What are the rules?

[kitkat1 5]

It is subjective as I am sure you can imagine, however we do attempt diplomacy wherever possible which would mean, yes, for the most part you will see us remind in a thread, or PM directly, or warn. There are few times when we do not as well.

So basically there are no rules so it would not be possible to clarify the rules here in the open forum so everyone understands?

[no name 1]

It is subjective as I am sure you can imagine, however we do attempt diplomacy wherever possible which would mean, yes, for the most part you will see us remind in a thread, or PM directly, or warn. There are few times when we do not as well.

So basically there are no rules so it would not be possible to clarify the rules here in the open forum so everyone understands?

um, yeah.........?

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Is the thread and or action in question still available to the public for viewing? And can someone please enlighten us to the detail of the situation...

[Marilyn. 340]

I found this in the TOS.. not sure if it explains things or not...

Termination and Suspension. You agree that VisaJourney.com may, without prior notice and for any reason whatsoever, immediately Terminate or Suspend (for a period of time determined at the sole discretion of VisaJourney.com) your Member account and access to the Service. Cause for such termination may include, but not be limited to, (a) breaches or violations of the TOS or other incorporated agreements or guidelines, ( B ) requests by law enforcement or other government agencies, © a request by you, (d) discontinuance or material modification to the Service (or any part thereof), (e) unexpected technical or security issues or problems, ( F ) extended periods of inactivity, and/or (g) you have engaged in fraudulent or illegal activities. Termination or Suspension of your Member account may include, but not be limited to, (a) removal of access to the Service, ( B ) deletion of your password and all related information, files and content associated with or inside your Member account (or any part thereof), and © barring further use of the Service (or any part thereof). Further, you agree that all terminations and suspensions shall be made at VisaJourney.com's sole discretion and that VisaJourney.com shall not be liable to you or any third-party for any Suspension or Termination of your account or access to the Service (or any part thereof). You agree that if your Member account is Terminated or Suspended that you will not attempt to bypass the Termination or Suspension by any method including, but not limited to, registering additional Member accounts.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...&page=terms

Edited August 13, 2007 by MarilynP

[kitkat1 5]

Is the thread and or action in question still available to the public for viewing? And can someone please enlighten us to the detail of the situation...

Um, read the first post in the thread:

I'm still trying to figure out why I got a ban for a so-called personal attack which was not an attack

[payxibka 10,045]

From VJ TOS

Make comments in a Post either direct or implied toward another member that are purposely designed to upset, antagonize, make fun of, belittle, or otherwise instigate an argument that takes away from the personal enjoyment of the Service by other users.

I am not making any conclusions about this specific situation, however, in many situations if there was a violation (IMO) it was as the result of another members action. Why is the antagonist never dealt with appropriately?

[*julez* 124]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

[Mags 112]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

Alot of that HAS been sorted out now. I think you have to bear in mind that we are not in here 24 hours a day and can only respond once we've read through stuff and caught up; which does take some time. It's a big forum.

I'll just reiterate that if someone PMs me I will always answer them so, if you see something, let one (or preferably all three) of us know. Then who ever is online first can get onto the matter at hand ASAP.

[*julez* 124]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

Alot of that HAS been sorted out now. I think you have to bear in mind that we are not in here 24 hours a day and can only respond once we've read through stuff and caught up; which does take some time. It's a big forum.

I'll just reiterate that if someone PMs me I will always answer them so, if you see something, let one (or preferably all three) of us know. Then who ever is online first can get onto the matter at hand ASAP.

Well, threads have been locked, and new ones restarted by the same individual. Just wondering why a ban wasn't put into place due to those inflamatory posts?

[Dr_LHA 3]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

MENA just gets a pass though doesn't it?

The issue with Dev's ban was that it apparently was because she was reacting to something quite inflamatory and out of line posted by another member and backed up by a moderator. From an outside perspective it would appear that dev got banned for disagreeing with what a moderator (and another member) posted.

If you look at the thread in question you'll find quite a few people posted "WTFs" at what was said (basically implying that many/most K-1 applicants from the Philippines were former hookers). I must admit given the subject matter I was quite surprised at the mod's posts in that thread.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

...in many situations if there was a violation (IMO) it was as the result of another members action. Why is the antagonist never dealt with appropriately?

I also interpret many actions by our beloved members in violation of the TOS. However, there has to be some freedom to dialog/debate and then if a situation escalates... deal with it (banning). Antagonist in most situations in life get off easy. The retaliator normally gets the brunk of the law/rules/policies/ and in our case... the terms of service. - Cheers!!!

[no name 1]

However, there has to be some freedom to dialog/debate and then if a situation escalates... deal with it (banning).

The retaliator normally gets the brunk of the law/rules/policies/ and in our case... the terms of service.

and that is fair?

[kitkat1 5]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

MENA just gets a pass though doesn't it?

The issue with Dev's ban was that it apparently was because she was reacting to something quite inflamatory and out of line posted by another member and backed up by a moderator. From an outside perspective it would appear that dev got banned for disagreeing with what a moderator (and another member) posted.

If you look at the thread in question you'll find quite a few people posted "WTFs" at what was said (basically implying that many/most K-1 applicants from the Philippines were former hookers). I must admit given the subject matter I was quite surprised at the mod's posts in that thread.

Totally accurate summary -- that's exactly what it looked like.

[LaL 418]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

Alot of that HAS been sorted out now. I think you have to bear in mind that we are not in here 24 hours a day and can only respond once we've read through stuff and caught up; which does take some time. It's a big forum.

I'll just reiterate that if someone PMs me I will always answer them so, if you see something, let one (or preferably all three) of us know. Then who ever is online first can get onto the matter at hand ASAP.

Well, threads have been locked, and new ones restarted by the same individual. Just wondering why a ban wasn't put into place due to those inflamatory posts?

Any actions that I may or may not have taken with a particular member are a private matter with that member.

MENA just gets a pass though doesn't it?

no, it does not.

Edited August 13, 2007 by LaL

[no name 1]

I saw some really, extremely offensive posts in the MENA forum today and somehow that person is still posting away. I know its tough, but really there needs to be some better consistency. So if there aren't any hard and fast rules on specifically when bans are appropriate, they should be developed. The TOS just don't cut it, IMO.

MENA just gets a pass though doesn't it?

The issue with Dev's ban was that it apparently was because she was reacting to something quite inflamatory and out of line posted by another member and backed up by a moderator. From an outside perspective it would appear that dev got banned for disagreeing with what a moderator (and another member) posted.

If you look at the thread in question you'll find quite a few people posted "WTFs" at what was said (basically implying that many/most K-1 applicants from the Philippines were former hookers). I must admit given the subject matter I was quite surprised at the mod's posts in that thread.

Totally accurate summary -- that's exactly what it looked like.

NOT ONCE did I call anyone names. The instigator did, twice & got no ban.

The instigator had yet another personal attack after my post yet was not scolded/banned.

If I know something and think it will be of benefit to somebody, I'll share it without concern for how many narrow minded, territorial jealous people think I'm being arrogant. Now who was it that first said, "Put that in your pipe and smoke it."?

Edited August 13, 2007 by devilette