Quote Originally Posted by DWFII View Post
I have read and reread the rules. I cannot find anything that states I cannot make the following observation but if the mods feel that they need to delete this post, so be it.

Someone reported my post #57 for violation of rule #8-- The best I can figure is that whoever it was took exception to my recounting of the experiences and observations that inform my opinions.

I can't decide whether this is funny or sad. It's as if there is a network or cabal of spies who skitter about industriously looking for anything and everything to report or complain about. No matter how petty. No matter how spurious.

Do they get gold stars pasted next to their names?

It is not democracy, it is not free speech, it invalidates the whole concept and spirit of discussion, of a discussion forum.

It's a violation of my rights. If I knew who it was I would report them for hiding in the weeds. For not taking responsibility for their own actions. For denying me the right to confront my accuser. For cowardice.

It is repression by whisper and gossip. It is George Orwell's vision made manifest and enforced in the same way for the same ends--spite, vindictiveness, envy.

Perhaps the rules should state what can be said...what is allowed. Create scripts so that we can parrot them by rote so that no one will be made to feel like they are out of their comfort zone or over their heads intellectually. Note...I did not say anyone was, I am just offering a suggestion.

This kind of behaviour makes me angry. It should make everyone angry. There is no safety in silence.

I'm sure this post will also be reported.
Well, if this post was reported for a Rule violation, we would take a look at it. The moderators cannot be reading every post and we depend on the members to report their perceived violations of the Rules. It comes down many times to people’s perceptions. What someone may find offensive may not be offensive to me. The moderators don’t always agree on a Rule violation, but the majority decides if it is.

No we don’t give out gold stars for reporting. Of course, if someone reported a number of posts that we were always finding that there was no violation, at least for me in receiving a reported post from that individual, I might be initially skeptical of the report, but I would still read it through and evaluate the reported post with an open mind. But you know we don’t have that situation here at XMarks. Thank goodness. Sometimes, I don’t get it with a reported post. I reframe from voting in our deliberations seeking counsel of the other moderators in what they may see in the reported post.

If member takes a member to task in what is said, I personally think that can be a good thing. We just ask in be done in a civil manner. We have had a few problems not doing that in this thread. I appreciate a member’s decision in not saying anything at all, when it can’t be said in a positive manner within the rules or our philosophy. I sometimes wonder when a member gets so upset with another’s member point of view they keep countering the argument, when they may be best be served, by moving on and not visiting the thread. Life is short.

It’s not a violation of your rights in being reported. You agree to abide by our Rules by being part of this community. The report a post system that we depend on in finding Rules violation is based on anonymous reporting. We feel if the reporter was shared with the possible violator then members would reframe from reporting and our system would not work. Everyone is entitle to their opinion, but to play in this playground you play by the playground rules.

ern a XMark's moderator speaking for himself