Anyone want to donate $35 to have me ban a whiner permanently?

[DaveTN]

11 hours ago, Chucktshoes said:

Yup. I wear that one like a badge of honor. 

Dang man, I had no idea I could leave you bad feedback when I hadn’t had a transaction….BRB…

[A.J. Holst]

34 minutes ago, DaveTN said:

Dang man, I had no idea I could leave you bad feedback when I hadn’t had a transaction….BRB…

Woohoo, every time I get my feelings hurt, you guys are getting dinged!

[Erik88]

9 hours ago, JunkiCosmonaut said:

I'm not gonna defend the post @The Big Guy made here..... I dont even wanna touch on that. I've known him personally for about.... 7 years I would say. Met him in high-school working at a local hardware store. Graduated college with him. He's always been a very reliable freind to me. He got me into firearms and I have to say...he's a master class IDPA shooter. He did IDPA semi-professionally in Florida for a lot of years before he came to Tennessee. Personally, I dont like feeling MAD at people....or in general. If you feel like your argument with someone online is making you MAD you need to walk away from it. GOD KNOWS I have asshole moments, I almost always wind up regretting my demeanor. I know I can't really convey this here in a meaningful way but @The Big Guy isn't such a bad guy, he just let's himself get..... passionate. Some of you have probably even met him around east tennessee and if you did you would instantly get along with him. He has that effect. But like I said he can get a bit too intense. BUT! It is what it is. You burn bridges youre gonna get wet getting back. 

I'm not going to defend him either but I will add that I actually don't like seeing members get banned. I'm not going to 2nd guess their decision though as I know they don't take it lightly.  There is no one here that I dislike to the point I want to see them get banned even though a few have made it clear I'm on their ignore list. My wife ignores me sometimes too so I don't really get offended by that.

 

 

 

[TGO David]

3 minutes ago, Erik88 said:

I'm not going to defend him either but I will add that I actually don't like seeing members get banned. I'm not going to 2nd guess their decision though as I know they don't take it lightly.  There is no one here that I dislike to the point I want to see them get banned even though a few have made it clear I'm on their ignore list. My wife ignores me sometimes too so I don't really get offended by that.

Here's a small secret:  I don't like banning people.  It is an absolute last resort for me unless the account is just a scammer, spammer or troll account.

The moderators generally exhaust a lot of options before they finally make the decision to ban someone.  I've watched them put up with far more nonsense out of belligerent individuals than I would.  Note that I chose not to call them "members".  I feel like the  members of the community are the folks who contribute and largely who we've all come to to know (or will come to know with time) as friends and extended family.  A person who comes here just to cause strife or participate in verbal mud-slinging isn't a member.

My own level of tolerance, though, is admittedly lower than that of the moderators - and I still try really hard not to rush toward banning as a solution to a problem.  However, I know very well the danger of allowing a toxic individual to poison the well.  Their toxicity spreads quickly and becomes septic to the entire community if allowed to continue for very long.

I have zero problems banning poisonous, toxic individuals just the same as I'd have no problem stomping on a disease infested rat or letting a doctor cut a cancer out of my own body.

 

BTW - My wife ignores me a lot.  That's when I sneak in a discussion about buying a new gun. 

 

[JunkiCosmonaut]

12 minutes ago, Erik88 said:

I'm not going to defend him either but I will add that I actually don't like seeing members get banned. I'm not going to 2nd guess their decision though as I know they don't take it lightly.  There is no one here that I dislike to the point I want to see them get banned even though a few have made it clear I'm on their ignore list. My wife ignores me sometimes too so I don't really get offended by that.

 

 

 

Yeah, I would prefer seeing someone step back. Realize they're loosing their cool and just move on. The other part is that a lot of people, since they're local, know each other in real life. I know a good number of people on here that I've met along the way. Because of that I tend to look at the people on this site as REAL PEOPLE. Its something you don't get most places. 

Tell her when she ignores you then you get lonely....when you get lonely you buy new guns. Its a vicious cycle.  

[JunkiCosmonaut]

12 minutes ago, TGO David said:

 

BTW - My wife ignores me a lot.  That's when I sneak in a discussion about buying a new gun. 

 

I do the ol' "I've always had that dont worry about it" or my favorite: "I didn't buy it i traded something for it"

[gregintenn]

May I suggest that if you give the agitators a bit of scrutinizing, you wouldn't have to ban many folks?

[gregintenn]

1 hour ago, Erik88 said:

I'm not going to defend him either but I will add that I actually don't like seeing members get banned. I'm not going to 2nd guess their decision though as I know they don't take it lightly.  There is no one here that I dislike to the point I want to see them get banned even though a few have made it clear I'm on their ignore list. My wife ignores me sometimes too so I don't really get offended by that.

 

 

 

That's part of being married. Don't ignore her, however. That'll get you in deep trouble.

[Grand Torino]

Quote

BTW - My wife ignores me a lot.  That's when I sneak in a discussion about buying a new gun. 

When you get older you can start using what I prefer to use since I "claim" my hearing isn't what it used to be. When she's talking sometimes I "might not" pay as much attention as I should. When she finally gets my attention I just ask her to repeat it cause of...you know...my hearing. 

[Daniel]

3 hours ago, TGO David said:

  I feel like the  members of the community are the folks who contribute and largely who we've all come to to know (or will come to know with time) as friends and extended family.  A person who comes here just to cause strife or participate in verbal mud-slinging isn't a member.

I need to remember this. I’ll admit I did troll a few in the politics sub. I’ll do better in the future. 

[TGO David]

1 hour ago, Daniel said:

I need to remember this. I’ll admit I did troll a few in the politics sub. I’ll do better in the future. 

Ah, but you've been around since practically the beginning and you have an insight on matters, based on job experience, that lends a certain creedence to your divergence from the popular opinion of things. 

 

[MacGyver]

1 hour ago, Daniel said:

I need to remember this. I’ll admit I did troll a few in the politics sub. I’ll do better in the future. 

Listen, I know there are a bunch of people around here who have somehow me classified as a liberal - but that's just not right. Today's GOP would call George W. Bush a liberal (and he wouldn't win a single primary today).

The best you can say for me is that I'm just willing to make people work for their ideas.

But, we need some actual liberals around here. I miss the likes of you and @Bronker who could actually bring an honest liberal voice.

Be kind - but don't shy away from bringing an actual competing voice.  We're all better when our ideas have competition.

 

[GlockSpock]

I'm all about arguments/discussions. I can be good friends with people that hold opposing views as long as they respect me. My views, like theirs, are shaped by my experiences. Arguments can be had all day long and respect between the two parties never has to be lost. I rather enjoy @Daniel being more active here. I don't agree with a lot of what he posts, but that doesn't mean he is wrong all the time either. And when any space becomes an echo chamber, that's when things can go south very quickly.  I will always encourage and appreciate debate. You may never, ever agree with certain people, but at least conversing with them helps you challenge your own views.

[TripleGGG]

5 hours ago, JunkiCosmonaut said:

I do the ol' "I've always had that dont worry about it" or my favorite: "I didn't buy it i traded something for it"

I trade cash for guns a lot!

[Links2k]

46 minutes ago, GlockSpock said:

I'm all about arguments/discussions. I can be good friends with people that hold opposing views as long as they respect me. My views, like theirs, are shaped by my experiences. Arguments can be had all day long and respect between the two parties never has to be lost. I rather enjoy @Daniel being more active here. 

I don’t like arguments or confrontations at all, but I won’t back down if I feel attacked. I like it here. I like the people I’ve met and the knowledge I’ve gained. I enjoy the comments, because I truly learn something  each time I visit the site. 
We’re all adults and entitled to our opinions based upon our individual life and learned experiences. I visit the forum daily. Many days I simply read and leave, at other times I may like or laugh at a comment, then leave. I’m trying to post less because I don’t want to give energy to those who seek confrontation with me or my views for their own personal reasons.  
As a rule I don’t like confrontation, so it’s crazy to come here and argue with someone because I don’t support their political candidate or we have different priorities and expectations from said political candidates. 
The other day a member (I’m not certain if he was addressing me) said something to the effect that he didn’t understand why someone with differing views would be on a gun forum in a conservative state. My question would be what gives him more of a right to be here?

I’m not without guilt. I have intentionally trolled certain members once they took an unhealthy attachment to me. Like others, going forward I’ll do better. There is no need for anyone to get banned when they can just shut up and come back at another time. 

[Links2k]

2 hours ago, GlockSpock said:

I'm all about arguments/discussions. I can be good friends with people that hold opposing views as long as they respect me. My views, like theirs, are shaped by my experiences. Arguments can be had all day long and respect between the two parties never has to be lost. I rather enjoy @Daniel being more active here. I don't agree with a lot of what he posts, but that doesn't mean he is wrong all the time either. And when any space becomes an echo chamber, that's when things can go south very quickly.  I will always encourage and appreciate debate. You may never, ever agree with certain people, but at least conversing with them helps you challenge your own views.

Good point. 

[Dihmsab]

Wow, it's like a whole new atmosphere around here! I echo Links' and GlockSpock's thoughts above, and appreciate their posts along with most everyone's that I look at every day. Admittedly, I have less popular views than many on here when it comes to general politics, but I genuinely enjoy reading your thoughts and comments... usually.

I don't care to jump into any of the heated exchanges on here because I don't think any of the back and forth is going to change anyone's else's mind, and I don't think I can say things any better that others have already said. So why post this now...? Yeah, good question... Anyway, I respect most folks and wouldn't want to try change the way you think anyway; I don't have any delusions that I can influence anybody other than my kids, and even then it's an uphill struggle. Now that I think about it they're probably less interested in what I have to say than anybody else. I guess more than anything I just want to express my appreciation for everyone's willingness to respectfully share their opinions.

But lately it's been a rant vomitorium around here where there can't seem to be any reasonable, civil discussions leading to any positive outcome. Sadly it mirrors so much of how our whole country communicates these days. I stopped reading posts from a recently removed member when I realized that 24 out of a total 30 posts in a thread were by him ("The Alt Right is Not Liberal" I believe is the one), and it was obvious that he cared more about being angry and hearing himself talk than in acknowledging there might be a legitimate opposing view and engaging in a meaningful dialogue. I think it's admirable when there is a counterpoint posted with the intent that someone might find even a speck of it thought provoking, or at the very least help him understand why someone else thinks the way they do. Some of you guys are so good at doing that, too. It seems like it's already trending back that direction, now that David escorted Mr. Belligerent out the door. It is heartening to see the hugely positive response you generated, thanks for doing that!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Edited December 19, 2020 by Dihmsab

[gregintenn]

21 minutes ago, Dihmsab said:

Wow, it's like a whole new atmosphere around here! I echo Links' and GlockSpock's thoughts above, and appreciate their posts along with most everyone's that I look at every day. Admittedly, I have less popular views than many on here when it comes to general politics, but I genuinely enjoy reading your thoughts and comments... usually.

I don't care to jump into any of the heated exchanges on here because I don't think any of the back and forth is going to change anyone's else's mind, and I don't think I can say things any better that others have already said. So why post this now...? Yeah, good question... Anyway, I respect most folks and wouldn't want to try change the way you think anyway, not that I could. I don't have any delusions that I can influence anybody other than my kids, and even then it's an uphill struggle. Now that I think about it they're probably less interested in what I have to say than anybody else.

But lately it's been a rant vomitorium around here where there can't seem to be any reasonable, civil discussions leading to any positive outcome. Sadly it mirrors so much of how our whole country communicates these days. I stopped reading posts from a recently removed member when I realized that 24 out of a total 30 posts in a thread were by him ("The Alt Right is Not Liberal" I believe is the one), and it was obvious that he cared more about being angry and hearing himself talk than in acknowledging there might be a legitimate opposing view and engaging in a meaningful dialogue. I think it's admirable when there is a counterpoint posted with the intent that someone might find even a speck of it thought provoking, or at the very least help him understand why someone else thinks the way they do. It seems like it's already trending that direction, now that David escorted Mr. Belligerent out the door. It is heartening to see the hugely positive response you generated, thanks for doing that!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Don’t underestimate yourself. You can change my mind with one well reasoned post. A man who refuses to challenge his on beliefs will never learn anything.

[QuackerSmacker]

Color me weird, but I really don't get the whole censorship thing.  I do think the mods do a great job, for what they do.  I'm sure they've shielded me from things they deemed smart for me not to see. 

But I don't feel that I need that protection.   Any member of this forum can ban/censor any other member, so why not let the fights go on for those that choose to participate?  Anyone and everyone can opt out!   Why the babysitting?   

That said, yeah, if some of these discussions turn into crazy threats, etc, fine, do intervention.  Short of that, ideas should be able to be freely expressed.  Crazy ideas of yesterday are sometimes smart ideas of tomorrow.  And vice-versa.  

[Garufa]

27 minutes ago, QuackerSmacker said:

Color me weird, but I really don't get the whole censorship thing.

Censorship?  Not even close.

If you allow someone into your house that becomes obnoxious to the point of being intolerable at what point would you show them the door?

 

Edited December 19, 2020 by Garufa

[Chucktshoes]

2 hours ago, QuackerSmacker said:

Color me weird, but I really don't get the whole censorship thing.  I do think the mods do a great job, for what they do.  I'm sure they've shielded me from things they deemed smart for me not to see. 

But I don't feel that I need that protection.   Any member of this forum can ban/censor any other member, so why not let the fights go on for those that choose to participate?  Anyone and everyone can opt out!   Why the babysitting?   

That said, yeah, if some of these discussions turn into crazy threats, etc, fine, do intervention.  Short of that, ideas should be able to be freely expressed.  Crazy ideas of yesterday are sometimes smart ideas of tomorrow.  And vice-versa.  

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to ban folks, because they could argue it out amongst themselves reasonably. Or if we were other message boards we could only care about engagement and clicks because of the massive about of ads all over the place. The reality is that this place is about building community. That means that sometimes some folks are just too toxic and disruptive to stay around. I’ll point you back to David’s post a bit before yours. 

Back in ‘14 if I remember correctly the politics section had been allowed to run wild for a while. It was much like The Bog of Eternal Stench in the movie Labyrinth. Foul, rotten, and full of never ending strife. It also regularly spilled out into the rest of the forum at large. It was a very bad scene, trust me on this.
 

The only way the mods at that time were able to clean it up was to go through and ban a whole host of folks (my memory says a dozen, but I think I’m inflating that number a bit) whose sole purpose seemed to be to sow discord, or who had lost the plot so badly that it was all they did anymore. 
 

Even then, it took a while (and several times where the politics section was locked down, deleted, or hidden) for us to get it to where it is now. Nobody who was here then wants to let it get back to that point ever again.  If action had been taken sooner, maybe only a couple of folks would have gotten the boot. Some lessons are learned hard, but those are also the lessons that are last forgotten.

It’s good to remember that we are first and foremost a gun forum with some other parts bolted on as a bonus, not the other way around. 

Edited December 19, 2020 by Chucktshoes

[leroy]

Im gettin old...Sigh... And ta think; i missed all this action... Sniff...

Abraham Simpson leroy

[QuackerSmacker]

14 minutes ago, Garufa said:

Censorship?  Not even close.

If you allow someone into your house that becomes obnoxious to the point of being intolerable at what point would you show them the door?

 

I might ban them from my house, but I would not presume to ban them from other people's houses.  That's the difference.

[Chucktshoes]

Just now, QuackerSmacker said:

I might ban them from my house, but I would not presume to ban them from other people's houses.  That's the difference.

Well, this is @TGO David’s house. When he, or those whom he has entrusted to help look after things, find someone is making it just too unpleasant for the other guests, they get shown the door. 

[QuackerSmacker]

7 minutes ago, Chucktshoes said:

Well, this is @TGO David’s house. When he, or those whom he has entrusted to help look after things, find someone is making it just too unpleasant for the other guests, they get shown the door. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!