Moved threads to Off topic

[mybackpages 0]

Because the majority of members in the MENA forum here (or so it seems...maybe it's just the more vocal ones) are Muslim.

This may be true - I have never done a tally. However, most are converts which means they come from Christian families.

I think it is a shame the Christmas threads were moved while Islam threads are always allowed to remain. It is stereotyping IMO. There are non-MENA Muslims in VJ. If Christianity is OT to the MENA forum, so is Islam. There is a Song of the Day Thread that has remained but the Christmas Song thread was moved.

Then perhaps the answer is to have the Regional Forums only relate to specific consulate issues under the Immigration Headings instead of General Discussion. That way there will be no sense of stereotyping. Issues relating to cultural differences, adjusting and life in the US would then be posted in the Moving Here and Your New Life In America Forum. Off Topic would then be off topic. Everybody benefits.

aussie- there is a lot of "off topic" threads in the MENA forum because many posters here have built a unique community compared to other regional forums. Take for instance the daily thread- it's always off topic, Yet is indirectly related because of the common bond by the people who regularly relate to MENA "on topic" issues. The regular MENA posters want to post within MENA rather than off topic because the contents stays closer to the community of people going through this region.

Redefining the purpose of the regional forums takes this away from the members. Maybe it is the solution to calm this forum down, but you lose just as much as you gain.

[Ban Hammer 13,636]

Did someone accidentally eat some piss-flavoured Cheerios this morning?

um this is all just the standard dialogue that occurs in mena everyday

What is that? Intelligent responses to ignorant suggestions?

Charles, you are one of the biggest shi!t disturbers in MENA. You partake voraciously. And bickering online is better than stealthily stalking yahoo groups, taking screen shots, and then presenting them later. You, sir, have no room to talk.

i'll make room for you to talk some more, as i''m obviously disturbing you

[aussiewench 9]

Have any of your immigration questions gone unanswered?

I generally stay out of ME/NA. But to answer your question....I am usually one of the ones giving answers

The mud slinging and insults do however go against the TOS which all agree to. If it is left unchecked, it grows just like a cancer, and it has done. If something is now being done about it....GOOD

Because the majority of members in the MENA forum here (or so it seems...maybe it's just the more vocal ones) are Muslim.

This may be true - I have never done a tally. However, most are converts which means they come from Christian families.

I think it is a shame the Christmas threads were moved while Islam threads are always allowed to remain. It is stereotyping IMO. There are non-MENA Muslims in VJ. If Christianity is OT to the MENA forum, so is Islam. There is a Song of the Day Thread that has remained but the Christmas Song thread was moved.

Then perhaps the answer is to have the Regional Forums only relate to specific consulate issues under the Immigration Headings instead of General Discussion. That way there will be no sense of stereotyping. Issues relating to cultural differences, adjusting and life in the US would then be posted in the Moving Here and Your New Life In America Forum. Off Topic would then be off topic. Everybody benefits.

aussie- there is a lot of "off topic" threads in the MENA forum because many posters here have built a unique community compared to other regional forums. Take for instance the daily thread- it's always off topic, Yet is indirectly related because of the common bond by the people who regularly relate to MENA "on topic" issues. The regular MENA posters want to post within MENA rather than off topic because the contents stays closer to the community of people going through this region.

Redefining the purpose of the regional forums takes this away from the members. Maybe it is the solution to calm this forum down, but you lose just as much as you gain.

Whilst I understand that. ME/NA isn't a board unto itself, it is part of a community that is VJ.

Also, considering that the Islamabad, Pakistan thread was moved to Off Topic long ago, I see it as only fair that it be across the board so as not to discriminate. Why should one that is totally off topic be moved and not another. This not only pertains to ME/NA, but to all regional forums, when threads only contain off topic posts.

Edited November 19, 2006 by aussiewench

[rebeccajo 14]

Because the majority of members in the MENA forum here (or so it seems...maybe it's just the more vocal ones) are Muslim.

So when I said there are more Christians and secular xmas celebrators in MENA than any other religion, you don't believe me? This is the case. Just because there are some vocal muslims and because most women have married muslims doesn't mean the MENA forum is majority muslim. The opposite is true, in fact.

Then don't you think it would stand to reason that if more was known about this and other things related to ME/NA, by these threads being in OT, that it would assist in a better understanding and knowledge for others.

I remember WOM posting quite a lot a while back in OT which for one, gave me a better understanding of Muslim and related areas.

uh, no. I think any adult knows there are a) Christian Arabs, b ) there are people of mixed backgrounds marrying each other (hence the immigration site), and c) there are people who secularly celebrate xmas. This is not something that is a MENA secret we're keeping from people so ignorance can perpetuate. Give me a break.

Peezey, I agree with Lorelle. Even though this is an international community, stereotypes and cultural misunderstandings exist. It couldn't hurt to have intelligent, non-inflammatory discussions about those differences, could it? If the participants in the thread are truly interested in learning, then I think a lot good could come of it.

The world is a very big place. Pretty much every day I learn something new about a different nation from VJ.

While it's true some people just WANT to perpetuate stereotypes and don't care to learn, I'm not one of those and I would daresay most of the folks on VJ are the same. I enjoy learning about parts of the world to which I've never been. Which is most of it, by the way.

[mybackpages 0]

Whilst I understand that. ME/NA isn't a board unto itself, it is part of a community that is VJ.

Also, considering that the Islamabad, Pakistan thread was moved to Off Topic long ago, I see it as only fair that it be across the board so as not to discriminate. Why should one that is totally off topic be moved and not another. This not only pertains to ME/NA, but to all regional forums, when threads only contain off topic posts.

There's the delimma, isn't it. and the problems of getting members to understand the guidelines in posting correctly. I'm just so sorry its become a headache to the adminstrators who have to resolve this.

[Bosco 1]

The Regional Forums include this in their description :

and any other experience you may wish to share or inquire about. Have fun!

The way I read this, nothing is off topic within a Regional Forum.

[peezey 0]

The Regional Forums include this in their description :

and any other experience you may wish to share or inquire about. Have fun!

The way I read this, nothing is off topic within a Regional Forum.

Not to mention the fact that there was NO bickering in the xmas forums at all. That wasn't where the problems were yesterday. And now that they've been moved, it's only caused further bickering and misunderstanding outside MENA, because those reading this post were not in on the problematic posts yesterday.

[ILIKEALLCAPS 0]

Because the majority of members in the MENA forum here (or so it seems...maybe it's just the more vocal ones) are Muslim.

So when I said there are more Christians and secular xmas celebrators in MENA than any other religion, you don't believe me? This is the case. Just because there are some vocal muslims and because most women have married muslims doesn't mean the MENA forum is majority muslim. The opposite is true, in fact.

Then don't you think it would stand to reason that if more was known about this and other things related to ME/NA, by these threads being in OT, that it would assist in a better understanding and knowledge for others.

I remember WOM posting quite a lot a while back in OT which for one, gave me a better understanding of Muslim and related areas.

uh, no. I think any adult knows there are a) Christian Arabs, b ) there are people of mixed backgrounds marrying each other (hence the immigration site), and c) there are people who secularly celebrate xmas. This is not something that is a MENA secret we're keeping from people so ignorance can perpetuate. Give me a break.

Really no need to be rude.......is there Obviously there is a misconception on VJ going by the previous poster you responded to.

I am explaining the reasons why the poster is innacurate and I'm answering your question. I'm not sure how that is rude.

Ok there. I bolded some things that may help you to find clairty. As any adult with an IQ over 50 can see, you're implying that those who differ from you aren't adults, just as I have just implied that you are both a) not an adult, and B) don't have an IQ over 50. See how that works?

Now, you can either acknowledge that such implications are rude, and take offense at mine (at which point I will have successfully made my point)......or continue to be blissfully unaware.

Edited November 19, 2006 by ILIKEALLCAPS

[peezey 0]

Ok there. I bolded some things that may help you to find clairty. As any adult with an IQ over 50 can see, you're implying that those who differ from you aren't adults, just as I have just implied that you are both a) not an adult, and B) don't have an IQ over 50. See how that works?

Now, you can either acknowledge that such implications are rude, and take offense at mine (at which point I will have successfully made my point)......or continue to be blissfully unaware.

hmmm, these are my only two choices? How about this, and I realize I'm not following your pre-defined rules by sticking to the choices, so apologies for not playing along: I don't care what your opinion is either way, regarding my tone or my assertion that adults should know there are non-arab Christians and seculars who celebrate xmas. I don't find it outrageous in the least to expect some level of knowledge, especially considering the topics that flood our news media the last several years. Not to mention significant numbers of discussions in OT re: the MENA world (and those some find in the MENA forum itself).

It is common knowledge people celebrate xmas secularly, all over the world. Really, if people don't know this, then I'm seriously shocked the level of ignorance is that low.

And, finally, I if i read your assumption re: 50 IQ are those who do not understand or wouldn't know simple facts as these, then I guess you're right. Those on VJ and elsewhere who can't even google simple stuff, yet can make ridiculously stereotypical statements, fall in the mentally retarded range of intelligence.

Learning there is so much racism and ignorance is not bliss for me, it's heart wrenching, as a matter of fact.

Edited November 19, 2006 by peezey

[PlatyPius 5]

Right.

I specifically said the MENA FORUM, not the entire Middle East and North Africa. The few times that I've ventured into the MENA forum, it has primarily had discussions about Islam, "haram' and such things. I was not referring to the world at large.

Stereotypical statements? Racism? What the hell are you talking about?

Jumping Jesus on a Pogo Stick! You seriously need to go "get some" or something, and just chill the hell out.

No #$%ing WONDER they're cracking down on the MENA forum if THIS is the kind of ####### that goes on in there all the time.

F#$k! All I said was that it seemed to ME that most of the people in the MENA forum were Muslim. Ergo, were I to see an Xmas post, I wouldn't expect it to be in that forum...I'd expect it in OT.

[jordanianprincess 0]

So all of you chiming in and bickering away about what we should do in ME/NA is somehow better? The way we are treated in OT is exactly why we don't come here. I don't think people should tell us what we have the right to post about in the regional forums. There is just as much if not MORE bickering in OT on a daily basis and threads that get locked all the time.

Most ME/NA fights have fuel added by OT members as well. Those Christmas threads should not have been moved. They have just as much to do with that forum as every other thread in there. There are plenty of threads about non ME/NA topics in there so why were these selectively taken out?

[PlatyPius 5]

Well, that I can't answer - and I wondered myself, as well. It ain't my board, though, so I don't get too concerned about it.

I was merely suggesting a possible reason for it, since none of us really know.

Really, I don't care what y'all do in MENA.... it isn't my concern.

I DID appreciate the *Muslim Content* notices in the titles though.... it really helped out those of us who use "New Posts" and feel like we're intruding if we post in a MENA thread.

[meauxna 15]

and feel like we're intruding if we post in a MENA thread.

Intruding?!

Anyone should be welcome to participate in any conversation anywhere in VJ.

But the Russian guys have said the same type of thing: it's ours-you all stay out.

sheesh. When you pay the bills or the Admin sez so, in my book.

[ILIKEALLCAPS 0]

Ok there. I bolded some things that may help you to find clairty. As any adult with an IQ over 50 can see, you're implying that those who differ from you aren't adults, just as I have just implied that you are both a) not an adult, and B) don't have an IQ over 50. See how that works?

Now, you can either acknowledge that such implications are rude, and take offense at mine (at which point I will have successfully made my point)......or continue to be blissfully unaware.

hmmm, these are my only two choices? How about this, and I realize I'm not following your pre-defined rules by sticking to the choices, so apologies for not playing along: I don't care what your opinion is either way, regarding my tone or my assertion that adults should know there are non-arab Christians and seculars who celebrate xmas. I don't find it outrageous in the least to expect some level of knowledge, especially considering the topics that flood our news media the last several years. Not to mention significant numbers of discussions in OT re: the MENA world (and those some find in the MENA forum itself).

It is common knowledge people celebrate xmas secularly, all over the world. Really, if people don't know this, then I'm seriously shocked the level of ignorance is that low.

And, finally, I if i read your assumption re: 50 IQ are those who do not understand or wouldn't know simple facts as these, then I guess you're right. Those on VJ and elsewhere who can't even google simple stuff, yet can make ridiculously stereotypical statements, fall in the mentally retarded range of intelligence.

Learning there is so much racism and ignorance is not bliss for me, it's heart wrenching, as a matter of fact.

Actually, you had the choice to say "Hmmm, yeah that might have been rude and I apologize for the implication." as well. Strange you didn't take it, or even see it like the non-terrorists did. (See, that was me being rude. I apologize.)

You're absolutely 100% correct, adults should know that there are a mix of religions in various regions, that people can celebrate some holidays secularly, or that making insulting implications is rude. Now, I'm not sure if you're Christian, Muslim, Hebrew, Secular, or whatever, but you are pretty inexcusably rude. I know you don't care. Why should you? I'm just one of the faceless other people on this board that you're preaching to but not listenting to. Yep, just here, secularly enjoying the OT forum, wondering how the hell anyone could be so seriously pissed off that threads that are off the topic of their particular forum got moved to the off topic forum. I mean, imagine that, moving off topic things to off topic. What's next? Expecting people to behave civilly? Trying to stay ON topic? Getting your own fcuking board if you want to have your private posting club, or dealing with the public part of a public board?

Ok, go ahead and flame me for my heretical ideas. Or for responding. Or whatever it is that motivates you.

[KarenCee 3]

Actually, you had the choice to say "Hmmm, yeah that might have been rude and I apologize for the implication." as well. Strange you didn't take it, or even see it like the non-terrorists did. (See, that was me being rude. I apologize.)

You're absolutely 100% correct, adults should know that there are a mix of religions in various regions, that people can celebrate some holidays secularly, or that making insulting implications is rude. Now, I'm not sure if you're Christian, Muslim, Hebrew, Secular, or whatever, but you are pretty inexcusably rude. I know you don't care. Why should you? I'm just one of the faceless other people on this board that you're preaching to but not listenting to. Yep, just here, secularly enjoying the OT forum, wondering how the hell anyone could be so seriously pissed off that threads that are off the topic of their particular forum got moved to the off topic forum. I mean, imagine that, moving off topic things to off topic. What's next? Expecting people to behave civilly? Trying to stay ON topic? Getting your own fcuking board if you want to have your private posting club, or dealing with the public part of a public board?

Ok, go ahead and flame me for my heretical ideas. Or for responding. Or whatever it is that motivates you.

OMG...this is perfect. I've yet to understand why anyone would care WHY a topic was moved from there to here, or to anywhere. For crying out loud...it's JUST a forum and a public one at that! I'm known for asking my elementary school students, "In 10 years is it going to matter"? So I pose this same question to you....in 10 years is it really going to matter WHERE a topic is moved to?

Sheesh, I guess that makes me heretical too. That's ok though...my ex says I've become heathen.