Recent Irish kilt question

[ccga3359]

Recently there was a thread where a newer member asked about the history of Irish kilts. Although I have no wish to continue the debate, in fact I would like this thread closed at the slightest hint of that. The point of this is that the original poster was insulted by one individual so defensive about kilts being only for Scottish born citizens. That thread is at the least removed and under review and possibly deleted and rightly so.

To the OP, I'm sorry I no longer know who you are. You have every right to ask that question because XMTS is the place to learn about and to honour kilts. That particular question has been asked before, it will be asked again. But in the short time before that particular thread went south you were given a wealth of information to further your investigation. You may not have found the information you were looking for, or even that you wanted to hear. It was and is a very valid question and a source of much mis-information which is what no doubt led you to ask in the first place.

I do hope that this has not soured you to asking questions here, that is one of the great thing about us, we love to talk about kilts and we were all new here at one time and have all learned a great deal from our time here.

There is no stupid question here (though occasionaly I'll give you a smart@$$ answer). And if asked with genuine curiosity, no inflamatory questions. Thats how we roll here at XMarks, only respect. Even rubber chicken sporrans don't raise an ire.

[dfmacliam]

I agree with Grant. we are all here to learn and we ask questions, sometimes they sound silly, but it's the question, not asked is the silly one. I have asked my fair share of stupid questions... Made my share of stupid comments and were called on them... I have learned a lot about the kilt and such.. I have yet to be chastised for my questions or comments.

Please do not take the actions of one or two, to make you shy away from the vast knowledge, shared by all on this fine site.

[Sammac]

Well said Grant, likewise I've learned alot about kilts, and other Scottish things on this site. Part of the reason I like it is there is a genuine effort to try to be polite. There is already to much coarseness in the world today, to have a place as nice as this to come day to day is a treasure.

[JelicoCat]

The vast majority of my kilt knowledge I have learned from xmarks and it's members. Even a lively debate is a chance to learn from totally different point of views at the same time. I dare say that I would not be a kiltie if not for this forum. I have stuck my foot in before and I Still learned something from it.

[Sir Robert]

One of the problems discussing kilts here is that this forum is:

A. Over moderated.

and

B. Wearing the kilt is a political act.

The fact that people get so upset over the kilt lets you know it is political and gosh we can't have any political discussions here no sir ree!

Now why people get so upset, I have no idea, every time a thread gets good, it disappears.

As a suggestion perhaps we need a sub-forum for these hot button topics that has very very very very little moderation.

[Paul]

One of the problems discussing kilts here is that this forum is:

A. Over moderated.

and

B. Wearing the kilt is a political act.

The fact that people get so upset over the kilt lets you know it is political and gosh we can't have any political discussions here no sir ree!

Now why people get so upset, I have no idea, every time a thread gets good, it disappears.

As a suggestion perhaps we need a sub-forum for these hot button topics that has very very very very little moderation.

Your second point is very true. Kilts are often worn as political symbols in different parts of the world to represent different political movements or historic movements.
I can see why politics can't be discussed but I think there should perhaps be exceptions to rules included within the rules - with a clear guideline so every interperetation is absolutely clear. In my opinion this should be done simply to strengthen peoples' knowledge of these movements and explain a bit of the history behind them... which helps explain the history of kilts.

I do, however, accept that mods often right let discussions of historic political movements continue until people have a conflict of opinion about the actual history or about the politics themselves. I think these issues are enevitable and the mods do a good job at ensuring the stop at the right time -- most of the time.

[Panache]

One of the problems discussing kilts here is that this forum is:

A. Over moderated.

Sir Robert,

To this comment, as a member of XMTS, a member of the Mod Squad for a few years, and the Forum Manager I find odd.

In fact the Moderators of XMTS do less now than they ever have.

We are an international and family friendly forum. The purpose of XMTS is a level playing field where people from all walks of life and all ages can feel comfortable talking about, sharing, and learning about kilts and Celtic Heritage Activities.

We have rules concerning adult material, language, weapons, religion, and politics for the very reason that these subjects are not best discussed in mixed company.

Over the years our membership has embraced this and we have grown as a community.

The Ladies and Gentlemen of XMTS are an incredibly diverse group

We are old and young

We are rich and poor

We are of many faiths (or lack of faith)

We are of different sexes and sexualities

Politically we are conservative, liberal, and everywhere in between

We meet here on xmarksthescot.com to share and learn with this incredibly diverse group

All because we have a level playing field

xmarksthescot.com is not perfect and we certainly aren't all things to everyone

There are things we have to leave at the door to enter here.

Things that we can only discuss privately (by PM) with others

Because we have respect for the the fellowship here.

How long would the heated debate generated on a "Politics" forum remain there before spilling onto the open forum?

Personally I have my own thoughts on politics, religion, sex, and sexuality. But I set them aside when posting on the open forum. On one hand I have not been able to express those opinions.

On the other hand I have been able to talk with people around the world who I know have different views on these subjects.

I see these folks less as a "Them" to my sense of "Us" and instead a group of good people who have a different approach to the world than I do.

And I am a better person for it.

Sir Robert everything in life has its pluses and minuses.

The minus to XMTS is you sometimes can't say exactly what you want as an individual

The plus is that you get to share and be part of a wonderful group

There are other more appropriate places where I can share opinions about certain subjects.

I come back to XMTS because I am interested in kilts and being part of this great community.

Respectfully

Jamie

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

One of the problems discussing kilts here is that this forum is:

A. Over moderated.

and

B. Wearing the kilt is a political act.

The fact that people get so upset over the kilt lets you know it is political and gosh we can't have any political discussions here no sir ree!

Now why people get so upset, I have no idea, every time a thread gets good, it disappears.

As a suggestion perhaps we need a sub-forum for these hot button topics that has very very very very little moderation.

While I can appreciate where you are coming from, I'm afraid I'd have to disagree-- in my opinion all "hot button" topics are going to do is breed and foster a spirit of discontent within some circles-- or cliques-- on the forum.

Those that wish to continue a "hot button topic" discussion can do so via PM-- and I for one can tell you that I have done just that. The problem is that "hot topic" discussions ultimately become personal; something that only rarely happens on the open forum.

As far as being over moderated goes... I suppose it all comes down to whose posting gets pulled. Me personally? I think they are pretty laissez faire, vis-a-vis the occasional laissez aller on the part of the members. In other words, they only do their job when we fail to do ours.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

FWIW, the Mods here do a good job from where I sit. I'm sure it's a thankless job and one where it would be impossible to please everybody.

[escherblacksmith]

To concur, I have been a moderator on a number of forums, far more homogeneous than this one, they have just the right touch in my opinion.

As to the request for a low-moderated sub-forum, I'd say this. Unless you are going to require people to cite sources of informatin (with footnotes or the like), you are going to end up with a "You are wrong because I said so!". This is nigh invariable.

Find virtually any free-for-all political forum out there (and there are many) and that is what you get.