Thread Closures
 

Why are some (but not all) threads closed if someone "strays" into a political comment? Why are some (but not all) threads closed if people start directing comments at individuals? I accept (not necessarily agree with), but accept, the zero tolerance regarding anything that might be considered political. And I understand and accept the zero tolerance on comments aimed at a specific person. But sometimes comments are deleted or admonished, while others are left to stand. And then, sometimes entire threads are closed without any deletions or admonishments.

Perhaps one of my posts in the Ebola thread should have been deleted (comment directed at one person) or I should have been admonished...but why close down the whole thread?

I understand that Admin and the Mods have a fine line to walk while trying to keep things from spiraling out of control. But to close down an entire thread concerning a very important topic of discussion throughout this country right now? It is more than a little mind boggling.

And before anyone tells me that this a free website and I don't have the right to question the owners/admin/mods decisions...yes I know that. But it just seems so random, I don't understand it.

I wondered about the closing of the Ebola thread, too. The posts that went into political areas could have been removed, instead of silencing a critical topic.

I think people want some substance debated here. Posters always put comments that are thought provoking and that spur me to read more from other sources and to learn more. I don't know why that thread was a problem.

Obviously there
 

There are some here that can say just about anything. If you follow the party line a few have embraced and are that group, then all is well. It is really obvious to me and many others I have spoken to. Oh well, such is life in a bubble.

I'm not sure what you mean about the "party line". If you mean political parties...I've seen posts from both sides of the political aisle that resulted in posts deleted and threads closed.

My point is that it just seems so completely random.

Some threads are allowed to go on forever, including many posts with what would be "rule infractions", some with deletions and admonishments, and some without. And then there are others (such as the Ebola thread) that are just suddenly shut down, with just a few suspect posts (mine included).

I don't get it, but I'm not buying into a conspiracy theory for or against certain posters.

It's just not at all consistent and it is irritating to see an interesting thread closed down without warning.

At what time in our history did we lose the ability to speak open and freely? No two people ever saw eye to eye on politics but thats no reason to stop. It is just another way to own the media! There is more to life than golf carts and people having sex.

There are also many sites to express ones political views and engage others in a debate. Lets keep it away from here.

In the past, posts were deleted and writers were sometimes publicly admonished with a note "stay on topic" or "do not talk about other posters".
But that seems to have disappeared. Sometimes posts are deleted without any explanation. Sometimes threads are closed or just disappear.

I don't blame the Mods at all because they have to read a lot of crap and make a lot of judgment calls.
I'm sure there is much going on behind the scenes that we don't know about. And TOTV stays calmer if there is no explanation given - then there nothing to argue about.

So even tho it is random, and sometimes I'm curious .. "did I screw up here", "am I going to get sent to the principal's office", I do believe the Mods are doing the best possible job they can.

I am mostly relieved when threads are closed.
Maybe 1% disagreement.
Sometimes I get the last word. That's cool.

Skybo - this is a fair question to ask but no one on the site can answer it for you. If there is a question regarding moderation/administration anyone is welcome to send us a PM or Email and we are happy to discuss.

Where to start in response.....

First there are hundreds of posts every day that a number of moderators/administrators attempt to review. We try to stay as close to the published site guidelines as possible but sometimes there are grey areas. Sometimes a thread has been responded to so many times with guideline violations that it would not be practical to 'prune' the thread so the entire thread is closed. We don't typically offer explanation because we have found that no matter how we explain the moderation someone wants to argue the point and there isn't enough time in the day for that. Do we always get it right - no way, we are human and make mistakes. We apologize in advance for when we do and our goal is an attempt to keep the site a positive civil place for discussions.

In almost 99% of the time moderation is done due to a comment being directed at another user, an inflammatory post, or a political post. We outline in detail in the site guidelines what is being moderated.

We don't moderate opinions, or manners, or the content of the post. We don't always agree with someone's post or comments but if it doesn't violate the site guidelines then we let it stand.

It is all a manual human process and we appreciate everyone's patience, understanding, and support of the process.

censorship is alive and well on TOV

Very well explained IMHO. I think the mods handle this almost impossible task very well.

And if you consider the task 'pleasing everybody', then it IS impossible.

Is there a political site specific to the villages as is this one?

There used to be an "opt in" political forum on TOTV. During the last election cycle the mods were kept so busy monitoring it in an effort to keep it somewhat civil that a decision was made to close the forum. I participated in the opt in, and found it interesting and always entertaining, but it did get very contentious and no minds were ever changed IMO.

I have always found political discourse to be stimulating. You will never change anyone's mind, but just might sharpen your own in the process!

I would also be interested in knowing how to access a political forum on line.

Forums can be a little power thing for some moderators. As long as things don't get personal most don't mind discussion. However pure political posts can get quite heated and personal no doubt. Just my opinion which only really matters to me.

It is not an easy job as the world turns.
I respect overseers to integrate world shifts.
Today is not yesterday or tomorrow.

gomoho: The most popular thread on this forum was the political thread.
It surprised me when they removed it. I mean we are all grown ups here.
If Admin believed someone is being too>>>>>>>>then remove their post. If they are persistent then suspend them. If it becomes apparent that they can't control their tempers remove them from the thread for good.....but don't punish the rest of us.

Now we are going to hear from that percentile that repeatedly respond with ïf you don't like it move" "don't log on to TOTV", etc

It is what it is?????/

It can't be an easy job to have to read all this....I wouldn't want it!!

There is??....damn!!!

If you had read the political forum when it was alive, you would have been exposed to some extremely vicious comments directed at individuals. It was not a productive forum and certainly not conducive to a "community" forum.

IMO you will find that most of those forums dedicated to discussions of religion and politics are nothing more than various posters preaching to the choir and feeding their own ego. It is a rare occurrence when you can change someone's mind on a forum.

Apparently, you did not have a chance to read post #11.

While much of what you say is true, keep in mind it was an opt-in forum. No one that was thin skinned or didn't want to discuss political issues, needed to be exposed to it. If one did not opt in the threads would not show up on their screen. In other political forums I have seen (I don't participate in any currently) it is often a no holds barred free for all. The mods tried to keep this one somewhat civil and it was taking all their time to monitor it. If it came back I would participate.

It is my understanding that the real downside was that the animus spilled over into the regular forum (same screen names and all) which often colored the normal dialogue to which all were then exposed.

Hi Indy: As I recollect there were only a few bad apples. Perhaps the forum could have been saved if Admin dealt with them , a three strikes and your out rule would suffice . As I recall, and from a micro view we had far more posters who offered some very interesting point of view. From a macro view there are far too many people organizations etc stifling free speech.

How can we solve our problems if we do not have a venue in which we can speak freely. Debate is quickly becoming a lost art. today's college educated, thanks to their universities, believe that name calling is their argument.

Sorry, I momentarily went off script

Certainly is true that name calling and attacks have supplanted solid information and facts as the most oft used tool when discussing politics.

Unfortunately that is true among "real" politicians. The discourse has become so vicious and attacking that working together has become impossible. The political climate today is toxic and allows no room for common sense solutions. When the "other side" is seen as vicious, ugly, untrustworthy, and working to undermine the country, it allows for no compromise or teamwork. I live in Missouri, but we get the political ads from Kansas as we are on the state line and the ads are embarrassing- on both sides. The far left and far right have stolen the parties and not for the better. Politicians should work for the people, but instead they work for monied interests and re-election.

Thank you Admin for responding to my question. And I apologize for whatever part my post may have played in shutting down that thread.

If you want no censorship, go over to Topix or Twitter. They're so unmoderated all the bullies have taken them over, teenagers and adults with no self control or social skills. and in one case they have contributed to the death of a teenager, Skylar Neese,by two of her sociopathic "friends."

I'll take the rules and regs on TOTV any day.

Amen to that, CF.
Birds of a feather on topix practice evil and spew hate. Some are banished from here, and good riddance.