I have been reading an increasing number of posts that go something like this: "I know this post goes too far, so I apologize VF. I needed to say it." I can understand frustration, but there is a reason I have made the rules that I have. We have a no personal attack rule on these forums, but that only works if people abide by the rule. So here is the policy from here on out. Starting Tuesday, October 18th, if I read any post that I interpret to be a personal attack, you will be given 1 public warning. Any subsequent attacks will be followed with an immediate ban for an unspecified amount of time, depending on the severity of the attack. This will be the policy until I decide that people have gotten the message. The types of attacks I am concerned about are attacks that involve swearing at another member, calling another member names, or generally leaving the topic of football in general and just insulting someone because you don't like them. Be Reasonable There are a lot of personalities on this board, and with a wide variety of personalities there are going to be conflicts. Let's be reasonable during these conflicts and not go crazy the moment someone accuses you of being classless, lacking football knowledge, etc. These things are going to be said, but you can prove them wrong by showing your knowledge of football and responding with class. This Applies to Moderators as Well Yes, I know we have a gazillion moderators on this site, and fortunately we really don't need to have this many people moderating. It should be noted, however, that this rule applies to moderators as well. When in doubt... If you are not sure if you should post something, or you feel you need to apologize for it, then you should think twice. If you think someone is an idiot, don't call them one. Use what they are posting to prove them wrong. Finally You all know that I hate to ban members. With a few exceptions I have never banned an active member, only people who come in to post a single advertisement. I don't want to ban anyone else. Let's have a little respect for everyone here so these forums can continue to be a place for the best football discussions on the Internet. Thanks to everyone who is working to abide by the rules. As always, if you have questions, you can PM me or email me at mark at nfl-forums dot com.
new rules...Ya...I have keeped my temper and my presents away from the forums a bit so i dont cause any anger. PEACE!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>fine with me man lets just talk about football huh</div> I agree... Hear hear!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>i think it was a lot because all of us were bashing TKO</div> Yeah, TKO was just an innocent bystander. He didn't do anything to bring it on himself.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nflfan04)</div><div class='quotemain'>and i think BF1 took it a bit too far about TKO lying about his realtive dying.</div> But TKO's telling me, "F--- you!" didn't violate forum rules? What about all the times he's told other forum members to shut up because they're stupid? I don't think BF1 would have said that except the timing is so coincidental to all the smack and abuse he dished out then reality setting in. If TKO had shown an ounce of respect to anyone then people wouldn't have been so hot to tell him off when he's smack talk fell flat. I said that I didn't buy the excuse either, so you can't just blame BF1. Should I have said that? No. I was reacting out of anger. His cussing me was the last straw. So, let's not make TKO out to be an innocent little lamb. He's provoked a lot of the abuse that he's taken. He usually the one to throw the first punch.
You all know what I think! VF is doing the right thing for sure with these rules but TKO is just as fault as anyone else. I thought he should of been banned for sure for his FU comment to Dale. Your call though.
The new rules are not because of any one person. They did come about because of the TKO thing, but not due to any one persons response. The new policy is in place to give everyone fair warning. One public warning, then a ban. That's it. As an addendum to the new policy, if you publicly state that you know you crossed the line, then there is no warning, just a ban. Also, especially offensive remarks will bring an immediate ban as well... Since we are using the TKO incident as an example, TKO's FU statement was definitely across the line. Beyond that, the reaction was also over the line. It is important to note that the no personal attack rule is not suspended if you are attacked first. Being attacked by someone does not give you the right to hit back. Think about it like fighting in hockey. If you get punched and do not punch back, you will not be penalized. If you do, however, punch back, expect a 5 minute major. Clear enough?
good point. Dale, believe me i know what you mean, and i wouldve said BF1 and DD if i saw you not accepting the excuse.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vikingfan)</div><div class='quotemain'>4. To anyone else who may have posted since I started this post - we can start a new thread on this topic if everyone wishes. I don't mind us talking about this, but do not turn this into a board full of flaming</div> VF, I hope you don't think that I don't agree with your laying down the law. I will admit that the post where I flamed TKO was out of line. I had taken a lot of abuse from TKO since he's been here. The "f--- you" comment sent me over the edge. In hindsight, I shouldn't have responded. It isn't good for the forums. I let my ego get in the way of making sure that I posted in manner that is positive for this board. I am sorry that I contributed to bringing some negativity to the forums. However, except for a couple posts aimed squarely at TKO, I have taken the high ground when called names. I might attack someone's argument, virgorously even, but I try not to make things personal. On the other hand, TKO has a history of dishing out abuse. He's called J-E-T-S a "dumb person." He called Bry a "NFC neanderthal." He's said to me, "Hasn't your team shut you up for me yet?" In fact, telling other posters to shut up isn't uncommon for him. I'm willing to stand up and say that I was wrong and if I need to be suspended as a lesson, then I will take the medicine. From my perspective, it's like getting slapped by a bully everyday and trying to deal with it, until one day you can't take it anymore and you punch him in the nose. I think the bubbling hostility, from more posters than just me, is evidence of the frustration that we felt in taking abuse and only being able to go so far in dealing with this poster. However, I'm not blaming you. I'm blaming US. We should have reported his crossing the line long before he left. I don't think it's in the nature of most posters on this board to ask for help when dealing with someone being nasty with us. It's a lesson we need to learn because you can't see everything and it's what's best for the board. I do appreciate your invitation to discuss what went wrong and voice our points of view. There aren't too many administrators that would be willing to listen let alone invite discussion.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nflfan04)</div><div class='quotemain'>good point. Dale, believe me i know what you mean, and i wouldve said BF1 and DD if i saw you not accepting the excuse.</div> I dont appreciate you call me out twice, for something VF already called me out on. Second, i dont apologize for the statement. I believe he is lying. If i am banned, i am banned.
The reason I made a public post about the new rules was to give everyone a fresh start. Don't get me wrong, I think EVERYONE crossed the line at some point, myself included. I am not referring just to when TKO came back, but while he was out as well. When he did come back it was a firestorm, from both sides. As an admission to my guilt as well, I have not paid attention to the posts as closely as I should have, and I have not utilized the moderators as I should have either. I have not witnessed each and every statement said by people that is offensive. I need to do a better job in this regard. We all have a fresh start here. This includes everyone, from TKO, to DD, to BF1, to myself...everybody. No one is in danger of being banned as of right now. What happened in the past happened, and a general lack of moderation on my part caused things to come to a head. So, we are starting over. Thus, the new rules. So anyone who has had the patience to read all this , if you see anyone being rude or attacking someone personally, then please let me know or a moderator know immediately. As always, if you have questions, or if you disagree with the policy or think I am being unfair, you can email me at mark at nfl-forums dot com, or you can even call me if you like (PM me for my number).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BearsFan1)</div><div class='quotemain'>I dont appreciate you call me out twice, for something VF already called me out on. Second, i dont apologize for the statement. I believe he is lying. If i am banned, i am banned.</div> My intent was not to call you out specifically, especially since you were not the only person to call TKO a liar. I was calling out everyone involved, including myself. You can believe whatever you want about another member. What I am asking for people to do is to use restraint when expressing their beliefs about another member. Remember guys, some of these comments might be better stated in private. In fact, if you have more comments about this policy, feel free to email me. For now, I would like to get back to football talk.
