Political or Otherwise Controversial Rants and Posts

[hubcapsc]

WHY DON'T WE HAVE A SEPARATE BOARD FOR POLITICAL POSTS ? ? ? ?

This has never seemed like a good idea to me, but Ice's idea seems doable...

A separate "Ride" board, along with the Tech board and the Wild-Wild-West board.

It is easy to toss out inappropriate stuff from the Tech board without anyone getting upset.
It might be similarly easy to toss inappropriate stuff from the Ride board. I think it will always
be hard to toss out stuff from the general board... I mean, none of my stuff should be
deleted from there, maybe some of that crap the rest of y'all post perhaps...  

-Mike

[Ice]

Yes, we need a political/religious page and keep the general board for those who like to talk about motorcycles and adventures/ other shenanigans. Anything political or religious can be posted on the political/religious board. This is the easiest way to deal with this. Just have to have some willing administrators to put it in place.

I actually agree with Willow that the General Board is an all topic board, what I was suggesting is a separate page for Readers Rides (still like that title    ) just so that those of us that want to read and post rides can do such without it getting buried in all the other stuff.....

[FLAVALK]

Yes, we need a political/religious page and keep the general board for those who like to talk about motorcycles and adventures/ other shenanigans. Anything political or religious can be posted on the political/religious board. This is the easiest way to deal with this. Just have to have some willing administrators to put it in place.

I'll be willing to bet which page gets the most traffic 

[Ramie]

Over on the shadow.net board they have an off topic forum that you have to request access to.

[baldo]

Over on the shadow.net board they have an off topic forum that you have to request access to.

These are all suggestions I made several months ago. I have no idea what it takes to create pages on a board such as this, but I imagine it takes someone a fair amount of time, unpaid of course. Is there any extra upkeep, or is it pretty much self-sustaining?

That's a very good point made by Ice. The ride reports and other bike stuff ends up crawling to the 2nd and 3rd pages pretty quickly when there's a lot of political activity.

Hell, even Gavin likes the idea....

My .02.

Bob

[Rams]

Yes, we need a political/religious page and keep the general board for those who like to talk about motorcycles and adventures/ other shenanigans. Anything political or religious can be posted on the political/religious board. This is the easiest way to deal with this. Just have to have some willing administrators to put it in place.

I'll be willing to bet which page gets the most traffic  

Yep, one only needs to view the General Page titles and see what gets the most posts.    While an "Off Topic" section is an interesting idea, I'd wager it would be the busiest section.   While I do read Ride Threads, I don't believe they generate the interest political and religious threads have.  

As Connie said, if you don't have an interest, read the thread titles, see who started it and you will most likely know if it's something you want to get into or not.   If not, it surely doesn't take much effort to click out of it.

[Robert]

Wow     I have never seen so many problems with finger delirium or the inability not to click on a link that they may not like to get involved with.   Lets start checking this thing out to see if its a liberal or conservative problem and if we can determine who are the biggest complainers about this and who they would vote for.   This should tell whats going to happen in the upcoming elections. From my perspective most are liberals 

[Rams]

finger delirium

Well now, there's a term I hadn't heard of before.   Cool, very cool.   

[Karen]

Ok, everybody now...GROUP HUG!!! 

As long as I get to be in the middle of all you pet names 

[msb]

I realize there's probably no way of knowing, but I wonder how many current VRCC members there really are. It's pretty safe to say that a significant percentage of the posts on the General board these days are made by a relatively small percentage of the active members, which I believe leads into Ice's initial response about ride and other motorcycle themed posts getting buried in short order. Personally, I have nothing against debating, arguing, or even ranting for that matter over political or religious topics. I do however, think that a site dedicated to a specific motorcycle and its owners is a rather odd place to carry that out .... there are so many other venues where one can do that. That being said, it's not for me to dictate what one posts on this General board, but if VRCC could create a separate page for either ride and other motorcycle specific "General" topics, or specifically for non-motorcycling related topics, it would be much easier to find topics you wish to read or comment on without having to wade through all the others, or search the back pages for ones you might have missed. It may also result in more members participating on a more regular basis...which would be a good thing.

[Willow]

I realize there's probably no way of knowing, but I wonder how many current VRCC members there really are. It's pretty safe to say that a significant percentage of the posts on the General board these days are made by a relatively small percentage of the active members, which I believe leads into Ice's initial response about ride and other motorcycle themed posts getting buried in short order. ... but if VRCC could create a separate page for either ride and other motorcycle specific "General" topics, or specifically for non-motorcycling related topics, it would be much easier to find topics you wish to read or comment on without having to wade through all the others, or search the back pages for ones you might have missed. It may also result in more members participating on a more regular basis...which would be a good thing.

Because there is no charge for membership and no ongoing tracking of who is still here, that is difficult.

Some things are easier.  So far today there have been 321 different members logged into the message boards.  There have been 566 today and yesterday; 903 in the past week and 1,462 different members logged in during the past month.  Those counts are not necessarily complete as one can read the boards without being logged in but must be logged in to post.

You're right.  It's a relative few who post and reply moving certain topics of the front few pages.  By the way, when you're looking at the list of threads on the front page or any other you can pick out the one you want to see, click on the "new" tab for that thread, and pick up just where you last left off.

The thinking in the past has been that creating other special interest boards will not increase but decrease readership of the General board while creating a need for more efforts of administration.  An example of this is that as each of the regional message boards were added the number of participants in the General board did drop off.  It's a trade off and someone has to decide what is best serving the membership of the VRCC and what is worth the additional efforts by the staff.

Personally I am convinced that disrespectful bashing posts and threads are not what best serves the VRCC.  The VRCC is, though, a community and not just a message board for people who just happen to ride a particular motorcycle.  A community is a good place to discuss what one wants to discuss with one's friends, but it's a good idea within a community for one to discuss courteously, respectfully and keep in mind that not everyone in the community sees things exactly as I do.

It's a complex issue trying to find the ground that allows people the freedom to interact with his friends without creating an environment that drives numbers of the community away.

It would be nice if more people would use the "Report Post" tab instead of just walking away because something isn't right.  

[baldo]

Ok, everybody now...GROUP HUG!!! 

As long as I get to be in the middle of all you pet names 

 

[J.Mencalice]

I realize there's probably no way of knowing, but I wonder how many current VRCC members there really are. It's pretty safe to say that a significant percentage of the posts on the General board these days are made by a relatively small percentage of the active members, which I believe leads into Ice's initial response about ride and other motorcycle themed posts getting buried in short order. ... but if VRCC could create a separate page for either ride and other motorcycle specific "General" topics, or specifically for non-motorcycling related topics, it would be much easier to find topics you wish to read or comment on without having to wade through all the others, or search the back pages for ones you might have missed. It may also result in more members participating on a more regular basis...which would be a good thing.

Because there is no charge for membership and no ongoing tracking of who is still here, that is difficult.

Some things are easier.  So far today there have been 321 different members logged into the message boards.  There have been 566 today and yesterday; 903 in the past week and 1,462 different members logged in during the past month.  Those counts are not necessarily complete as one can read the boards without being logged in but must be logged in to post.

You're right.  It's a relative few who post and reply moving certain topics of the front few pages.  By the way, when you're looking at the list of threads on the front page or any other you can pick out the one you want to see, click on the "new" tab for that thread, and pick up just where you last left off.

The thinking in the past has been that creating other special interest boards will not increase but decrease readership of the General board while creating a need for more efforts of administration.  An example of this is that as each of the regional message boards were added the number of participants in the General board did drop off.  It's a trade off and someone has to decide what is best serving the membership of the VRCC and what is worth the additional efforts by the staff.

Personally I am convinced that disrespectful bashing posts and threads are not what best serves the VRCC.  The VRCC is, though, a community and not just a message board for people who just happen to ride a particular motorcycle.  A community is a good place to discuss what one wants to discuss with one's friends, but it's a good idea within a community for one to discuss courteously, respectfully and keep in mind that not everyone in the community sees things exactly as I do.

It's a complex issue trying to find the ground that allows people the freedom to interact with his friends without creating an environment that drives numbers of the community away.

It would be nice if more people would use the "Report Post" tab instead of just walking away because something isn't right.  

Suggestion for consideration?  Creation of a new message icon that designates the newly generated thread as being of  off-Valkyre topic/opinions related to political, social, religious, constitutional laws, international news, personal delusions, etc., etc.  If said icon is not included in the creation, then the administration has the right and duty  to immediately cancel that thread at their discretion.  It would save time in prompting members to bypass such topics/opinions without having to open and interpret the content before proceeding with ignoring said piles of horseshit.   A "filter" per se that does not infringe on free speech and thought, but alerts members as to what they may or may not want to open and engage in.  Willow, thank you (and to the other administrators) for trying to bring some order to the intermittent madness.

[msb]

I realize there's probably no way of knowing, but I wonder how many current VRCC members there really are. It's pretty safe to say that a significant percentage of the posts on the General board these days are made by a relatively small percentage of the active members, which I believe leads into Ice's initial response about ride and other motorcycle themed posts getting buried in short order. ... but if VRCC could create a separate page for either ride and other motorcycle specific "General" topics, or specifically for non-motorcycling related topics, it would be much easier to find topics you wish to read or comment on without having to wade through all the others, or search the back pages for ones you might have missed. It may also result in more members participating on a more regular basis...which would be a good thing.

Personally I am convinced that disrespectful bashing posts and threads are not what best serves the VRCC.  The VRCC is, though, a community and not just a message board for people who just happen to ride a particular motorcycle.  A community is a good place to discuss what one wants to discuss with one's friends, but it's a good idea within a community for one to discuss courteously, respectfully and keep in mind that not everyone in the community sees things exactly as I do.
 

Good analysis... I agree 100%

[Pete]

With the latest change Willow has made to the original post

Willow
"Beginning today I will be removing posts that appear to have a primary purpose of ridiculing or demeaning those who disagree. "

I have no problem with this change/implementation as currently written.
As it appears fair, reasonable and in everyone's best interest.
I hope the intent was for all post in any forum that violate the "code of good conduct" change.

Thanks

[Willow]

I hope the intent was for all post in any forum that violate the "code of good conduct" change.

In fairness it was directed specifically to the General board as that's where we tend to see the disrespect issue.  I specifically monitor the General board and a couple of others.  There are other administrators that manage regional boards and they can address any issue that arises there.  However, I or one of the other VRCC staff will receive an email to address any post on any board that is reported as improper.

Again, there is no change in the Rules of the Road.  The post was only an announcement of intent to enforce.

[Gryphon Rider]

If someone's views are truly ridiculous, it shouldn't be difficult to refute them in such a way that makes it obvious they are ridiculous, without actually calling the views, or the holders of those views, "ridiculous".

[baldo]

If someone's views are truly ridiculous, it shouldn't be difficult to refute them in such a way that makes it obvious they are ridiculous, without actually calling the views, or the holders of those views, "ridiculous".

I see some creative wordsmithing in our future.

[G-Man]

I NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT READING THROUGH SOME SUBJECT LINES TO FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST OR CLICKING THE NUMBER 2 OR 3 TO SEE MORE PAGES OF SUBJECT LINES WOULD BE SUCH A HARDSHIP FOR SOME.

WE GO THROUGH THIS CRAP EVERY FEW MONTHS.

HOW MUCH CAN WE POSSIBLY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A BIKE THAT'S BEEN OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR 13 YEARS?  RIDE REPORTS ARE NICE, BUT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY BEING POSTED AND ONCE THEY'RE READ WHY GO BACK TO SEE REPLIES LIKE "GREAT REPORT, THANKS FOR POSTING".  THESE ARE NOT DISCUSSIONS.  

CURRENT EVENTS ARE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.  FOR OPINION.  FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, ENEMIES.  FOR ME, IF THE BOARD WAS JUST RIDE REPORTS OR LINKS TO BOGUS CRAIG'S LIST ADS I'D NEVER COME BACK.  

YES, SOMETIMES IT GOES OVER THE TOP AND PEOPLE GET THEMSELVES TWISTED AND OUT OF SORTS.  WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT, CAN'T WE?  

THIS IS SILLY.  

[Rams]

I NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT READING THROUGH SOME SUBJECT LINES TO FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST OR CLICKING THE NUMBER 2 OR 3 TO SEE MORE PAGES OF SUBJECT LINES WOULD BE SUCH A HARDSHIP FOR SOME.

WE GO THROUGH THIS CRAP EVERY FEW MONTHS.

HOW MUCH CAN WE POSSIBLY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A BIKE THAT'S BEEN OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR 13 YEARS?  RIDE REPORTS ARE NICE, BUT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY BEING POSTED AND ONCE THEY'RE READ WHY GO BACK TO SEE REPLIES LIKE "GREAT REPORT, THANKS FOR POSTING".  THESE ARE NOT DISCUSSIONS.  

CURRENT EVENTS ARE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.  FOR OPINION.  FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, ENEMIES.  FOR ME, IF THE BOARD WAS JUST RIDE REPORTS OR LINKS TO BOGUS CRAIG'S LIST ADS I'D NEVER COME BACK.  

YES, SOMETIMES IT GOES OVER THE TOP AND PEOPLE GET THEMSELVES TWISTED AND OUT OF SORTS.  WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT, CAN'T WE?  

THIS IS SILLY.  

   I whole heartedly agree but, you don't have to shout.   

[Gryphon Rider]

If someone's views are truly ridiculous, it shouldn't be difficult to refute them in such a way that makes it obvious they are ridiculous, without actually calling the views, or the holders of those views, "ridiculous".

I see some creative wordsmithing in our future.

I don't mean, e.g., finding a creative way to call someone a liar without actually using the word, "liar", like Churchill accusing his opponent of using a "terminological inexactitude".  I mean, present the truth that exposes the lie.  Or describe the results of following a foolish idea to its logical conclusion.

[Valkorado]

I NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT READING THROUGH SOME SUBJECT LINES TO FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST OR CLICKING THE NUMBER 2 OR 3 TO SEE MORE PAGES OF SUBJECT LINES WOULD BE SUCH A HARDSHIP FOR SOME.

WE GO THROUGH THIS CRAP EVERY FEW MONTHS.

HOW MUCH CAN WE POSSIBLY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A BIKE THAT'S BEEN OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR 13 YEARS?  RIDE REPORTS ARE NICE, BUT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY BEING POSTED AND ONCE THEY'RE READ WHY GO BACK TO SEE REPLIES LIKE "GREAT REPORT, THANKS FOR POSTING".  THESE ARE NOT DISCUSSIONS.  

CURRENT EVENTS ARE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.  FOR OPINION.  FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, ENEMIES.  FOR ME, IF THE BOARD WAS JUST RIDE REPORTS OR LINKS TO BOGUS CRAIG'S LIST ADS I'D NEVER COME BACK.  

YES, SOMETIMES IT GOES OVER THE TOP AND PEOPLE GET THEMSELVES TWISTED AND OUT OF SORTS.  WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT, CAN'T WE?  

THIS IS SILLY.  

Well said G-Man.  But stop shouting, some may take it as hostility.

[CaribouHunter]

I'm going to my safe place and get in touch with my feelings on this issue.

[Stanley Steamer]

Man....I'm not sure I want to hang out around here anymore.......or at least avoid the SC member who parades around in " hairy speedo pics" ......can you block posts from certain state members??......

[Willow]

Man....I'm not sure I want to hang out around here anymore.......or at least avoid the SC member who parades around in " hairy speedo pics" ......can you block post from certain state members??......

Stanley, I would like to answer your question but I can't quite make it out.  You see, I have everyone from Georgia blocked.   

[Valk_Ridin_Soldier]

My take on it is this: 

I got facebook as a source for a LOT of low-information political rants.  I mean really?  I like to come here because at least on this board I can scroll past a political thread without actually opening it and focus on the important, motorcycle related ones. 

I'd LOVE a policy that says you can discuss politics, religion, gun control, and the like on reddit, tumblr, facebook, or wherever you like, but here be DRAGON RIDERS, and we talk DRAGONS.   

[Stanley Steamer]

Man....I'm not sure I want to hang out around here anymore.......or at least avoid the SC member who parades around in " hairy speedo pics" ......can you block post from certain state members??......

Stanley, I would like to answer your question but I can't quite make it out.  You see, I have everyone from Georgia blocked.   

Pulling a double speak Comey on us now huh??

[Rams]

Ok, everybody now...GROUP HUG!!!  

As long as I get to be in the middle of all you pet names  

Karen,
I don't believe we've ever met but, I'd be happy to share an "iced tea" with you any time.  
We'll leave the pet names for those who don't partake of 'iced tea", sweetend of course.  

[G-Man]

I NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT READING THROUGH SOME SUBJECT LINES TO FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST OR CLICKING THE NUMBER 2 OR 3 TO SEE MORE PAGES OF SUBJECT LINES WOULD BE SUCH A HARDSHIP FOR SOME.

WE GO THROUGH THIS CRAP EVERY FEW MONTHS.

HOW MUCH CAN WE POSSIBLY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A BIKE THAT'S BEEN OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR 13 YEARS?  RIDE REPORTS ARE NICE, BUT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY BEING POSTED AND ONCE THEY'RE READ WHY GO BACK TO SEE REPLIES LIKE "GREAT REPORT, THANKS FOR POSTING".  THESE ARE NOT DISCUSSIONS.  

CURRENT EVENTS ARE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.  FOR OPINION.  FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, ENEMIES.  FOR ME, IF THE BOARD WAS JUST RIDE REPORTS OR LINKS TO BOGUS CRAIG'S LIST ADS I'D NEVER COME BACK.  

YES, SOMETIMES IT GOES OVER THE TOP AND PEOPLE GET THEMSELVES TWISTED AND OUT OF SORTS.  WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT, CAN'T WE?  

THIS IS SILLY.  

   I whole heartedly agree but, you don't have to shout.   

LOL.  Caps lock was on as I typed this with my head down.  I wasn't gonna type it again.   

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

After some discussion with my friends I have removed the reference in the original post to deleting a post solely for the use of demeaning names for someone that other members support.

Honestly the intent is to get us to think about what we post in terms of how we would communicate face to face with our friends.  I see it happen respectfully at gatherings and believe it would do us good to do so with the written (typed) word as well.

I don't want to reduce the participation on the message board to only those who agree with me on political or social issues.  It would be nice but the three of us might get a bit lonely.

Discuss, interact, exchange views and values.  I think we can do that without asserting or implying that those who disagree are stupid.

Makes sense to me.

Political discussion can be enlightening and enjoyable and I freely admit I've had my mind changed about several issues by other members taking time to educate me. We have a wide range of people with greatly varied experiences and viewpoints here. I feel I can learn something from each and everyone on this board, in-particular those I don't always agree with. Deciding you can't learn anything from someone is a self-fulfilling prophecy I try to avoid falling victim to.

Personal insults are what usually happens when you match wits with the unarmed and have no place here. It's sad when we sound like high strung teenage girls shouting insults in a parting lot. That being said, I'm neither thin skinned, sensitive or easily offended and I consider being called a fat, deaf, bald-headed, cantankerous old white guy a term of endearment. in-particular if the terms rabidly pro-freedom 2nd Amendment Activist are thrown in there.

That same mentality and lack of sensitivity can make it hard for me to recognize when I might have stepped over the line. If I do I'll try to keep my mind open when it gets brought to my attention.

The work Carl and the rest do to keep our little corner of the net alive is much appreciated by me and making it less of a PIA for them is something I can't complain about.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT READING THROUGH SOME SUBJECT LINES TO FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST OR CLICKING THE NUMBER 2 OR 3 TO SEE MORE PAGES OF SUBJECT LINES WOULD BE SUCH A HARDSHIP FOR SOME.

WE GO THROUGH THIS CRAP EVERY FEW MONTHS.

HOW MUCH CAN WE POSSIBLY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A BIKE THAT'S BEEN OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR 13 YEARS?  RIDE REPORTS ARE NICE, BUT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY BEING POSTED AND ONCE THEY'RE READ WHY GO BACK TO SEE REPLIES LIKE "GREAT REPORT, THANKS FOR POSTING".  THESE ARE NOT DISCUSSIONS.  

CURRENT EVENTS ARE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.  FOR OPINION.  FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, ENEMIES.  FOR ME, IF THE BOARD WAS JUST RIDE REPORTS OR LINKS TO BOGUS CRAIG'S LIST ADS I'D NEVER COME BACK.  

YES, SOMETIMES IT GOES OVER THE TOP AND PEOPLE GET THEMSELVES TWISTED AND OUT OF SORTS.  WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT, CAN'T WE?  

THIS IS SILLY.  

All true and very well said.

[Thespian]

 The problem is that the Gen, board has become so politically tainted that many including myself rarely come here except for information in the tech side. There is much to share about new bikes, an rides that we have done. Leave the politics behind an make this the great motorcycle community it should be.