Originally posted by UTRIP UMP:
Originally posted by rzrbk7777:
You know ump, I understand the rules, and I even understand the need for them. I know it's a fine line the mods have to navigate between keeping the customers happy and letting things get out of hand. There has to be lines lest we turn into woo pig or hogville. OTOH, do we want to be simply another version of the G rated and ultra politically correct Scout site? We used to be a reasonably good compromise between the two extremes where OT and highly opinionated threads were allowed as long as they didn't get too out of hand. This site became hands down my favorite b/c the mods seemed to grasp that we are more than simply sports junkies and this place is more than just info gathering. Lately, that hasn't been the case and removing/moving threads with a fairly quick trigger is getting far too common. The worst is(and not directed at you BTW) a guy or two with "mod" attached to their handle have taken to joining these debates too and it always seems that when their side starts losing ground, the thread disappears and is suddenly considered out of bounds. I would hate to think that anybody with authority would use it to stifle what they don't agree with, but it sure has looked that way lately.
This board has a life of it's own. It is more than just an info board, it is a community. There are folks on here of many ages, many walks of life, many different histories, and of course, many different views. Though I have never met anybody(that I know of) on this board, there are some on here I have truly grown to like a lot. There are also a handful or so that I can't stand(and that I know can't stand me), and many, many others that I can't remember from thread to thread whether I usually agree with or not. This board is kind of a microcosm of a real community in that respect. The fact that in the past this board has been able to exist and thrive by not going too far in either direction has made it the best out there IMO. I sincerely hope that doesn't change but recently it appears to be shifting.
I do have a quick trigger........Danny posted the other day that some of these debates are better suited for the Grim Bottom because of the subject matter and because quality posts get derailed with dissention that becomes hateful, counterproductive, spiteful, and personal.
I love spirited repartee, lively debate, and honest evaluations and opinions. But far too many posters have left this board
because they can't stomach the hatefulness that seeps its way into far too many threads.
The lack of respect of fellow posters and their polar opinions is the main reason Trey loses posters, IMO. I don't have
facts to base that on, but what I see posted on other boards by former Edge posters.
This board should function as a "microcosm of a real(Razorback) community", but each community has its set of mores and values that set it apart from other 'communities'. There has to be a modicum of respect for the others here, even when dosed with humor and/or sarcasm.
There needs to be more of a 'agree to disagree' mentality instead of 'you must be one stupid POS for believing/stating/opinionating that statement or post'. No mod believes in censoring opposing discourse, but
by and large it has to be civil enough to fit 'community bylaws'
I'll not speak to how the other mods feel, because I'm sure we don't all see it with the same sunglasses, and this
represents part of how I feel about The Edge. I love the banter, debate, and passion of our posters, but for me,
I think when we take each other to task, we need to remember more often the Golden Rule.
my 2 cents