I see no reason to remove erroneous postings. Just like open source software, I believe it is our duty as a community to determine the best possible outcomes or conclusions. Removing postings would ruin the continuity of a discussion. Removing intermediate steps in a thought process or discussion may break the traceability of a developing discsussions.

This happens all the time when threads are split. There are also examples of capricious thread deletions by some moderators.

This happens all the time when threads are split. There are also examples of capricious thread deletions by some moderators.

I can't recall an instance of a thread being split without redirection being left behind. WRT "capricious thread deletions" you'll need to define "capricious" and perhaps give an example.

I can't recall an instance of a thread being split without redirection being left behind. WRT "capricious thread deletions" you'll need to define "capricious" and perhaps give an example.
I thought you would ask Jim. As you know capricious means "on a whim", or for "no known reason". How can I show you a thread that has been deleted?

A thread named "Canada Jumps to the Right" was deleted.

I thought you would ask Jim. As you know capricious means "on a whim", or for "no known reason". How can I show you a thread that has been deleted?

A thread named "Canada Jumps to the Right" was deleted.It was deleted due to its political nature. If politics is what you want to discuss, there are other forums.

It was deleted due to its political nature. If politics is what you want to discuss, there are other forums.
Not interested in participating in a pissing match, but there are many threads of a political nature that have not been deleted.

Please don't get yourself worked up Al, I know how huffy you can get when people disagree with you.

Not interested in participating in a pissing match, but there are many threads of a political nature that have not been deleted.

Please don't get yourself worked up Al, I know how huffy you can get when people disagree with you.Not at all. I'm sure you have examples of that too.

Not interested in participating in a pissing match, but there are many threads of a political nature that have not been deleted.

The thread you referred to was deleted almost immediately, and it was deleted because it's sole purpose was starting a political discussion, and you know that political discussions are verboten here. Sometimes threads, as they develop, become political, at which point someone usually steps in and redirects the conversation. There's no point in deleting an entire thread that gets off topic and heads in an undesireable direction. So is there an example of an actual "capricious" deletion?

Here are just three examples of political threads that were not deleted. There are many more.

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=11408&highlight=politics
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=12569&highlight=politics
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=14367&highlight=politics

Not interested in participating in a pissing match Nor am I, so let's not have one... :nono:

The thread subject was, I believe, Moderators, Experts and Misinformation in the forums - A discussion... Not deletion of political threads.

/Claes

Nor am I, so let's not have one... :nono:

The thread subject was, I believe, Moderators, Experts and Misinformation in the forums - A discussion... Not deletion of political threads.

/Claes
You are missing the point Claes and I believe this is very relevant. It relates to inconsistency in moderation that is all. No pissing match from me. Just the facts.

Look, tarheels - I think you just want to carry on just to carry on. I don't think you feel welcome here and I think you expect too much. You imply there can be 'consistent' moderation. There will be differences. Live with it.

No pissing match from me. Just the facts.Good. We agree then.

/Claes

Split from Moderators, Experts and Misinformation in the forums - A discussion (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=15130)

Tarheels4,

I've had a post or two deleted off myself. I had absolutely no problem with it happening. I'm a small $ Contributor here, but this site does not belong to me, it belongs to Marc, who has a HUGE investment in it in years and money. This is his place, and his rules apply. He and the other moderators are human beings, and are by definition, not perfect. Maybe there is sometimes a bit of inconsitancy in the moderation, but I think they do great, overall.

Marc has asked, time and again, to keep politics and religion out of the threads, even the off topic sections. He has that right, as sole owner of this site. The internet is NOT a place where "constitutionally guaranteed" rights hold sway, and so we don't have the right to discuss whatever we wish, when on a private site. I have been around here when political/religious toned posts were let go, and it coud get a little rough. Marc didn't keep this site open with this much participation by letting the site denigrate into something like that. There are plenty of other boards that one can go to for that. I visit a great MS Access board with an OT section. The political/religious threads are pretty grueling, and the biggest posters there don't really contribute much out on the main boards, much of the time. Great way for a site to implode.

As I noted, a couple of my own posts were zapped because of the tone. I should have used my head and not started posts like those, innocent as the intent was. Those subjects are not welcome here, and I must abide by that if I want to remain. I do want to remain, so I try to abide by that. If I get sick of the rules, or believe moderation is too inconsistant, I can exercise my right not to come here. I personally love it here, and am fine with the way things are run.

I also failed to see any reason for your post to Al Rosen. He simply made a short statement of reasons for thread termination.

Hey guys, I've even had stuff deleted, received a mild nasty-gram or 2 and accused of being one of the "Dominator's" or big "Bugga-boo's" in here, hijacking threads and being downright mean and nasty. It's no big deal. It sure isn't personal and there's no reason to get traumatized and have a Pentacostal fit....OOPS! Religion reference:mybad:

Now, back to West Wing on Bravo...................

Now, back to West Wing on Bravo...................

I assume you were being funny with this comment. You do not seem the type to be a West Wing fan. I apologize in advance if this comment has offended anyone.

On the other issue of the moderators inappropriately deleting threads, Marc owns the board and is free to ask a moderator to step down if that is happening. In effect, the moderator either removes the political or religious comments per Marc's rules or Marc corrects or removes the moderator if not done correctly.

Personally, I think the moderators do a good job of keeping discussions on track, separating them as needed and controlling unwanted postings. :applause: What has to be tough is participating in a discussion when you are both the moderator and want to be a contributor. Maybe that is where the problems occur.

BilL Pflanz

I really don't think the detetion of threads is a problem here, folks. This thread is making it sound as if it's a common occurrance and it is not.

Does the cove recommend any political forums for those members to be directed to? That way we can just show a link to a political forum. I haven't found any decent political forums on the web yet. Don't dare mention Ya$, there's is about worthless with all the botting. As far as deletions, I don't feel its a problem here.

Let's do this - I have another forum software sorta set up that I was testing a while back. I can activate it over the weekend. Since it's separate from THIS forum, maybe we can consider someplace to address these issues. I'd prefer not to have religious or political links (and discussion we all know will ensue) in this forum.

Let's keep this forum for business.

I assume you were being funny with this comment. You do not seem the type to be a West Wing fan.
BilL Pflanz

Have loved and enjoyed it from Day 1. The characters have become almost family members. I watch re-runs every morning on Bravo while at my desk. Some episodes, like the Korean War veteran who died homeless and was buried in Arlington were brilliant in their feeling. Judi and I have actually watched episodes at the same time while I was in another city while talking on the phone. The last couple of seasons have gone flat, but it's still a good series. The loss of John Spencer was a shock, especially since his character had recovered from a heart attack...Who would ever had thought of that coincidence?

:topic: from subject folks, I apologize.

I really don't think the detetion of threads is a problem here, folks. This thread is making it sound as if it's a common occurrance and it is not.Good point. It is most certainly not.

In fact, most of our time is spent answering questions and taking part in discussions. As forums go, this is a very calm haven to be a moderator in.

/Claes

Sorry for continuing Randy's slightly :topic: point, but I’ve also been a West Wing junkie from the start. Amazing writing and ensemble acting, and a great way for us foreign folks to learn about how your political system works over there.

The bit where I got hooked was at the end of Episode 1, where there's a heated argument going on between some religious activists and the White House Senior Staffers about the ten commandments.

Someone asks "So what IS the first commandment?" and before anyone in the room can answer, President Bartlet storms into the room (on a sprained ankle) and proclaims "I am the Lord, your God. Thou shall worship no other God before me! Boy, those were the days, huh?". The best entrance by a TV character I can remember.

We're a series behind in the UK, but I think after the slight lull in Series 5 (after Sorkin left) series 6 (which ends with Leo becoming Santos' running mate) really found its feet toward the end. I’ve got all 6 series released so far on DVD - it’s even better watching without commercials. I haven't yet seen any of series 7 (the current series being shown in the US), but it's both sad and understandable that it will be the last. I always hoped for a movie, but with the sad loss of John Spencer (one of America’s finest character actors) I'm not so sure...

Going back on topic, I haven't been on here long enough to have an opinion on most of what's being said in this thread, but I will say that IMHO this is a fantastic forum, it's totally understandable and sensible that we don't delve into political discussion, and we're all grown up enough to know when we're crossing the line. I don't see this as a big problem, and if I had a post deleted I would feel more embarrassed for causing the problem, rather than angry.

Keep up the good work everyone. :agree1: