Why the cooling off corner?

[Alan H]

I don't think anybody in the thread wrote about walking around flashing people for fun, Steve. As for those who report threads being whiners, of course that's not necessarily true. I've written in threads that deserved to be reported, and took my medicine reasonably well, I think. When I'm wrong, I THINK I'm OK at admitting it. I STILL reflect on the fact that in six years, I've never seen anything so horribly offensive on this board that I felt a need to report it... so does that make me a coward, while those that DO report threads are the brave ones?

I know that you did not mean to imply that. Certainly SOME people who are reporting threads are making a stand and so on. But they do so anonymously, there is no backlash associated with reporting a thread. There sure is a backlash for speaking your mind in "public" here at X Marks, with your known handle attached to your words.

CDN Sushi... the logical extension of what you wrote is for each of us to consider our words so carefully, that if we might conceive of any possible way that someone who doesn't really speak English and who doesn't live in a Western culture and doesn't understand Western humour, and who happens to have been brought up in a really strict household might possibly be offended in any way by what we have to say, then we mustn't say it.

In which case, the forum will devolve into something so utterly bland and devoid of spark, that it makes week-old milktoast look like 30 year single malt.

I don't know, guys. I already actively avoid 2/3rds of the sub forums on X Marks. I NEVER go into the traditional forum, the heraldry forum, any of the kiltmakers forums and so on, so that I don't get mad or annoy others. I stick to athletics, general kilt talk, pictures and the DIY, with an occasional foray into Miscellaneous. Is this place really THAT uptight?

We must always err on the side of the extra-cautious when it comes to offending people. Believe it or not, I actually understand that, because erring on the "lax" side will piss off even MORE people than going the other way. I get it. I don't like it, I think it's stupid but I GET it. I understand why, in a huge community like this, that it'd necessary to err on the "delicate" side.

I have to say that I hang out with kilties who are a WHOLE lot ruder and more "earthy" than what I ever see here, and most of those people are good people. They are kind, honest, hard working people who will never participate here, because if they did, they would offend way too many people who simply can't handle an offcolor word or an opinion that disagrees with their own. We lose out on their insights and laughter.

[Father Bill]

Wow! We went out for supper with another clergy couple and came back to find this!

I'm a priest. I was not offended by the thread, although I was offended by the opinion that anyone male or female would have to just suck it up. No they don't. I am disgusted however with the "We can say whatever we _____ well please because we have the right" line of thinking. No you don't.

I'm also a wee mite sensitive (and that's really darned little) the "Canadians aren't like us" thinking. Not offended, just sensitive to it. Some people believe in "freedom to...." Many others, including many Canadians believe in "freedom from...." In Internet land, when carefully moderated, one's "freedom to" ends when it destroys someone else's "freedom from."

I'd like to point out that the thread is not cut off. Not yet. Just closed temporarily while the moderators take the time to discuss whether it should be. I respect that, and am willing to give them the chance to do their task. I'm sorry that others aren't don't and aren't.

It has been suggested that some folks should be thrown out rather than threads closed. My understanding is that it has indeed happened in the past, and might again.

Let's respect the mods for making this a pleasant place and remember please, that your freedom to swing your fist ends where someone else's nose begins.

Go for it Steve & Co.! I for one trust you and bless you for your excellent caring and sensitive work. Well done!

[Steve Ashton]

Rondo and tundramanq,

Have either of you received a PM from the Moderators informing you that a post you made is under discussion for a possible rule violation?

No. You have not.

So let it rest for a while. If, when the discussion is complete, and if it is found that the thread is not a violation of the rules, the thread will be returned to its original location and you can go back to your posting.

Until then, give the Moderators a change to do their job.


I have tried to explain our process. I have asked for patience. Until the Moderators finish their discussions I feel that this thread is nothing more than a place to complain about the process.

If you have anything further to add please contact me directly via PM.

This thread is closed.