Terms of Service Judgement

[luckytxn 2,265]

Wanted the Mods to answer this please.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/470197-after-attending-mandelas-memorial-knesset-members-blood-rejected-in-govt-drive-because-she-is-african/

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I also have a question.

Is it ok / allowed for certain member to keep posting news about certain country, like some sort of self-appointed propaganda to continuously tarnish that particular country's image?

[luckytxn 2,265]

It seems it is OK to do so as long as it is not about Israel. Why is this Mods?

I also have a question.

Is it ok / allowed for certain member to keep posting news about certain country, like some sort of self-appointed propaganda to continuously tarnish that particular country's image?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The question has been addressed in the thread linked above.

Regarding Merrytooth's question, it is very obvious to anyone reading over this website, especially the 'Current Events and Hot Social Topics' forum that our members are not the proverbial, homogenous 'melting pot' that is the idealized US. Instead, they come from as many countries around the world as there are countries; from diverse cultural, political, social, geographical and religious backgrounds. They represent both genders and include homosexual/lesbian couples as well as heterosexual couples. Their ages range from barely 'legal' (however that is determined in their country of origin) to 'golden oldies'. Some have a very limited grade school level education while others hold advanced university degrees. They are engaged in many, many different fields of endeavour, careers or employment activities. Some are socially sophisticated and others are more like 'diamonds in the rough'. Each one is an individual with a unique background and unique, what anthropologists term, 'cultural baggage'. What unites us all is our membership here on Visa Journey, because each of us is or has been or will be involved in some aspect of the US immigration process.

It is to be expected that we each hold onto our personal biases and that these biases will be obvious to others when we post on topics which are important to us. Arguments and heated disagreements break out regularly in the world at large, as well as here on VJ because of the inherent conflicts between some of those biases.

The TOS recognize that we are all individuals and will have our own opinions about matters close to our heart - and that while we have a right to hold those opinions, how we express them and what we do with them should not overstep the expected boundaries of participation. The TOS focus on how to participate civilly with respect and tolerance for our differences, but also provide the means to intervene when someone oversteps those boundaries. The trick is in determining where that boundary exactly lies in each and every situation because there are so many different perspectives and experiences involved. What is 'too much' for one, may be 'too little' for another.

We don't encourage bullying or beating up on other members, and that includes attacking the cultural, political and social backgrounds and countries of those individuals. While we try to reach the ideal of tolerance and compassion for all, Visa Journey is no more successful at attaining this lofty ideal than is the United States itself. That is part of what happens when you allow individuality - and individuality is something that is actively fostered as part of the American culture. We are happy to respond to complaints about the abuse of the Terms of Service, and try to ensure a civilized interaction between our members in our forums. Sometimes we will make mistakes ourselves, let our own biases enter into the discussions or become emotionally upset or incensed by someone else pushing their agenda at the expense of ours - or the expense of the (perceived) common good.

We live in a society that is rife with conflict, and we as individuals have a choice about how to deal with this conflict. We can respond by pouring oil on already troubled waters or we can act like adults and try to defuse the situation. We can try to interject a voice of calm and reason or we can leap into the bloody fray.

Please try to remember that you don't have to accept another individual's bias as anything more than their bias. You can disagree and you can discuss why you disagree, but don't go after that individual, don't make it personal. This is especially important to keep in mind when posting about cultural, political, religious or social differences. The direct participants in the discussion may not be from the background/environment/perspective being discussed, but - and that is a big BUT - there will be Visa Journey members who are, and your discussion may be causing them pain, distress or sorrow. You have no more right to inflict that upon them than they do upon you, so please consider your comments and the posts you choose to make carefully, knowing that yours is not the only valid perspective no matter how strongly you want it to be.

Because of the wide diversity of our backgrounds we are never all going to be pleased with what each other has to say. Our biases will clash; our agendas will conflict, and we ALL have our own personal biases and agendas,not just those with whom we disagree. Until we do become that homogenous melting pot you are going to read or hear or encounter viewpoints and perspectives you don't like, as well as express viewpoints and perspectives others don't like. When the material clearly violates the Terms of Service, there will be repercussions (if the item is reported) but if the material does not violate TOS, even if the content is disturbing - or just disagrees with your perspective - you will benefit from practicing a useful skill called 'discretion'. If you know someone regularly posts a perspective or bias with which you disagree - whether it is religious, political or cultural, then don't read what they post and don't subject yourself to the stress of conflicting biases. Is this easy to do? No, but it is worth doing.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Kathryn41

[GandD 5,966]

It seems it is OK to do so as long as it is not about Israel. Why is this Mods?

The funny thing is I'm pretty sure the response you quoted was talking about someone constantly being allowed to hate on Israel. As I said before, everyone thinks they are the ones being silenced by VJ moderation.

[luckytxn 2,265]

I agree that some feel the need to hate on Israel constantly but they can't be silenced if others are allowed to do the same things. Israel is not special by any means. As Kathyrn noted there are many from different cultures and they have their own biases. Many here hate on certain particular subjects constantly. If we are allowed to silence critics of Israel then we must silence others. Just be consistent and let us know what is allowed so we can go and complain and also silence others views.

Don't like her posts then don't read her posts or comment.

The funny thing is I'm pretty sure the response you quoted was talking about someone constantly being allowed to hate on Israel. As I said before, everyone thinks they are the ones being silenced by VJ moderation.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Thank you Kathryn for replying. Also thank you for not making me do homework. I just want consistency and not arbitrary judgement calls. Unfair to single out certain posts when there are other glaring examples. Unfair.

The question has been addressed in the thread linked above.

Regarding Merrytooth's question, it is very obvious to anyone reading over this website, especially the 'Current Events and Hot Social Topics' forum that our members are not the proverbial, homogenous 'melting pot' that is the idealized US. Instead, they come from as many countries around the world as there are countries; from diverse cultural, political, social, geographical and religious backgrounds. They represent both genders and include homosexual/lesbian couples as well as heterosexual couples. Their ages range from barely 'legal' (however that is determined in their country of origin) to 'golden oldies'. Some have a very limited grade school level education while others hold advanced university degrees. They are engaged in many, many different fields of endeavour, careers or employment activities. Some are socially sophisticated and others are more like 'diamonds in the rough'. Each one is an individual with a unique background and unique, what anthropologists term, 'cultural baggage'. What unites us all is our membership here on Visa Journey, because each of us is or has been or will be involved in some aspect of the US immigration process.

It is to be expected that we each hold onto our personal biases and that these biases will be obvious to others when we post on topics which are important to us. Arguments and heated disagreements break out regularly in the world at large, as well as here on VJ because of the inherent conflicts between some of those biases.

The TOS recognize that we are all individuals and will have our own opinions about matters close to our heart - and that while we have a right to hold those opinions, how we express them and what we do with them should not overstep the expected boundaries of participation. The TOS focus on how to participate civilly with respect and tolerance for our differences, but also provide the means to intervene when someone oversteps those boundaries. The trick is in determining where that boundary exactly lies in each and every situation because there are so many different perspectives and experiences involved. What is 'too much' for one, may be 'too little' for another.

We don't encourage bullying or beating up on other members, and that includes attacking the cultural, political and social backgrounds and countries of those individuals. While we try to reach the ideal of tolerance and compassion for all, Visa Journey is no more successful at attaining this lofty ideal than is the United States itself. That is part of what happens when you allow individuality - and individuality is something that is actively fostered as part of the American culture. We are happy to respond to complaints about the abuse of the Terms of Service, and try to ensure a civilized interaction between our members in our forums. Sometimes we will make mistakes ourselves, let our own biases enter into the discussions or become emotionally upset or incensed by someone else pushing their agenda at the expense of ours - or the expense of the (perceived) common good.

We live in a society that is rife with conflict, and we as individuals have a choice about how to deal with this conflict. We can respond by pouring oil on already troubled waters or we can act like adults and try to defuse the situation. We can try to interject a voice of calm and reason or we can leap into the bloody fray.

Please try to remember that you don't have to accept another individual's bias as anything more than their bias. You can disagree and you can discuss why you disagree, but don't go after that individual, don't make it personal. This is especially important to keep in mind when posting about cultural, political, religious or social differences. The direct participants in the discussion may not be from the background/environment/perspective being discussed, but - and that is a big BUT - there will be Visa Journey members who are, and your discussion may be causing them pain, distress or sorrow. You have no more right to inflict that upon them than they do upon you, so please consider your comments and the posts you choose to make carefully, knowing that yours is not the only valid perspective no matter how strongly you want it to be.

Because of the wide diversity of our backgrounds we are never all going to be pleased with what each other has to say. Our biases will clash; our agendas will conflict, and we ALL have our own personal biases and agendas,not just those with whom we disagree. Until we do become that homogenous melting pot you are going to read or hear or encounter viewpoints and perspectives you don't like, as well as express viewpoints and perspectives others don't like. When the material clearly violates the Terms of Service, there will be repercussions (if the item is reported) but if the material does not violate TOS, even if the content is disturbing - or just disagrees with your perspective - you will benefit from practicing a useful skill called 'discretion'. If you know someone regularly posts a perspective or bias with which you disagree - whether it is religious, political or cultural, then don't read what they post and don't subject yourself to the stress of conflicting biases. Is this easy to do? No, but it is worth doing.

[GandD 5,966]

I agree that some feel the need to hate on Israel constantly but they can't be silenced if others are allowed to do the same things. Israel is not special by any means. As Kathyrn noted there are many from different cultures and they have their own biases. Many here hate on certain particular subjects constantly. If we are allowed to silence critics of Israel then we must silence others. Just be consistent and let us know what is allowed so we can go and complain and also silence others views.

Don't like her posts then don't read her posts or comment.

I was only clarifying what you interpreted from the other post. I don't care what people post really. I like reading nearly all of the articles. People that post one side every time are considered accordingly by me. Issues being discussed on these forums are far too complex for any one side to be "correct." Especially when dealing with countries.

[luckytxn 2,265]

We agree then.

I was only clarifying what you interpreted from the other post. I don't care what people post really. I like reading nearly all of the articles. People that post one side every time are considered accordingly by me. Issues being discussed on these forums are far too complex for any one side to be "correct." Especially when dealing with countries.

[GandD 5,966]

We agree then.

You know what that means?

[luckytxn 2,265]

Still trashy.

You know what that means?