I think that it's difficult with all the groups, all the threads, all the posts and all the members that are on TBD for them to read through so many posts. To read the ones that are flagged is a lot already, I'm sure. I think that some members are just clearly very immature and need to be policed and if someone doesn't flag them, they can't be upset that it doesn't get reprimanded when something else in the same arguement by another member was.

Take away the ability to flag? No, I do not think that would be good. There are many people that would not feel safe if they didn't have the ability to flag things that they felt threatened them and I think you would see a lot of people leave the site.

It just seems ridiculous to me that adults over 40 have to be admonished for their "playground" behavior. Maturity is key. If we all applied the golden rule on this site, as we taught our children we might not have to worry about this kind of thing.

"Let all that you do be done in love" - 1 Cor 16:14

It's complicated. I know I get irritated by the posts of others sometimes - but what I think is inappropriate is different than the opinion of others.

I haven't been booted yet, though if someone wanted I could provide a very good case for it.

And it can be very difficult to interprit meaning in the two dimensional context of 'text communication' - small matters of motive and intent, slight misunderstand can arise, thus causing confusion, pain, or even a missed opportunity to stand up for someone else unfairly treated . . .

But we are adults, and with that comes a certain expectation that we can take care of ourselves, at least to some degree.

I haven't flagged a comment yet - I prefer to 'flame on' I guess. It seems quicker, more efficient, and perhaps equally likely to produce results in some cases, but certainly not all.

From my perspective, I'd say a half way decent job is being done to try to maintain some semblance of order and civility by the staff - but again, as I said, I haven't been booted yet myself, so perhaps I am simply biased.

Well I just found a discussion called bring Dinky back. I didn't know he was gone, I saw him earlier.

http://www.tbd.com/group/50/discussion/376163/show

His avatar is the ghostly one, and you can't click it to get to his profile. You can still find his posts by searching for his name. So I guess he's gone, whether it was done by TBD, or he removed himself, I don't know.

So did Dinky's leaving help anything? or just worsen the situation? Do you think he'll come back? Does anybody know the real story? I've known people to return, and quickly, with a new name, and avatar. So does dumping people from the site really help control the personal attacks? If so how many people will they have to dump?

He sent me a PM earlier today and said he knew it was his day to go. I know he said a lot of inflammatory things to a lot of people but he was always nice to me. I think so many people didn't know him or his personal story so they might not have understood where all that came from. He will be missed! I doubt he will come back. He has such a distinct style - he would be picked off instantly.

I can vouch for myself, and for JustaWriter, that we knew his story, and he'd been abusive to us since the beginning, although back then you also occasionally saw a caring person behind all his bluster. Lately that man hasn't made many appearances. I hate to see anyone kicked out, or feel they have to leave TBD. But how many times does someone have to be told to respect the other posters? It's not taking away his freedom of speech, he's still allowed to make his point, just not to personally attack someone while he does.

This really urks me. I'm here to exchange thoughts with people not preach to the choir. I don't care if he offends people. I offend people. Always have... Always will. That doesn't mean I don't have something to offer.

I would consider seriously a boycott.

We are a community here. We have a voice and I'm glad to see the support already shown here.

Hi Gayle,

I believe that by posting here, you are complaining to the staff. So, someone should get back to you.

Also, I imagine, being human and all, that those who get admonished and/or sent away for inappropriate posting either had a staff member in on the discussion or the discussion was flagged inappropriate, bringing it to the attention of a staff member or someone PM'd staff.

Staff: if there are other ways that you police discussion, I wouldn't mind knowing.

I have not experienced any unfairness in "policing". I publicly called someone on the carpet for being extremely harsh and political in a spirituality and consciousness group - and the staff stepped in and kindly reminded us why we were there. Some people, it seems, just don't know where to go to vent appropriately (like the Mad as Hell or Venting groups) and some people are just nasty and cruel to others. If the nasties want to fly...be my guest! I've got no problem with differences in opinion - as long as their is also respect for the same and for the people.