Do any members act as moderaters?

[Anonymous]

I was just curious, I am not complaining. I had just noticed that, if Big Boy 4005 decides a topic is getting out of hand, it gets dropped. Does he, or any one, have the ability to stop threads? Or is his oppion just respected by Bergie?

[chad thomas]

Although some here like to believe they are, NO.

[IRONROOSTER]

Anyone can email Bergie if they think a thread has a problem. I have myself. He decides what to do. From time to time he posts guidelines, which I think are very reasonable.
Enjoy
Paul

[Murphy Siding]

No,probably not,but some of us aren't above pointing out when some posters are being too serious or political.[;)]. I come to this forum for escape from reality, and to read about railroads. If I wanted to argue and debate, I'd just save some time and insult my wife's cooking.[:-,]

[rrnut282]

[#ditto]

[Mookie]

I am never moderate....

Moo

[samfp1943]

Murphy: Down South that would get you not only a good fight but a dose of "Skillet Rash"[B)][:D]

[blhanel]

I don't like to participate in debates, as it usually leads to others disliking me, which you could almost say I have a phobia for. I do enjoy watching others debate, though- hence the intake of large amounts of popcorn![:D]

I would never complain about threads becoming too political, although I don't care for the way some people dis our government leaders, particularly the current prez. I used to be more active in a forum where my son had a blog- those guys made the more radical members here look like choir boys/girls.

[chad thomas]

OK Chris, I think I found a new place to set up the popcorn machine and keg.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

OK Chris, I think I found a new place to set up the popcorn machine and keg.

Good. I thought the popcorn was gone forever. Before this one's over we might go through a bunch of it.


m

[Anonymous]

AHHH! Now I will forebver be followed by these people with a popcorn machine.

[chad thomas]

James, It's not you. It's the crowd you hang out with.[;)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

James, you have no idea how much time I spend here on these forums. Not just the Trains Magazine forum, but ALL of them. As such I have learned the rules and policies here, sometimes the hard way. If I see activity that violates those rules, I will first try to persuade the poster to stop. If that fails, I will notify Bergie.

In the case of "SAVE AMTRAK" I had just emailed Bergie, however somebody beat me to it. I am no better than anyone else here, and have no special powers. I'm just a little more outspoken sometimes, and part of that can be attributed to the amount of time I spend here. There isn't much I don't see.

The very existance of these forums is on thin ice, as was outlined in a post from our host a few short weeks ago. I do not want to see them pull the plug, which was one of the options being considered. Bergie has duties associated with his job, other than "babysitting " the forums. This is why I do not seek remedy from Bergie hastily.

If you are asked to stop doing something, by me or anybody else in the future, please take the advice.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

[AntonioFP45]

James, Big_Boy_4005

I emailed Bergie about the Amtrak topic just after I had posted about the flaming.

Guys, As Big Boy has stated many times before........we are all equal here!! [:)][:D]

The number of stars forum members have does not connote rank on this forum.

Bottom Line: If a topic is getting out of hand with flaming torpedoes flying left and right, then the right thing to do is to E-Mail Bergie and let him know. He will lock it, or delete it. If the topic is "OK" then he will leave it be. At times, he will even chime in with a comment. [;)]

I've noticed though that a number of us will allow flaming to go on and on. Yes, it can be entertaining and I've even been a spectator. But come on, when things get personal and offensive it's time to say something about it.

This forum is respected and has a great reputation. IMHO, it's a cut above the many other railroading related forums......... So, why let flaming push it down to the toilet level?

Peace and High Greens, crew.

[vsmith]

I'm lurking in the shadow's...hehehehe

[Big_Boy_4005]

Antonio good buddy, you didn't have to fess up on this one, I was perfectly willing to take the heat, but thanks. [swg]

See James, it isn't just me.[;)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I'm lurking in the shadow's...hehehehe

Yes Vic, but no popcorn?[:p][:D][;)] Around here that seems to be the lurker's trademark. The no comment, comment.

[Mookie]

And I missed all the excitement ....again!

[CopCarSS]

Ahhhh...good...I thought I was going to have popcorn withdrawl. Brought in a keg of Blue Moon this time, Chad. You like Wheat Ales?

James, I will chime in with a couple bits of advice. I was once in your shoes, and shared your enthusiasm. In fact, I still do, but just don't get as animated about it. I like to think of myself as an independent with conservative leanings. However, one president that I have a tremendous amount of respect for was the first, and in my opinion, best Republican president, Abraham Lincoln.

If you get a chance, study Lincoln's written works, and especially his debates. He was quite the wordsmith. He could get his point across like few other men in the history of our great country. Instead of yelling and slinging personal attacks, try emulating Lincoln sometime. Discussions will be better, and your words will carry a lot more weight.

Above all, don't lose your interest in history, or your belief in our great country. If only all of the younger populus shared your passions.

Oh yeah, once in awhile, it's OK to grab some popcorn, and a pop (I'll share the suds with you when you're old enough), and watch the discussion. Sometimes the best way to learn is to keep your mouth shut (or eating) and ears open.

Best of luck to you.

[chad thomas]

Well Chris, I'm a loyoal Steel Reserve drinker but if you're buying I'm down with whatever you got.

.....The no comment comment.[;)] lurker's choice. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Cop Car SS, glad I wasn't alone.

[vsmith]

1 Guinness Please! ...and some pretzels too...popcorn tastes lousy with beer!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

No,probably not,but some of us aren't above pointing out when some posters are being too serious or political.[;)].

I don't think you can keep politics out of railroading anymore than you can keep railroading out of politics
I think that the primary cause of political discussion being dragged to the ugly, personal level, is when somone having a point of view that they are not entirely confident with is confronted with opposed opinion, it makes them feel like the opposed opinion is singling them out as being "wrong"...and that makes them become defensive.

Maybe if they had a bigger "horn" they wouldn't feel so insecure? [;)]

What annoys me is when I am having a spirited debate (for example, with someone I've known for a while and know they are just as hard headed as I am, and we are having fun with each other) and someone totally removed from that friendship comes along and high handedly decides to insert themselves as moderator/peace maker.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Guys, I love the popcorn smiley, but I have real mixed feelings about it's use.

On the one hand it is an indication that you don't want to get involved in an ugly topic, but you are watching.

On the other hand, each time you post to that topic, you bring it back to the top of the pile. So, while you are not directly contributing to the problem, you are indirectly perpetuating it. See the issue?

We ( I mean that it is in everyone's best interest ) want problem topics to die, quickly and quietly. If we can't do it ourselves, we turn to Bergie, and he is appreciative, and responds quickly.

The ultimate goal is that we need to learn to police ourselves. It would be much more constructive if you would simply say sonething like "Please stop, before there's more trouble", rather than egging it on with popcorn and beer.

So, what do you say? Why not step up and be a good citizen in cyber space, and not leave it up to a few people to look like the bad guys.

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates
...
What annoys me is when I am having a spirited debate (for example, with someone I've known for a while and know they are just as hard headed as I am, and we are having fun with each other) and someone totally removed from that friendship comes along and high handedly decides to insert themselves as moderator/peace maker.

Ah yes[:D], but with just the printed word it's sometimes hard to tell.
Enjoy
Paul

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates
...
What annoys me is when I am having a spirited debate (for example, with someone I've known for a while and know they are just as hard headed as I am, and we are having fun with each other) and someone totally removed from that friendship comes along and high handedly decides to insert themselves as moderator/peace maker.

Ah yes[:D], but with just the printed word it's sometimes hard to tell.
Enjoy
Paul

Which is exactly why we have smiles and popcorn eatin. To lighten things up.[;)]

[CopCarSS]

Elliot,

While I hear what you're saying, I also kind of agree with Chad. Perhaps with the Popcorn Smily the arguing parties can agree to just how silly it all is. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I got involved in some real dusies over at Photo.net. There are a bunch of absolutists over there and arguing with them can get quite heated.

In one of my threads, a British fellow gave me some advice. He said to look at it this way: "It's all a bit of crack, but some people take it seriously." Crack, as I understand it in the Irish English lexicon means something equivalent to fun or merriment. Sometimes I think that little pearl could be very true for this forum.

I'll try to lay off the Popcorn and Beer a bit, but I can't guarantee that they'll always be left alone. Some threads just cry out for them...after all, It's all a bit of crack, but some people take it seriously! [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER

[i]

Ah yes[:D], but with just the printed word it's sometimes hard to tell.
Enjoy
Paul

Yes, true.

but it gets funny sometimes. I've been at this for a good while, and moderate other forums that I and my friends run lock stock and barrel... we set the rules, and generally rule #1 is that there i are no rules.

Knowing each other like a book, some of the mods and i often take our difference to the next level, just for kicks we always end up being friends over it, cause we know it's all in fun.

every once in a while, a tenderfooted newbie comes along, who is shocked at the level of heat on the air, and thinks they are going to be a peace maker. It's fun to play like that.

Especially since a newbie will usually side with whichever of the 2 of us would be friendly to them first.

So, you got this new guy thinking he's being GREAT and that he's on your side, so what you do? you get yout opponent to start beating up on him first, then, you turn against the meddeler, so it's the 2 moderators beating up on the new guy, acting like he started the whole "fight"..

So, then the newbie usually starts whining about "doesn't this forum have any moderation?" Not realizing that he's been "moderated" for the past hour or so.....

Lotta fun, and teaches a valuable lesson to people who need to mind their own business, but just cant seem to get over the hump[8D]

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