Hiding the Political Corner Forum??

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Bren-2007
Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
Hiding the Political Corner Forum??

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2009

    How come we can't find the Political Corner forum on the list of topics anymore?  The only way to find it is in the Active Topics listing.

    Thanks,

    Bren

  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited February 2009

    i have to agree with bren, I found I really liked reading it.  It was great to read about non bc

  • charis
    charis Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2009

    Some of my pm friends post there ...  seems only the republicans got slapped on the hands "by the community" (democrat girls).   Seems like they got ganged up on. Once that happens to so many posts, you get "restricted"  ... don't know how many it takes, but now vivre, who is my mentor on the alternative forum can't even post at all because she said the word "censored" ... I think free speech should apply to everyone, not just the democrat party.  I am hoping vivre can come back because now she can't even post to all of us. I am happy I got her email but its not the same. 

    I guess they took it off the forum thing because some people can't keep to themselves.

  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2009

    Charis,

       I'm a democrat.  I have friends who post on both threads.  All the posts on all the political threads keep me on my toes.  It forces me to go to the source on the important issues.  I just ignore the stuff that bugs me.

      

  • charis
    charis Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2009

    BinVA, then shouldn't the people ignore the posts they dont' like instead of trying to get rid of the girls?  Seems like they are systematically trying to get rid of them.  You should see all the posts the "community" deleted.  They should just use that ignore button. Due to my post here, one girl pm'd me and said she is restricted to 5 posts because one of her posts got deleted. Is that automatic from the software or imposed on by the moderators?

  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited February 2009

    I find it frustrating that questions posted to the moderators in this section seem to sit for so long before being answered. Many of the questions that are posted here are of interest to more than just the original poster and it would be nice to have at least acknowledgment that the mods have seen the posts even if they don't have an answer right away.

    I always look at the "ACTIVE TOPICS" section, so didn't realize the political section was not showing up on the forum index page. I visit the threads and have posted a few times. It's nice to have something more to think about than cancer. Maybe they're hiding it on the forum index page to discourage those "fly by" attacks from newbies who are only wanting to stir up trouble??

  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2009

    Charis,

    Yep .. ignoring would be much better than hitting the "delete post" button. 

    OKAY ... now I can't find the political corner on the Active Topics forum.  Can someone tell me if that thread as been deleted?

    EDITED TO SAY:  Charis, yes the software automatically bans the poster if their post got a certain number of "delete comment" hits.  I don't know how it works, but I think, depending on home many times the poster has been deleted, they can then post only five times a day.  I don't know what qualifies a poster for a permanent ban.

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited February 2009

    Let's hope it's merely a "cooling off" or "time out" period......

    I'm north of the border but find all the political posts very interesting.  It IS good to think outside the cancer box.

  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited February 2009

    I understand for some it is not just a cooling off period. I find it interesting that the mods can move so quickly on something like this, but have not provided any answer about deleting sent PMs--a question i first asked them about in 2007. Hmmmmm

    I am stage IV and in active treatment. I find that having these other topics on the boards is a good diversion for me when it feels like my whole existence is about cancer. So, we can't talk politics...does that mean religion is next? What about unconventional treatments or alternative therapies? What do tv shows have to do with bc? How much does one have to donate to the site to ensure his or her preferred threads and posters don't get banned? Don't even try to tell me that doesn't happen...

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2009

     Hello All, 

    It was necessary to remove the Political Corner, as a handful of people (Republicans and Democrats alike) were simply not able to remain respectful of the others' opinions. The name-calling and insults were unacceptable, and making huge divisions in the boards. I have been inundated with PMs and emails for months now, all negative and disrespectful of fellow members as well as the rules of conduct. This situation has taken so much of our time and energy. There are very many topics that can serve as a diversion. However, if these issues are so vital to discuss, these could be taken to Yahoo boards as well. We sincerely tried to make this work.

    Melissa 

    p.s. PMs cannot currently be deleted, by Admin or members. We apologize if this is a problem.

  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited February 2009

    Perhaps the moderators could address the multiple posts in the section regarding the ability of users to delete PMs they have sent themselves?  The answer "we are not able to delete PMs" clearly indicates you are not understanding the question.

    You know how in your email program when you send a message, oftentimes a copy of that sent message goes into your "sent" folder? In email programs, one can decide to delete the copies of messages they have sent. On this site, that feature does not exist. Not only is it not very functional, you are eating up valuable bytes of server space storing messages that many of us do not want to save.  Get it? 

  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited February 2009

    And I think you need to clarify your position about not having a dedicated section of the boards for political discussions because I was under the impression you did not want these posts to go anywhere but the "political corner". Which is it?

  • jader
    jader Member Posts: 223
    edited February 2009

    It seems you only got rid of one half of the girls and not the others. I think the others were doing the exact same thing. 

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited February 2009

    I'll second the comment from badboob67 about the confusion about whether or not the political discussions should be in a dedicated section.  As far as I'm concerned, the one good thing about the political corner was that the disputes were completely contained to that forum - they didn't spill over to the rest of the board.  I used to participate in the political threads and I figured that if people wanted to insult each other and be disrespectful of others on those threads, go ahead. Everyone was there by choice and anyone could leave if they wanted to.  After a time I found it just too ugly so I opted out and stopped participating and even reading those threads.  As a result, there are many people who I just don't see anywhere else on the board.   But now, if the politic forum is eliminated and we're advised to have those discussions in other forums, I worry that some of those people may move over to other forums and contaminate the board with some of that nastiness.  Do you really want these discussions spreading to the rest of the board - areas where newbies are focused on their diagnosis and treatments and others among us are trying to offer help and support?  Do you really want the arguments and insults from the political forum to move over to the other forums, where that ugliness might scare away women who need help with real breast cancer issues?

    One of the problems in the political threads appears to have been the misuse of the "Report this Post" feature, resulting in the elimination of posts and eventual banning of individuals who merely had a different political viewpoint.  I think the "Report this Post" feature is very important in helping us get rid of spammers quickly within the main forums of the board.  But I don't think it's necessary in areas where the discussion is strictly social.  There, it's just an editing device or even, a bullying device. So I think it would be better if the political forum be allowed to exist and if the "Report this Post" feature be disabled in that forum (and probably, in all the Moving Beyond type forums).  Let those who are so inclined have a space where they can argue and insult, away from everyone else.  And don't give them any tools (such as the Report this Post feature) which can used to suppress the thoughts of others or to gang up on someone who happens to have a different viewpoint.

    If we'd never had the political forums at all, I would probably have a very different opinion. But given the history, I don't think eliminating the political forum is the answer.  Just my opinion.   

  • HopingforaCure
    HopingforaCure Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2009

    Thanks Melissa for keeping the political threads for as long as you did.  They were very enjoyable to read leading up to the election.  I'm sure it has been time consuming for you and Tami trying to make sense out of the squabbles and the veiled and many times blatant nastiness that continues to appear on some of the threads. Politics is a tough topic and unfortunately, does not always bring out the best in people.  I wish all my BC sisters the best and if, in fact the poltical threads do disappear, will find other avenues of diversion.  And thank you, in general, for all the informative and helpful threads that are on this site, along with all the other info.  It's helped me tremendously! 

  • jerseymaria
    jerseymaria Member Posts: 770
    edited February 2009

    i'm truly sorry that it has come to this.  my struggle with bc has been very difficult as everyone's is.  having always been a news and political junkie, this thread has been a source of much needed diversion as well as info.  i'm very impressed with the knowledge i see.  but to be honest it sure hurts to see such onesidedness.  yes i've read the other threads but never posted simply because i don't agree and believe in living and let live.  i guess this is not the case with everyone.  not surprising to me as years ago i watched with sadness the same fate  for a lupus forum i was active with.  i guess my whole point here is that right now i'm feeling that a good part of the reason why i frequent this site has been taken from me when i need it most, ie the need to think and focus on something other than cancer and my future. i want to thank the people that i've met and grown to love.  i just hope the ones that are unable to see another point of view are very satisfied.  they've accomplished their goal.  starla, you are so right...how sad.   maria

  • Daffodil
    Daffodil Member Posts: 829
    edited February 2009

    I learned a lot from reading all the forums, and kept hoping that there would be civil discussions.

    It looks like my worst fears are realized. It has come to this. A sign of the times? Sad.....

  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited February 2009

    thought this was interesting:

    Posted in: Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Jul 25, 2007 05:49 am
    You tube democratic debate
    Ladies,
    This thread has a right to be here as politics is just as much a part of our popular culture as discussions about television programs, movie stars, newspaper articles, etc..

    Please agree to disagree and move on. If you don't like this thread, then you may not want to read it.

    Also, remember our rules of conduct, specifically, You agree not to discuss or repost deleted posts or warning letters sent informing you or another member of a violation of these Rules of Conduct. Continued references to deleted or moved posts/threads could result in being banished from this site.

    Thank you in advance for your cooperation and for continuing to support one another. After all, isn't that what you are here for?


    Tami, moderator

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