Did I miss something?

Oh no. I'm sorry. I got stuck in a "heated" thread. I am so guilty!! I AM!
D'oh!

I'm sorry, I get heated when people start talking about banning pit bulls and all of that.
So, yes, I am guilty.


hahahaha. But, you know, when you get stuck in a heated thread and you find yourself bothered, you just kind of leave the thread and know that there isn't anything you can do to change people's minds on the internet. Then you laugh at yourself at times and wonder why you'd give a sh*t to anyway (on the internet).[sm=lol.gif]

I just wanted to mention that due to a lull in forum activity, I'm actually getting filing done that's been piling up for months. I'm not happy about it either

 
I know what you mean - I actually was forced to do work today [:'(][:'(]

My brain might just  be getting a little fuzzy from running back and forth to Home Depot, but I'm not sure what [sm=giantpopcorn.gif]actually means.  I get [sm=jerry.gif] but could someone explain the other one? Please? Or is it just there to make me hungry for popcorn?
 
Joyce

  I think that there are some people here who have had problems discussing and debating an issue without becoming personal,or pehaps misunderstood.

  Then there arethe  people who are taking things too much too heart,and are going off on rants and tirades.

  These things have led to more moderation,or government,of the board,causing mild mannered people on the board(like me)a tad dissapointed that the moderation has had to become so strict.

 To us mild mannered people,it seems that even innocuous posts,or slightly off topic posts are being removed and red inked,with out better ,in detail descriptions of why the posts are being removed,and threads locked.

 It just isn't a good atmosphere for learning,when some views are shut down,or if the poster isn't allowed to rephrase in a different matter,if the moderator thinks the tone was innapropriate.

 These are some of the reasons I have read..I certainly have not been on nearly as much over the past few weeks...

ORIGINAL: MhadDog

I think that there are some people here who have had problems discussing and debating an issue without becoming personal,or pehaps misunderstood.

Then there arethe  people who are taking things too much too heart,and are going off on rants and tirades.

These things have led to more moderation,or government,of the board,causing mild mannered people on the board(like me)a tad dissapointed that the moderation has had to become so strict.

To us mild mannered people,it seems that even innocuous posts,or slightly off topic posts are being removed and red inked,with out better ,in detail descriptions of why the posts are being removed,and threads locked.

It just isn't a good atmosphere for learning,when some views are shut down,or if the poster isn't allowed to rephrase in a different matter,if the moderator thinks the tone was innapropriate.

These are some of the reasons I have read..I certainly have not been on nearly as much over the past few weeks...

I agree 100%. 
 
I don't think its the posts persay and there tone at times that is causing the forum slow down and the lack of forum participation.  I actually enjoy a thread were individuals stand by there beliefs and really bring me to understand both sides. 

IMO it's the strick moderation and the over interepation of rules that is causing people to jump ship and the TOS is only going to give the mods more power to interpet writings and categorize which will shut down more members, Permanently
and officially and make this a very inactive board. 

My brain might just be getting a little fuzzy from running back and forth to Home Depot, but I'm not sure what actually means. I get but could someone explain the other one? Please? Or is it just there to make me hungry for popcorn?

 
Joyce:  [sm=giantpopcorn.gif]means (or at least what I think it means) is you are sitting back and watching a show.  For example if there are a couple of people having a heated, back and forth discussion and the rest of us are just sitting back and watching it happen this would be the icon to use.  But, just like Shelly, I never had the guts to post it []  It may be considered rude and some people may take it that you are not taking the discussion seriously enough, etc. etc.  Personally, I think it is funny but not everyone appreciates my dry humor []

Actually, the new TOS should lessen the moderating since they will make everything clearer to the members and make it easier for all to self moderate.  With the new rules in place, it's going to be a far more serious thing for us to edit a post, we'll stop and really think before we do it, which I think has been a complaint in the recent past.  Knowing the consequences of editing I believe that each and every one of us is going to be very careful to start with a general warning rather than just editing.
 
I believe that the new TOS will actually give the members MORE power than less.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Actually, the new TOS should lessen the moderating since they will make everything clearer to the members and make it easier for all to self moderate.  With the new rules in place, it's going to be a far more serious thing for us to edit a post, we'll stop and really think before we do it, which I think has been a complaint in the recent past.  Knowing the consequences of editing I believe that each and every one of us is going to be very careful to start with a general warning rather than just editing.

I believe that the new TOS will actually give the members MORE power than less.

 
Time will tell... 

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Actually, the new TOS should lessen the moderating since they will make everything clearer to the members and make it easier for all to self moderate.  With the new rules in place, it's going to be a far more serious thing for us to edit a post, we'll stop and really think before we do it, which I think has been a complaint in the recent past.  Knowing the consequences of editing I believe that each and every one of us is going to be very careful to start with a general warning rather than just editing.

I believe that the new TOS will actually give the members MORE power than less.

lol--While I appreciate your loyalty to the new TOS, I think that might be going a tad far.  If there are more traffic laws it gives the police more power, not the drivers......

While I share some of the concerns posted in this thread, I think we ought to give the new TOS a little time to shake out and see how it goes.  If we end up not liking it, there are PLENTY of other boards.

 
 
 
 
 
Well said Billy!
 
You always seem to hit the nail on the head.

ORIGINAL: sillysally
If there are more traffic laws it gives the police more power, not the drivers......

This might be a perception issue. I don't view moderators as "bad cops" and I think it's a mistake to do so. I'm not saying you do, but bear with me for a second.  The purpose of the police is "to protect and serve", not to wield power over the people. And while there are bad cops, the police force is in existence to be of service to the people.

Moderators are the police of the board, and their purpose is to protect and serve. To protect the integrity of the board, new posters, the structure and purpose of the board. And to serve the members with guidelines and help and so we can all function and distribute doggie information on an even playing field. This is true of any board. (except the doggie part)

They're not out there looking for violations to ticket. And if there were "bad moderators", I think it would be pretty easy to spot them because there are only like 4 or 5. []

I'm with Billy. Let's see how this goes. I think it's going to be fine. Let's give it a chance. If there are problems, I'm sure they will show themselves.

ORIGINAL: probe1957

While I share some of the concerns posted in this thread, I think we ought to give the new TOS a little time to shake out and see how it goes.  If we end up not liking it, there are PLENTY of other boards.

Totally agree.  We need to be active members to find out. 
 
So those of us who have become gun shy, angry or just stepped away, posting less and/or avoiding certain sections must now reengage and see where we end up.

ORIGINAL: mrstjohnson

Joyce:  [sm=giantpopcorn.gif]means (or at least what I think it means) is you are sitting back and watching a show. 

 
Thanks for the explanation. [sm=rofl.gif][sm=rofl.gif] That one would have come in really handy about a year ago during the Joel/Brenda/Betsy Perkins debacles. Those were better than any TV drama.
 
Joyce

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Actually, the new TOS should lessen the moderating since they will make everything clearer to the members and make it easier for all to self moderate.  With the new rules in place, it's going to be a far more serious thing for us to edit a post, we'll stop and really think before we do it, which I think has been a complaint in the recent past.  Knowing the consequences of editing I believe that each and every one of us is going to be very careful to start with a general warning rather than just editing.

I believe that the new TOS will actually give the members MORE power than less.

The way things are going, Glenda, maybe some would say, "and the moon is made of goat cheese".  [] 

So those of us who have become gun shy, angry or just stepped away, posting less and/or avoiding certain sections must now reengage and see where we end up.

Thanks, no - I was already the "example".  I am not dog.com's resident dog expert, and prefer to post in other sections or not at all.  If anyone PM's me from now on, I hope it's to ask me how the weather is in New England. [8|]