Moderator Question

[skywalker]

It has been stated that each member's opinion is important and that no one will be banned or censored as long as they are not flaming. Now a number of times I've seen threads with pictures making fun of bin laden and the protesters being burned and I wonder.

Are there any posters or lurkers who support the other side so much that these things are insulting to them? If they expressed their displeasure at such threads, but did not flame, would they be punished?

I find it hard to believe, with the number of Muslims in this world, that no people who see things from the other side, do not post with their thoughts. I think they probably don't need the aggravation.

Any thoghts on this?

Mark

[250]

the burning one is a bit hars, I am OK with it, but I know FOR SURE someone will not feel very comfortable.
other jokes such as songs, Toilet paper ( ) are quite amusing!

[Silver Cheetah]

Originally posted by skywalker: It has been stated that each member's opinion is important and that no one will be banned or censored as long as they are not flaming. Now a number of times I've seen threads with pictures making fun of bin laden and the protesters being burned and I wonder. Are there any posters or lurkers who support the other side so much that these things are insulting to them? If they expressed their displeasure at such threads, but did not flame, would they be punished? I find it hard to believe, with the number of Muslims in this world, that no people who see things from the other side, do not post with their thoughts. I think they probably don't need the aggravation. Any thoghts on this? Mark

I have seen several quite disgusting cartoons of the kind you mention. Diplomacy was one of them. I did not post in that thread, or any other, as I did not want to provoke strong reactions from the postees, and did not want to get into strong emotional arguments on the topic.

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Most Ecstatic and Exotic Mistress of the Illuminati

[skywalker]

Diplomacy started out really well, unfortunately......

Mark

[Memnoch]

I guess you're all referring to me? It's ok, you can say my name, I don't mind.

You've all got valid points. The reasons I posted those threads was not to encourage hawkism or make fun of Muslims or whatever, it was to loosen tensions on this forum which have built up incredibly over the past couple of weeks. I posted a similar thread on Islam in the past to clear up some misunderstandings people may about it. I would hope that those threads be taken in perspective and in the spirit in which they were posted, which was certainly not malicious. Lighten up, folks! Before long we won't be able to post anything the least bit controversial for fear that it may offend someone. If it offends enough people I am happy to take it down.

Diogenes posted this satirical thread from The Onion poking fun at America, jingoism, McCarthyism and curtailing of civil liberties and nobody here at Ironworks had a problem with it, because it was posted in the spirit of being light-hearted.

Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and it's commendable that so many of us are trying to look at the flip side of the coin and sharing responsibility, rather than just blaming bin Laden and holding him responsible for what has happened. It gives us all hope for the human race.

I must take issue with one point you made, however:

Now a number of times I've seen threads with pictures making fun of bin laden and the protesters being burned and I wonder. Are there any posters or lurkers who support the other side so much that these things are insulting to them? If they expressed their displeasure at such threads, but did not flame, would they be punished?

If by saying "the other side" you mean bin Laden and his gang, sorry, but the bottom line is that bin Laden is a terrorist. Whether he was responsible for the Sept 11 attacks is unproven, but he has admitted and been found guilty of other terrorist attacks in the past. People who share his views on how to influence world events are are NOT welcome here.

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[Memnoch]

Originally posted by skywalker: Are there any posters or lurkers who support the other side so much that these things are insulting to them? If they expressed their displeasure at such threads, but did not flame, would they be punished? I find it hard to believe, with the number of Muslims in this world, that no people who see things from the other side, do not post with their thoughts. I think they probably don't need the aggravation. Any thoghts on this? Mark

Mark, if that Mastercard parody thread was offensive to you, I am more than happy to delete it. Let me know.

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[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Memnoch: Mark, if that Mastercard parody thread was offensive to you, I am more than happy to delete it. Let me know.

Actually, Mark, upon reflection I've gone and deleted both the MasterCard parody thread and the Bin Laden toilet paper thread due to the possibility that it might prove offensive to some, including yourself. I personally didn't think they were offensive, given that they were parodying terrorists, but I can understand that some people supporting the "other side" might find them offensive. I want you to know that it was certainly not my intention to cause any offense. And of course you won't be punished for expressing displeasure, don't be silly! As a moderator, I should have known better.

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[This message has been edited by Memnoch (edited 10-18-2001).]

[Ryanamur]

Memnoch, I don't think that's why Mark started this tread. I could be wrong, but I believe that he did it because he trully believe that posting such material might be considered offensive to others (which would be contrary to IW policy).

It think he more wandering where do we draw the line. So, let's say an Anti-American individual took offence to such posts and complained to Z. Would the issue still be approached impartially and those who commited the offence warned or banned from IW.



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I'm the Wanderer without a clan... I bring justice without favorism. Though you may not agree with it, my judgement is final... and inconsequential

[Ryanamur]

Originally posted by Memnoch: Actually, Mark, upon reflection I've gone and deleted both the MasterCard parody thread and the Bin Laden toilet paper thread due to the possibility that it might prove offensive to some, including yourself. I personally didn't think they were offensive, given that they were parodying terrorists, but I can understand that some people supporting the "other side" might find them offensive. I want you to know that it was certainly not my intention to cause any offense. And of course you won't be punished for expressing displeasure, don't be silly! As a moderator, I should have known better.

Thanks Mem, I totally agree with you (and Mark). Even though WE might not consider it offensive, others might.

But where do we draw the line. Isn't talking about killing Bin Ladden (and I'm guilty of that) just as bad posting a parody tread?




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I'm the Wanderer without a clan... I bring justice without favorism. Though you may not agree with it, my judgement is final... and inconsequential

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Ryanamur: It think he more wandering where do we draw the line. So, let's say an Anti-American individual took offence to such posts and complained to Z. Would the issue still be approached impartially and those who commited the offence warned or banned from IW.

Z may have a different opinion to me, seeing as he's the owner of this board. I'm a much more moderate person, but speaking for myself: we draw the line at people who support terrorist activity. If certain people hated the US and took offence at that MasterCard parody of the man setting fire to the US flag and accidentally setting fire to his arm, they are entitled to their beliefs and I would remove the image (which I have now).

If however they took offence at someone criticizing bin Laden (who is a known terrorist) and his activities, then in likelihood THEY would be banned. We encourage freedom of speech and opinion here as much as possible, but we do have to draw the line somewhere. There is such a thing as being TOO politically correct.

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