censorship

The idea that conflict and heated exchange has no place here is very discouraging. Those who are the most passionate in regard to Tolkien will of course be the ones to respond with passion, and personally, whether positively or negatively. I find the threads that are filled with debate and conflict are the best. I love it when someone takes it personally and responds with zeal. Yeah. That's the best. If I have to play musical chairs with nine people including myself, and nine chairs, and we're all winners! Hoo-Ray! I THINK THAT SUCKS AND IS BORING. Thanks but no thanks.

What else is a forum for?
To engage
To challenge
to debate
To fellowship
To rejoice together
To celebrate
To do battle

If I cannot throw a little negitive into the mix to spice things up then see ya.
If someone gets their feelings hurt or feels threatened, I'd say, "OH,PLEASE!!!"
And now I'm gonna kick back and see if you censor this, or if you kick me off. I showed that I could compromise by editing and rewording my post and specifying that I meant no offense.
I really want to hear from others how they feel, and if the vote is against me, I'll leave you guys alone and sorry for the trouble!
I love the site though. What fun!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

This post is not a book discussion, therefore I'm moving it to the Barrow-Downs section.

Posting rules for the Barrow-Downs are clearly stated on the forum. Those who do not wish to adhere to them have enough choices of forums with different styles. Opinions, as many different ones as there are members, are welcome, but we do not allow any members to insult others. Personal comments belong in PMs.

Being called Ms. Stalin is definitely an insult directed at me, but I have not eliminated the phrase from your post. You judge yourself by your own words.

[Bêthberry]

Being called Ms. Stalin is definitely an insult directed at me, but I have not eliminated the phrase from your post. You judge yourself by your own words.

This would be a great time to use that fluttering eye smilie--"What, lil ole me?--but it is not in the smilie list for use in this forum. Pity.

EDIT: Ah, I see the ad hominem attack has been removed from the post. Still, the very existence of this thread is a bit of a bore. Tiresome argument. Except for narfforc. He's always funny. Now I shall think of him as narffork.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

EDIT: Ah, I see the ad hominem attack has been removed from the post. Still, the very existence of this thread is a bit of a bore. Tiresome argument. Except for narfforc. He's always funny. Now I shall think of him as narffork.

Well, the 'fork' thing was my line, so I don't see why he should get praised for it...though it'll probably end up in his book.....

Last night as I lay gazing at the stars I was suddenly taken away by a vision; kinda like the Biblical tale Of Jacob wrestling the angel-Wow-it was incredible, Aragorn challenged me to train in swordmanship and hand-to-hand combat fundamentals and I beat him! I swear I did! It was the singlemost greastest night of my life.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Neithan Tol Turambar

Last night as I lay gazing at the stars I was suddenly taken away by a vision; kinda like the Biblical tale Of Jacob wrestling the angel-Wow-it was incredible, Aragorn challenged me to train in swordmanship and hand-to-hand combat fundamentals and I beat him! I swear I did! It was the singlemost greastest night of my life.

I'd still bet on Narfforc with his plastic fork to beat you hands down.

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by davem

Well, the 'fork' thing was my line, so I don't see why he should get praised for it...though it'll probably end up in his book.....

Apologies aplenty, and most sincerely offered.

It was a kind of false etymology (speaking of which on this forum I find I invariably first spell that word entymology). narffork seemed so much more applicable than spoonem or forkem. Although come to think of it, I can think of times that davork might have characterised certain statements--oh, wait, let's not go down that path, or I shall find that I become one Bathbelly, for having taken a bath on a bellyful of laughs.

Originally Posted by Squatter

[EDIT] I now have 1,912 posts recorded under a picture of a Titanic survivor. I'm tempted never to post again.

pps. Although I did, almost immediately. So much for that idea.

And I'ms sure we are all glad you did, although now I have thoughts of the Spectre of DK somehow related to sporking.

I suggest that as a symbol of our good intentions here we now spell the word "plastic" as "plastick." I bet I can come up with a false historical etymology for that too.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Although come to think of it, I can think of times that davork might have characterised certain statements-

I note that 'vork' is Dutch for fork. Another spooky synchronicity right there....

[Boromir88]

Freedom of speech...surely is a lovely and great freedom to have, and this is something you often hear from someone who is being 'punished' for saying something inappropriate...that their 'free speech' right has been infringed upon.

One thing to remember (and one thing people do forget) is our freedoms are not absolute. That means people can't just do and say whatever they want when the want...there is a line where your freedoms end and another's begins. When one infringes on another's freedom than that person has given up their freedoms.

I don't know how it is in the other countries around the world, but in the States not all free speech is protected under the Constitution. Check it out, you will find that slander (a malicious and false statement towards a person) and libel (defamation of a person by written/printed words or pictures) are not protected by the Constitution, therefor 'freedom of speech' doesn't mean you can say whatever the heck you want. (And I think the rules of this forum much like the Constitution...if you are a member of this forum you follow the 'rules.' If you have a problem with the rules, or feel you were punished unjustly you talk to the mods/admins to get everything 'ironed out.')

There is a huge difference between a great and passionate debate and slandering/insulting someone who disagrees with you. There have been many superb debates in this forum over the years that I've been here, most of them remain in good-spirit, because as Davem said we all get to know eachother. I haven't met anyone here, but I've been here for 3 years now and through discussion I've gotten to know many of the members and know that no one means any harm in what they are posting. I know people disagree with me all the time (though it would be so much easier for everyone to just agree with me ), I know they are still 'good' people (at least I hope )

Now, there are a few occasions when debates do get more passionate and we are humans, so we all make mistakes and say some things we don't really mean. I've been guilty of this several times, and it's not my intent to offend someone, so if I feel like I had then I'll PM the member and we'll get everything hatched out and come to an understanding. (Or a mod will come in and say 'stop it' ). It's similar to the teaching profession...the best way to protect yourself as a teacher is to talk to the parents and show them that you mean no harm to their kids...if you get the respect of the parents they won't be on your back all the time as they know you mean best for their kid. If the parent does not know you as a teacher nor as a person, they are more likely to side with their kid and jump down your throat when the kid goes home to complain about Mr. Emmons. The best way to protect yourself on a forum is being kind, courteous, and knowing that no one means any harm when they are posting their opinion. This keeps a good debate going, but leaves out all the pointless and 'unconstitutional' slander.

[The Might]

I understand what mean by that, I too enjoy heated discussions, especially if both sides bring good arguments, however it is important to always keep in mind this is a family friendly site, and there are certain rules that shouldn't be broken, and certain lines that shouldn't be crossed.
As long as the discussion takes place within these boundaries I personally have no problem.
Censorship of words such as "damn" did seem to me sometimes as unnecessary considering what you see on the net or on TV these days, but I comply because these are the rules I as a member have to play by.
For some such constraints are too much, but I'm ok with that, since our whole society is based on certain rules.

For example comparing another member (who probably knows is the one targeted) to Joseph Stalin already implies crossing a line that you shouldn't cross.
Such things are much easier in RL, because you know who you're talking to, but on forums you need to take more care, you could be addressing a 9 year old girl or a 80 year old man, and this in a way you normally probably wouldn't.

Anyway, I hope you'll learn that you can have fun and enjoy the Downs even with all the rules, and that you won't leave the site.

Cheers, TM

PS: cross-posted with Esty

[davem]

There is a fine line between robust debate & personal insult - which some people don't get - not to mention the fact that what is obviously a joke to one person can be taken the wrong way by others - some people have objected to posts of mine which they considered 'offensive' when I was making jokes, or even simply quoting from comedy sketches - those who were offended didn't get the references. Some people are very eager to complain, but, as I know well, there is a line there & the mods/admins don't allow it to be crossed.

Now, there are some people you can argue with, even robustly - because you know them & they can take it. Its like water off a duck's back to them & they will come back fighting. Narfforc has a thick skin, a thick skull & a sharp tongue & is afraid of nothing & no-one, having spent many years in the British Army ('Her Majesty's Royal Straitjackets 'I think it was) & can kill a man at fifty yards with only a prongless plastic fork & a mean sneer. Others are more sensitive & can take what is intended as an innocent joke or snappy comeback as a hurtful insult.

You see - I know Narfforc in RL & he knows me. He knows I don't mean any offence & that I respect him as a friend & as an incredibly knowledgeable Tolkien fan, so he will (I hope) take what I just said in the jokey spirit in which it was intended - of course, if he reaches for the plastic fork I'll know I'm in trouble.

In short, wait till you know people. Don't leave though.

Then Iluvatar spoke, and he said: 'Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done. And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'

I understand that as the most profound spiritual revelation I have ever recieved. What do you think it means?

[narfforc]

I'm gonnnnnnna kill that Davem, where is that plastic spoon, sorry fork, and it's sixty yards, Neithan hide your forks....................

[davem]

Originally Posted by narfforc

, and it's sixty yards,

Well, you always claim its longer than it really is.....