<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Moiraine:
Larry, just a thought : why don't you take another new name to post as a regular member ? I mean, having one login as a Mod and one as a member entitled to post his own opinions as everyone else. [img]smile.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

<font color=skyblue>
That would certainly make it easier for me to post my opinions in debates without carrying the moderator badge taht scares everybody except Vasquez [img]tongue.gif[/img] away...
But, everybody would know that LarrydaLoon would be me! :D

Actually, I doubt that Ziroc would approve of it, because if anybody found out that I was two separate entities here...everybody would try to do so, and we would have a big mess. I think.</font>

Larry! You are just as entitled to speak your mind as any of the rest of us.....It is *my* understanding that a moderator isn't so much neutral as he or she stands by ready to referee (ie. remind everybody they are supposed to be relatively mature individuals not 5 year olds!) if things get a little out of hand.

You feel strongly (to use your own example) about your Christian beliefs. This is a good thing and certainly should be shared with everyone since not only does it help explain you as a person (to a community where we are basically reduced to blind words on a screen) but also your broader view of the world. I am a pagan and a witch and approach *some* topics from a different direction than you because of my varying spiritual beliefs and experiences. This is good too as it helps explain *me* as a person and helps *you* (and other Christians) to understand that pagans are not all rabid tree-hugging, divinity-blasting, devil-worshipping radicals who want to cast evil spells and donminate the world at large. (on a lighter note...geesh, that is a funny image! ;) )

We *ALL* need remember, moderator, poster or ocassional visitor, that while we may be secure in our beliefs and eager to share them, we must temper ourselves just a little so as not to appear to be belittling the beliefs of others.

The finest pen in all the world cannot speak with eloquence if the writer is mute.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric:


Sazerac....I have a question.

Would it not be more productive for a member to question a Moderators' decision in the forum (as long as it's done respectfully), so that the Mod could explain his/her reasoning for the decision.

It seems like this would help new members learn what is and isn't acceptable more quickly.

If I PM you with a question, I'll learn your reasons, but no one else will.

I also want to make a distinction between "questioning" a decision and "disagreement" with a decision.

"Questioning" - means that I don't understand what rule was violated or why the Mod decided to take the action they did. This is the type I feel should be Posted on the forum for all to see.

"Disagreement" - means that I know WHY you took a certain action, but I don't agree with it. This SHOULD be handled by PM, because posting it on the forum will undermine the Mods authority.

Just my [img]graemlins/twocents.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>


Cerek, NO, what it does it lead to speculation and arguing by some members who feel they have the correct answer and have the right to question Z's rules on his own forum. We've seen this erupt into flaming and outright disrespect for Z and his moderators. Ziroc, himself made the rule to pm or email any questions/disagreements instead of posting. It often leads to someone posting something offensive and rather than deal with it, Z says do such things off board.

The reason this is such an issue, is many people here will tell you of other places that went up in flames and ended up closing because of the horrendous atmosphere (troll haven!) that can occur when too much of that 'questioning' and outright defying of the rules happens. Z is strict because he wants to keep IW a comfortable, fun and useful place for all it's members. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cloudy

My question is: Do I have to show the same degree of respek to moderators of other forums who are posting on GD (such as Cludbringer) as I have to show moderators of GD (such as Memknock)?

Or are there degrees of respek?

:D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Larry_OHF:


<font color=skyblue>
That would certainly make it easier for me to post my opinions in debates without carrying the moderator badge taht scares everybody except Vasquez [img]tongue.gif[/img] away...
But, everybody would know that LarrydaLoon would be me! :D

Actually, I doubt that Ziroc would approve of it, because if anybody found out that I was two separate entities here...everybody would try to do so, and we would have a big mess. I think.</font><hr></blockquote>
Bah It's not like you didn;t do it before
And besides
You can always be some part of K&Z [img]smile.gif[/img]

--------------

Off-topic
Ehm LarrydaLoon...
What have you been drinking [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Rikard_OHF ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance:

...I am a pagan and a witch... <hr></blockquote>


<font color=skyblue>OK....fun fact about my family!
Sorry, this is [img]graemlins/offtopic.gif[/img] , but is fun to share...to show that I can relate to others not of my belief.

Everybody gather 'round.
My Great Grandmother's Aunt was burned at the stake for being a witch. My aunt (my mom's sister), had a terrible divorce, and started getting involved in what we called the dark arts. She was prompted to do so, on account of our family heritage. She did alot of ritualistic stuff that caused her x-husband's house to catch on fire, and he almost died in it. Her daughter, my cousin, her name is Christina...saw the power that her mom apparently had and took up studying the Wicca way and stuff. If anybody put Melusine beside my cousin...Even I might have a hard time telling the two apart! The last I heard, se was living in Boone. Lord of Alcohol might know that Boone, Blowing Rock area has a growing Wicca population. That is located in the mountians of Western North Carolina, FYI...</font>

Sorry for asking again but what happened to Lavindathar? Was anyone offended by his post, was he banned becuase of what he posted (I cant find the thread in which he addressed some of the mods, namely Larry,Saz and Cloudy)

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Sigmar ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sigmar:
Sorry for asking again but what happened to Lavindathar? Was anyone offended by his post, was he banned becuase of what he posted (I cant find the thread in which he addressed some of the mods, namely Larry,Saz and Cloudy)

<hr></blockquote>
<font color=skyblue>
No, Lavi is not banned, as I can see his member profile is still accessible.
He deleted his own thread after he realized that he had not received a complete understanding of certain activities, and was advised to take it off before it got him into trouble. </font>

To make sure I understand you, Larry...

Your aunt studied the 'dark arts' and dabbled in some very negative stuff, right?

Your cousin thought, "hey, this is way cool" and began studying Wicca.

You are *not* equating the two women, are you? Cause what your aunt messed in and what your cousin is studying (if it is Wicca) is nowhere near the same, barely related, in fact......

Oh, and I am not Wiccan, nor am I one of those 'black arts' evil bitch witches, either. (Not going into it here as it is *way* off topic). But I'm glad you posted that anyhow [img]smile.gif[/img] .

OK, back on topic [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] Re. questioning the mods' decisions....I'm sure they think hard before taking action and the rules *are* clearly posted and reviewed periodically. So it's not as if they ban or suspend someone on a whim! We have all stepped over the line in the heat of debate, and they gently guide us back to (relative) sanity. They have graciously volunteered *hours* and hours of their time and resources to provide this safe and cozy place for us all to meet. If anything, we should at the least give hugs, kisses, salutations, heap praises upon their heads (you can stop me at any time, here, mods... [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] .)

(Edit for correction of familial relations)

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Garnet FalconDance ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cloudbringer:



Cerek, NO, what it does it lead to speculation and arguing by some members who feel they have the correct answer and have the right to question Z's rules on his own forum. We've seen this erupt into flaming and outright disrespect for Z and his moderators. Ziroc, himself made the rule to pm or email any questions/disagreements instead of posting. It often leads to someone posting something offensive and rather than deal with it, Z says do such things off board.

The reason this is such an issue, is many people here will tell you of other places that went up in flames and ended up closing because of the horrendous atmosphere (troll haven!) that can occur when too much of that 'questioning' and outright defying of the rules happens. Z is strict because he wants to keep IW a comfortable, fun and useful place for all it's members. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cloudy<hr></blockquote>

OK, Fair Enough. I didn't think about how a legitimate - and seemingly harmless - question could still potentially lead to flaming of the Mods.

Thank you for the explanation.