Inappropriate Jokes and blonde

[tikay]

How many members of Blonde have been banned since the forum started? 

Dunno Sark, we don't keep records.

Considering the number of Members we have, & the amount of Posts we get, (it averages some 800 a day in "normal" times) not very many at all.

Those that get banned fall into a few categories.

Professional Spammers. These sign up & instantly make a "get % rakeback on my site" sorta Posts. There are the majority, & we Ban several a week, probably half a dozen each week.

Troublemakers. Those whose SOLE purpose for joining blonde is to sabotage the place. I think we only ever had one of those though he was more than enough!

Malicious Posters. We had a few evil peeps, "skeleton in cupboard" rakers, who Post links with the sole intention of embarrassing a blonde. We have had probably two of these.

Flamers. Very few, VERY few, less than 5 I'd say, of these have been banned. We try & persuade them to Post in the blonde spirit, & they generally come round to our way of thinking pretty quickly. We try & give a "Final Warning" in these cases, & I think we have maybe 3 or 4 at that stage.

Considering almost a quarter of a million Posts have been made on blonde in less than 18 months, I think that's nothing short of miracolous, especially as we are (or maybe because we are?) so tightly moderated.

It clearly reflects the quality of the blonde Membership, also the great job the Mods do.

As does this thread - a very difficult subject indeed, yet it's been conducted without any flaming whatsoever. I can honestly say I'm extremely proud of this place. And it explains why Camel's Post exercises us so much. It's extremely important to get these things "just so".

You note, by the way, how many different Members have contributed positively, because it matters to THEM, too.

[RED-DOG]

Ultimatly it's up to the mods, yes?

They discern which posts are deemed to be fit for general veiwing and which ones have to be edited/deleted.

Of course it's correct for people to articulate their concerns over posts if they find them offensive but this should'nt precipitate prospective changes in blonde rules.

when action man raised his concerns over the increasing spam content on blonde the posts by snoopy and other mods at the top of the main page were moved for a time.

The sites run very well and i think that on a public forum all you can do, in keeping with spirit of blonde, is make the place as receptive as possible to the diverese array of users that you have, so by doing allowing the majority of members to continue posting in the spirit in which blonde was intended.

My point being is that its healthy to review issues of political correctness, but if your going to impliment restrictions and regulations as a result of the extremely persuasive and credulous arguments of a single member then you aleinate the majority.

I think that what the camel says is correct in that he should be able to take offence at particular posts, but i feel that the emotion that different threads provoke is part of the blonde forum ethos, varied and abundent in its panapleee of content.

Congratulations. The first ridiculous post of the thread.

So, if the majority think something is ok, then it is ok?

That's why racism, homophobia, sexism and all other forms of discrimination are so rife throughout the world.

The strong majority picking upon a weak minority.

That's really fair, isn't it?

Congratulations to you, the first hint of flaming in an otherwise friendly debate

I know you have a problem with me personally Tom. And I have no idea why.

Anything I post or say seems to upset you.

Bolt's post was beyond ridiculous. My response was considerably tamer than it could have been to keep the debate civilised.

Your making an assumtion that is untrue Keith, I have no problem with you at all, and nothing you say upsets me.

I do however, disagree with you.

[The Camel]

I am now 10 minutes from Kings Cross and I'm happy to report my new wireless laptop works perfectly!

I will be happy to continue this debate over a beer at the Vic tonight after my J4 gets cruelly outdrawn by AA as long as tonight's comp isn't sold out!

[ariston]

I think if you ban us from having a luagh then you also have to stop taking the mickey out of
kev- no more ocular comments
tikay- he is young really
flushy- he is really masculine honestly
me- i am a good player and will one day win a last longer bet
dewi- baaaaaaaa
chubby nowab- he is just big boned
reddog- tomsellick alike?
claire from blackpool- puppies arent for just for christmas
ifm- of course scotland are good at football and socs are not at all tight
etc
etc
etc
where is the line drawn?

[tikay]

I don't believe the "if the majority are happy, then it's OK" arguments holds water.

If the majority were happy with, say, racist comments, we would still ban them, even if it decimated the Member base. Some things are far more important than the health of the blonde forum.

But I've made my mind up how I will approach this, personally, in future, & will explain shortly.

[turny]

how far are we going to take this?

if people werent so sensitive and learnt to take things in the light heartedness it was meant then everything would be fine.

i have a big nose, im fat and im rubbish but anyone calling anyone else any of these on blonde doesnt offend me.

the itb have a member whose ginger who we all call ginger freak.
we have an asian member we call "gandhi" or we refer to him as our token asian.
we have a member whose fat who we call fatboy.
we have a bald person we call baldie
and me personally for having a big nose am often called jewboy.

not one of us is offended by this and in a way we are having a go at the politically correct brigade for not allowing us to do and say what we like.

what it proves is that we are a close bunch of friends who are not offended by harmless jokes n banter.

[ACE2M]

how far are we going to take this?

if people werent so sensitive and learnt to take things in the light heartedness it was meant then everything would be fine.

i have a big nose, im fat and im rubbish but anyone calling anyone else any of these on blonde doesnt offend me.

the itb have a member whose ginger who we all call ginger freak.
we have an asian member we call "gandhi" or we refer to him as our token asian.
we have a member whose fat who we call fatboy.
we have a bald person we call baldie
and me personally for having a big nose am often called jewboy.

not one of us is offended by this and in a way we are having a go at the politically correct brigade for not allowing us to do and say what we like.

what it proves is that we are a close bunch of friends who are not offended by harmless jokes n banter.

I can see a couple of those being taken in offence to be honest.

[tikay]

As to how blonde resolves this, I still don't know. The Mods, including me, still have to come to a decision.

But whatever decision they come to, I will still do my own thing.

I don't THINK I've ever, in jest or otherwise called someone gay, but I sure never will from here on in. In jest, or otherwise.

I shall continue to berate Couch Kev for having dodgy mince-pies, Iron & the Scottish Department of blonde for being Scots, Dewi & Co for being nanny-goat-ish, Robert for being an Estate Agent, Ariston & Flushy for being hopeless.

And I shall encourage others, by example, to do the same.

But that's not to pre-judge the "official" outcome.  I shall simply do my own thing here, & I am sure most of you, now realising the impact their words can have, will do likewise.

[bolt pp]

I don't believe the "if the majority are happy, then it's OK" arguments holds water.

If the majority were happy with, say, racist comments, we would still ban them, even if it decimated the Member base. Some things are far more important than the health of the blonde forum.

But I've made my mind up how I will approach this, personally, in future, & will explain shortly.

My "if the majority's happy" contention doesn't include the pernicious, mallicious, posts that serve only to degrade and humiliate sections of the worlds population.

I would've thought that was a given but i find myself clarifying my argument so as not to come across as a racist of any sort.

sighhhhhh  

[The Baron]

the itb have a member whose ginger who we all call ginger freak.
we have an asian member we call "gandhi" or we refer to him as our token asian.
we have a member whose fat who we call fatboy.
we have a bald person we call baldie
and me personally for having a big nose am often called jewboy.

This is fine, but blonde has over 3000 members an not everyone will see this in the same way you do. Some people reading posts will be offended even when jibes aren't aimed at them.

It's not because "they don't have a sense of humour", it's beause to some people the things said above are offensive.

[turny]

how far are we going to take this?

if people werent so sensitive and learnt to take things in the light heartedness it was meant then everything would be fine.

i have a big nose, im fat and im rubbish but anyone calling anyone else any of these on blonde doesnt offend me.

the itb have a member whose ginger who we all call ginger freak.
we have an asian member we call "gandhi" or we refer to him as our token asian.
we have a member whose fat who we call fatboy.
we have a bald person we call baldie
and me personally for having a big nose am often called jewboy.

not one of us is offended by this and in a way we are having a go at the politically correct brigade for not allowing us to do and say what we like.

what it proves is that we are a close bunch of friends who are not offended by harmless jokes n banter.

I can see a couple of those being taken in offence to be honest.

my post states that none of the people are offended.

ok then ace so why only a couple and not all of them?
are some discriminations in your eyes worse than others?

[ACE2M]

how far are we going to take this?

if people werent so sensitive and learnt to take things in the light heartedness it was meant then everything would be fine.

i have a big nose, im fat and im rubbish but anyone calling anyone else any of these on blonde doesnt offend me.

the itb have a member whose ginger who we all call ginger freak.
we have an asian member we call "gandhi" or we refer to him as our token asian.
we have a member whose fat who we call fatboy.
we have a bald person we call baldie
and me personally for having a big nose am often called jewboy.

not one of us is offended by this and in a way we are having a go at the politically correct brigade for not allowing us to do and say what we like.

what it proves is that we are a close bunch of friends who are not offended by harmless jokes n banter.

I can see a couple of those being taken in offence to be honest.

my post states that none of the people are offended.

ok then ace so why only a couple and not all of them?
are some discriminations in your eyes worse than others?

If you were jewish and had a big nose would you be happy about being called Jewboy?

[Newmanseye]

Keith, whilst you make a good point, I am not sold that when people use the term "poof" as descriptive banter, they are also aligning themselves to being homophobic, In my life I have been called many names, "poof" was one of them, even by openly gay people and here is when i find slaw in the argument, why is it ok for one group to use the term when its not ok or inappopriate for another.

When i have been called a "poof" albeit by friends or collegues, it has been at times of acting a bit girly ( flushy like ), for example i may have thrown chips in to a pot with a limp wrist or my voice may have jumpt an octave, giving me an effeminate image.

Now whether its liked or not homosexuality and effimininity are often linked and likened its part of the growing culture that we are.

On another level, banter or ribbing is often making childish remarks about people, saying they are something, that in fact they are not. Therein lies the funny part.

I see no fault, or wrong in someones sexual preference, so why make mountains out of molehills, I appreciate the point of view that Keith has, this came through a harrowing peronal experience, Yet not everyone acts the same way at 25 - 35 -105 ( if you are tikay ) when they were 13 or 14, thats where the growing up and broadening of your mind comes in to things.

A tough decision for the mods regardless of the outcome, I have given my point on the subject.

[turny]

As to how blonde resolves this, I still don't know. The Mods, including me, still have to come to a decision.

But whatever decision they come to, I will still do my own thing.

I don't THINK I've ever, in jest or otherwise called someone gay, but I sure never will from here on in. In jest, or otherwise.

I shall continue to berate Couch Kev for having dodgy mince-pies, Iron & the Scottish Department of blonde for being Scots, Dewi & Co for being nanny-goat-ish, Robert for being an Estate Agent, Ariston & Flushy for being hopeless.

And I shall encourage others, by example, to do the same.

But that's not to pre-judge the "official" outcome.  I shall simply do my own thing here, & I am sure most of you, now realising the impact their words can have, will do likewise.

so tikay are you saying that it is worse to call someone gay than insult someone for there race or for there size?
or is it just that it was a blonde who was offended by the gay jibes that took offence?

[ACE2M]

how far are we going to take this?

if people werent so sensitive and learnt to take things in the light heartedness it was meant then everything would be fine.

i have a big nose, im fat and im rubbish but anyone calling anyone else any of these on blonde doesnt offend me.

the itb have a member whose ginger who we all call ginger freak.
we have an asian member we call "gandhi" or we refer to him as our token asian.
we have a member whose fat who we call fatboy.
we have a bald person we call baldie
and me personally for having a big nose am often called jewboy.

not one of us is offended by this and in a way we are having a go at the politically correct brigade for not allowing us to do and say what we like.

what it proves is that we are a close bunch of friends who are not offended by harmless jokes n banter.

I can see a couple of those being taken in offence to be honest.

my post states that none of the people are offended.

ok then ace so why only a couple and not all of them?
are some discriminations in your eyes worse than others?

They are all offensive to certain people, you just can't get away from that. Most people won't be offended but the odd peron will be and that is simply unavoidable. I have a ginger friend who spent most of his youth knocking lumps out of people who referred to him in any sort of derrogatory manner, i also have ginger friends who enjoys the ginger abuse. You just can't win.