FREEDOM OF SPEECH

ok, as i see it now. we are NOT members, but guests. we are here by the grace of the owners. if we were members per se, we would have an opportunity to change things we as a whole group or majority do not like...
just trying to clarify things for others who may be new to the site
and need to understand all the "meanings of the rules and regulations"

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Originally Posted by 59caddy

ok, as i see it now. we are NOT members, but guests. we are here by the grace of the owners. if we were members per se, we would have an opportunity to change things we as a whole group or majority do not like...
just trying to clarify things for others who may be new to the site
and need to understand all the "meanings of the rules and regulations"

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We are members. We have an opportunity to change things so long as those changes are within the vision of what the owners want. I'm a member of my local country club. I have rules, and I don't have the freedom to behave like a buffoon. Why? Because it's a private establishment that grants access to those whom they deem worthy. Private fora are similar. We are members and are welcomed as long as we demonstrate an ability to behave like adults. When someone becomes belligerent on a consistent basis, why would anyone want them to be allowed to stay and spew their vitriol?

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Originally Posted by 59caddy

we are NOT members

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If you were not a member, you would not even be able to post here

How's that for stifling free speech? :D

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Originally Posted by hoglahoo

If you were not a member, you would not even be able to post here

How's that for stifling free speech? :D

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that would fall under the understanding of "rules and regulations" like i said above...would it not?
plus it has already been stated that there is no "freedom of speech" so in a subtle way it is stifled:D

There is no true freedom of speech anywhere if you can not be reasonable about it, Why is it that the anomimity of the internet can turn people into as*holes, I for one look forward to gentlemanly disagreement, but there is no call for being a jackas*, we all encounter enough of those in person!

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Originally Posted by richmondesi

We have the right to partake of the great free knowledge and wisdom that is dispensed liberally. We have the right to to enjoy and share in each other's company, experiences, trials, triumphs, learning, etc. And we have the right to disagree about things without being a jerk. The guy in question was constantly looking for a fight from what I could tell. I say good riddance.

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And along with those rights come responsibilities.

It seems that those that shout loudest about their rights are usually the most irresponsible.

Things must have changed a lot since I learned life's lessons on the playground. If your gonna continually pop off at the mouth, don't be surprised when ya get punched in the nose.

Someone got an electronic punch in the nose. Lets hope it is as effective in building character as the old version was.

Moderators, HATS OFF TO YA! :rock::rock::rock:

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Originally Posted by 59caddy

let me see if i have this right... the mods have all the rights including the right to ban whoever whenever for whatever reason, if it meets their criteria.
we as members have no rights and no recourse. is this correct?:thinking:

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You got that right.

Personally I think the mods here do an excellent job and are very fair in allowing people to express their opinions and views.

Where people come unstuck is the WAY they express themselves. I could say I'm left wing or right wing or Hindu or Christian and theres no problem with that. I have never seen anyone banned here for supporting or believing in one thing or another, be it Obama or anything else.

But I do see, and would expect to see, people banned for being aggressive, argumentative and disrespectful.

The mods always ask people politely to tone things down, or send a quiet PM before resorting to a ban. Certainly I've never seen anyone banned outright for a single comment!

I think we have a very fair system here and a clear set of rules and guidelines on how to behave. As other members have mentioned, its like being a part of any other club and invited into someones living room. If you dont like it, dont join!

If I join a Gentlemans club in Mayfair, then go in and start mouthing off like some of the guys here who have been banned, you can bet pennies to pounds that I'd be kicked out..!

Points of view are not the problem, aggressive and rude people who dont know when to keep quiet are the problem.

Thanks to the mods and to Lynn! You guys do a great job here and I for one appreciate it!

I hear they're going to change the background to red, play really bad music that we have to march too and post videos instead of honing vids, make us all do a mandatory 4 hours a day of ebay razor farming and we're going to be required to look miserable and cold in the oldest rattiest clothes we can find.

I'ts only a rumor, right enough ;)

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Originally Posted by gregs656

I hear they're going to change the background to red, play really bad music that we have to march too and post videos instead of honing vids, make us all do a mandatory 4 hours a day of ebay razor farming and we're going to be required to look miserable and cold in the oldest rattiest clothes we can find.

I'ts only a rumor, right enough ;)

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So, you mean that many members will pretty much not have to change anything. :)