[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Not sure what TOTV was like in the past. I like a bit of spice. Balanced views. I’m not talking about confrontations. As compared to everyone agreeing, saccharine sweetness etc. makes me look forwards to reading the posts each morning.

No. It isn't that , Velvet. One or two are allowed to bully.

[redwitch]

We’ve always had at least one poster who had to be negative and, yes, frequently nasty. The political forum couldn’t be civil if it tried. As to it being meaner now that in the past, sometimes, yes. Sometimes the same as always. People who make personal attacks should have more than their post deleted — they should have a suspension and three suspensions equals a permanent banning.

One thing I have come to hate is the anonymity of the moderators here. They make arbitrary decisions and we have no recourse but to abide with locked threads and deleted posts. Sometimes a thread going off topic is a good, fun thing. Things are stopped, deleted much too quickly here. Being anonymous gives a moderator too much power.

I’ve been a moderator on other forums. We publicly acknowledged we were moderators. We also posted as members. There was never an issue.

I agree there should be some sort of limit on ads — classified ads to a certain dollar amount, everything being sold under one ad. Sponsors should be limited to ads, not starting threads that are actually ads.

[Velvet]

Bullies, huh? I understand now.

How color sensitive are some people? We almost bought a new car to bring stuff to TV but the inside yellow brown made me nauseous after sitting in it for 2 minutes. Never thought that the font you write with could have political implications.

[anothersteve]

Originally Posted by redwitch

One thing I have come to hate is the anonymity of the moderators here.

I don't think they are as anonymous as you might think.
Steve

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Martian

Uh, you don't pay fees? Uh, why have I been being charged?

Newbie? On another thread, lot sizes, it was stated newbies don't know...….

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Did that once. Was called a fat old fart.

Nah, now who would do such a thing?

[ColdNoMore]

From what I've seen, what often happens to a new poster (from certain folks, who don't really need to be named) is:

1. Try, either overtly or covertly, to immediately determine their political leanings so that you can quickly brand and treat them as...'friend' or 'foe.'

2. Depending on that determination, if they're on 'your' side, make them an immediate friend and pile on the compliments (often cloying and in spite of their actual honesty/truthfulness/integrity) and if not on your side, chase them around...and try to start ganging up on them (often with a call for help) every time they post.

3. Try to turn the most innocuous of subjects...political (see #1).

4. Count/depend on number of posts/length of membership/clique members speaking up in support, to bully/gang up (overtly and subtly)...to try and get away with more than "the enemy."

5. If you are one of that group and some type of discipline occurs, make your first posts after coming back whining ones, about how unfair you were treated. Never mind the plethora of times... you got away with a lot more than most others.

I have to say though, that I believe the moderation gets better and more fair...as time goes along.

Just my personal observations and $.02 worth.


P.S. Just watch, the ones taking the greatest umbrage with my observations...pretty much prove my point.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by wereback

My first time living in the villages and joining Talk of the Villages most of the treads started nicely and stayed that way. Their were many who posted and all was kept friendly now their are a few who post all the time and are only happy if they attack someone or something. I wish they would grow up or go away.

I love the irony in your post. Great idea. Instead of starting nicely and getting ugly, start it ugly so it can't go downhill from there. Good job.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Jazuela

I love the irony in your post. Great idea. Instead of starting nicely and getting ugly, start it ugly so it can't go downhill from there. Good job.

Yeah...me too.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

I've sense people being a lot snarkier and trying to zing others on a one-upman-ship. It's already happened in this thread a couple of time.

The other thing, when a question is asked about something specific, everyone else doesn't give a specific answer or pull the others down.
Such as (and this is hypothetical)...I bought a car at such and such a place and my question is can I get it serviced here. The answer might come back "I got my car at this other place". BUT never give the answer the OP is looking for. IF someone is new or legitimately needs an answer lets try to help one another out without answering just to answer.

I wish we could rep posts. This is a huge deal. You ask a question, and they answer a question you never asked - and you have to remind them you just want the question you asked, answered - and around and around it goes til you get frustrated and people start getting nasty because they're "only trying to help and you should maybe just not move to the Villages."

[Taltarzac725]

Really look forward to certain posters outlook on just about anything and some of these who have left TOTV since I joined in July of 2007 are very badly missed. Some have passed away and others were driven off to other kinds of sources of communication. Facebook seems to have picked up a lot of these former TOTV posters.

[Martian]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

From what I've seen, what often happens to a new poster (from certain folks, who don't really need to be named) is:

1. Try, either overtly or covertly, to immediately determine their political leanings so that you can quickly brand and treat them as...'friend' or 'foe.'

Well, as if it isn't totally obvious, for anyone TRYING to figure me out, I am a bleeding heart liberal, through and through.

And I have received several friend requests from people that are obviously conservative.

I feel honored that people that disagree with me would want to consider me a friend.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You the new owner?

Again, a point is proven almost immediately.

CNM is accurate it all cases, however I still have issues with moderators who appear to be swayed by certain posters. I support a previous thought that they should be identified clearly.

It is frustrating that no matter what a thread is about, your "politics" guides reaction. I certainly am guilty of inserting that in my posts, mostly and I would bet "some" money on it, I was posting calling out a snarky statement loaded with "overtones"

I always loved the discussion on here, even the original political forum. Everyone knew where you stood, but ISSUES were discussed, not so much people, and it was really rare that a poster in making their case did not allow you a link to back up their feelings. Not that way anymore.....the "issue", even if a local Villages issue is pushed aside...how many times are we treated to someone reciting a posters history...for what reason I know not.....how many times in supporting a thought...instead of making a case...do we hear how "I know how great you are thus"....any discussion is destroyed if certain are not pleased...change the subject...whatever it takes.

This is destroying the discussion aspect of this forum.

Links are laughed at, and mocking facts and reality is offensive on any "discussion" level.

[Bucco]

Additionally, we have posters who have solicited other members to join them in "going after" other posters. How do I know...I was, in the past one of those solicited. Recently this person was sarcastic to me AND MY WIFE, something about being aloof or not forthcoming with personal info. That is on purpose. I have the PMs asking me to join in and also PMs telling me the latest scandal in posters. I keep it close to the vest because while I know I am discussed, I do not want nast gossip out there, and it is real.

Why was I solicited to help ? At the time, I was considered a "political" ally, but no longer. Seems it always boils down to that...it is a shame....this forum was stacked with nice intelligent folks who shared a home town, and from whom I learned so much by sharing in a respectable way without sneaky undercurrents.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Do your "right justified super-sized blue text" posts have a mixed political meaning ?

Originally Posted by Velvet

Bullies, huh? I understand now.

How color sensitive are some people? We almost bought a new car to bring stuff to TV but the inside yellow brown made me nauseous after sitting in it for 2 minutes. Never thought that the font you write with could have political implications.

"OH LORDY I hope there are tapes!"

(that was a famous quote). I assume that

comment was aimed at me. My comment was
SO OBVIOUSLY A JOKE (did you not see the ) that I can't
imagine how anyone could take it any other way.
Ya gotta lighten up a bit folks.
This is the The Villages, THE HAPPY PLACE!

Here, I'll explain it in detail:
FONT was BLUE so that represented the guys on the left.
Text was RIGHT JUSTIFIED which was a play on words for the folks on the RIGHT.

• That created a pseudo-confusing play on words situation trying to determine ones political standing from how they write a message that had NOTHING to do with politics.
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Geez, this place can make you nuts. I gotta go take a Valium.