Dear Rob... — Page 3

LOL gimmick!

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Rob your boards are awesome. its great that everyone is created equal no matter how long they have been a part of them, or their gender, sexuality and political leanings.

censorship is dangerous, so maybe a LIKE/DISLIKE function would go along way in voicing displeasure with a comment, but keeping the exchange of ideas open.

I do wish you would look into all the vile misogynist insults being thrown around here. the guidelines do mention this but nothing ever seems to be done.

And please look into the BULLYING.

Thank you.

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Updated On: 8/21/13 at 02:14 PM

A private business that runs a message board is not a democracy. Eliminating trolls in no way qualifies as "censorship" though it is a favorite accusation hurled by trolls.

Anyone with any experience here can look around and see people who post peacefully and respectfully and like and love each other across and between all political stances, ages, genders and sexual orientations.

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Updated On: 8/21/13 at 02:18 PM

As Torrance Shipman once said, 'This is not a democracy, it's a cheerocracy.'

Reinstate the ignore feature and we'll see how it pans out. I suspect things will quickly return to normal.

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"GOD, The Pope, Russia to name some are mentioned."

Well, you're wrong, and I hope after I post this most recent example that disproves your assertion that you will leave here because even those examples you just posted are trolling:

Recently, a poster from long ago returned after an absence. She is BELOVED here. When last she posted she had accepted a teaching position at a Christian grade school and had had her first child. People who knew her then greeted her warmly and were very excited to have her back here. EVERY REGULAR POSTER HERE LOVES HER. She proudly describes trying to live her Christian life. EVERYBODY ADORES HER.

The fact that you have posted this list does not reflect the reality of how people are treated here but IS an example of you trolling, suestorm. Using the actual definition of trolling.

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Namo - what a nice thing to say

"Sometimes one person's troll is another person's long-time online adversary..

Fair enough, but it isn't right for even a longtime poster to enter a thread for no other reason than to attack another poster (which at least one poster in this thread does often).

IMO, any personal attacks, especially those of a violent nature or involving name-calling, ought never be tolerated - so I do think spamming, baiting, and personal attacks should be included as against your rules. I also think that there at least be should be suspensions for those who repeatedly break the rules.

You can include me in those who have used this board less and less because of trolls and personal attacks from a few of the older posters. I agree the ignore button should return. It will remove temptation from those who cannot help themselves from responding to trolls.

Much thanks for the board itself and for publicly addressing this issue.

Well said, Namo.

Conversely, there are several posters here with whom I disagree profoundly, including on matters of politics and of faith. Sometimes we have heated exchanges. But they're not trolls. I'd argue they're often wrong, sometimes plain ol' stupid, but not trolls.

Everyone knows the difference. Except, apparently, the actual trolls.

I enjoy a spirited debate, Reginald, but to post for no other reason than to insult adds nothing to the board. I agree, however, that I would not call them trolls.

I also agree with Namo, especially this:

"A private business that runs a message board is not a democracy. Eliminating trolls in no way qualifies as "censorship" "

No one has a right to the board. We are here because Rob has provided it to us.

Updated On: 8/21/13 at 02:45 PM

I have no doubt posters will use the block feature. But as Namo said, I caution everyone to use it sparingly. The more people you block, the more you alienate yourself from a normal thread "conversation."

Still, the trolls will be "gone" in a matter of seconds after it happens.

The thing about trolls is that's their only reason for being here. They don't join in discussions with normal (even contradictory) comments, because they have nothing to contribute other than stirring the pot and agitating others so the attention switches to them. They're starved for attention. And even negative attention is better than none (to them).

If you take that way, they will go away. They'll be bored that it's "not about them."

That spells death to a troll.

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"I caution everyone to use it sparingly."

Which is probably why the sense behind the scenes here is that people didn't use it very much.

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