Personally....I don't think for a nano second that anyone on her for instance posts in the hope of being banned. They are just expressing themselves.

Expression should be welcomed from all walks of life.

..freedom of speech is always a funny old thing..by definition, freedom has no boundaries..so no rules to apply really...I think we've all seen the movies and know how a 'no rule' society would be/'lawlessness', well it wouldn't be a society at all, that's the point because rules are an essential part of society..so from an early age, there would be no need for parents to guide/schools and mentors to guide etc in self discipline, social acceptability etc ..we can all just say what we want without any consequence...yes darling, you can say that Freddie next door is an ugly this, this and this because that's what I think he is as well so that's the honesty of it...yes, you can insult and abuse that little chap sitting next to you in class because that's what you feel, so you're just being an honest little guy...and then obviously in turn...because we're not perfection or above judgement ourselves, that little chap sitting next to us in class will abuse and insult us also..because obviously he has the same freedoms to do so...and so it goes on and on and on...and the results of it all..'the outcome' I guess is that it can no longer be a society...

...obviously we now have 'internet societies' as well..which we didn't always have back in the day...internet societies/internet communities/internet forums, which are really exactly the same as 'real life'...we can have no rules, we can all have equal freedom ...but be careful what you wish for, I think because you're taking away all boundaries and acceptability as well...'freedom of speech', yes ...but self discipline also ...otherwise 'internet societies/communities' like this one, which we choose to be part of, would not exist at all....

...I really don't think that you're naïve enough to believe in 'expression with no limitations/boundaries of acceptability whatsoever etc'...and when those boundaries are pushed aside and stepped over then infractions/bans etc are only the 'expression' of people who are focused in keeping the boundaries.(and for very good reason..)...so should also be equally 'welcomed' as well...accept the freedom and accept the consequence...

If you are talking about that atheist thread you made the other day it's clear as day to anyone that it was designed with the primary motive to mock theists for no reason whatsoever so I'm not surprised it was removed.

Had someone made a Christian thread and filled it with posts like "ha those godless atheists they have no morals, all they wanna do is sin" and "stupid atheists! how can they not believe in God I bet they do they just choose to turn away from him" I'd be livid.

Hm, I think people are entitled to at least a note so they know what they shouldn't be doing.

As for the OP, freedom of speech is all well and good but there needs to be limitations.

..I honestly can never understand this 'freedom of speech' thing when it's often applied to forums in the way it is...it's like anything in life we 'buy into' or choose to be part of and the 'terms and conditions' that go along with that...if they're not something you can agree to, then it's as simple and blunts as ..don't really because you have choices...and with those choices/sites of more 'freedom of speech' then also accept that others will also have that same freedom back at you if you abuse it and are offensive with it...and don't even think of hovering a finger over a report button...because freedom and what you chose to be part of...

Most of the time they are told why a thread was closed or deleted or the infraction/warning explains it to them but the other times it's for completely obvious reasons.

Often on a forum, whether you are warned or infracted depends not on what you have said, but rather on whether you are reported for saying it. If you are reported, then the mods are duty bound to intervene and act accordingly.

The $64,000, is, what is the motive behind that 'someone' reporting you?

A lot of the time, it will be someone reporting you who is actually involved in a heated argument with you, and technically speaking, much of the time, that someone who has reported you will have actually transgressed the forum rules more than you have but has not been reported, or will have transgressed the forum rules more than you have, but in a less obvious, more 'acceptable' manner.

For example:

A) I make a statement that in my locale SOME 'travellers' have illegally parked their caravans in the centre of a local beauty spot, churning up the manicured grass in the process, and have piled loads of festering rubbish on once beautiful flower beds, and I go on to detail how these travellers are accosting elderly local residents in an intimidating manner and 'begging' money from them etc. etc.

B) Another member accuses me of being racist and points out to me that "Travellers are human beings too"

C) I THEN correct that member and point out that I am NOT racist, and that I am NOT denigrating ALL the travelling community, but just this particular group.

D) That member then completely ignores my correction and STILL continues in subsequent posts, to accuse me of xenophobia and racism.

E) As the thread progresses, I call the other member naive or stupid.

Now, I have quite clearly broken the forum rules by 'being personal' or whatever the actual terminology is, and I cannot complain if I am warned or infracted.

However; is it not also being 'personal' to be repeatedly and wrongly called a 'racist' or 'xenophobe'? And is it not also highly offensive to boot?

With the best will in the world, it is difficult to stick to The Marquis of Queensbury rules when you are wearing 10 ounce gloves and the other guy is wearing knuckle-dusters and produces a baseball bat in the first round.

But, still, there ARE rules, and if we infinge them, then we can't blame the ref for doing his job - better to stay out of the fight.

:clap1::clap1::clap1: You are a wise old bird Kyle.

If you can speak your mind without insulting other forum members then go right ahead :hee:

I think it depends how you say things. If you're polite usually you get away with a lot. :laugh:

Kirk, when a post is reported we don't just look at that one post, we do read back along at the other posts as well. Alot of times the person who reports a post is infracted as well for starting something or being as insulting

Thanks Niamh, I would not know that but I am genuinely pleased to learn it, and I stand corrected. I really was not 'grousing', and I am the first to admit that I am as guilty of breaking forum rules as anyone.

there still is, even on tibb a traditional, if misguided, "respect" for religion when really none should be given unless deserved by actions today

its not a battle that is won quickly...

:nono: You are a devious twot LT. I laughed out loud at your 'gonna make Kirk an offer he can't refuse' post (Religion, horse Racing form and immigrants :laugh:) on the closed thread.

You are a one-off which God has given to me to eternally cheer me up. :hehe:

Summed up perfectly by you as ever.

:clap2:

Honesty is never a bad thing, but people use it to just be mean and rude assuming that honesty is all about being as blunt and hurtful as possible.

Example:

Niamh has a new hair do. Josy doesn't like it and Niamh asks her opinion on it:

Josy wants to be honest and can do it in two ways.

First, she can tell Niamh that it's okay but it doesn't compliment her well and she prefers her with another hair style that brings out her looks.

Secondly she can say it's absolutely vile and Niamh looks ugly.


Both honest answers but one is nicer than the other.

^ the latter is clearly the truth though so Josy should go for that

:laugh:

You horrible bastards, you're just jealous of my new hairstyle tbqh :idc:

Nobody has a bob anymore, Niamh. :idc:

:laugh: my hair hasn't been shorter than below my shoulders since I was 13

the grey goes nice with your m&s cardy x