Questionable (and personal) moderation

[Novembro 1,763]

Recently, there has been some questionable moderation, in a collective opinion, happening on the forum. Users are being cherrypicked based on their individual "internet representation" (ie: personal and political beliefs, their own posts in threads that DO NOT violate TOS standards, and differing opinions from those in power) to be suspended from the site, thread banned (arbitrarily), posts removed with an explanation that if offensive to the OP, etc.

Those of us who have noticed this problem have contacted the site administrator, with multiple emails met with no response. We have used the correct avenues and correct forms of the TOS to rectify this problem, again to no response.

So we open this thread in hopes of garnering a response from site admins or those of you who have questions or comments, and especially those who have been affected by this sort of moderation.

We do not intend to offend or stir anything up, but we would like a response from site admins on what is being done to rectify this issue, an issue that lies on both sides.

[Ban Hammer 13,470]

one post removed for:

Additionally any direct communication (with the exception of publicly viewable Posts on the discussion forums) between administrators or moderators and a member are strictly prohibited from being Posted to the discussion forums or retransmitted in any way.

[Novembro 1,763]

Charles, I don't know how moderating works on this forum, but do you have the option to edit a users' post? I think that would have been a more pertinent use of power, rather than removing an "offending" post altogether. It was vital to this discussion, one which a majority thinks should be taking place.

[Ban Hammer 13,470]

Charles, I don't know how moderating works on this forum, but do you have the option to edit a users' post? I think that would have been a more pertinent use of power, rather than removing an "offending" post altogether. It was vital to this discussion, one which a majority thinks should be taking place.

admin and the lead mod can edit a post.

[Novembro 1,763]

Sorry, it's so different from my other forums. I do hope the post can be edited and read though.

[Ban Hammer 13,470]

Sorry, it's so different from my other forums. I do hope the post can be edited and read though.

site admin and other mods can read it still.

[SAT 9,609]

Man if VJ was my company....I'd have some EEO issues

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

Mods can not edit posts as state above. I am reaching out to concerned members to get their unfiltered feedback. They should get a PM from me shortly.

[Novembro 1,763]

site admin and other mods can read it still.

But because this is an open discussion, it should be accessible to everyone. Again, I don't know the governing laws of my love VJ, but (were I you) I would edit the post of the offending material and rehost it for the public to see and comment on.

[SAT 9,609]

Perhaps replace the offending nouns, adverbs, predicates, adjectives, pronouns with the word "marklar"

[Vanitas 310]

Perhaps replace the offending nouns, adverbs, predicates, adjectives, pronouns with the word "marklar"

Replace that entire quote with just "Marklar" then.

[Vanitas 310]

Alright. It's been a few days since there was any communication on this issue from the higher-ups either in public or private so this is getting brought back up.

I can appreciate that for example Kathryn is busy catching up on things and Captain Ewok's busy with the site in general but this is still an issue of importance because there is an issue where multiple members feel that there have been moderation actions which are questionable to say the least. Some good progress was being made on resolving the issues but it seems to have screeched to a dead halt. This won't just go away or get buried under something, it needs to be dealt with.

Now, I will say one thing before anyone pulls out the "volunteer" card on this, because I've seen it used before. I'm a volunteer in RL, I work with a local Scout group and therefore I am in a position of authority as an assistant leader. If I overstepped my authority with either the kids or other adults, I would most likely lose my position because I then couldn't be trusted. At the end of the day, while there have been discussions about this all, nothing seems to be moving and I know I would like to see that change.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Wheatley

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Alright. It's been a few days since there was any communication on this issue from the higher-ups either in public or private so this is getting brought back up.

I can appreciate that for example Kathryn is busy catching up on things and Captain Ewok's busy with the site in general but this is still an issue of importance because there is an issue where multiple members feel that there have been moderation actions which are questionable to say the least. Some good progress was being made on resolving the issues but it seems to have screeched to a dead halt. This won't just go away or get buried under something, it needs to be dealt with.

Now, I will say one thing before anyone pulls out the "volunteer" card on this, because I've seen it used before. I'm a volunteer in RL, I work with a local Scout group and therefore I am in a position of authority as an assistant leader. If I overstepped my authority with either the kids or other adults, I would most likely lose my position because I then couldn't be trusted. At the end of the day, while there have been discussions about this all, nothing seems to be moving and I know I would like to see that change.

Your efforts are admirable. I hope you get some results.

[Vanitas 310]

Your efforts are admirable. I hope you get some results.

Thanks. Given that I've now had people (including one other moderator) denigrate my "strong right/wrong" attitude or my attitude towards fairness and justice and imply that I should be indoctrinated or otherwise "made compatible" with the system, I am starting to believe that this is very much becoming a David vs. Goliath kind of case.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Thanks. Given that I've now had people (including one other moderator) denigrate my "strong right/wrong" attitude or my attitude towards fairness and justice and imply that I should be indoctrinated or otherwise "made compatible" with the system, I am starting to believe that this is very much becoming a David vs. Goliath kind of case.

Well........everyone has a different attitude towards right and wrong. You know?

On VJ, "right" and "wrong" should be about giving correct and legal advise to readers to the best of ones ability. As in what is right or wrong in the eyes of the agencies involved with immigration. Moderation SHOULD step in when advise is erroneous or could cause potential harm to readers.

If you are talking about "right" or "wrong" as to how the community operates....I think your efforts, while well-intentioned, are probably moot. There is nothing going on, on VJ, that hasn't been happening here for years. Years. Behaviors are difficult to moderate and I suspect that it is behaviors you are unhappy with. Many people can't separate the behavior they would like to receive from the behavior they dish out. When complaining from this angle, the well will come up empty.