Follow This Carefully:
When you guys talk about “certain individuals” or “various people” being narrow-minded or trying to control what’s said on the forum and deleting posts, etc. – you are really talking about Tim and I. It’s offensive and it’s pissed me off for the last time. We are the moderators. It’s not an easy job trying to keep all of you Type-A’s from ripping each other apart on a daily basis. Tim’s job is actually harder than mine. He puts himself out there at my direction and then gets ripped for it. Shame on you. He and I talk almost daily about threads and posts. We are trying to keep the peace and be fair, but you all seem hell bent on a fight. We are the only two that have deleted posts. So, your comments can only be directed at us. Furthermore, Tim only deletes posts after talking to me first. So, ultimately you beef is with me. You can leave the “certain individuals” comments at the door. I’ve got this one, and will be speaking on this issue from now on.
Tim’s comments regarding The Paddock are 100% valid. This is a car club. Not a PAC, or a bible study group, an NRA meeting, or a classroom. He (and others) would like to see The Paddock deleted. But, it’s not because he wants to limit any one’s speech – that ridiculous. His thought is that if this forum was limited to discussions about cars, cruising, the club, shows, etc. – we wouldn’t be fighting with each other on a daily basis. That’s it – just his way of attaining a level of “peace” – delete the problem. I disagree. I think that we can have The Paddock, and it can be moderated to maintain peace. And to that end, at my direction he has taken on the responsibility of that moderation. And now, you guys want to give him crap about it. NO MORE. It’s me. It’s always been me.
You guys wanted The Paddock - That's why we have it.
Personally, I could do without The Paddock. I feel like I have information overload sometimes when it comes to the political stuff. I have my viewpoints and doubt anything that is said in The Paddock will change my mind. I think The Paddock is becoming an embarrassment and an albatross. I wouldn’t miss it if it were gone. If enough of you feel the same way, we’ll shut the door on The Paddock - again, not to shut down free speech – but to keep the peace. There are plenty of other places on the internet to vent.
We have lost members, and alienated others because of the goings on in The Paddock. That has been our concern from the very beginning. And now this pot is about to boil over - AGAIN. We assumed that because you wanted The Paddock, and because you’re all successful well-adjusted adults – that you can handle the responsibility of treating each other in a friendly and respectful way. That turns out to be a mistake. On the few occasions that we have had to delete some posts or threads it was to save any of you from embarrassment or ridicule, and in general keep the peace. But, you seem hell bent on pushing back.
So, as Dean has said deleting posts should be used very rarely. I like his assessment, and we will no longer delete posts. This should make most everyone happy. But, I still need a moderation tool at my disposal. You see, keeping the peace and maintaining a level of adult behavior is still a must. So, here’s what I’ll do. When a thread gets out of hand, I’ll attempt to bring it back on topic. If that fails, I’ll close it. When a member goes off the deep-end, I’ll warn them, then ban them for a period or permanently if they persist. So, carry on in The Paddock. Anything goes – everything does not. When you cross the line, we’ll let you know – publicly and harshly.
Tim and I have been nice, too nice, and you keep biting back. We’re tired of babysitting. It’s going to stop, or you’ll be shown the door. Tim has been a tremendous help to this club from the beginning. Today, he is driving 100s of miles with his trailer to bring home Chuck’s car when he could be driving his own car. And next week, he’ll be helping Chuck out again – 100s of miles with a trailer. And if you asked him to do it the week after that – he would. He and I care so much about this club, and devote so much time to this club, and care about everyone in this club. We have been trying to keep the peace - that all.
Now, I realize that some of you may disagree with my comments or strategy. That’s fine and I want to make sure you have a remedy in accordance with the democracy that is this club. So, if you wish - call for an election, forward a second, put up a slate of candidates and we’ll hold a vote – happily. We’re in our 3rd year here and maybe you feel we need a change. That’s more than fine with me.
Finally, if you’re in this club and want to remain in this club - we have two very simple rules. Respect and friendship. If those two things are too freakin difficult for you to understand or abide by on an on-going basis then you’re obviously some kind of anti-social ass wipe and you’ll be shown the door.
Enjoy the Spring. Drive (or build) your car.
When you guys talk about “certain individuals” or “various people” being narrow-minded or trying to control what’s said on the forum and deleting posts, etc. – you are really talking about Tim and I. It’s offensive and it’s pissed me off for the last time. We are the moderators. It’s not an easy job trying to keep all of you Type-A’s from ripping each other apart on a daily basis. Tim’s job is actually harder than mine. He puts himself out there at my direction and then gets ripped for it. Shame on you. He and I talk almost daily about threads and posts. We are trying to keep the peace and be fair, but you all seem hell bent on a fight. We are the only two that have deleted posts. So, your comments can only be directed at us. Furthermore, Tim only deletes posts after talking to me first. So, ultimately you beef is with me. You can leave the “certain individuals” comments at the door. I’ve got this one, and will be speaking on this issue from now on.
Tim’s comments regarding The Paddock are 100% valid. This is a car club. Not a PAC, or a bible study group, an NRA meeting, or a classroom. He (and others) would like to see The Paddock deleted. But, it’s not because he wants to limit any one’s speech – that ridiculous. His thought is that if this forum was limited to discussions about cars, cruising, the club, shows, etc. – we wouldn’t be fighting with each other on a daily basis. That’s it – just his way of attaining a level of “peace” – delete the problem. I disagree. I think that we can have The Paddock, and it can be moderated to maintain peace. And to that end, at my direction he has taken on the responsibility of that moderation. And now, you guys want to give him crap about it. NO MORE. It’s me. It’s always been me.
You guys wanted The Paddock - That's why we have it.
Personally, I could do without The Paddock. I feel like I have information overload sometimes when it comes to the political stuff. I have my viewpoints and doubt anything that is said in The Paddock will change my mind. I think The Paddock is becoming an embarrassment and an albatross. I wouldn’t miss it if it were gone. If enough of you feel the same way, we’ll shut the door on The Paddock - again, not to shut down free speech – but to keep the peace. There are plenty of other places on the internet to vent.
We have lost members, and alienated others because of the goings on in The Paddock. That has been our concern from the very beginning. And now this pot is about to boil over - AGAIN. We assumed that because you wanted The Paddock, and because you’re all successful well-adjusted adults – that you can handle the responsibility of treating each other in a friendly and respectful way. That turns out to be a mistake. On the few occasions that we have had to delete some posts or threads it was to save any of you from embarrassment or ridicule, and in general keep the peace. But, you seem hell bent on pushing back.
So, as Dean has said deleting posts should be used very rarely. I like his assessment, and we will no longer delete posts. This should make most everyone happy. But, I still need a moderation tool at my disposal. You see, keeping the peace and maintaining a level of adult behavior is still a must. So, here’s what I’ll do. When a thread gets out of hand, I’ll attempt to bring it back on topic. If that fails, I’ll close it. When a member goes off the deep-end, I’ll warn them, then ban them for a period or permanently if they persist. So, carry on in The Paddock. Anything goes – everything does not. When you cross the line, we’ll let you know – publicly and harshly.
Tim and I have been nice, too nice, and you keep biting back. We’re tired of babysitting. It’s going to stop, or you’ll be shown the door. Tim has been a tremendous help to this club from the beginning. Today, he is driving 100s of miles with his trailer to bring home Chuck’s car when he could be driving his own car. And next week, he’ll be helping Chuck out again – 100s of miles with a trailer. And if you asked him to do it the week after that – he would. He and I care so much about this club, and devote so much time to this club, and care about everyone in this club. We have been trying to keep the peace - that all.
Now, I realize that some of you may disagree with my comments or strategy. That’s fine and I want to make sure you have a remedy in accordance with the democracy that is this club. So, if you wish - call for an election, forward a second, put up a slate of candidates and we’ll hold a vote – happily. We’re in our 3rd year here and maybe you feel we need a change. That’s more than fine with me.
Finally, if you’re in this club and want to remain in this club - we have two very simple rules. Respect and friendship. If those two things are too freakin difficult for you to understand or abide by on an on-going basis then you’re obviously some kind of anti-social ass wipe and you’ll be shown the door.
Enjoy the Spring. Drive (or build) your car.
