Stickied News & Current Affairs Section Announcement

[TheMinsterman]

I’d like to introduce myself to you as the new moderator for the News & Current Affairs section of 1FF, although I’m sure a few of you already recognise me. As I’ve been brought in to help with this section of the forums I’d like to make clear a few of the policies going forward because I feel this section is, by nature of some of the subjects under discussions, slightly different to other areas of the forum.

Anybody engaging in constant ad hominems will be, on the first instance, warned about their conduct. If they continue to persist in attacking other poster’s character rather than the substance of their ideas then further punishment will be decided upon depending on the circumstances. This may extend to temporary suspensions to bans from the politics section entirely.

Passionate disagreements about one another’s political stance is perfectly fine, when it devolves into personal attacks it simply derails the topic into a tit-for-tat that often extends into pretty obvious personal issues between posters that continues to persist across posts. Nobody is going to be punished in any way for being strong willed in their political beliefs, regardless of whether I agree with them or not (that is fundamental to my becoming a mod, if I feel I am incapable of being impartial I will gladly resign) but anybody who just wants to engage in ad hominems can indulge themselves on social media or somewhere else.

Trolling will not be tolerated, there’s a difference between light hearted quips and jokes and deliberate, sustained, attempts to rile other members up and to de-rail potentially enjoyable topics on a consistent basis. I want to try and help the forum be somewhere people can maturely discuss what can be very serious topics without having to actively ignore other members or watch as threads die from pointless attempts to get reactions out of people. Again, if you want to troll, go somewhere else and get your kicks that way.

Finally, no political opinion or ideology will be banned simply because it may be viewed as distasteful by sections of the membership (unless of course it is likely to result in potential legal trouble for the forum). I’m an advocate for free speech and passionately believe that bad ideas shouldn’t be silenced, they should be dissected and debated down by good ideas. That is what I want for this sub-section of the forums, a place where people can come and have debates, about more or less anything.

I am extending this post to the rest of you to discuss any concerns you may have or ideas of your own for how to improve this section of the board, anywhere I have every moderated or administrated I have always felt it is very important to have the members input as so many issues can be resolved by them feeling like their voice is being heard and listened to, that is something I want to maintain here too. I've tried to listen to all of the discussion previously where you all contributed and shape the above policies around those, but I'm still open to more feedback and suggestions.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

In Chinese business, when a new boss takes over it's customary to fire an underling to show you mean business. Might I offer up JohnnyTodd.

 

[Murphy]

How much did we pay for you or is it an undisclosed fee?

 

[Richard Cranium]

Cheap option

 

[TheMinsterman]

How much did we pay for you or is it an undisclosed fee?

I came on a free from Canvey Island.

 

[TheMinsterman]

In Chinese business, when a new boss takes over it's customary to fire an underling to show you mean business. Might I offer up JohnnyTodd.

JT has already been discussed with admin, welcome to China.

 

[Craig]

Now this section has finally got competent level headed feller watching over it I may partake in some of the discussions.

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

Anybody engaging in constant ad hominems will be, on the first instance, warned about their conduct. If they continue to persist in attacking other poster’s character rather than the substance of their ideas then further punishment will be decided upon depending on the circumstances. This may extend to temporary suspensions to bans from the politics section entirely.

Finally, no political opinion or ideology will be banned simply because it may be viewed as distasteful by sections of the membership (unless of course it is likely to result in potential legal trouble for the forum). I’m an advocate for free speech and passionately believe that bad ideas shouldn’t be silenced, they should be dissected and debated down by good ideas.

I'm concerned about this framing. I suspect, as it inevitably does, that a constant drip-drip-drip of racism is considered fine, but calling the person responsible "a racist" (IMO a legitimate response to that) will lead to warnings and bans.

I'm against censorship, though I'm not against telling people who are saying harmful or bigoted stuff to shut the fuck up. And idk, I find it's not those who tell racists to shut the fuck up that have been the problem - it's the people who are constantly posting racist stuff.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

You can always use the ignore function if you find it too hard to engage in polite discussion. Insulting another person is a poor way to win a debate.

 

[TheMinsterman]

I'm concerned about this framing. I suspect, as it inevitably does, that a constant drip-drip-drip of racism is considered fine, but calling the person responsible "a racist" (IMO a legitimate response to that) will lead to warnings and bans.

I'm against censorship, though I'm not against telling people who are saying harmful or bigoted stuff to shut the fuck up. And idk, I find it's not those who tell racists to shut the fuck up that have been the problem - it's the people who are constantly posting racist stuff.

Just to clarify, my stance is there is a difference between describing somebody as a racist as a consequence of demonstrating it is reasonable to suggest they are based on their views and beliefs and simply undercutting any sort of debate of their ideas and just labelling them a racist to dismiss them and waft away any arguments they may have. It's hugely counter productive when members just start calling each other racist Nazi's or SJW cucks and completely ignore actually debating them and demonstrating why their arguments are fallacious. There's also a stark difference between getting frustrated and just calling somebody a racist and constantly doing it and refusing to engage in actual discussion on purpose, the former isn't going to get warned or banned.

Anybody who is just constantly posting racist bile with zero substance to try and get a rise out of people will find their stay in this section cut short, same goes for any kind of political ideology, either debate your ideas honestly or lose access to this sub-section. The overall point is nobody is going to be banned outright because they have unpalatable ideas, it's important to let people discuss those ideas and then allow rebuttals, as long as people are justifying themselves they won't be banned simply for having views the majority dislike, if they're clearly doing so with dishonest intentions then no, they won't be allowed to just carry on doing so.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

You can always use the ignore function if you find it too hard to engage in polite discussion. Insulting another person is a poor way to win a debate.

says you, bumface

 

[Aber gas]

ad hominems will be, on the first instance, warned about their conduct. If they continue to persist in attacking other poster’s character

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Just a quick note to folks, as you will inevitably notice that Alty and Captain Scumbag's posts/profiles now look odd, and notice their absence. Both have in the last week sadly decided to leave the forum and requested that their accounts be deactivated. Both had personal circumstances which they felt meant that contributing here was on longer practical. Real life and all that. Whilst I reluctantly complied, I made it clear to both that they'd be welcomed back any time they wish.

 

[Craig]

Bloody hell the Tories have really been knocked for six.

 

[smat]

Bloody hell the Tories have really been knocked for six.

Fallacy. Alty voted Labour. Please take this down.

 

[T.A]

#RIP #YNWA

 

[Dirk]

Just a quick note to folks, as you will inevitably notice that Alty and Captain Scumbag's posts/profiles now look odd, and notice their absence. Both have in the last week sadly decided to leave the forum and requested that their accounts be deactivated. Both had personal circumstances which they felt meant that contributing here was on longer practical. Real life and all that. Whilst I reluctantly complied, I made it clear to both that they'd be welcomed back any time they wish.

That's a pity, really. Because it was always interesting to read Scumbag's opinion (about Brexit et.al). Although I don't share his opinions about the EU I always respected his views about it (same @ Alty).
Real life often hinders us to be part of the community (had the same when I was in hospital for a few weeks) but I don't understand why both want to get their accounts deactivated. Why not just let the account "sleep" and when Real life makes it possible again to contribute here then post again? Why always this drastic step? Seen it often here in my (nearly) 1 year membership. If I decide that real life hinders me for a long time I'll give a quick note that I am staying away but will let the account be intact.
But maybe there are other reasons why they want their accounts to be deactivated that I don't know. Just my 2 cents about this whole account deactivating

I really hope that both will come back in the future because it's a pity when some valuable members decide to leave the forum.

 

[Martino Quackavelli]

Scumbag is a real loss to the forum. Just couldn't hack the Corbyn Revolution sadly.

 

[Abertawe]

I think Scumbag lost his identity sadly. He admitted himself the only reason not to back Corbyn was his own pessimism and that the Tories should win the election solely because of brexit. Woefully poor justification of his convictions for a man of his ilk. He couldn't hack the lie anymore, the pretence, Scumbag isn't a Tory and he's bored of the caricature.

Alty believes people choose to use foodbanks, we can cope without.

 

[Cornish Piskie]

It's good to see a moderator put down such a firm and decisive marker on this section.

The Current Affairs section of any discussion forum site is often a magnet for people who get a buzz out of flaming, baiting, trolling, personal attacks and often, downright racism, homophobia and extremism. Oh well, they're human beings too and are entitled to their opinion.

Just so that nobody is in any doubt though, this Liberal, pacifist, humanitarian, feminist, tree-hugging, lesbian, Remain voting, pro-abortionist, anti-capital punishment, ban-the-bomb, non-religious, biologist will quite happily debate and discuss arguments according to their merit and avoid making personal attacks on individuals no matter how much I disagree with them.

All I ask is that they show me the same courtesy.