POLITICAL COMMENTARY IN POSTS

[kmclemore]

Hi folks. I dislike doing this, but every once in a while I seem to need to do so. My apologies for having to interject.

As all of you know, we do not allow *any* political commentary in posts on this forum. No trolling, no insinuations, no images with political content… no politics, full stop.

This forum is well known as one of the most friendly boating forums on the ‘net, and one of the reasons is because we stick to talking about boats, and to helping each other to get the most out of our involvement with boats. I like to think of it as a “gentleman’s club” for boating enthusiasts, where courtesy and brotherhood are warmly shared, and where offering ideas and advice, and regaling each other with tales and experiences is the order of the day.
(Note: I use the terms “gentlemen’ and “brotherhood”, with the acknowledgement that this also encompasses and welcomes our greatly valued sisters as well.)

For our part, as moderators and administrators, we don’t allow folks to start arguments, to troll others with potentially inciting content, or to otherwise make others uncomfortable or unwelcome because of their personal views. That being said, we moderators still strive to take a light touch wherever possible, and to strongly limit our editing or ‘censorship’, relying instead on the members to follow the rules and moderate their own content to keep to the spirit of this forum. When we feel that not happening as it should, we start by reminding folks of the rules to get things back on an even keel.

So… I know some of you have expressed your discomfort with particular members who have posted politically motivated images and content. We have contacted them and requested that they refrain from doing so, and we expect they will respond in a manner which honors the spirit of this forum.

A while back, OverEasy may have wisely reflected the spirit of this forum best, with a post he made shortly after he joined the forum:

Thank You for a great site!

As “newbies” we REALLY appreciate the emphasis on the MacGregor and sailing as we learn the ropes.
We are on board with giving a wide berth around the politics and religious as there are more than enough specific places for that.
We like that we have one place where one does not have be prepared batten down the hatches to avoid the vitriolic.
We very much enjoy the absence of loose cannons firing off below decks just to rock the boat.
Thank you for a consistent ship-shape copper bottomed site and taking the right tack.
Stemming the tide of tempest tossed useless barrel bottom scraping rhetoric is not an easy thing to do.

It is refreshing to have an actual normal space in life.
This site give hope that there are good places where the glass has turned.
May you have fair winds and following seas.

Thank You!

Best Regards and Appreciation for a Great Site!
Over Easy

(Highlights added by me.)

I ask that everyone please do their best to keep to the spirit of this forum, and to encourage others to do the same.

Thank you.
Kevin McLemore
Mac Forum Admin

[Russ]

Thanks Kevin.

Many members may not be aware of the efforts the moderators make to keep this site clean and friendly.

It's a constant struggle to block spammers and DOD attacks. Lately we have seen more attacks from Eastern Block countries. It's a cat and mouse game of plugging a hole and they find another exception. When that happens we sometimes get "Resources exhausted" message during the attack.

Moderators hate to "censor" forbidden posts but rules are rules and often need to be enforced.
Here are the rules. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4747

It's so much better if moderators are not forced to make decisions to delete something that breaks the forum rules. It's not fair to place them in that position where they get criticized for enforcing rules.

This is still the friendliest forum on the web and we appreciate all the contributions members make.

Fair Winds

[dlandersson]

WADR, I think we've seen more efforts from south Asia. Just sayn'

Thanks Kevin.

Many members may not be aware of the efforts the moderators make to keep this site clean and friendly.

It's a constant struggle to block spammers and DOD attacks. Lately we have seen more attacks from Eastern Block countries. It's a cat and mouse game of plugging a hole and they find another exception. When that happens we sometimes get "Resources exhausted" message during the attack.

Moderators hate to "censor" forbidden posts but rules are rules and often need to be enforced.
Here are the rules. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4747

It's so much better if moderators are not forced to make decisions to delete something that breaks the forum rules. It's not fair to place them in that position where they get criticized for enforcing rules.

This is still the friendliest forum on the web and we appreciate all the contributions members make.

Fair Winds

[Ixneigh]

I do appreciate all the effort to keep this site moderated so the topics don’t drift too far away from the subject of boating. Plus, half the sites I see now are so crudded up with ads they are nearly unusable. I concur and have always, with the “no politics” policy. If we want “anarchy” it’s on the web and easy to find. But I’m here a lot, lot more then over there.

Ix

[NiceAft]

Being a moderator is not something we get paid to do. It’s not something which gets heaps of praise. We do it because we appreciate this site, and Russ for rescuing it.

If we contact anyone with some concern, please respect it; just acknowledge that we obey the same rules, that sometimes, we reluctantly have to enforce.

[dlandersson]

Feel free to donate some spare change. I do it every Xmas

I do appreciate all the effort to keep this site moderated so the topics don’t drift too far away from the subject of boating. Plus, half the sites I see now are so crudded up with ads they are nearly unusable. I concur and have always, with the “no politics” policy. If we want “anarchy” it’s on the web and easy to find. But I’m here a lot, lot more then over there.

Ix