Animation Source Forums

One thing I really hate is when people post something against the rules and then when I point out, "Hey, that's against the rles," they get on their case talking like I'm the one out of line for "making such a big deal about one little post." And when there's a mod around who sticks up for them, WELL! I'm sorry, but that's more than any decent man can take.

I know how it feels. I've had one of my view points called 'completely ridculious' by another member. I respect they don't feel the same but wouldn't just saying they don't agree be better than saying something like that against another person's ideas? Some people here are also rude in other ways but I won't accuse anyone, I'm not that kinda person and they promised not to do it again.

This happens. Their isn't much new for me to say that hasn't been said.

dt- i totally agree with you on that. I HATE it when that happens >>

Usually it depends on the level some specific rule was broken. Obviously, a single post containing "ttyl" isn't subject to a ban -- if done sparingly, not even a warning. Quite personally, I don't see any fault behind discussing any topic in the world as long as the people involved in the discussion are open and respectful to each other and no one else is bothered by it. It also depends on the mod; some are more lenient than others in some instances... it's inconsistent, yes, but it's also personal. And who WOULDN'T be a little bit peeved when they have to stop a decent conversation just because someone who's listening in is touchy about it?

Well, it's one thing if people are, say, using sms. But a lot of conversations go on that shouldn't; I've seen people discuss drugs, alchohol, sex, etc. in the shoutbox. As for respectful, sure they are - right up until someone has the audacity to take the contrary point of view, or even to be so socially obscene as to note that 1) there are minors present and/or minors who could pop in at any time, 2) steet makes the rules and he says no discussion of that sort, and 3) their own personal amusement does NOT outweigh certain things.
I've heard it said, even by some mods, that certain people will bend the rules for a particular other person, either out of partiality or out of fear of displeasing a select group. And with all due respect, anyone who behaves that way should try something else. Moderating, in my opinion, is no task fit for favoritists or cowards.

1.) I know this might not apply to everyone, but by the time I was 5, I've learned every single curse word in existence in Spanish, English, Tagalog, and pig-latin. Turn on your TV and you'll find it's next to impossible to keep minors in a perfect place free of allusions to such topics. And since BaltoSource is a mix community with a wide range of age groups, it's only natural that you're going to find people talking about certain subjects that would appeal to one group and not the other -- despite it being against the rules. It's only when people start being obscene about it in the manners you mentioned that it starts to become a problem.

2.) Dogmatic arguments like that are what makes issues like these so big when they also have the potential to pose no threat whatsoever. When kept under supervision, these topics can actually prove to be relieving outlets and prompts for a really good [if not interesting] discussion. How many times have you gone to the shoutbox to find someone crying about how their loud neighbors are throwing a drunken fight and that they're worried about what to do? You gonna tell them to post their problem elsewhere? Yes, it's against the rules, and yes, we all love people who follow rules, but the point of such forbidden topics being instated in the first place is to keep members from breaking out in a riotous frenzy; if stubborn feelings of narrow-mindedness and reproach can be suppressed before they cause any harm, what difference would there be in talking about any other topic?

3.) Personal amusement? I sincerely doubt the people who are talking about the things you feel so strongly about are doing it just to push your buttons. Who knows, they might even be serious when they proclaim that they're gay. [Which, in my honest opinion, is perfectly okay; the attractive force that brings two like people together is the same force that attracts two opposites as well. But we digress.] But this last point is really insufficient, as the issue of mods and favoritism has already been addressed a great number of times. Bring it up with an administrator and perhaps talk to the mod themselves instead of simply jumping to the conclusion that just because they're friends, and they're turning their heads. A claim so bold as to call them "cowards," some might even take umbrage to, as you, yourself, are no mod and are unaware of our rules of engagement.

k thx.

If it's a question of appeal, I try to be reasonable. Let me explain how I personally judge this sort of thing, and you decide if I am reasonable.
If it's something that annoys someone, usually there's some kind of reason, be it valid or ridiculous (and again, that can sometimes be a judgment call in itself, so I'll tr not to go there. For example, I've seen people make a stink about discussions of High School Musical or Jonas Brothers because they are "lame." Now, I personally like High School Musical. Granted, the music in the second one was a bit wierd in places (my own opinion), but the movies have a positive message. And besides, any movie in this day and age about high schoolers with no drugs, no sex, and no swearing is OK by me. As for Jonas Brothers, I've never heard their music. But again, any band whose members wear purity rings cannot, in my book, be reckoned altogether bad. But in either case, if someone doesn't want to discuss it, fine. I can live with that.
Now if it bothers them, I'll try to find out what bothers them about it and decide what to do about it based on that; either try to explain to them that it isn't a problem, or concede to their wishes and change the subject, depending on the particular case. Like, if there's a phrase I had picked up from somewhere without realizing it had, say, racist connotations, I would stop once I knew it was a problem.
Now, if it's against the rules, for my part I'll concede to the rules (as, may I remind you, the mods I've complained about are also obligated to do, and more so) as far as they cover. For example, I do not bring up anything specific to my religion. I do not, however, let that stop me from telling a depressed person that I will pray for them, because A) praying is practiced by nearly every theistic religion, and thus acceptable according to steet himself, B) on the internet, it's just about the only thing one can really do, and C) whether or not you believe there's a God, a promise of prayer ought to at least convey this: "I care what's going on in your life. I can't do anything about it myself, but I'll at least try to help in a way I think will work." Now, if you think there's a fault in this, just go ahead and show me someone who objects to someone hoping the best for them.
If you have an issue with any of the rules, far be it from me to remind you that you are not the legislator on this site. A mod who objects to the rules should do as you advised me and voice his or her objections to steet, not just shirk or even openly go against their duties.


In the situation you've put forward, I usually offer to talk it over with them in PMs where it won't cause a disturbance. If someone needs help, and reaches out for it, who am I (who is anybody, for that matter) to refuse whatever help can be given?
When I cited drugs as an example, I was talking about, say, discussions where people talk about getting drunk or going for a smoke. Parents of members on this site might be worried that such discussions might desensitize their children to the problems of drug abuse. Perhaps I was unclear on the context; now you know what I mean.
In any case, You speak as if I'm doing something wrong by asserting that steet has the right to say what can or can't be discussed here. It is his site, is it not?


Oh, trust me, I know they are. You're talking as if I speak without knowledge, but it's pretty obvious when someone is trying to get my goat. I've lived around it my whole life, and I know what to look for. Besides, rules are rules, and they exist to keep the peace of the site and to benefit the members and the site itself. Jersey is right, there are people who concoct things simply to see who they can upset.
As for favoritism, what else do you call it when a mod blatantly ignores a glaring defiance of the rules he or she has been enlisted to enforce? And on cowardice, I've had mods agree with me on this; mods whom I know from experience to be reliable, even if they disagree with the rules. I'm talking about a mod refusing to do their job because it might dock their popularity a few points.
Lastly, I should add that regardless of whether or not these people are serious about whatever they may say, this is not the place for some things. I'm willing to concede to limitations on what I can say spiritually, and I'm very serious about my beliefs. I creep up to the line when neccessary, but if I were to actually break such a rule, I'd be disappointed if any mod, including you, stood by and failed to reprimand me.

I'd be interested to see, if only as a thought experiment, what might happen if we removed all rules for a while. You know what I think would happen? I think things would eventually just sort themselves out. Either that, or it would just implode. But it would be freakin' hilarious. Kinda win-win, I should say.


As to rules, rules are meant to have leeway and give. Rules that are not flexible have no ability to adapt to a given situation, or given facts. Rules are subjective, as they should be. For my part, if no one in the shoutbox has a problem with a given line of discussion, then the mods should let it proceed as long as it doesn't become overly graphic or disruptive. Yes, even topics addressing sex and religion. Because, lets face it, most religions are learned from birth and most people get their first boyfriends and girlfriends at 13, not at 18. I like sex, but I don't like religion, for the most part. But I can concede that an honest discussion about it, without kicking and screaming, can be educational and even enjoyable.

Frankly, when the rules are imposed without flex, it causes even more disruption than the original comment did, because you end up with a dozen members all chiming in and yelling about how someone is breaking a rule, and running to tattle.

In short, the rules should have give to them, based on the discretion of the mods in place at the time.

No rules. Yes, you would certainly like that, wouldn't you? But the problem is that if someone does take exception to a topic, certain people (and I won't name names, you know who you are) invariably start throwing insults, sarcasm, and so forth.
There are plenty of sites for discussions of the sort prohibited here; sexual, religious, and otherwise. Steet has prohibited such matters here; ergo, they should be taken elsewhere. They have no more place in the shoutbox than, say, non-dog fanfics or art have in the fan fiction and art sections.
It's perfectly simple, people. Steet made the site, he made the rules, and what he says is law. You can go through the proper channels if you think there needs to be a change, but you shouldn't be trying to just go over his head and get your way outside what's allowed. If you want Balto Source, you play by the Balto Source rules. If you want Anarchy Source, make your own site with no rules.
I talked to steet, and he said a long time ago he is not changing the policy arond here.

Heh, gee, DT. If I wasn't so sure of your tact and self-control, I'd wager you didn't read any further than the sarcastic first paragraph of my post. Who was advocating any change in the rules? I was advocating a change in the application of the rules, which, frankly, is totally different.

I did read further, and it all boiled down to anarchy, except with riot police to keep it from getting the bad name it would deserve. Besides, apparently you never read past my second sentence.

That was a direct response to your remark about "If no one in the shoutbox has a problem with the given line of discussion."

Okay, I think this is just beginning to become a repeat of topics that have long ago been locked.

First off, DT - I understand you're trying to support the rules and everything, but GAWD, I'm getting sick of it. Yes, I'd love to see people follow the rules that Steet has put for us to obey, but leave it to the mods to settle things, okay? I know they aren't always quick to do things, and newbs around here manage to repeat situations that they know are wrong, but stop choking it down their throats.

(Are you a MOD? Because I didn't think you were . . . stop acting like one if you're not. And if you are, MY FRIGGIN' BAD.)

*I'm trying not to make this sound like I don't like the way you're doing things, but . . . it ticks me off really - SORRY*

And I guess the last thing I should say is that the Internet isn't exactly what we want it to be. Leave it alone and just take a break from the drama, please. I've almost had it with you guys and your crazy situations like this. Just follow the rules and no one will have to deal with crappy repetitive angsty drama on here.

DUH.

*ish pissed off*

- Juuchan17

I try, but my point initially was not about the newbs, but the older members who ought to know the rules. And, as I pointed out, some mods tend to shirk their responsibilities:

I've seen more than one case where mods, and for the record I can't recall you ever being one to do so at least in the shoutbox, actively encouraged particular members to break the rules. I do let the mods do their task when I can, and if there's sme way I've erred in that then please tell me so I can avoid it. But when the mods don't do what they're supposed to, even when the problem is right in front of their noses, what's a decent man supposed to do? Stand by in silence and watch this place burn, or call attention to the problem so it can be duly solved?
As for not liking the way I do things, is that or isn't it the case? If you don't like how I do things, that's fine; I'm open to advice if you have any to offer, and if not then I'll say that popularity is not very high on my priority list. But don't beat around the bush, please. If I'm doing something wrong, tell me.
In that last (main) paragraph, about repetive situations, I agree. But until that comes about, what am I to do but keep on taking a stand? In good conscience, what else can I do? The internet is not what I want it to be, just as you have said. But I can only do what I feel is right. When it stops being right, I'll stop doing it.

In case this topic gets locked, I just want to say thank you to those who stood with me. This site deserves a little peace.