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Post by schlager7 on May 22, 2005 18:37:17 GMT -6
I've sounded everyone out on this once before. I am curious how our current membership feels. Currently, anyone can post using any name they wish. I can make a change that lets anyone read, but only registered members post. Needless to say, only registered members may vote. If you are having user name/password issues, email me and we will get you on the board. john@trojanowski.comI'll run this poll through the Coastal Bend Open. I figure it will be late when we get back, so I'll lock this down that Monday morning after the tournament. I will then go with the will of the majority of the voting members.
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Post by Dan Gorman on May 23, 2005 9:06:29 GMT -6
My issue isn't with guests posting, rather with anonymus posts. Anyone willing to sign their name should be allowed to post. This group isn't dealing with anything even remotely necessitating the protection of identities.
Dan
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Post by schlager7 on May 23, 2005 9:51:02 GMT -6
Good point. Anyone have a good way of confirming IDs?
IP addresses are only so good.
This certainly is turning into a close race.
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Post by Geezer on May 23, 2005 13:54:00 GMT -6
Bahhhh!!!! Humbug!!! There's to much censorship as it is!!! What does utility, civility, or the examination of one's moral turpitude have to do with free speech...obsessed social editing I think!!! Since when has anonymity ever been the concern of anyone except the Zenophobe? Give me the caustic curmudgeon, sinister or cowardly, any day over a sacchrine charm, rhetirical manners, and pseudo sensibility. There are things that need the light of words, anger vented, vanity puffed and poised, dark and sulking...that would not be seen, or known of, if not for the liberation of the Masque, an ancient and venerable mystery. Let me see the shadow of my enemy...
IGNORANTIA SVPREMVS TYRANNVS
...and have a nice day.
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Post by Dan Gorman on May 23, 2005 16:30:16 GMT -6
See -- since he doesn't sign anything to it, I can automatically discount anything he says.
The tragedy of free speech is when we use it in childish attempts to dismiss our own responsibility.
Dan
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Post by Ann on May 24, 2005 7:44:09 GMT -6
I have found that you just can't consistently have intelligent conversations in forums that allow just anyone to come in. seems that lots of people get their jollies just 'shaking things up', and I get bored with it quickly and leave for good if they don't. I think if they are serious about the topic they should join up to chime in.
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Post by Ann on May 24, 2005 7:46:05 GMT -6
(haha, and here I am, as a 'guest'.... actually I am a member but just can't remember my password, I'll go figure it out and sign in properly!)
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Post by Gryphon on May 24, 2005 16:26:53 GMT -6
Hello everyone,
Everyone should be able to speak their mind. The founding fathers even wrote documents anonymously against the british monarchy.
Sometimes you'll encounter a fair amount of yellow journalism but it's a necessary reality. Not everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions publicly.
I'm pretty sure most can see through the yellow journalism compared to hard facts.
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Post by LongBlade on May 24, 2005 22:12:01 GMT -6
The question is one of balance. Is it worth putting up with the "snipers" and "trolls" in order to get the posts of someone who actually has something to contribute?
I'll tell you how I see it. I think that pretty much anyone who is regularly on this forum KNOWS who everyone else is, and who just runs across here and tries to cause trouble.
I'd say that I'd rather put up with those who just anonymously post for those who come on and post what is worthwhile. Just my 2 cents. Do whatever you want... but think of what you may miss because of it.
SIGNED: Kyle Maysel (AKA: LongBlade)
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Post by saberbobcat on May 24, 2005 23:42:12 GMT -6
Sorry, I whole-heartedly agree with Dan. I post under my registered name and it is my email address, too. This way people can figure out who I am with ease. However, I am still licking my wounds from a troll that attacked me on this forum last year. I was simply confused about an issue and voiced a very STRONG opinion that I believed many other women in this section also had/have... For my honesty I was blasted publicly by a faceless person. Rather than try to clarify a confusing situation, they attacked me personally and made me feel like an idiot right before I was to host my first USFA sanctioned tournament. It upset me enough that I was ready to call off the tournament and shut the doors of the salle, whereby I would have lost everything I have worked so hard to build down here. Now that would have been real constructive, eh? Spend a small fortune, sacrifice two nights a week away from my family, not to mention the weekends traveling,competing, training irregardless of the fact that I already have a full time job... to toss it aside over a few stupid gutless words that a person did not even have the courage to sign their name to. After that I did not post much for a while. Nowdays you rarely hear what I really think anymore unless it is positive and can not be manipulated in any way shape or form. I hold my tongue and DO NOT voice my opinion rather than be blasted publicly for what I really believe in. So, truthfully, who has the rights here? The registered users or the trolls? I refuse to post anonymously. If I can't sign it, I won't post it. So... Here Trollie, Trollie... Here Trollie, Trollie! Sorry, John... I just had to feed the troll one more time for old-time sakes. ;D
Grace Haberzettle
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Post by schlager7 on May 25, 2005 6:18:01 GMT -6
Darn! The wind last night must have blown down my "Do Not Feed the Trolls" sign!
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Post by staciared2 on May 25, 2005 6:56:59 GMT -6
Saberbobcat,
I understand the sting of a troll or sniper but there have been those that post anonymously because they are concerned that their posting here may cause reprocussions for their children at tournaments. Founded in truth or not, it is something that has been discussed. I personally post my name to everything I write but I am kind of a "bull in a china shop" so to speak.
It is a shame that some don't feel they can voice their opinions without their children being penalized for it. I think if everyone could speak their mind and stand up for what they believe some of our current divisional issues would not stand.
All this to say I voted to let everyone speak.
Stacia
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Post by DavidSierra on May 25, 2005 7:44:28 GMT -6
I've been hesitant to weigh in on this thread, but I just had to now. As many of you know, I've been the victim of some rather harsh personal attacks and character assasination lately. However, its typcially been from non-anonymous users. For some reason, no one seemed to have a problem with taking personal potshots at me and signing their name. So, I'm not sure that taking away anonymous posting would have the effect its thought it would. I understand the sting of a troll or sniper but there have been those that post anonymously because they are concerned that their posting here may cause reprocussions for their children at tournaments. This being said, I'm even more disturbed by the above quoted statement. What kind or reprocussions are you referring to? As many of you know, I am a referee - one of the senior ones in our Section - and I appreciate the responsibility that refereeing presents. The referee community is a self-policing community for the most part and while not without its internal disagreements, its supposed to be one where all those are put aside while working "with the Blue Jacket." When the imparitality of a referee is challenged, it impunes the honesty of all of us who work hard as referees. That being said, there are people who are skilled as referees, knowledgeable of the rules, and possesing of the apropriate "presence" to be good referees. But, they are not hired to work tournaments because the rest of us have noted their inability to be impartial while working, and we don't wish to be associated with that kind of person. If you feel that there is a referee who has an inability to be impartial, then you need to bring it to the attention of one of the FOC representatives. Sorry for the threadjack.
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Post by staciared2 on May 25, 2005 8:16:12 GMT -6
It was a blanket statement and not referring to a specific event. Sorry if my post was misleading.
I did not say anything about referees. Actually, I was thinking along the lines of those in the chain of command for the division. When things go on (and there are some very vindictive officers, nes pas?) some folks want to call it to everyone's attention but don't want it to come back on their kids. After all, many of us would not be involved if it weren't for our children. No one wants their kids rating to be denied or tournament to go magically unsanctioned, etc.
I think some folks have a healthy dose of fear because of things that have gone on. Hopefully, with a new slate of officers, no one will feel the need to post anonymously.
Stacia
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Post by August Skopik on May 25, 2005 8:52:40 GMT -6
David,
Stacia is absolutely correct in her assumption of negative effects on the children. My two oldest sons were part of the NCAA volunteer group, and they and another child creatively acquired tables to set up the coaches and athletes entrance area. The NCAA coaches were very happy with the set up, and complimented the volunteers even when they are being challenged because they did not show their badges.
They were told Saturday night by the current Chairperson that they and all volunteers that I helped set up that their services were not required the next day. The HSA organizers were appalled, because the Sunday they knew would be the busiest day. The HSA organizer informed all of the volunteers that they were needed, which they were. Investigations revealed that it was only volunteers set up by myself that were "fired".
This is just one example of Stacia's concern. This type of behavior has been extended to many clubs, and often to any families that myself or certain coaches even talk to. Fortunately, the division will have new elections administered by Don and the USFA office. We have the opportunities to make certain that the division is balanced and this type of behavior does not exist on the EC.
People have to separate viewpoints, vision statements and political or personal opinions from the club or their family and children. Unfortunately, that does not always happen because of the personalities involved.
I don't post without my name, because this is a forum where opinions can be shared and discussed, and information can be distributed. John can attest by following my posts and IP addresses, but I can understand how some people will want to post using anonymity. We have to be mature enough to discount this posting from these sources when someone is willing to put their names to it. Sometimes someone will post under a different name because of personality or other reasons, but an attack under a different or false name should be discounted by the reader unless it is factually supported.
Unless you have lived it in our division, you sometimes can't believe it.
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Post by Dan Gorman on May 25, 2005 9:57:42 GMT -6
It's interesting to draw support for anonymity on the board from the anonymous writings of the founding fathers, but empty. They would have been hunted down, arrested, and killed as traitors if they'd signed their names. We might not have a rating go through in a timely matter. One of these things is of slightly greater importance than the other. They wrote anonymously to overthrow an unjust regime. We use it to launch personal attacks against people whose views we don't support.
Before anyone jumps on that unjust regime comment, there is a difference between colonial authority dictating policy and a democratically elected board dictating policy. No one stole or rigged elections. No one usurped anyone else's rightful power.
Dan
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Post by Geezer on May 25, 2005 16:30:25 GMT -6
Alright, Dan...(if indeed that is your REAL name)
The only thing here that keeps us form the Pit of the Mundane, Trite, and Banal is the Adventure of Anonymity.
So, here, let me poke you with a little metal stick.
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Post by schlager7 on May 25, 2005 22:01:13 GMT -6
There are so few things in life I can be certain of...
but among them is the fact that Dan is DEFINITELY Dan.
;D
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Post by saberbobcat on May 26, 2005 6:21:26 GMT -6
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Aien't that the truth, Schlager!
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Post by schlager7 on Jun 13, 2005 8:14:16 GMT -6
Okay. The poll is locked and closed. The vote stands at 13 in favor of continuing to allow guests to post and 8 against.
So, for the foreseeable future, the system as it exists stands.
I would like to remind our guests that, as one of the newer features, guests may also view the calender. Just click on the link above.
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Post by schlager7 on Jun 29, 2005 10:24:09 GMT -6
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