I think most of you above are missing the point.
Shouldn't we be able to expect the host of this forum to be a little more Olympian, to realize that boys will be boys and to be above the occasional cheap shots and especially the crybabies who go crying to Mama when they get an owie?
Let's take a step back and remember office politics. Mr. Schmidt sounds to me like someone who is watered because a new unwelcome duty has been dumped in his lap.
For his unhappiness not to be taken out on forum members -- and Trains subscribers! -- is my fondest, not unreasonable, wish.
In case nobody else has noticed, this forum has gotten slow and dull enough, all on its own, in recent months.
Firelock76Firelock's Rule: You can question someone's opinion, but NEVER his intelligence or integrity.
Alas, some folks seem to feel that if you question their opinion, you are questioning, nay - demeaning, their intelligence and/or integrity.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Convicted One LOL, which begs the question: do "real men" report threads to moderators?
LOL, which begs the question: do "real men" report threads to moderators?
I do, but only when things get out of hand to the point that it is obstructing other, perhaps more productive discussions. The only 2 posts/threads I have ever reported were the Made In America and Conrail/Amtrak/Socialism threads over the past week, and I would note that new and productive discussions on some of the better content in those threads has since started, and in a polite manner, so people took the hint. Perhaps there is still antimosity between the warring parties and they have shifted to PM'ing each other, but at least I don't have to look at their ugly posts while reading Dave Klepper's responses about Israel's railways.
So in my limited experience here I think the reporting/moderating system works pretty well.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Gee, a "bad order" card for egos. I guess that's the "railroad" context for this thread.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Firelock76I was insulted once for a response to a Forum topic
There are a handful of regulars here who appear to believe their insults are warranted whenever they target someone they see as a "nere-do-well", And if that targeted individual dare swipe back, then THEY are branded as the "one who started the trouble" go figure.
We as a society have this tendency to attribute to a single cause, problems that in actuality are a product of many. It is from this that a majority of our controversies originate. You can quote me on this.
dakotafred Is this a solution looking for a problem?
I would opine that Mr Schmidt's rationale is slightly flawed. Topics and subjects do not start flame wars. Intolerant narcissistic crybabies start flamewars with their incessant praddle about defending their turf. "Wah, you made my head hurt by discussing a topic which my personal insecurities see as controversial, RIGHT HERE IN MY E-LIVING ROOM"...etc.
The best thing to do with trolls is ignore them. I was insulted once for a response to a Forum topic but just blew it off.
With a gentle admonition to the insulter that not everyone's as tolerant as I am.
Firelock's Rule: You can question someone's opinion, but NEVER his intelligence or integrity.
No, it is a troll who picks a fight, and when he gets his butt haned back to him, he whines to the mods about being picked on, even though he starts the fight in the first place.
Typical troll action.
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I am sorry to read Mr. Schmidt's post on top. It seemed to me Angie and Steve were doing very nicely with their lighter touch. I, for one, have noticed no important flame wars of late. Is this a solution looking for a problem?
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