Large Scale Central

Message to Bob regarding the direction this Off-Topic forum is h

General Discussion
#21

I’m inclined to agree that you can always simply ignore threads, or posts, by people whose views are dogmatic and well known and/or disagreeable. I love the fact that Bob exercises so little censorship. Lots of people talk about free speech, few people are willing to actually tolerate it.

I’ve also found that forum to be pretty tiresome lately, but I’m sure my posts have made other people feel equally annoyed. I’ve tried to moderate the tone of my posts and also, as people get to know each other, and understand where people are coming from, what had seemed objectionable seems different.

I’d just like to thank Bob for being willing to leave an uncensored forum, even if I use it less

#22

I agree with you one hundred percent!

I didn’t mention any names for a reason. Nor am I looking for censorship. I enjoy this site as much as the next guy.

All I asked is that everyone look inward and see if there was anything they could do resolve the problem. If indeed it is a problem.

Contentious issues aside, any topic will become contentious if enough people disagree and continually fuel the fire. Topics on LGB come to mind. Ya don’t want a fire, then don’t throw wood on it. (or any kind of fuel you have handy)

That’s my story and I’m stickin to it!

#23

Yes, I have to agree with both Mike and Ken. I enjoy Bob’s attitude of running this site. I’ve noticed that I go to other sites less and less. Most of that is a time restraint, but if I do have a chance to look over at other places, it seems to get to be very shallow very quick. I think that is caused by people being unable to express opinion or feelings as related to their lives. We need to be respectful of other’s opinions, but we should also expect the same from them.

#24

The topics and from where they originated are not the problem. The problem is how one responds to the topic.
It takes two to brawl. The insults tend to originate from those responding.
If you are unable to respond without being insulting…then don’t respond. It is that simple. Exercise a little self control.
When I am subject to insults…I do respond. I am not one to “turn the other cheek”. But I treat everyone with respect…until they are disrespectful to me.

This is the only site I post on, period. I do so because our host does not treat us like children.
The fact that he is considering a change indicates too many of us are acting like children.
It is time for us all to show some respect for others, no matter how ridiculas we think their opinions are.
The fact we have different opinions indicates we have had different life experiences.
I am more than happy to learn about your life experiences, if you can present them without being insulting.
Ralph

#25

Mike, Ken, Ric and Ralph all make good points.

The problem as I see it is that the only of-topic subjects that get responses are those of a highly controversial nature. I posted Friday on Chineese Tires and got Zero Responses. Someone else posts a topic with a political or religious title and immediately there are responses.

We are all falling victims to both the left and right wing trolls. If a topic is objectionable to you, or boils your blood - Ignore it. Trolls always die when they are denied food.

#26
Ralph Berg said:
This is the only site I post on, period. I do so because our host does not treat us like children. The fact that he is considering a change indicates too many of us are acting like children. It is time for us all to show some respect for others, no matter how ridiculas we think their opinions are. The fact we have different opinions indicates we have had different life experiences. I am more than happy to learn about your life experiences, if you can present them without being insulting. Ralph
Agree completely.

I have learned a lot about my neighbours to the south by reading the cross-section of opinions expressed here.

I’d hate to see censorship, but I’d like to see self-restraint. We’re all adults. Why is that so difficult?

#27

Well, I just re-read the the posts on this subject.

Here’s a sample of what I found: “redneck”, “redneck element”,“redneck forum”, “redneck postings”, “redneck protagonists”,“redneck jerks”, “racist”, “watchdog buddy”, “sick minds”,“redneck NRA mouthpiece”, “racially-biased persons”…

Now I can’t help but ask myself. Who are the ones complaining? Who are the ones that show a little respect? Who are the ones that are acting childish and who are the adults? Who are the ones showing self-restraint? Who are the ones that are insulting? Who are the ones being contentious? Who are the ones that respond reasonably?

Only one person can answer that and that’s yourself.

#28

Ken you forgot: fools, malcontents, weirdos, wackos, windbags, instigator and person non-grata with a bit of SHUT TF UP thrown in for good measure.

TonyWalsham chided us some time back earlier in March in one of his almost 200 posts, (only about 10% or so contained personal insults) to offer condolences to the family of a murder victim. I’d like to offer my apologies to anyone that I may have deliberately or inadvertently posted an ad hominen attack towards.

Peace?

#29
Ken Brunt said:
Here's a sample of what I found: "redneck", "redneck element","redneck forum", "redneck postings", "redneck protagonists","redneck jerks", "racist", "watchdog buddy", "sick minds","redneck NRA mouthpiece", "racially-biased persons".........
Ken, so the term redneck is offensive to you and causes your ire. Well, the current abundance of redneck inspired right-wing political views are particularly offensive to me. you say ignore them and yet this is the third posting in this thread that you have made veiled refernece to myself. If you cannot ignore the topic then why should I have to do what you say and not what you do. 
   Right-wing politics have been expressed here previously and have been dealt with without too much of a problem.  Guns have been a rarely expressed topic and yet,  of late,  'hot' topics have come to the forefront with David expressing his radical redneck views on a particularly conservative forum.  The tone of his comments are derogatory to most of the readers and yet he has found a limited vocal support group of his own kind who have found a messiah to preach their trash.  We did without this kind of rubbish for years.  I have been a member for two years but read the forum for many years before joining.  I am aware of the general topics comented on in the Off-Topic forum and the trash of the last few months is not the material normally commented on here.  

   When commenting on words one uses, I suggest you read back over the comments from your redneck buddies and see how your side fares up.   The off-topic section has survived for years without need to use it as a political/racist platform.  David Hill has succeeded in introducing discussion of topics which abhor most here.  I have made a decision to ignore him and his cohorts as my form of censorship.  I suggest that as you have posted numerous comments with veiled references to myself then you likewise ignore me.
#30
mike omalley said:
I'm inclined to agree that you can always simply ignore threads, or posts, by people whose views are dogmatic and well known and/or disagreeable. I love the fact that Bob exercises so little censorship. Lots of people talk about free speech, few people are willing to actually tolerate it....... I'd just like to thank Bob for being willing to leave an uncensored forum, even if I use it less
Mike, simply ignoring the issue will not make it go away. The very fact that one feels the need to expreess their radical views on this site, gives them another outlet to post their brand of politics. Look to the increase in political/racist taunts, particularly directed towards both gun rights and the Obama presidency in the last three months. These topics have been rarely addressed previously and yet of late, a little soapbox community support group has fostered the originator to continue his tirade of varying topics, with the intent of making his mark and finding like minded souls to converse with. Do we really need to discuss gun rights, states rights versus the constitution, Obama's legitimacy, his background, creationism, evolution? There are no doubt other outlets for these topics and until December/January, this site has resisted commenting on such issues. 
   Ignoring the topics will not discourage the poster from his work at spreading his gospel.  He is going to continue posting because he feels he has a right to post such material and enjoys seeing the radical propaganda in print.   When one resists him he sees that as being bullied and has stated he will not be bullied.  He has found several vocal supporters who will keep his flame alive.  The decision is that to leave him free to espouse his radical creed will lead to acceptance of the radical topics he posts,  or set guidelines as to acceptable topics to comment on.  We have enough volatile topics simply when discussing model trains.  This is not a political soapbox forum for all the radicals to vent their anger with current political management/legitimacy.  Word will spread and we will have other rednecks posting on this site,  not their railroading experiences but their radical viewpoints.  As Tony has commented and viewpoints expressed lately by several newcomers who have not posted again,  this site has become a very hostile venue for someone finding their niche forum.  It seems most do the rounds of forums and find one that suits them.  The attitudes expressed on this site are not conducive to attracting new members,  other than those who aspire to the radical viewpoints that have,  of late,  become the norm. 

   I have made a decision to ignore all postings from the radical redneck bretheren support group,  since this is a train related site and there seems more politicking than railroading, of late.   If some find the term 'redneck' offensive,  then I find the material they post as more so offensive.   A newcomer looking through the list of topics in the Off-Topic forum would wonder what sort of site this forum is.
#31

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd done

#32
Tim Brien said:
Right-wing politics have been expressed here previously and have been dealt with without too much of a problem.
So, according to Tim, only left-wing political views are tolerated here? Fascinating. But, I'm glad that it is finally clear.

From now on, folks, your views will be tolerated, but only if they are left leaning. Otherwise, they will be censored.

#33

Steve,
you have been a very vocal-right wing supporter of your political views and have expressed them openly on this site. The posts very rarely got ‘heated’. The topic was discussed, as would be other political viewpoints. Of late, the viewpoints have gone far to the right and I feel are distasteful to many. I am more than happy to discuss politics or religion or any other topic that is not distasteful.

     Just for interest,  go down the off-topic list for the last ten or so pages and disregard the general interest topics in the off-topic forum and see what is left over.  There is an abundance of far rightist policies that have not been discussed previously to the extent of the last three months,  or are simply of no interest in this forum.  Now consider a newcomer to the site,  reading the list of topics in the Off-Topic forum.  Unless he were of a particular rightest persuasion,  he would shy away thinking the site is a bunch of radicals.  This situation did not exist prior to last December/January.   Whether the topic is discussed, or ignored,  the fact is that the topic exists on the list of posted topics. 

     It is usual for there to be political/religious differences in any group of people,  but as Bob invites us into his home on this site,  I would be more than pleased to not be subjected to outright racial/political abuse topics.  The far right has made a bulldozer entrance into this site and I do not feel that such radical policies/viewpoints are good for the future of the site.  I would be likewise critical of far leftist viewpoints as well. Politics and religion will always be hot topics.  The further one gets away from a central view point,  the more heated the topic discussion becomes. 


     You have as yet not responded to the comment on your assertation that I only post in the Off-Topic forum.
#34

Tim, you have mail.

#35

Tim, initially you and I were having, what seemed to be. an intelligent debate. A quick search shows nearly 300 posts by you this year in Off-Topic, frequently adding fuel to the fire you wish to extinguish and very personally insulting to me and others. (As a matter of record, your first post directed to me was insulting me and my beliefs, and you have not stopped yet.) I believe if you read the last posts of mine in this thread, you’ll see I have been conciliatory. I understand some here are unable to “contain themselves” in reading and commenting on views they hold objectionable, rather than, using my earlier pornography analogy, just not looking.

To quote that famous philosopher Rodney King after the LA Riots, “Can’t we all just get along?”

#36

I just decided to ignore 90% of the hubris on this forum.