Warpath Myth vs. Reality

[SmootSmack]

Lately there have been some amazingly ignorant assumptions about this site and the administrative decisions made by the moderators.

So let's clear some things up.

Myth: You cannot speak your mind and are "absolutely in no way allowed to question anything that has to do with the Redskins. If you dont drink the Kool-aid you're an idiot who has no idea what your talking about

Reality: First of all, the idea that you cannot speak your mind on this site and must agree to everything the "Kool-Aid drinkers" say is preposterous. As has been pointed out in the past, the mods themselves are not all of one opinion. We disagree amongst ourselves all the time, in the public forums and behind the scenes. The above myth is absurd and if that's the mentality any of you have, you clearly have no concept of what this site is about and are better off going someplace else.

Myth: Disagreeing with a moderator about the Redskins will get you banned

Reality: Speaking for myself, I don't hide the fact that I try to think in an optimistic/positive light (Though I'm not naive to the issues surrounding the team, its coaches, its players). This has led to my thoughts and observations often clashing with those of some others here, such as: GMSCud, 70Chip, Htownskinsfan. But ask any of them if I have ever threatened to ban them for disagreeing with me on a post or thread.

The mods do not censor anyone from speaking their mind, so long as they speak it intelligently.

Which leads to the next point. A reminder of Guideline #6 and the role of the moderators

http://www.redskinswarpath.com/announcement.php?f=2

We pride ourselves in having a knowledgeable and informed member base at this site. We want to stress that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but if you want to be taken seriously you must back up your opinions with some original thought, facts/stats, etc. Think before you post, take pride in your post.

If the moderators find that you aren't adding much value to the forums with your postings, your thread may be deleted or closed, and you may be subject to a temporary or permanent removal from the forums at our discretion. Remember, we value quality over quantity here. Don't get caught up with how many posts you have.

I understand emotions run high and we inevitably throw in a nonsensical thread. But then it becomes two, then three, then four. And then we start to get into these heated West Side Story like gang wars between two extremes. The "we are perfect's" vs. the "we don't deserve to live's." And we really start to lose sight of taking pride in our posts, valuing quality over quantity, being knowledgeable and informed. And understand that the last part doesn't mean you're here to tell everyone how knowledgeable you are, it's to share information and ideas with your fellow members and become more knowledgeable yourself. Again, if the mentality you have is that you are simply here to speak of how "knowledgeable" you are then you clearly have no concept of what this site is about and are better off going someplace else.

Finally, let's all understand the goal laid out by Matty when he created this site: "To provide the fans of the Washington Redskins with a unique fan perspective with knowledgeable and respectful discussions on our message boards.

http://www.redskinswarpath.com/redsk...path-about.htm

I hope this clears up (and it seems like we have to have threads like these every other month) any misconceptions/questions anyone has had.

Matty, fellow ThunderMods, anything you want to add?

[MTK]

yeah, anyone who doesn't agree will be banned

[GMScud]

Excellent thread. Unfortunately threads like this are needed every once in a while to clear the air and remind everyone why exactly we're here.

SS, I didn't think we disagreed that often. Maybe I'm wrong. But I think the fact that I didn't even know we disagreed often proves your point- you and all the other mods are very fair IMO.

I'm not part of the "Kool-Aid" gang, but I've never been criticized or treated unfairly for this. I've certainly never been warned a ban was coming my way.

I know I can be a little pessimistic and critical of the team, but I try my best to insert as much optimism as possible, thus my heading, "The Impatient Optimist." If I didn't care about the Redskins, their shortcomings wouldn't bother me. That's why I get so frustrated at times. I know most of us feel the same way.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Great post SS. I hope people read it carefully. Unfortunately, I know there are a number of posters who will not read it carefully, will not believe it, and/or will not comprehend it.

[FRPLG]

The Ego's protege has spoken.

[mredskins]

I am just tired of the pretend mods, who have to say in every thread "is this thread material" , "this thread should be closed", "stupid thread", etc...

Too many pretend cops. It gets old.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by mredskins

I am just tired of the pretend mods, who have to say in every thread "is this thread material" , "this thread should be closed", "stupid thread", etc...

Too many pretend cops. It gets old.

Not enough thread cops, in my opinion. Why should the mods have to do all the work? If the members want a board that includes only threads that add value in terms of knowledgeable and intelligent discussion, then they should take it upon themselves to criticize threads that don't meet those criteria.

Anyway, I have not come to debate the merits of policing the boards. The bottom line is the laws of the land are laid out in the forum guidelines. That's the way it is and it ain't going to change.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by mredskins

I am just tired of the pretend mods, who have to say in every thread "is this thread material" , "this thread should be closed", "stupid thread", etc...

Too many pretend cops. It gets old.

Well, I think for the most part they mean well and are just trying to help the site.

However, it would probably be best for people to PM a moderator when they have a concern about a thread and let the mods decide what to do.

And Schneed, I hear your point but the problem is that too often "criticizing a thread" causes more problems because it becomes personal.

[chrisl4064]

Originally Posted by mredskins

I am just tired of the pretend mods, who have to say in every thread "is this thread material" , "this thread should be closed", "stupid thread", etc...

Too many pretend cops. It gets old.

im actually going to have to agree with this. there is this feeling i get that if a poster has over one thousand threads they are untouchable. just the other day i was called a "douche bag" on a forum by a member with over a thousand posts. in that same thread 5 posts later or something like that, someone got banned for saying that to a moderator, and in less context. not a big deal, just pointing out that i feel as though some people, mostly the 1,000+ posters dont get reprimanded for anything and pretty much say whatever they want, examples below...

- Does this deserve its own thread???
-
-:frusty:

on the other hand i am a realist and understand that in no way this will stop, sometimes i even find it comical and amusing, and who knows, if it doesnt stop, i may join in myself.... get my post count real high!

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by chrisl4064

im actually going to have to agree with this. there is this feeling i get that if a poster has over one thousand threads they are untouchable. just the other day i was called a "douche bag" on a forum by a member with over a thousand posts. in that same thread 5 posts later or something like that, someone got banned for saying that to a moderator, and in less context. not a big deal, just pointing out that i feel as though some people, mostly the 1,000+ posters dont get reprimanded for anything and pretty much say whatever they want, examples below...

- Does this deserve its own thread???
-
-:frusty:

on the other hand i am a realist and understand that in no way this will stop, sometimes i even find it comical and amusing, and who knows, if it doesnt stop, i may join in myself.... get my post count real high!

Well, post counts aren't a deciding factor between getting banned/reprimanded or not. But certainly, in most cases, someone who has reached a 1,000+ post count has earned the respect and trust of mods and other members to have lasted as long.

I did not see that post that was directed at you and I apologize for that. And I'm guessing no other mod did either. Certainly had we seen it we would have addressed it to the offending party (at least privately). Unfortunately we do miss things from time to time.

As to the follow up post made to a moderator. I suspect you're talking about the one made to me. Understand that it had nothing to do with the fact that it was addressed to me personally. It was a growing issue with that particular person about his lack of respect and understanding for the site. Some people are not redeemable and he was one.

Just keep in mind that reprimands are often/usually handled privately between the mods and the offenders. So, while in this case I think you're right we missed it, don't assume that we let things slide.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well, post counts aren't a deciding factor between getting banned/reprimanded or not. But certainly, in most cases, someone who has reached a 1,000+ post count has earned the respect and trust of mods and other members to have lasted as long.

I did not see that post that was directed at you and I apologize for that. And I'm guessing no other mod did either. Certainly had we seen it we would have addressed it to the offending party (at least privately). Unfortunately we do miss things from time to time.

As to the follow up post made to a moderator. I suspect you're talking about the one made to me. Understand that it had nothing to do with the fact that it was addressed to me personally. It was a growing issue with that particular person about his lack of respect and understanding for the site. Some people are not redeemable and he was one.

Just keep in mind that reprimands are often/usually handled privately between the mods and the offenders. So, while in this case I think you're right we missed it, don't assume that we let things slide.

I don't want to speak out of turn but I am pretty sure that bans almosts always come after a consistent level of belligerence and/or inappropriate behavior and rarely happen after one incident. Whether the offender has a 1000 posts or not. One of the Mods can confirm that but from my perspectvie the mods do a good job of allowing freedom while also maintaining control.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I don't want to speak out of turn but I am pretty sure that bans almosts always come after a consistent level of belligerence and/or inappropriate behavior and rarely happen after one incident. Whether the offender has a 1000 posts or not. One of the Mods can confirm that but from my perspectvie the mods do a good job of allowing freedom while also maintaining control.

That's pretty much the case.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well, post counts aren't a deciding factor between getting banned/reprimanded or not. But certainly, in most cases, someone who has reached a 1,000+ post count has earned the respect and trust of mods and other members to have lasted as long.

I did not see that post that was directed at you and I apologize for that. And I'm guessing no other mod did either. Certainly had we seen it we would have addressed it to the offending party (at least privately). Unfortunately we do miss things from time to time.

As to the follow up post made to a moderator. I suspect you're talking about the one made to me. Understand that it had nothing to do with the fact that it was addressed to me personally. It was a growing issue with that particular person about his lack of respect and understanding for the site. Some people are not redeemable and he was one.

Just keep in mind that reprimands are often/usually handled privately between the mods and the offenders. So, while in this case I think you're right we missed it, don't assume that we let things slide.

Yep, I was just banned a couple months ago. I was being an ass and got what was coming to me. Can't hate on that.

The mods are definitely fair about laying down the law.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Matty, fellow ThunderMods, anything you want to add?

Snarf, snarf.

And yes, I agree. Snarf.

Here's my hope for Sunday. Just eek out a win. Whether we deserve it or not, just please pull off a miracle so we can have something positive this week.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Snarf, snarf.

And yes, I agree. Snarf.

Here's my hope for Sunday. Just eek out a win. Whether we deserve it or not, just please pull off a miracle so we can have something positive this week.

Snarf Snarf


Can you like shut the hell up for 5 mintues, snarf snarf