Member Suspension Appreciation/Depreciation Thread

[Don't be late Pedro]

Seems a bit of double standards going on here. When a mod/admin posts this relating to a user

True, true, but you need to apply your sense of humor when reading [Some Poster]. He trolls with ridiculous stuff, just for the fun of seeing what people respond with. All in good fun, I think. Actually, I should be careful about using the word "troll" to apply to him - what he does is usually done with good intent - to get people to think and laugh. He isn't usually mean-spirited as one would expect of a troll - but he is definitely looking for a response.

and then others get perma banned for similar.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Really we are right back to Fanboys and Haters and I have a sneaking suspicion that it will eventually work out in a similar fashion. Whatever though, it's a difference of opinion at this point, as far as I can tell mastersracer is guilty only of believing in Unicorns. The perma-ban was hasty and poorly thought out at best, and stemmed from the majority opinion of the mods at worst. An opinion which I actually ascribe to myself, but no reason to ban someone who has been here as long as that guy. Sittingbison has become the anti-House.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Sittingbison has become the anti-House.

anti-House? I assume this is a reference to the TV character but I don't watch it so care to explain?

 

[Hugh Januss]

anti-House? I assume this is a reference to the TV character but I don't watch it so care to explain?

Nope, moderator in chief on another cycling forum of a few years ago. It was decidedly pro Armstrong. People got banned for life for refusing to love Unicorns.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Nope, moderator in chief on another cycling forum of a few years ago. It was decidedly pro Armstrong. People got banned for life for refusing to love Unicorns.

Ah, ok. Thanks.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

I don't believe MR was serious, or the responder was serious. And it would be a dangerous (and frankly ridiculous) precedent to ban someone because someone else threatens to leave.

When you are stating you are doing 'research' isnt that the same as permanent 'baiting'?

Dont know if the 'research' was seriously meant by mastersracer, perhaps he was just out of arguments [again] or was playing the devils advocate all along.

I must say I do not believe in permabans, they do not work.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Ridiculous decision to permaban masterracer.The way he defended anything sky was amusing most of the times.

 

[ANCrider]

By anybody's standards this is a ridiculous decision.

It is an insult to everybody's intelligence to pretend that open debate is allowed where Sky are concerned. It doesn't matter whether you are a Sky-unicorn-believer, a fully paid-up hater, or like me, have more worthwhile things to get angry about, it is obvious that this forum is run by people who really shouldn't be entrusted with the keys. Ferryman's pathetic whimper about other forum members leaving is beyond parody. Acceding to somebody's threat to throw their toys out of the pram is the mark of somebody who should not be in a position to make decisions about other people's participation.

Masteracer provided incisive, knowledgeable and above all, beautifully crafted arguments that punctured some of the more pompous, preposterous and downright swivel-eyed pronouncements posted on here. His departure is the forums loss. His crime? The above.

Meanwhile we have to endure people like Fearless Greg Lemond, whose every posting exudes a sort of snivelling nastiness, and then there is this 'thehog' character who is allowed to mock, bait and troll with impunity. Hell, we even have baiting on this thread from Parrulo, who I note, is an 'Administrator'.

By all means, carry on without me. Just don't try and pretend that there is any integrity at all in the way in which this board is moderated.

 

[Parrot23]

It's what you would call a T-R-A-V-E-S-T-Y...of fairness.

Fine bunch of anti-Voltaires in the clinic, and among the mods.

Apropos for Easter: the maddened crowd. Continue on.... You prove what you deny.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

By anybody's standards this is a ridiculous decision.

It is an insult to everybody's intelligence to pretend that open debate is allowed where Sky are concerned. It doesn't matter whether you are a Sky-unicorn-believer, a fully paid-up hater, or like me, have more worthwhile things to get angry about, it is obvious that this forum is run by people who really shouldn't be entrusted with the keys. Ferryman's pathetic whimper about other forum members leaving is beyond parody. Acceding to somebody's threat to throw their toys out of the pram is the mark of somebody who should not be in a position to make decisions about other people's participation.

Masteracer provided incisive, knowledgeable and above all, beautifully crafted arguments that punctured some of the more pompous, preposterous and downright swivel-eyed pronouncements posted on here. His departure is the forums loss. His crime? The above.

Meanwhile we have to endure people like Fearless Greg Lemond, whose every posting exudes a sort of snivelling nastiness, and then there is this 'thehog' character who is allowed to mock, bait and troll with impunity. Hell, we even have baiting on this thread from Parrulo, who I note, is an 'Administrator'.

By all means, carry on without me. Just don't try and pretend that there is any integrity at all in the way in which this board is moderated.

You were doing reasonably well until the highlighted.

MR offered an alternate view, it was usually poor and easily refuted.
And in your attempt to decry Sky fans as some sort of marginalized species you did exactly as you attempted to portray others as.

 

[ANCrider]

You were doing reasonably well until the highlighted.

MR offered an alternate view, it was usually poor and easily refuted.
And in your attempt to decry Sky fans as some sort of marginalized species you did exactly as you attempted to portray others as.

That is a really clumsily written sentence. Besides which your post is self-contradictory. I think you'll find to decry is to denounce. You are suggesting I am denouncing Sky fans? Are you sure that is what you meant? Perhaps you aren't really sure what you meant.

Besides, let's get back to the point. Masteracer had an informed and intelligent approach to discussions. He held people to account very effectively, and it has to be said, politely. I note that the courtesy was rarely accorded to him.

I guess you get the forum you want. You guys seem to want any dissenting views squashed and it strikes me that the forum rules are used at the slightest opportunity to remove people who's views are not those of the mods. Got any Sky supporters amongst the Mods?

Thought not.

It isn't about being a Sky fan, or a Sky critic. Criticise away, it makes a refreshing change from the hype, but don't kid yourselves that this forum is allowing a balanced view. The banning of masteracer is about as clear a demonstration of that as you could wish for. Meanwhile, plenty of pointless, rude and downright creepy people are allowed to remain on the other side of the fence with apparent impunity.

A forum for trolls, run by trolls.

 

[Caruut]

Yes, about the best think you could say about mastersracer's posts were that they were different. Well thought out or beautiful they were not.

 

[Caruut]

Besides, let's get back to the point. Masteracer had an informed and intelligent approach to discussions. He held people to account very effectively, and it has to be said, politely. I note that the courtesy was rarely accorded to him.

His posts were not particularly informed, intelligent or polite. He was brave and wouldn't be shut down by prevailing opinion, which is something, but there's not point making him out to be some gracious poet. He was not.

I guess you get the forum you want. You guys seem to want any dissenting views squashed and it strikes me that the forum rules are used at the slightest opportunity to remove people who's views are not those of the mods. Got any Sky supporters amongst the Mods?

Thought not.

Look at this thread. People of all "sides" are saying the ban is silly.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

That is a really clumsily written sentence. Besides which your post is self-contradictory. I think you'll find to decry is to denounce. You are suggesting I am denouncing Sky fans? Are you sure that is what you meant? Perhaps you aren't really sure what you meant.

Besides, let's get back to the point. Masteracer had an informed and intelligent approach to discussions. He held people to account very effectively, and it has to be said, politely. I note that the courtesy was rarely accorded to him.

I guess you get the forum you want. You guys seem to want any dissenting views squashed and it strikes me that the forum rules are used at the slightest opportunity to remove people who's views are not those of the mods. Got any Sky supporters amongst the Mods?

Thought not.

It isn't about being a Sky fan, or a Sky critic. Criticise away, it makes a refreshing change from the hype, but don't kid yourselves that this forum is allowing a balanced view. The banning of masteracer is about as clear a demonstration of that as you could wish for. Meanwhile, plenty of pointless, rude and downright creepy people are allowed to remain on the other side of the fence with apparent impunity.

A forum for trolls, run by trolls.

Well, you have just proven my (indeed clumsy) point.

I do not support MRs ban, i have said it is pretty silly of the mods.
yet you put me in the 'you guys' club because I do not agree with some of what MRs says, which as I already stated offered little.

 

[ANCrider]

Look at this thread. People of all "sides" are saying the ban is silly.

That is a fair point...but consider how many people are speaking out, less than a handful. Also consider who banned him and why. Then consider the whether the same standards are applied fairly across the board.

From what I can see they are not. I have no issue with outspoken views about any team, Sky or otherwise, but I do have an issue if the people with their fingers on the forum ban button aren't allowing people to counter the views held by the mods. It is no coincidence that several of the mods who have posted here about the MR ban are people who's opinions he was challenging.

But, like I said, have the forum you want. Just don't try and pretend it is balanced.

 

[ANCrider]

Well, you have just proven my (indeed clumsy) point.

I do not support MRs ban, i have said it is pretty silly of the mods.
yet you put me in the 'you guys' club because I do not agree with some of what MRs says, which as I already stated offered little.

Apologies, I meant to add to that sentence that I didn't mean to include you. I acknowledge and commend that you are staing your disapproval of MR's ban

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Too bad MR is banned, but luckily we have our old friend Jaochin back.

 

[ChrisE]

That is a really clumsily written sentence. Besides which your post is self-contradictory. I think you'll find to decry is to denounce. You are suggesting I am denouncing Sky fans? Are you sure that is what you meant? Perhaps you aren't really sure what you meant.

Besides, let's get back to the point. Masteracer had an informed and intelligent approach to discussions. He held people to account very effectively, and it has to be said, politely. I note that the courtesy was rarely accorded to him.

I guess you get the forum you want. You guys seem to want any dissenting views squashed and it strikes me that the forum rules are used at the slightest opportunity to remove people who's views are not those of the mods. Got any Sky supporters amongst the Mods?

Thought not.

It isn't about being a Sky fan, or a Sky critic. Criticise away, it makes a refreshing change from the hype, but don't kid yourselves that this forum is allowing a balanced view. The banning of masteracer is about as clear a demonstration of that as you could wish for. Meanwhile, plenty of pointless, rude and downright creepy people are allowed to remain on the other side of the fence with apparent impunity.

A forum for trolls, run by trolls.

Nice posts. Wash, rinse, repeat, though for about the 200th time. Welcome to the bang-head-against-wall club. My forehead bruises healed up a long time ago. Some of us have pointed out the double standard in the use of the ban hammer for years now. Good luck with your turn.

BTW, nice of ferryman to point out the obvious for so many years, but not put so eloquently and blatantly.

Mod decisions are based upon opinions of the clinic mob, and threats to take toys and leave have more power than respecting other opinions, or ignoring them.

This place is a clown show, and I only post in spurts now brought on by what HJ said upthread; the mod team are as you and he describe. I de-clutter my life of such blatantly self-righteous dolts.

 

[The Hitch]

His posts were not particularly informed, intelligent or polite. He was brave and wouldn't be shut down by prevailing opinion, which is something, but there's not point making him out to be some gracious poet. He was not.

He would ignore prevailing opinion, but attack the posters personally as stupid or conspiracy theorists and then patronizingly explain to them why they hold their own beliefs - which boiled down to them being idiots.

 

[Caruut]

That is a fair point...but consider how many people are speaking out, less than a handful. Also consider who banned him and why. Then consider the whether the same standards are applied fairly across the board.

From what I can see they are not. I have no issue with outspoken views about any team, Sky or otherwise, but I do have an issue if the people with their fingers on the forum ban button aren't allowing people to counter the views held by the mods. It is no coincidence that several of the mods who have posted here about the MR ban are people who's opinions he was challenging.

But, like I said, have the forum you want. Just don't try and pretend it is balanced.

I agree that moderation seems to be taking personal opinion too much into account. I just don't agree that MR was this noble poster in any sense. I always thought he was a bit of a troll; not blatant trolling but every post was littered with personal insults, and he rarely engaged with anything. Whatever my opinion of him, he wasn't terribly fond of me either, I don't think.

Either way unless there is something the mods know that we don't, a perma-ban is ridiculous.

 

[hiero2]

Seems a bit of double standards going on here. When a mod/admin posts this relating to a user

True, true, but you need to apply your sense of humor when reading [Some Poster]. He trolls with ridiculous stuff, just for the fun of seeing what people respond with. All in good fun, I think. Actually, I should be careful about using the word "troll" to apply to him - what he does is usually done with good intent - to get people to think and laugh. He isn't usually mean-spirited as one would expect of a troll - but he is definitely looking for a response.

and then others get perma banned for similar.

Think on that a bit. A key word in your last sentence is "similar". A key word in the bit you quoted is "intent". Now please check out the definition of troll and trolling on Wikipedia and/or the Urban Dictionary.

If you look at those definitions, then our forums, without preconceptions, you will quickly realize that half of the posts, or more, fit the definition of trolling. And many posters are trolls in that sense. They are looking to create a response in the reader. Is the troll well-intentioned, and looking for rational discussion? Or, are they seeking to create a hostile environment, and drive posters away from a real discussion.

The mods are people, we have slightly different opinions of where the line is. If the rule were followed to the letter, not much would get said. We try to work with our forum to keep the discussions going.

 

[ANCrider]

We try to work with our forum to keep the discussions going.

In which case you are doing a spectacularly poor job of it.

Have you actually read the thread in question? I can't bring myself to read all of it, or indeed go back much further than a handful of weeks, but there is no discussion there. It's a self-reinforcing monologue with only a tiny handful of intelligent and thoughtful posters (of which MR was one). These people try to have a meaningful discussion but look at what gets in the way... you've killed off pretty much the only functioning opposing view by banning Master racer, whilst allowing the endless stream of sarcastic drivel from the likes of thehog and Fearless Greg lemond. What is their intent? Have you even applied the same standards to these two that you applied to Master Racer?

Again, have the forum you want. Just don't expect meaningful discussion if you moderate it in the way in which you do.

 

[Hugh Januss]

In which case you are doing a spectacularly poor job of it.

Have you actually read the thread in question? Because I haven't, but I won't let that stop me from forming a strong opinion about it.

Come on, really? Let's not get carried away here, MR's posts were mostly BS, but as a long term poster here I would say he was entirely within his right to post whatever idiot point of view he wanted. That is the extent of my support however. He was not some ray of light shone down upon the Sky doping thread he was just another idiot with an opinion, but he had every right to voice that opinion here as far as I am concerned.

 

[Ripper]

... Masteracer provided incisive, knowledgeable and above all, beautifully crafted arguments ...

What? I say again ... what? Either you were not reading lots of good ol' MR's posts, or you have been smokin' somethin'

 

[Ripper]

Come on, really? Let's not get carried away here, MR's posts were mostly BS, but as a long term poster here I would say he was entirely within his right to post whatever idiot point of view he wanted. That is the extent of my support however. He was not some ray of light shone down upon the Sky doping thread he was just another idiot with an opinion, but he had every right to voice that opinion here as far as I am concerned.

This about sums it up.