I agree with both Dirtman775 and Cowgirl.
Its just common sense that if a post comes up that is political in anyway, people are going to have a difference of opinion. That's just the way it is, and it gives no one the right to belittle the opposing members viewpoint, but it happens. If you don’t agree with someone's view, ignore it? It’s pretty simple. IGNORE IT!!!
There are a few members here who have views quite opposite of mine, that's cool with me, I don’t engage them in a debate on the subject, rather I look at them for what they bring to the smoking world as far as ideas and the methods they employ in their smokes. No one is going to change anyone's beliefs here. Its a cyberspace forum!!!
The members who share my beliefs, I let them know by bumping their thread with a quick line of support and so on. Yes, this is Jeff’s board, and yes, we must abide by his rules. That’s pretty black and white there. But what happens to a forum when it gets to the size this one has, is sorta like a huge corporation whose board members makes decisions rather than the person that started the company. I’m not implying that we can simply take the forum away from Jeff, we can’t, and it would not be right to try. What I am saying is that this is not the first time threads have been locked due to difference of opinion and maybe it is time that an area be opened for such touchy subjects We have had threads locked down for things as simple as to foil or not to foil ribs? Or for certain jokes that involve BOTH parties. How fricking stupid is that?
Yes, as Cowgirl mentioned, this is a smoking forum. However, we have many other offshoot topics totally unrelated to smoking. Veggies, gardening, beer and ale and so on.
This forum should have a place where if you want to bring something up that can get heated, or just need a place to vent your opinion on something, then so be it, and this has been suggested before. As long as your not foul mouthing the opposing view or threatening them, we should have a place for that.
If you know there are going to be views thrown around that don’t coincide with your own, well then just stay out and don’t read the thread. And if you do read it and it offends you, tough, don’t respond. You don't watch tv shows you don't like do you? No, you turn the channel. You will not change anyone's view point on this or any other board. The only thing you will do is get your blood pressure up without changing a thing.
This board has provided 1000’s of members the opportunity to learn this craft, and those who have stuck with it, the opportunity to perfect it in their own way.
But we have lost many long standing members here, both standard and OTBS. They have stopped posting and moved on to other boards and taken a wealth of knowledge with them, simply because they were censored and/or banned for having a different take on things.
Travcoman started a good thread, he wanted to point something out that he seen as important. He also stepped up when he thought the thread lost its original intent and the members here should have respected that and ended any further postings on the matter.
QUOTE “Folks, we've lost sight a what this thread was about. It's about Americans takin away the rights of Americans. It was not started ta stir the pot an bring personal attacks on members. That ain't what this neighborhood be about. It was started to inform yall of a problem.
If ya gained some insight from it, I'm glad, if it brought out meanness in ya I'm sorry. I agree, time ta put this en ta bed.” END QUOTE
Any views that spiraled off that original thread should have been made into their own thread if you feel that passionate about it and that is where a “free speech” if you will, section should be had.
There will always be a difference in opinion on any topic. Whether it be to foil or not to foil your pork butt or ribs. Which wood is best. The best or proper way to cure something. Which politician did what. What sports team is the best and so on.
Censorship is never a good thing. People don’t necessarily leave this board because they are offended by what others said. People leave this board because they or others are stifled.
I say open an area where free speech can be had, without censorship. This forum has outgrown it's humble beginnings as a small Yahoo group. We are all adults here. If someone bashes another member, there are plenty members here who can and will step in and tell them to knock it off. If a post comes up that gets heated or morphs into something other than what the original poster intended, and he or she asked that you either get back on track or put an end to it, then as adults, you need to respect that. If you feel the need to carry on, start your own thread.
I am so tired of seeing people trying to have free speach by voicing thier opinions on subjects brought up for discussion only to be silenced. By who???? someone half way across the country...who the hell are you people anyway???? how dare you silence people on the subject of our country anyway???? im gonna give you a hint....this cyberworld is all makebelieve, a distraction if you will to take our eyes away from what is happening right in our own back yard....yes i am referincing to the recent thread that was closed today.
