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spacewaitress

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Aug 27, 2002
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What''s wrong spill, can''t the big boys take care of themselves?
I''ve never seen a board censored so freely by such a biased and pussy-footed moderator.
You appear to moderate those you disagree with and allow anyone else a free ride. So much for free speech...as long as it''s speech you can abide.
 
[P class=SubHeader]Spacewaitress, [/P]
[P class=SubHeader]These are our message board guidelines. Our volunteer moderators do their best to enforce these policies, and we count on our members to follow them.[/P]
[P class=SubHeader][STRONG][FONT color=#990000 size=3]Official Message Board Rules[/FONT][/STRONG][/P]
[P class=LocationBar]Considering the real-time nature of the USaviation.com Message Boards, it is impossible for us to review messages or confirm the validity of information posted. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar]Please remember that we do not actively monitor the contents of and are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of USaviation.com or any entity associated with USaviation.com. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar]We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, so please realize that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use the USaviation.com Message Boards to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by USaviation.com.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]A [STRONG]ZERO TOLERANCE[/STRONG] policy in place in regards to postings that are arguably defamatory displaying intent to draw ridicule, possibly being untrue, and damaging to a person's reputation. If any postings fall within this criteria, they will be deleted without hesitation.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]Although USaviation.com does not and cannot review the messages posted and is not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we at USaviation.com reserve the right to delete any message for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless USaviation.com and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s).[/P]
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[P class=LocationBar][BR][STRONG][FONT size=3][FONT color=#cb2931][SPAN class=SubHeader]MESSAGE BOARD ETIQUETTE POLICY[/SPAN][BR][/FONT][/FONT][/STRONG]Like all guidelines, these rules of etiquette are necessary to keep forums respectable and on the same track. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Easing Into It[/STRONG][BR]Obviously, if you have a question, contact us. The sooner you post your question, the sooner you'll get an answer! [BR]If you're thinking of joining other members of our online community, then we highly recommend that you read a week's worth of board messages to see how questions are typically posed and then answered before you begin posting your own replies. In addition, you'll gain a sense of that particular board's conversational style. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Emoticons [/STRONG][BR]Unlike a face-to-face conversation or a telephone call, words spoken on the Internet have no inflection. There is no way to tell by looking at a sentence whether it was spoken with an angry frown or a sly grin. Therefore, you may want to let your readers know what sort of expression you are wearing when you say certain things. USaviation offers Smilies - a graphical version of the standard text emoticons. When posting, select the link: Smilies to view how to incorporate this feature into your messages. [/P]
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[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Accuracy[/STRONG][BR]Unless you're sure you know the answer to a question, don't post it as a definite answer. There is nothing wrong with saying, I think.... That way, the original poster understands that you're offering your speculation as an answer and won't be angry with you if it turns out to be wrong. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Off-topic Posts[/STRONG][BR]Each of our boards has a particular topic. Please post only messages that relate to that topic. If you are posting a reply to another user's message, and your reply will take the thread off-topic, please Email or Private Message it to the previous poster instead of posting it publicly, or edit it to keep the thread on-topic after your post. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Quoting from Previous Posts[/STRONG][BR]If you are replying to the last post in a long thread, it is perfectly understandable and acceptable to simply answer it. However, if you are replying to a post further up in the thread, you may want to include a quote from, or a short recap of, the post to which you are replying. This helps the users who are reading the thread sequentially to figure out which post you are answering. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Flaming and Slamming[/STRONG][BR]Flaming is insulting another user's post, opinions, subject, grammar, or an attempt to pick an online fight. Slamming is making offensive, condescending, or insulting comments about a user, product, or company (ours or anyone else's) in order to pick an online fight. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar]Please note that there is a large difference between expressing an opinion and flaming. A differing opinion would say, I have to disagree with you, Mike, since I've been to Fairbanks, I know what it is like. whereas a flame would say, You're dead wrong, Mike, and you've obviously never been to Fairbanks or flown anything larger then a kite! And, by the way, you can't spell worth beans. There is an equally massive gap between expressing a concern about a product or company and slamming it.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]Flaming and slamming is petty and childish. If you have a burning urge to start a fight, pick up a copy of Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator, log on to zone.com and join a Big Ugly Death Match. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Wind-Up Artist[/STRONG][BR]The term Wind-Up Artist is generally labeled to those that make postings that are designed to divide the people involved, and start a debate that quickly deteriorates into silly name calling. This type of posting is discouraged because it can often end a quality discussion prematurely. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]No Profanity[/STRONG][BR]We want this forum to be accessible to all ages that are interested in aviation. The Message Boards do have a built in censoring feature that manages to replace profanity with *****. It isn't enough to replace just one letter within a curse. There are others way to show your emotion, namely, the smiles. Hence, I'm likely to delete or edit posts I feel don't fit a G rating. [/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Lastly but importantly...[/STRONG][/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]Respect[/STRONG][BR]Respect others and treat them, as you would like to be treated. Posting a thank-you to someone who has helped, or tried to help you, is a great way to encourage that person to continue helping. At the same time there is no need for being condescending or hurtful to others. [BR]Above all else, remember that the Message Boards are about communication with other people. When you compose a message, read it over before sending it and ask yourself what your reaction would be if you received it. Any time spent on making our message clearer is time well-spent, so let's start taking the time.[/P]
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[P class=LocationBar]All users of www.usaviation.com’s message boards shall endeavor to follow the Official Message Board Rules and Etiquette Reminders. They may be viewed at: ]http://www.usaviation.com/community/rules.asp.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]To preserve the spirit of www.usaviation.com and to ensure the fullest enjoyment of these boards by all users, the following disciplinary rules and regulations are being put in place effective August 9, 2002. You must certify that you have read these rules and regulations and that you agree to abide and be bound by them before you may post further messages.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar][BR][STRONG][FONT size=3][FONT color=#cb2931][SPAN class=SubHeader]DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES FOR USERS OF WWW.USAVIATION.COM[/SPAN][BR][/FONT][/FONT][/STRONG]Should a registered user of the USaviation.com message boards or chat rooms violate the Official Message Board Rules (hereinafter “Official Rulesâ€), users shall be subject to the following disciplinary actions.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]1. GENERALLY. [/STRONG][BR]Within any seven (7) calendar day period, and notwithstanding the exceptions listed in Sections 4 or 5 of these guidelines, any infraction of the Official Rules shall result in the following disciplinary action:[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]First Infraction – a written caution[BR]Second Infraction – a written warning and notice of possible suspension of user’s account[BR]Third Infraction – automatic five (5) calendar day suspension of user’s account followed by a fourteen (14) day probationary period.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar]The timing of suspensions and probationary periods commences with the notice of the infraction and disciplinary action taken. For example: User commits third infraction on Tuesday morning. Notice of suspension is issued on Tuesday afternoon. Restoration of user privileges is restored on Sunday.[/P]
[P class=LocationBar][STRONG]2. PROBATION. [/STRONG][BR]Following a mandated five day suspension, user’s account will be reactivated and user may again commence posting on the boards or in the chat rooms. However, user shall be placed on a probationary status. As such, any violation of the Official Rules during the first probationary period will result in the following disciplinary action:[/P]
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spacewaitress,

As has been pointed out, there are rules and guidelines to participating in this forum. We do our best to keep the tone/tenor of posts professional and respectful. We encourage spirited debate of issues and topics, provided it is done without resorting to wind-up rhetoric and bashing. I'm sorry you disagree with that, but those are the rules. Troublemakers will not be tolerated. Period.
 
[P]People keep missing the operative in the First Amendment:[/P]
[P][STRONG]Congress[/STRONG] 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.[/P]
[P]It says nada about private entities.[/P]
 
Free Speech???

One more time...The first ammendment to the constitution says 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.

Last I checked, Congress isn't running this board, therefore the moderators have a right to edit or delete whatever they want.
 
Not that any more really needs to be said, but Free Speech is welcome - however you still are accountable for what you say. So many seem to forget this. Since many members use alia's, we have to protect ourselves. I think it would we would take a different stand if you posted your real name with full contact information within a controversial post.
 
Yes, all these points are taken. My original point is that some of us have been flamed or dissed and the moderators have done nothing.

So I guess it depends on what you are being flamed about. And the 'principle' of free speech is what I'm talking about here, not the 'right' to free speech.

The moderators (specifically Spill), in my view, need to look at their own biases (which apparently they are unaware of) and apply the rules of the board equally. The only benefit of this bias is its usefulness in explaining the singleness of viewpoint on this board. There really is very little to counter the prevailing anti-AFA and anti-IAM points of view. I have read blatant insults directed at flight attendants in general and AFA when a valid point of view has been offered. Not to mention there have been numerous personal insults directed at mastermechanic with absolutely no retribution from any moderator. It's such a transparent bias that it's ridiculous. Perhaps a little introspection (and respect) is needed here. The attempt to hide behind rules of the board is disingenuous and feeble.

Try again.
 
[P]Spacewaitress, [/P]
[P]You have tried to make your point and we have tried to make ours. If you have anymore questions or comments about our board policies or procedures, please forward them to us. Regardless, our moderators will continue to uphold our guidelines. This thread has drifted away from the topic of United Airlines. The thread is now closed.[/P]
 
[blockquote]
----------------
On 9/13/2002 10:07:29 AM spillNspoil wrote:

spacewaitress,

We do our best to keep the tone/tenor of posts professional and respectful. We encourage spirited debate of issues and topics, provided it is done without resorting to wind-up rhetoric and bashing. I'm sorry you disagree with that, but those are the rules. Troublemakers will not be tolerated. Period.
----------------
[/blockquote]

Really?

See my previous post. And while you point the finger at me and others, look where the other 4 are pointing....back at yourself.
 
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