Everyone Please Read

[Roguelet]

Everyone knew FULL WELL that I was at the ITOBA sale yesterday and that I would not be checking this forum. I now have a TON of work to do post-sale and had already told myself that I would not check the forum until I was finished. However, I opened my mail this morning to find several emails and about 10 PM notices in my inbox, so I decided I had better check it out.

I can not tell you all what LOW CLASS it shows to pick a day that it is well known I will not be here, and use that opportunity to go balls-out into a war. It also shows complete lack of class to repeatedly continue the type of post that everyone has seen multiple warnings and requests to stop. It shows a complete lack of respect for ALL of our other posters to continue with behavior that offends, upsets, or drives them away, when it has been repeatedly pointed out exactly what that behavior is.

I HATE squelching people's personalities, and I HATE censorship and banning. However, what I DESPISE even more is when people repeatedly make it very, very difficult for me to continue to hold that opinion. I do not appreciate people who purposely bait and attack other posters, ignore warnings, and then whine to me about other people. You are guilty if you start it, you are guilty if you respond in kind.

Four people are now on a 3-day vacation for various reasons. If those people come back in 3 days and start again, their next vacation will be 5 days. This board has been, for the most part, a wonderful place to be for the past several years. Recently, it has been going to crap. Many of our very well-respected, long-term posters have gone missing since this crap has taken over the board, and that's something I won't tolerate. If I have to permanently remove a handful of troublemakers to make this board worthy of everyone else's time, I WILL DO SO. I don't WANT to, but I will.

I hope the next 3 days will get this board back on track and some of our old regulars will come back, and the rest of us can get back to what this board is supposed to be about. I apologize to all of the rest of you who have had to deal with this crap over and over again lately, and hope you will continue to post here. Let's not let the immature behavior of a few people ruin what has been an excellent resource for many years.

[jagger]

In keeping with other forms of punishment, why not publish the names of the offenders? We probably know who they are anyway but what is gained by not publishing their names? Why does their anonymity need to be respected? It's not the same as carving a big A on the foreheads of adulterers. Drunk driver's names as well as all forms of crimes are published daily in the newspapers. Making their names known might also be a better form of deterrent than the "vacation". I think "time out" would have been a better term to use for their punishment. There are NO negative implications about the word "vacation".

[larrygene]

Instead of "time out" or "on vacation" what about ...."excommunicated"

Larrygene

[jagger]

Any guesses who is on "vacation"?

[pfrsue]

Jagger, I seriously don't think it's necessary to name names in cases like this. The people who were temporarily banned certainly know who they are and what behavior they're expected to modify. There's no reasonable purpose in posting their names and leaving them open for derision from the other forum members. It just seems... I don't know, sort of petty?

Take care,

Sue

[madelyn]

Gee. Not me. But I'm not really a basher by nature.

[Roguelet]

You know what? You're right. It is a time-out moreso than a vacation. And, you're also right about public calling-out, unfortunately. This goes against my personal preference, because I hate to do this type of thing, but unfortunately my hatred of censorship and desire to not embarass people has become well enough known that it is now being fully taken advantage of by several people, and something needs to be done to put a stop to it. So, as much as I HATE to do this, here goes (and these are in alphabetical order):

bdw0617: Baiting; repeat offender (To be fair: Level is low in this case as compared to others, but it's zero tolerance time.)

CA Michael: Baiting, fighting, responding in kind, refusing to heed multiple warnings; repeat offender. (To be fair: Specifically to the past 24 hours, only one baiting post, but since this was the recipient of the last time-out and the post was clearly made with the sole intent of causing trouble, zero tolerance applies.)

Rokeby Forever: Baiting, fighting, responding in kind, refusing to heed multiple warnings; repeat offender.

Sam: Baiting, fighting, responding in kind, repeat offender.

I do NOT like doing this, but the time has come to make a statement. Some of you may agree with this decision, others may not; but I can not continue to sit by, trying to play nice, and allow this board to spiral into self-destruction by people who think they can take advantage of me. My hope is that all of these posters will return in 3 days and add their insight and flavor to this board, and that those who have been driven away lately will realize that I don't plan to allow the destruction of the board and will feel comfortable returning to contribute.

*flame suit on*
Go ahead.

[hpkingjr]

Damn Madelyn you lucked out again.

[Roguelet]

There's no reasonable purpose in posting their names and leaving them open for derision from the other forum members. It just seems... I don't know, sort of petty?

You know, I actually agree, which is why I've not done this in the past. The problem is that multiple private and even public warnings continually go unheeded in some cases, and I'm left with no choice. When I hear from people who have been valued contributers to this forum since it's inception and even before the current format, who have never been involved in any trouble and have no axe to grind, and they indicate that they are not comfortable with the recent tone of this board and no longer enjoy it, something MUST be done.

I have been forced into a situation where I am doing something that goes totally against my nature, but I am out of ideas. pfrsue makes a very valid point that I should address. This is NOT an invitation to say anything negative about these people in any way, shape or form. That is NOT the purpose of posting names, and anyone who takes this opportunity to badmouth any of these people will also be dealt with.

Feel free to comment on my decision or tell me why you agree or disagree with me, NICELY, but do NOT rag on the four posters above.

[larrygene]

Rogue, in the last few months this forum has definitely taken on a different tone and personality. I for one have become bored and tired of the bantering back and forth of certain members about issues that really are trite and trival. And it goes on and on and on!! Something had to be done and I believe you had no alternative but to do what you did. I also believe there are many others that feel the same way I do. I can't imagine what a newcomer thinks of this forum or the people or the sport we love when they read a few threads.

Thanks for taking this stand.

Larrygene

[jagger]

I have nothing but praise for these posters as they among the most brilliant on this forum.

I was never too worried about Madelyn, Pat.

I had 3 out of 4 btw.

Any thought given to having a separate forum for those who enjoy the baiting, fighting etc? The gloves could come off completely on this forum and anything goes. The forum could be well marked as to the content and a warning for those offended. I must admit, I enjoy the fights from time to time and have actually been a little guilty myself of baiting. I just don't like a very good thread being hi-jacked and turned into a big free for all.

Thoroughbred racing and thoroughbreds generate many differing philosophies and theories. The subject is by nature a little argumentative. I enjoy hearing all different ideas and have no problem broadcasting my thoughts from time to time. But, this is a SPORT and time and energy spent arguing with such venom and acrimony, is misspent. I know for one of these above, it is a sport unto itself and he/she is a sick puppy and I would be on the list as well, probably, if I just had his/her incredible depth of knowledge on the subject.

Can't we just all get along?

[Mahubah]

I appreciate your doing what you feel needs to be done. I know it wasn't an easy decision and frankly feel that you've been more than reasonable.

[BostonGal]

Thanks for steppin in! We can always agree to disagree but this high school pettiness/back stabbing was getting tiredsome. I was referred to this site by a fellow member to try to get some helpful information I was seeking and possibly share ideas amongst peers, I wasnt expecting to see the constant slander of certain members. makes some people not want to post in fear of getting slammed by them!

[ageecee]

[quote="jagger"]Any guesses who is on "vacation"?[/quote]




Sam

[Maven]

I had 3 out of 4 btw.

I wont even ask who you thought was going to take that 4th spot.

In all honesty, I probably deserved a warning although I did try to squelch it before it started getting out of control.

With that said, some of the heated debates are some of the most informative. Rogue, i'm glad you go out of your way to turn a blind eye to a lot of it. I'm sure it takes a lot of reserve and aspirin.