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Author Topic: Five things that will get a topic closed Back to Topics
GM
Moderator
Message Posted: May 3, 2006 12:16:32 PM

There are three major things that will get a thread closed:

1) The number one thing that will get a thread closed is that it turns into another “us vs. them” thread.

The moderators have to read every topic reported on this board. Some of us have been here for years. That means we've read the Iraq argument about a thousand times. Threads on this forum have a tendency to break down into “us vs. them” (Liberal vs. Conservative, Bush supporters vs. anti-Bush supporters). To be honest, that gets boring as hell and accomplishes nothing. The very best discussions on here are the ones where people avoid automatically falling into the political boxes. Those are the ones that will not be closed. Automatically turning the thread into an “us vs. them” thread is like giving a 15 year old the keys to your car and a case of beer. It might be okay, but most likely there is going to be a wreck.

The platonic ideal of a thread would be one where people can discuss what THEY think without resorting to sound-bites or standard positions.

2) The thread turns into a different thread.

If the subject is apples and suddenly we are talking about Iraq, the thread is probably going to be closed, unless we are talking about apple imports in Iraq.

3) The thread turns ugly.

Moderating is a pain. If people start bordering on breaking the rules and it looks like we are going to have to start issuing warnings, we'll probably - to quote Deputy Phife- "Nip it in the bud.".

A thread never gets closed because the moderators are trying to win some imaginary political game. Nowhere is there a big scoreboard where the liberals and conservatives are battling to break 100 first. Threads get closed more or less for the reasons above.

Posters can insure the long and happy lives of their threads by avoiding these pitfalls.

4) The initiation of any Wal-Mart based threads, Bell-ringer threads, pit bull, and or Pro/Anti-smoking topics. They are not allowed.

5) Bumping old, inactive topics. If a topic has been dead for two months or more, please do not post to it.

[Edited by: GM at 9/4/2008 6:59:02 PM EST]
REPLIES (newest first) Topic is locked
ododriver
Sophomore Author Waterbury

Posts:106
Points:37,125
Joined:May 2007
Message Posted: May 10, 2007 1:18:55 PM

As a person new to the site, are abusive people blocked? I think there's no need for rudeness in any aspect of life. Yet on my first day registered with the site, I was called stupid for something that I admittedly said I didn't know much about. Just seems strange that people are so mean to others over ridiculous things.
Czarcaztic
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: May 7, 2007 9:03:18 AM

Sooooo....what about these purorted apple imports into Iraq?
Peejer
All-Star Author Colorado

Posts:535
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Message Posted: May 6, 2007 10:12:53 PM

I wonder how many will read this and obey the rules ??
Takeshi
All-Star Author Vancouver

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Message Posted: May 6, 2007 9:20:36 PM

Your wisdom is exemplary.
SMA1
Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: May 3, 2007 7:08:51 AM

Thanks for the guidelines.
SanDiegoMOMof5
Veteran Author San Diego

Posts:284
Points:85,945
Joined:Apr 2006
Message Posted: Apr 26, 2007 6:54:54 PM

Ha.....reading the posts was quite amusing. This topic definitely got everyone going!
Teddybear1950
Champion Author London

Posts:2,103
Points:199,995
Joined:Feb 2007
Message Posted: Apr 26, 2007 10:22:08 AM

Walmart thread ????????
Is that when you get like 50 spools in a bag for $2.00
la1brat
Rookie Author New Orleans

Posts:3
Points:310
Joined:Apr 2007
Message Posted: Apr 11, 2007 11:20:25 PM

got it
Bau
Rookie Author Jacksonville

Posts:7
Points:340
Joined:Apr 2007
Message Posted: Apr 10, 2007 12:05:58 AM

Name calling??? By this you mean one race calling another race names but if the other race calls the first race or even insinuates anything towards that person and it could be interpreted as a reflection of their race it is considered raciest. Imaagine that!!!
portmich2000
Veteran Author Michigan

Posts:321
Points:503,540
Joined:Jul 2006
Message Posted: Apr 6, 2007 10:57:30 PM

I will honor these rules.
PICKLEHIMER
Champion Author Kentucky

Posts:2,348
Points:512,735
Joined:Jun 2004
Message Posted: Apr 4, 2007 1:15:38 PM

AIGHT THEN!
mckenzi01
Champion Author Twin Cities

Posts:49,746
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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2007 7:25:41 AM

So there are a bunch of "Wal-Mart" threads out there?
shepherds
Champion Author Ontario

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Points:330,855
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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2007 3:26:30 AM

People who resort to name calling and profanity only do so because they have nothing more intelligent to contribute.
memory_of_max
Champion Author Little Rock

Posts:7,304
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Message Posted: Mar 24, 2007 8:44:27 PM

I'm kind of new - what is a Wal-Mart-based thread?
zqtchas
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Mar 21, 2007 5:40:01 PM

Well O K pilgrim.
Travelpet
Champion Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Mar 19, 2007 5:38:20 PM

I'm curious...I can see the reasoning behind the first 3 ... I think a blind man could see that. I don't get the reasoning behind #4 unless you are assuming (and we all know what that means) that they will turn into a shouting, name calling match (like they may well). But isn't that judging the situation before it happens. There really are people who can discuss those topics without calling those who disagree with them names. I've seen it go both ways, and I have to say...when they are real discussions, they can be both interesting and informative.
gas345
Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Mar 19, 2007 4:23:15 PM

got it as well i am new
skybid
Champion Author Durham

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Message Posted: Mar 15, 2007 10:41:27 AM

got it!
GasFaerie
Rookie Author Phoenix

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Points:290
Joined:Mar 2007
Message Posted: Mar 9, 2007 11:45:45 PM

Wow this topic turned into a different topic like 5 times! I think this topic already broke at least 3 of the rules!! What's that saying? Oh yeah: "Rules are meant to be broken". But I agree with all of them..
I like Wally World (Wal-Mart)!
ont69
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2007 1:38:01 PM

I couldn't agree more.
Donio
Rookie Author Vermont

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Joined:Feb 2007
Message Posted: Mar 1, 2007 10:34:07 AM

I don't get the thing about wal-mart. I shop there for a lot of things.

LRPharm54
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Feb 28, 2007 5:58:25 PM

I couldn't agree more. I find many times, however, when a person is adamant about a topic and feels strongly about an issue that name calling and finger pointing can occur. It is the right of every person in the forum to express their opinions, likes, dislikes, and observations and that specifically applies to each person on what they view as acceptable. The cornerstone of good debate and civil argument must impart the avoidance of profanity, mud-slinging, and being insulting.

Each person is entitled to their opinion as long as that opinion is not expressed in a manner inconsistent with good behavior and not being hateful or destructive in delivering that opinion.

Rules are rules, and sometimes people have strong feelings on such topics as smoking, the right to not wear seat belts, and disliking pickups. I have a feeling that there will always be one person at least who will come back with guns going off and screaming evil metaphors at the person who has simply stated their opinion.

The Terms of Service of this forum is fine with me and I have learned to keep my comments on a civil level and it has created a more useful and enjoyable process. Each to their own I say, and individuals will always be different in their views and observations, so let it be. I enjoy the comments in any event.
ohyeah537
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Feb 27, 2007 9:06:40 PM

I like the day you posted this Mr. Moderator....it's my birthday !
kauzi
Champion Author Orlando

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Message Posted: Feb 25, 2007 5:16:04 PM

Freedom of speech???????
MsDrPepper
Rookie Author Wichita

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Joined:May 2005
Message Posted: Feb 4, 2007 5:20:42 PM

Ooops I noticed Coke vs Pepsi is not allowed. But what about me? Am I banned just because I used to drink DrPepper (still love it but I'm too fat to drink it now, I drink water now.)? Or is it just understood that from now on, DrPepper rules, forget about Coke vs Pepsi? ;-) I'm just kidding!! ;-)

Go Dallas Cowboys!! Time to go put my Cowboys shirt on and head off to my mom's for the pre-bowl Festivities and food.

MsDrPepper
Rizzo
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Jan 30, 2007 7:38:54 PM

Go Target!
ClancyME
Champion Author Georgia

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Message Posted: Jan 21, 2007 6:56:05 AM

Thought the only apples Iraq had were road apples?
sarge57
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Jan 17, 2007 8:01:51 PM

Understood.
YKnot05
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Jan 16, 2007 12:35:21 PM

Sometimes a topic is created so many times it becomes ridiculous. Those topics almost always end up being contentious. WalMart threads are a classic example of this. It has been done to death and beyond and always ends up in a virtual pssing match. Topics about pitbulls, smoking, Coke vs Pepsi, handguns and Iraqi apples are all verboten for the same reasons.
Tamas2evil
Champion Author Pennsylvania

Posts:7,788
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Message Posted: Jan 16, 2007 10:17:50 AM

Yeah... why is that about the Walmart thing... we can talk about so many more things and yet not Walmart why?
waylane
Champion Author Tucson

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Message Posted: Jan 8, 2007 11:24:31 AM

thanks
renodave
Champion Author Iowa

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Message Posted: Jan 5, 2007 12:27:29 PM

I don't shop at Wally mart but why are Wal Mart topics off line??
deejai
Champion Author Florida

Posts:8,954
Points:1,069,595
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Message Posted: Dec 28, 2006 12:52:06 PM

Tis the season to lock Christmas topics
Fa La La La Laaa La La La La Laaaaaaaa!
Slant6
Rookie Author Florida

Posts:84
Points:1,480
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Dec 15, 2006 11:04:34 AM

That's good cuz our dog is Rottweiler and Lab mixed. I would hate to be banned from talking about my own dog. 'Sup with that?

I refuse to shop at K-mart and the "W" store is my favorite. I can't talk about it though.
jgh28792
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Dec 14, 2006 8:18:19 AM

Thanks for the info
Glasman
Champion Author South Carolina

Posts:12,376
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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2006 10:45:51 PM

why the anti smoking thread in the off topic category.
thought they were supposed to be locked.
With all due respect.
HokieHeel50
Rookie Author Virginia

Posts:46
Points:14,885
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Message Posted: Dec 12, 2006 9:35:22 AM

Huge task you mods undertake. Thank you!
ZZTop2559
Champion Author Philadelphia

Posts:14,759
Points:1,996,140
Joined:Jul 2004
Message Posted: Dec 10, 2006 4:15:27 PM

I noticed a couple of topics I started and they have been locked. One is in the memory of John Lennon. I was wondering why this is.
kcindallas
Rookie Author Dallas

Posts:48
Points:16,835
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Message Posted: Dec 5, 2006 5:13:41 PM

wow, what a huge job moderating all these topics! Keep up the good work!
Bill Poster
Champion Author Halifax

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Message Posted: Dec 1, 2006 8:45:41 AM

Why Anti-smoking topics ?
Service66
Champion Author Indianapolis

Posts:26,781
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Joined:Mar 2004
Message Posted: Nov 24, 2006 5:19:33 AM

Why are these threads -- the ones that always locked at the top of page 1 -- now at the bottom of page 1?
Traciekl
Champion Author Edmonton

Posts:24,736
Points:4,807,785
Joined:Aug 2001
Message Posted: Nov 20, 2006 11:19:21 PM

Sorry GM, SO was trying to help me out yesterday, and posted in the wrong thread :(

;)



[Edited by: Traciekl at 11/20/2006 11:20:46 PM EST]
yz450moto
Sophomore Author Vermont

Posts:110
Points:35,555
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Message Posted: Nov 19, 2006 7:47:37 PM

what is wrong with wal mart????
Scotty69mets
Champion Author New York

Posts:2,084
Points:410,560
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Nov 11, 2006 12:18:30 PM

Though you would really be creative if you could use all 4 no-nos in one post.
Red_PT
All-Star Author Wilmington

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Message Posted: Nov 10, 2006 8:53:08 AM

we appreciate you guys
plastic
Champion Author Virginia

Posts:47,693
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Message Posted: Nov 3, 2006 7:37:41 AM

Accepting comments from the peanut gallery now? <EL>
TigKargman
Champion Author Virginia

Posts:18,530
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Message Posted: Nov 1, 2006 3:20:23 PM

Just curious why rule #4 is there.

# 2 explains why FL-girls "I'm going to NYC" got closed.

[Edited by: TigKargman at 11/1/2006 3:21:09 PM EST]
LilBlueElement
Champion Author San Bernardino

Posts:1,475
Points:149,100
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Message Posted: Oct 31, 2006 5:05:08 PM

K-mart and rottweilers are OK though?

;)
Topic is locked Back to Topics
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