Rules and differing opinions

[Brian1212]

I have been informed by the moderators that I am not allowed to talk badly about this forum.
Most members on orchidboard will not be aware of this rule, I am aware of it but I think it is not very democratic.
If I were living in china I might be used to such rules about negative propaganda against the state where they even execute people for such a crime.

But we have people from all over the world on this site, not just from china.
America is a democracy with freedom of speech and I believe an online forum should be the same but I can also see the appeal of running it like china which is of course easier for the moderators.

If the people don't like it they get executed. It works.

Should orchidboard be run the same way is what I want to know. The moderators have told me and they will probably delete this as anti forum propaganda but I want to know what the members think.

Should orchidboard be censoring posts or should open discussions discussing different opinions and point of views be allowed?

[DirtyCoconuts]

of course they should be censoring the things they deem inappropriate or offensive.

Even in America where there is "free" speech you still cant say anything with no consequence.

this is not a state, this is not your house, this is a digital construct of a community and it adheres to the same principals of any society...you exchange certain freedoms for the benefits of living with others.


If you don't want to be here, no one is forcing you, it is not a right to be here. Someone pays for the bandwidth and they have every right to run it as they see fit.

[fishmom]

Brian, I suggest you go to the expense and effort of setting up a forum that will mimic this one. Then you can run it the way you see fit.

[Keysguy]

I'm fairly new here but it seems to me this forum is very liberal compared to most other forums (not just orchids) where I visit. Basically it feels like as long as people are civil to each other the mods will leave you alone. And that's pretty much what the rules say.

[AnonYMouse]

If someone came to your house and spoke badly about you, you wouldn't kick them out?

[neophyte]

Hi Brian, I'd just like to point out two things. First, you're still acting belligerently and, quite frankly, being racist. Secondly, besides affirming what the other members have said, I would like to address your appeal to "free speech," an ideal that you attribute to the Constitution. Here's the First Amendment, copied word for word: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Orchidboard is not Congress; it is a private entity and thus is legally entitled to moderate posts that are unfounded and seek to smear its reputation (an intent conveyed clearly by one of your earlier posts). If you feel that orchidboard is not the place for you, then by all means, feel free to leave. Have a nice day.

[WaterWitchin]

I am frankly very glad that you're seeking out to poll the members of OB. I'm the moderator who is dealing with your issues. And I'm darned happy to have you poll the membership to see what others have to say.

From a non-moderator standpoint, WaterWitchin sez:

This is a paid for forum by someone, not a country whether democratic, socialist, communist, etc. As neophyte says, it's a private entity. You can choose to be here or not. Your choice. But you don't get to dictate how the forum is run. And you don't have the right to trash talk its membership. Were I not a moderator, I would have words for you. Unfortunately, it might get me barred from this forum and I don't want that.

As a moderator, I would tell you that you've gone through many personas. It's useless to ban you, because you'll just come back under a different name, with your same old tired skipping trace ISP's. Then we start the cycle over. From a moderator standpoint, you make me tired. And sad that you have nothing better to do.

I hope many more members take the time to chime in and tell you what they think. And the non-moderator part of me ain't wishing you a good day.

---------- Post added at 05:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:44 PM ----------

As info, from 2006 by the owner of this board, one of his few rules (in the event one has never seen it) is below:

While debating and discussion is fine, we will not tolerate rudeness, insulting posts, personal attacks or purposeless inflammatory posts. Our decision is final in these matters

[DirtyCoconuts]

i support WW Implicitly and Explicitly

...is there a "kick rocks" smiley?

[WaterWitchin]

Well yes, there are a couple...

and

[neophyte]

The dead horse emoticon is a bit terrifying, to be honest... :P