1st Amendment

webmaster · 07-18-2008, 03:32 PM

As most of you know, this is a moderated forum. Members in good standing have no restrictions on posting while others are screened if they have a pattern of flooding, attacking others, hijacking, vendettas or other behavior that is a red flag to me. All posts, moderated or not, are reviewed.

When a member is moderated for whatever reason I frequently get nasty emails accusing me of violating their 1st Amendment rights and worse. Let's review the 1st Amendment:

Quote:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The 1st Amendment protects you from the Government suppressing your free speech. If someone comes to your house to convince you of how to vote you have the right to tell them to shut up and leave. Publishers of newspapers, books and other publications (like Web sites) have the right to post or not post anything they'd like, with some limitations. You can exercise your 1st Amendment rights by starting your own Web site and publishing whatever you want.

While I have been attacked before for my moderation decisions, the nastiness has reached new levels. People come to the forum, ignore the rules and guidelines and then attack me when I moderate their posts. Recently a member posted a comment that I considered possibly libelous and it was removed. After they posted it again I put them on moderation. I was immediately flooded with dozens of emails from them with the word "NAZI" repeated hundreds of times. Nice. Despite this disgusting behavior they are still allowed to post, although heavily moderated.

This is becoming more common as civility, courtesy and respect for others seem to be disappearing. It was disturbing to read how many of you think nothing of giving the finger to your fellow boaters and lake lovers.

As this problem grows I am forced to step in more if I want this forum to remain a friendly and helpful place for those who love the lake. If a comment of yours is not posted please review the content of the 1st Amendment before sending me hateful NAZI emails.

This problem is not limited to our little forum. Some large national forums have recently announced new moderation policies to stop their sites from becoming cesspools of rants and hateful comments. Additional steps are being considered to prevent that from happening here.

NightWing · 07-18-2008, 03:50 PM

Needed to be said!

CaptDan · 07-18-2008, 04:01 PM

I agree with you.. Im sure you started this site for fun and enjoyment and to tie a large community together.

Its too bad your attention has to go from enjoyment to baby sitting.

brk-lnt · 07-18-2008, 04:11 PM

Keep up the good fight, Don. It's tough going, but you make it look easy

jeffk · 07-18-2008, 04:25 PM

Thank you Don, for all the work that you do to keep this forum afloat. It is unfortunate that you have to put up with such personal attacks. It is good to be passionate about what you believe in but when that passion degrades into personal attacks and viciousness it has crossed the boundaries of civil discourse and rightfully should be rejected. That portion of your support for this site must be very rough.

Jeffk

JTA · 07-18-2008, 06:29 PM

Well said Don. I certainly derive great enjoyment from reading this forum. I agree that it should promote the enjoyment of Lake Winni and to share useful information. I also join those who thank you SOOOO much for your efforts on our behalf.

JDeere · 07-18-2008, 06:45 PM

Don,

There are more good guys out there than lunatics.............it is just that the lunatics make more noise.

Thanks for all you do!!! Do not let them bring you down.

ITD · 07-18-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webmaster

When a member is moderated for whatever reason I frequently get nasty emails accusing me of violating their 1st Amendment rights and worse.

It's pretty telling that the people who scream the loudest know the least. Ignorance knows no bounds.

Thank you for providing this forum and thank you for the great job you do moderating it.

To those who bristle at being moderated, stop blaming the Webmaster and take a good long look in the mirror to see where the problem is.

upthesaukee · 07-18-2008, 09:55 PM

May this type of behavior be short-lived and a minor speedbump in the long road of happiness relating to this wonderful website and all its features.

Perhaps your more loyal friends and forum members can help by avoiding the trolls and troublemakers and make use of the "ignore" feature of the forum. We should all be adult enough to help police ourselves.

Thanks for all you do for us.

Dave

Lakegeezer · 07-19-2008, 05:38 AM

Don't let the boneheads get you down. You're doing a great job and the moderation is effective while still allowing the site to be edgy. You have more patience than I would. Those that seriously threatened me would have their account and IP address banned. Somewhere, you are collecting zen master points for future use.

Orion · 07-19-2008, 06:28 AM

I totally agree with all these responses and your original message. Posters should consider whether or not their post is of general interest to the whole forum or if they just have a "message" they want to give to another poster and use private messages for them. Many otherwise useful threads have been ruined by childish, pointless, arguments.

Overall, the forum is a huge asset to all of us lake lovers and a source of endless enjoyment and knowledge.

Thanks for all you do, Don!

SteveA · 07-19-2008, 06:32 AM

Don, it is disturbing to read about what you have to put up with. This forum has provided me with many hours if entertainment and tons of information to help my family enjoy the lake.

Hang in there!

DRH · 07-19-2008, 01:14 PM

There really isn't much more I can add, Don, that hasn't already by posted above. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for making the Forum available to us. It's a real shame that a small number of people seem to think they have no obligation to follow the very reasonable rules and guidelines you have established, and an even bigger shame that they then attack you for enforcing those rules.

You've got a great many loyal supporters here, and we outnumber the "bad guys" by a wide margin!

Thanks for everything.

SIKSUKR · 07-19-2008, 04:14 PM

Wow!It's disturbing to hear your being trashed so hard.Even if I have been moderated I look right at myself for the answer.I know I've gotten a little to heated in some threads and if I'm out of line I EXPECT to be put back in my place.Keep up the hard work Don as you know there are way more great members on this forum than the dirtballs.

Mee-n-Mac · 07-19-2008, 05:59 PM

Kudo's to Webmaster D for having more patience than I would but methinks when it gets that bad it's time to introduce them to the appropriate authority (below) and say adios ...

Pepper · 07-19-2008, 07:44 PM

My thoughts have been expressed by all the posters to this thread.

It simply boggles the mind to think that anyone would have the audacity to send such hateful emails. Even more mind-boggling that they send multiple times!

There aren't even words to express my sadness that our happy little sandbox has been visited by bullies. They're not welcome in this neighborhood, and soon they'll tire and wander off.

Thank you, Don, for all that you do. It is genuinely appreciated my many, many, many good folks.

Drummer Girl · 07-19-2008, 08:02 PM

We are so sorry to hear that such awful sentiments were sent your way. Such an attack must have jolted you. Please know that your true forum friends are sending warm and thankful thoughts that will hopefully overshadow the mean spirited words sent your way. The forum does bring true joy, happiness, and comraderie to the majority of its faithful community.

Tallyho · 07-19-2008, 11:25 PM

A quote from Robert Frost:
"Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it"

Keep up the good work, it is appreciated!

Just Sold · 07-20-2008, 06:47 AM

Don,
I echo everyones comments here. There is no reason or justification for the hostile and negative attacks on you or this site. There is too much negativity and hostility in other places so let those that choose that path stay there.

Winnipesaukee.com has always been a friendly place to visit and enjoy. All the thanks for that goes to you and your efforts. I know it will remain this way. So keep exercising your 1st Amendment Rights to keep it the way you want.

2Blackdogs · 07-20-2008, 09:20 AM

Drummer Girl writes,

Quote:

We are so sorry to hear that such awful sentiments were sent your way. Such an attack must have jolted you.

Don was identically attacked on an open public Internet boating forum on 04-07-2005 at 09:16 AM, and on several occasions afterwards.

There are several shameful links I could provide, but it would be another "red-flag issue" for Don. My guess is it's the same poster-insurgents from 2005.

The job of "The Mod" was never an easy one, and a local issue continues to make it no easier.

hazelnut · 07-20-2008, 09:22 AM

Just give us his or her name and we'll......... ahhhh just kidding.

Seriously though thanks for keeping the site up and running through all the adversity and chaos. I myself have treaded the line and I believe one or two of my comments have been pulled. No big deal I usually follow it up with an email apology to you and then I recheck my self and move on.

07-18-2008, 03:50 PM	#2
NightWing Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 410 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Needed to be said! Attached Images

07-18-2008, 04:01 PM	#3
CaptDan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oxford, MA Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	too bad I agree with you.. Im sure you started this site for fun and enjoyment and to tie a large community together. Its too bad your attention has to go from enjoyment to baby sitting. __________________ - Dan The Life of Riley

07-18-2008, 04:25 PM	#5
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,130 Thanks: 201 Thanked 421 Times in 239 Posts	Thank you Don Thank you Don, for all the work that you do to keep this forum afloat. It is unfortunate that you have to put up with such personal attacks. It is good to be passionate about what you believe in but when that passion degrades into personal attacks and viciousness it has crossed the boundaries of civil discourse and rightfully should be rejected. That portion of your support for this site must be very rough. Jeffk

07-18-2008, 09:55 PM	#9
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,398 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	On your side Don May this type of behavior be short-lived and a minor speedbump in the long road of happiness relating to this wonderful website and all its features. Perhaps your more loyal friends and forum members can help by avoiding the trolls and troublemakers and make use of the "ignore" feature of the forum. We should all be adult enough to help police ourselves. Thanks for all you do for us. Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

07-19-2008, 05:38 AM	#10
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,657 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 342 Thanked 618 Times in 278 Posts	Great job Don't let the boneheads get you down. You're doing a great job and the moderation is effective while still allowing the site to be edgy. You have more patience than I would. Those that seriously threatened me would have their account and IP address banned. Somewhere, you are collecting zen master points for future use. __________________ -lg

07-18-2008, 04:11 PM	#4
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,938 Thanks: 533 Thanked 568 Times in 334 Posts	Keep up the good fight, Don. It's tough going, but you make it look easy

07-18-2008, 06:29 PM	#6
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 33 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Well said Don. I certainly derive great enjoyment from reading this forum. I agree that it should promote the enjoyment of Lake Winni and to share useful information. I also join those who thank you SOOOO much for your efforts on our behalf.

07-18-2008, 06:45 PM	#7
JDeere Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 295 Thanks: 74 Thanked 52 Times in 25 Posts	Don, There are more good guys out there than lunatics.............it is just that the lunatics make more noise. Thanks for all you do!!! Do not let them bring you down.

07-19-2008, 06:28 AM	#11
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cow Island Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	Right on! I totally agree with all these responses and your original message. Posters should consider whether or not their post is of general interest to the whole forum or if they just have a "message" they want to give to another poster and use private messages for them. Many otherwise useful threads have been ruined by childish, pointless, arguments. Overall, the forum is a huge asset to all of us lake lovers and a source of endless enjoyment and knowledge. Thanks for all you do, Don!

07-19-2008, 06:32 AM	#12
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Thanks for what you do Don, it is disturbing to read about what you have to put up with. This forum has provided me with many hours if entertainment and tons of information to help my family enjoy the lake. Hang in there! __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

07-19-2008, 01:14 PM	#13
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 1,183 Thanked 655 Times in 173 Posts	Thanks! There really isn't much more I can add, Don, that hasn't already by posted above. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for making the Forum available to us. It's a real shame that a small number of people seem to think they have no obligation to follow the very reasonable rules and guidelines you have established, and an even bigger shame that they then attack you for enforcing those rules. You've got a great many loyal supporters here, and we outnumber the "bad guys" by a wide margin! Thanks for everything. __________________ DRH

07-19-2008, 04:14 PM	#14
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Wow!It's disturbing to hear your being trashed so hard.Even if I have been moderated I look right at myself for the answer.I know I've gotten a little to heated in some threads and if I'm out of line I EXPECT to be put back in my place.Keep up the hard work Don as you know there are way more great members on this forum than the dirtballs. __________________ SIKSUKR

07-19-2008, 05:59 PM	#15
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	Say hello to my little friend ... Kudo's to Webmaster D for having more patience than I would but methinks when it gets that bad it's time to introduce them to the appropriate authority (below) and say adios ... Attached Images __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH

07-19-2008, 07:44 PM	#16
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	My thoughts have been expressed by all the posters to this thread. It simply boggles the mind to think that anyone would have the audacity to send such hateful emails. Even more mind-boggling that they send multiple times! There aren't even words to express my sadness that our happy little sandbox has been visited by bullies. They're not welcome in this neighborhood, and soon they'll tire and wander off. Thank you, Don, for all that you do. It is genuinely appreciated my many, many, many good folks. __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

07-19-2008, 08:02 PM	#17
Drummer Girl Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 26 Thanks: 77 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	Wow We are so sorry to hear that such awful sentiments were sent your way. Such an attack must have jolted you. Please know that your true forum friends are sending warm and thankful thoughts that will hopefully overshadow the mean spirited words sent your way. The forum does bring true joy, happiness, and comraderie to the majority of its faithful community.

07-19-2008, 11:25 PM	#18
Tallyho Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 312 Thanks: 439 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	First Amendment A quote from Robert Frost: "Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it" Keep up the good work, it is appreciated!

07-20-2008, 06:47 AM	#19
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,612 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 433 Times in 209 Posts	You are Doing the Right Thing Don, I echo everyones comments here. There is no reason or justification for the hostile and negative attacks on you or this site. There is too much negativity and hostility in other places so let those that choose that path stay there. *Winnipesaukee.com has always been a friendly place to visit and enjoy.* All the thanks for that goes to you and your efforts. I know it will remain this way. So keep exercising your 1st Amendment Rights to keep it the way you want. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

07-20-2008, 09:22 AM	#21
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	Just give us his or her name and we'll......... ahhhh just kidding. Seriously though thanks for keeping the site up and running through all the adversity and chaos. I myself have treaded the line and I believe one or two of my comments have been pulled. No big deal I usually follow it up with an email apology to you and then I recheck my self and move on.