a little about it, crack a few jokes about it, and then its over.

What's the big deal?

Jim

[bcammack]

Forum readership and content are like water. They seek their own level based on the forum moderators and their actions. There are innumerable model railroading forums available and so people tend to gravitate to the ones that suit their personality and interests.

It's impractical to anticipate that you can somehow coerce a forum to suit your sensibilities. As the cartoonist/philosopher B.Kliban once wrote, "One man's mate is another man's person." [:)]

[Anonymous]

I had a lady that lived across the street from me growing up that made it her mission to see how often she could get the cops called on me because I had a band that practiced in our attic. were we loud? YUP! Was it causing a disturbance in the neighborhood? Yeah, in all honesty it was. But did she get anywhere by being hostile and tattling on me to the cops? Nope. Actually, it made me worse! If she had been friendly about it and used a little diplomacy, I know things would have been different. Same thing here. Brunton, if you jump on people and come across as a grump, you'll get nowhere. I'm not trying to get in on a dogpile against ya, I'm just being honest. Are you right? Yeah, and since Bergie pulled the voting post I guess that verifies your concern. But there is such a thing as winning the battle and losing the war...
My wife taught me that [B)][:D]

[Anonymous]

I thought that was what Viagra is for ......... puerile dysfunction.

Now don't freak out Mr Model Railroad Police Chief (and his deputies here), Viagra has become mainstream, during Major League Baseball, NFL, NHL, etc

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ironmine

And if "puerile" implies childishness or immaturity, why not use one of the the words that everyone is familiar with? You impress no one, but yourself.

I thought puerile was a setting on the blender......



Sorry..it's just my inner....stop that! .....put the scissors away!...sorry, inner child coming out again...

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith



Religion - upstanding member, 24hr Drive-Thru Church of Elvis, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thank'ya Ma'am....[8D]

Would that be Pair O' Dice by the the dashboard lights.........


thank you, thank you very much

[Pruitt]

Maybe you're right, Junctionfan, maybe I do need to lighten up. I've been trying for a few years now not to get too cynical, and maybe I haven't been as successful as I would have liked.

Here's another idea - many boards have a forum specifically for personal, non-subject-related posts. Myabe there should be one here. Several folks have mentioned that the Model Railroader forums are like their "club." Why not a forum dedicated specifically to just that - conversations not necessarily related to model railroading. Call it "The Club," maybe. And limit this forum to more on-point (but still general) model railroading topics. That way, the folks for whom this forum is a social hour will one dedicated to precisely that function, and the curmudgeonly people like me won't have to wade through the "club" type posts.

[Anonymous]

Boy, I'm glad I don't live next door to a couple of the people here.

There's always that one house on the block where the people are always calling the police because they hate thier own lives, and they don't want anyone else having fun.

We are not perfoming brain surgery on children here ......we're playing with trains! This is not important. Lighten up!

And if "puerile" implies childishness or immaturity, why not use one of the the words that everyone is familiar with? You impress no one, but yourself.

Jim Lederer
NJ

[vsmith]

I'm actually glad the "VOTING FOR" topic got nuked....Someone said something that after reading I dismissed as a bad joke then upon reflection got a bit offended and was going to post a reply to clean his clock! But now, its gone and good riddence. I have gotten in trouble here on this very forum when I someone asked me why I hated a certain public figure so much, I explained it to him and got the topic nuked faster than you can say "Jack Mack and the Heart Attacks!"

This is a Hobby forum and I understand how bringing something devisive as Politics in is just not a good idea. I try to keep my political, social, and religious views to myself. I resent others who insist of pushing there beliefs on me and would not push mine onto others. So I stay on topic now. I'll joke around but I dont want to get into any real mud-slinging events anymore.

The SINGLE biggest reason I am still a LONE WOLF modeler today and do not socialize much with others in the hobby is that eventually Politics or Religion get brought into the fray, and "Oh you didnt vote for the so-and-s0" or "You dont believe THAT religion" type issues get brought up and it just goes to Hell on a tobagon after that...Thats the danger here, it just gets people devisive, bitter, and creates the same social/political/religious cliche's that have in my opinion screwed up the country.

If you want to discuss Politics or Religion or Social Values there are hundreds of sites for just that. Cklick on any new network forum and you can type away all you want to say.

As for me...just to clear up my position.

Political Party - Monster Raving Loony Party ( Originally created in England, Mr. Graham Chapman and Mr John Cleese our first party nominies)

Social Viewpoint- Usually scoping the room looking Cool sipping a Gin and Tonic!

Religion - upstanding member, 24hr Drive-Thru Church of Elvis, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thank'ya Ma'am....[8D]

[Junctionfan]

I think you need to lighten up a little. Life is too short to establish protocol for something that is supposed to be fun. This is no question period at the Senate, just a bunch of folk being friendly and trying to have a good time.

If it is that bad, do what some of the folk on the magazine part of the forum have had to do, e-mail Bergie. We have had to do this because of swearing but this isn't really that major. As far as subject matter is concerned, the only thing that Bergie seems to take exception to is politics and religion discussion-that's understandable.

I hope you can learn to have fun with the rest of us, we may go off topic from time to time but we are really a bunch of good people trying to me friendly and social.

[Pruitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

As for this topic it would be locked and then deleted.Reason? It is up to the moderators to decide what is or is not acceptable according to the forum rules of conduct ..And that is the way it should be.

Hmmm... looks like Brakie wants the moderator to censor me for having the audacity to ask that they review the topics and close the ones that aren't related to model railroading. Sounds kind of like the pot and the kettle to me....

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005
My question to you Mark is, what makes this topic any different from those about which you complain? It seems to me that you haven't spent enough time here to really get a feel for how this forum is moderated. This forum simply isn't run that way. The pure model railroading content you suggest would become rather dry and in-human after a while.

My answer to you Big_Boy_4005 is, This is about model railroad - related topics on this forum, therefore it is clearly related to model railroading. I'm simply asking that, on the Model Railroader forum, topics not relating to model railroading be closed.

I take it from your remarks about not having spent enough time here that you equate constantly flapping your keyboard on the forum with spending time on it. Take a look at the date you joined, and the date I joined. I've been here since nearly the beginning. You joined just shy of a year ago. I've probably spent at least as much time here as you have, and I've also seen the forums evolve. I understand at least as well as you how the forum is moderated. Some of us simply prefer to say something only when we have something TO say.


To all who have replied:

Yes, I did read posts in the topics I mentioned. I didn't read all the posts.

In my original post I said "There are many others that could be classified as inapproriate [oops - inappropriate]..." I could have been clearer by saying "There are many others that could perhaps be classified as inappropriate..."

And there have been people who have left because of all the superfluous stuff here that isn't related to model railroading, or where the relationship is tenuous at best. I haven't left. I don't feel alienated (at least not yet). But some have because they did. When things reach that point, where is the vaunted "fellowship?"

So I asked the moderators to review the topics and close the ones THEY think are inappropriate (I only gave some examples of ones I thought might be). The moderators will do what they feel is appropriate.

And I don't think asking a moderator to review parts of a forum, for whatever reason, is ever inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Yes, some of these topics are not directly train related, or are they? The Made In China topics, while starting off talking about modelrailroading manufacturers matured into a very intersting economic discussion. I personally think that this is very interesting as our hobby can be a microcosm of society as a whole, including economics. If where our trains are made induces one student to learn more about international trade and the like, then isn't it a good thing? The voting topic is interesting also. It is very obvious that upon reading the posts that our hobby is made up of a diverse group of people. I think that's good also (and our political leadership can determine where future mrr products come from - ie: 30 years ago dealing with China would not have been possible).

Are they off topic? Maybe. But when clubmembers sit around and shoot the bull - are they spending 100 percent of their time talking trains?

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by deschane


Thanks for giving me the word "PUERILE"! Now, if I could only figure out how to pronounce it?

mark, maybe this will help:
try this link: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?pueril01.wav=puerile
or if that does not work for you try ;
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=PUERILE&x=15&y=14 and click on the speaker. [(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Javern]

i think this is a moot, if the above mentioned topics were inappropriate the mods would have locked or yanked them already. It's their webspace, their rules, if a posted topic doesn't look interesting to you don't read it.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by n2mopac

I would contend that this "General" forum is not so much a model railroading forum as it is a forum for model railroaders. Some of the posts you mention (screen name meaning, who is a firefighter, etc.) actually gives us a chance to get to know something about other model railroaders, who they are, what motivates them, etc. While I myself have complained, even railed, about the large number of these posts compared to the small amount of responses to substantive modeling topics, I still believe that these topics are relevant and should not be "censored." (Yes, I used the "c" word.)

I have to agree that some topics are beyond my taste and view of what is appropriate. I had a problem with the call of nature thread. But, as stated by someone above, the membership here tends to shut these down pretty quickly. If you look at the voting thread, you will see that no political arguments have broken out there (thankd goodness) but it has turned into something of a joke. Is it model related? No. Does it help us get to know other model railroaders? Maybe. My suggestion is, if you don't like th topic, don't open it.

Ron

I really like the distinction that you have made there Ron. When you get down to it, this really is more about the people than it is about the trains. The trains are what we have as a common starting point.[^]

[Big_Boy_4005]

My question to you Mark is, what makes this topic any different from those about which you complain? It seems to me that you haven't spent enough time here to really get a feel for how this forum is moderated. This forum simply isn't run that way. The pure model railroading content you suggest would become rather dry and in-human after a while.

If you have ever been in a train club, you would understand that every conversation is not about trains. Posting this topic here and now is like walking into the club after being away for two years, and complaining about the way the layout was built or operated.

QUOTE: The "brain cops doing the weeding...." would be the forum moderator, of course! And I believe that person has on occasion posted requesting that people stop posting non-model railroad topics.

On this, I believe that you are mistaken. Perhaps you were on a different forum when you heard that message. Bergie has never said any such thing that I have heard. If you prefer your forum more censored, I suggest the OGR forum. I've heard good things about that there.