For the Moderator

[mistermac]

Hi

I really enjoy your magazine and equally this forum, from which I have learned a lot.

However - I do NOT like the raft of racist, bigoted, narrow-minded quips and remarks made in the 'Chit-Chat' section.

Nothing would please me more than to have this section of the forum removed.

This is a caravan forum. Not 'Have I Got News For You.'

Mac

 

[Moderator2_5083849]

Mark Mac,

Firstly glad you enjoy the magazine and forum, hopefully you will gain some knowledge , or part with knowledge to other users.

As for the Chit Chat part of the site, that is precisely what it is, Chit Chat, for jokes, trivia, gossip and non caravan issues.

It is totally unreasonable to expect censorship of every posting that does not meet the expectations of one or more other users, as in real life subjects will be discussed, and comments made of which some people will be in agreement, whilst others will not.

As long as topics do not become battle grounds between posters, and end up with personal slanging matches going on, then it is only reasonable to allow some place to let off steam about subjects which are contentious in a general context.

As it stand in this country right now, our freedom of speech is being eroded daily by those who may not like to hear the "other" view on life.

Unfortunately life is not all sweet and nice, in fact it is rough, nasty and dangerous most of the time.

Having been a Mod here for some time now, I have come in for more that a fair share of criticism about some postings being removed, however if it warrants removal ,then it will be, regardless of my own personal feelings on the matter.

Users have a choice in what they choose to read or not, if a certain topic is not to ones liking, simply do not read it, but trying to impose a blanket ban on everything will not work, nor should it.

Please continue to enjoy the parts you like,ask questions, get answers, and ignore the others.

Mod 2

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Well spoken Moddy 2.

I'm going to ask His Moddyship to double your salary :O)

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

BTW Moddy 2, I've just done a search of Chit Chat and found the item below, talk about the pot calling the kettle black ;O)

Mark Mac

12 Sep 2007 10:47 PM I thought a field of sheep in Wales was known as the Leisure Centre.....

 

[Chico1]

hav to say i agre with mark the mac and i thick moderator2 mised his point.

to quote

It is totally unreasonable to expect censorship of every posting that does not meet the expectations of one or more other users, as in real life subjects will be discussed, and comments made of which some people will be in agreement, whilst others will not.

As long as topics do not become battle grounds between posters, and end up with personal slanging matches going on, then it is only reasonable to allow some place to let off steam about subjects which are contentious in a general context.

that from moderator2 but mark said to qote

However - I do NOT like the raft of racist, bigoted, narrow-minded quips and remarks made in the 'Chit-Chat' section.

moderator2 did not coment on the 'raft of racist, bigoted, narrow-minded quips' wich seem to dominate the chitchat forum and do get out of hand

 

[Moderator2_5083849]

Thank you Chico for so deftly copying just a part of what I said.

As for no commenting on one particular part of the original posting, there was no need as I have searched the forum and found no "raft" of anything.

To quote back to you one other part of my posting:

"Users have a choice in what they choose to read or not, if a certain topic is not to ones liking, simply do not read it, but trying to impose a blanket ban on everything will not work, nor should it."

 

[Angus1]

A very fair and balanced attitude, Mr (M`s, Mrs ?) Mod.

Just like a T.V, a computer has an `on/off` switch. Don`t like whats on? Exercise your power of choice.

Its much fairer and balanced than trying to impose your own values (which others could see as narrow-minded, bigoted, hypocritical for instance) on others.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Well, well, well.

For all the time I spent at Eton and later at Balliol College, Oxford I couldn't have put a post more eloquently than Moddy 2 and Angus :O)

 

[Mark.Bigault]

Mark Mac,

Thanks for the initial praise.

We try to encourage an active Forum and so are happy when people contribute to all sections. However, I understand that sometimes people post things that we don't agree with.

The price of free-speech is that some people will abuse the privilege. But with diligent moderators we aim to minimise any potential offence.

Personally I'd miss the chit-chat section if we did away with it. After all, as caravanners we all have opinions and while I don't always agree with others, that doesn't mean I can silence them. I'd rather have the chance to argue a point than repress it by sweeping opposing views under the carpet.

Anyway, thanks for your in-put. Feel free to speak your mind; any more thoughts and contributions are welcomly received.

Mark

Features editor

Practical Caravan

 

[Katiebe]

Mark Mac,

Thanks for the initial praise.

We try to encourage an active Forum and so are happy when people contribute to all sections. However, I understand that sometimes people post things that we don't agree with.

The price of free-speech is that some people will abuse the privilege. But with diligent moderators we aim to minimise any potential offence.

Personally I'd miss the chit-chat section if we did away with it. After all, as caravanners we all have opinions and while I don't always agree with others, that doesn't mean I can silence them. I'd rather have the chance to argue a point than repress it by sweeping opposing views under the carpet.

Anyway, thanks for your in-put. Feel free to speak your mind; any more thoughts and contributions are welcomly received.

Mark

Features editor

Practical Caravan

All forum contributors are mostly UK resident, and therefore live in one of the world's most established and mature of societies.

When you compare your area of domicile to anywhere else you care to mention you can be justifiably proud of this valuable aspect that you have.

Even letting off steam and a niggle here and there etc, and the intervention by the way the moderator, it is all so harmless. There is nothing really insulting of a personal nature, although at times some strong wording (but not personal insulting) on related and specific topics, which is surely everyones right to express at these forums.

Try this in numerous other countries and it could be a very different experience...think about it.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!