Freedom of speach moderated?

[Jim Hatt]

Well it sounds like this place is quickly becoming a dead echo. It was fun while it lasted but if I have to become 100% politically correct it takes all the fun out of posting here. All day long I have to bit my lip at work and keep a positive attitude. But at the end of the day when I get home I like to loosen up and say what I feel. If I have to extend my work attitude here as well then this place becomes a whole lot like work.

Good luck with your kinder, gentler forum. If I ever feel the need to read politically correct messages I’ll peek in as anonymous and read. But fearing the repercussions of my replies makes this forum worthless to me because I know sooner or later, I’ll ---deleted--- off one moderator or another.

Later,

PBiZ

Pharo and everyone else,

Now there's the Root of the problem!

This forum is not maintained for the purpose of giving everyone a place to dump their frustrations, and take them out on everyone else.

This is a public forum, where you should attempt to conduct yourself, with the same amount of self control, as you would in any other public place.

If you need a place to vent your work & life related stresses. Find a place to do it in private, before you logon here. Or... as Pharo has opted to do. Don't logon.

Jim Hatt

[Plays In The Dirt]

Frankly I don't understand why this has risen to this point when it's all so easy to understand. Everyone has always had the right to disagree and that's fine, people will not always agree, especially on such controversial topics such as environmental and land use issues. But it didn't stop at simple disagreement, over time the topic of this forum became strictly a battle between OHV enthusiasts and those with opposing views who were labeled "Anti's or Environmentalists." These battles transcended in to name calling - implied threats, and arguments that got out of hand. It was an us against them scenario and many times it got ugly, and therein lies the problem. To someone visiting for the first time it must have been intimidating and so they went elsewhere. I don't believe that this is what Jim B. had in mind for this web site. I also don't believe that anyone is asking anyone to be politically correct per se, or for it to be a kinder and gentler forum. I do believe that what's being asked is to present your opposing views and opinions sans the implied threats and name calling that had become the norm here, that's all. It's very simple to understand, (or should be).

Now if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will point that out to me.

[Jim Hatt]

Nicely put Greg.

Now if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will point that out to me.

Don't look now, but I think the people that would be most likely to disagree with you, have already left the building. It will probably be very "Quiet" in here for a while. But personally, I prefer that to the pathetic nature of communication, we have been putting up with in this corner of the Forums.

Jim

[yuccahead]

To someone visiting for the first time it must have been intimidating and so they went elsewhere.

Forget about first timers, I've been around here for a decade and, for the last few years, refused to post here at all. If you took an opposing view to the myopic, pro-OHV agenda that has been in control here over the years you had to be prepared - not for an intelligent discussion - but for ridicule and name calling.
This forum has been nothing but a den of cyber bullying ever since I can remember.

I applaud Jim Hatt for taking action and kudos to PITD for supporting him.

[TradClimber]

Don’t shoot – TradClimber waving white flag!

Joking aside, For similar reasons that yh posted above, I have never posted here before.

Thanks for the fresh air.

TradClimber

[Jim Hatt]

You're safe TC,

I understand what you guys are saying.

Hey! I have opinions about some of these issues myself, but I didn't wanna have to run their Gauntlet to get them aired. Hopefully we will all be able to take advantage of this "could be" interesting forum now. I actually disagree with some of Sal's opinions, (Even though it may appear that I have only been supporting him) but I did not want to appear to be part of the mass movement, against him being able to express them.


I don't know if the the storm is over yet, or we are just experiencing the "EYE" of the hurricane passing over, but I will be watching very close until the "All Clear" signal is sounded.

Thanks for your support Guys!

Jim

[Plays In The Dirt]

As I've always maintained on this forum I agree and disagree with points on both sides of this issue. I certainly don't have thin skin and can dish it out as well as take it, but there were times when it got so bad even I had to back away for awhile. I'm happy to see that changes are taking place and that perhaps differing views can now be discussed without all the anger and hostility that has been this forum for some time. It's important to remember that you may not be able to change anyone's mind, so agreeing to disagree may be the way to think about it.

And to Jim - remember what Barney Fife always said: "Nip It - Nip It In The Bud."


"A Fanatic Is Someone Who Can't Change Their Mind And Won't Change The Subject."

[Jim Hatt]

LOL @ Greg,

I liked Barney, Greg, but he was never one of my hero's. I know wgat you mean tho.

My hero that comes to mind in this situation is "Dalton" from the movie ROAD HOUSE.

"Escort them out the door... Be Polite... but, Escort them out the door"

~ I thought he would be bigger ~

[Buster]

I've just been reading along here for a while and it seems that maybe some of you are too sensitive. I never saw anything that seemed overtly offensive. The way you are patting yourselves on the back makes it seem as though you're happy to have eliminated some sort of nemesis. I hope it's not always like that here, when someone tries to contribute.

[yuccahead]

Buster, A lot has been deleted by one mod or the other.
Think of it like this, there a more than 400 Munchkins on this board, a handful of Wicked Witches and Jim Hatt is the house that fell out of the sky. Now the Munchkins can begin to dance and sing.
It has nothing to do with being sensitive.