[Scribe]

A recent discussion called OSA a Redneck site because we closed a volatile Bush thread some weeks ago. We, the admin felt it had been a necessary move because of the heated opinions on both sides and to prevent the thread from becoming just another extension of the political mudslinging that is indicative of any election process. However, in doing so, we have apparently labelled Redneck, a term which I find is insulting to not just me but the people who may support Bush for their own reasons or hell just about anybody south of the Mason Dixie I would imagine. Now, this black woman is extremely put out by that description on an archive where I have always encouraged people to speak their mind as long as they could keep it civil. Politics and religion folks are the two subjects that always cause highly charged debates that can become inherently nastly.

So what is the alternative?

I'm interested in your opinions. Do we let the debates continue to its bloody conclusion or do we kaibash it and risk inciting the wrath of the liberals who feel that they have the right to say anything and should be heard?

This apparent Redneck would like to know.

[Texasgirl]

because this is a fanfiction site, NOT a political one, i'm not going to mention my views on american politics. however, i will say that while i don't always agree with the other side, i do try to respect that they are people like me who simply have different views.

so to get to the point...Scribe, Dolarabee, Robbie, and the rest of the admins, i think you guys have the perfect notion in shutting down threads like those....i think that while the forums SHOULD be to talk about pretty much anything, any thread that could pose as a threat to the unity of the site should go....

i'm not saying that i don't participate in those kinds of threads myself...in fact, i often do it...just not here.

this site is a great rufuge for fanfiction writers who want to either read something worth reading, or up the level of their writing - let's try to keep it that way, y'all!

wow. that was long.

TG

[SpaceWeavil]

Being from the UK, I didn't really follow much of that particular thread, as I know nothing about US politics (don't know much about UK ones either, though I'm supposed to be studying it).

But one thing I have always liked about this site is the fact that there are very keen-eyed admins keeping a watch on things. I've experienced far too many sites and yahoo groups or whatever that have ended up, like you say, as mudslinging arenas and I have always felt 'safe' here knowing that people always keep a watch on the forums. That's just my opinion.

I've seen how disputes online can get completely out of hand, much faster and more vitriolic than in RL, face to face discussions, as it is so easy to take things the wrong way, misinterpret words etc when you cannot see the person's face or hear their tone of voice. Having that 'safety mechanism' to stop things getting out of hand is a good thing IMO.

I don't know if this helps at all, as like I said, I wasn't involved in the thread in question.

[Yavanie]

I truly appreciate the fact that the admins on this site keep such close tabs on the discussions. That thread could easily have gotten out of hand. Sometimes even friends need someone to step in and remind us that we may disagree but don't have to get hot about it. After all, this site was developed for us to share our love of all things Tolkien. I would think that ANYTHING off topic is fair game for being censored (harsh word perhaps, but appropriate). Sorry if being called "redneck" offends you. Around here we like to think of ourselves as rednecks - hardworkers with strong convictions we aren't afraid to live by. For those that will accept that interpretation of the term "redneck", welcome to the club. Again, thankyou for taking the time and concern to keep this a friendly and thriving community. The numbers wouldn't keep growing if you weren't doing something right!

[Texasgirl]

hell yeah, yavanie! i know that most northeners say about us texans...and it isn't pretty. if you wanna call us all rednecks, than so be it - but at least get to know some of us first.

TG - TEXASGIRL

[Scribe]

Well that's just it - Redneck. What exactly does that mean? Obviously in the context it was used to refer to OSA it was meant as an insult. However, to Yavannie, its a different term and I find the description to applied to people with conservative views which is somewhat unfair. Hell I have conservative views as well as liberals ones, what does that make me? My belief is whether redneck or greenie (a term used in Oz to describe tree-hugging liberal types), both sides are legitimate points of view and should have the right to express them.

[Texasgirl]

i believe when most northeners think of us, they think of battered trailer park living unclean men that grunt and have lots of hair, and that go out in flannel and hunt for food - then, ineviatbly, the word redneck comes to thier minds.

i can assure you, though, while this may be true in some parts of texas - i bet that same guy also lives in connnecticut.

this was just in defense of texans. does this at least partially answer your question, Scribe?

TG

[DarkElfChilde]

I agree about taking that thread out. Everyone here gets along quite well, and we're all friendly and help each other out when we need help. Politics can get ugly because everyone has their opinions, and people get offended if the other person says something differently about who they like or don't like. I say, move on, and not worry about who was picked because arguing about it won't get you anywhere. I'm glad to be here and be a member of this site, and everyone would agree with that too, I'm sure of it.

- DEC

[DarkElfChilde]

TG, there's a lot of people up north, In Ohio, that are considered rednecks, but they're all nice because I'm nice to them. Hell, I'm friendly to everyone who is friendly back.

Scribe, I can say that you're level-headed because it's good to have both kinds of views. Well, that's what I think because I'm like that.

[NancyBrooke]

US Northern Liberal, here -

This is your sandbox, Admins, and I believe you have the right to set rules as to how people play in it. No one has to be here; if we don't like it, we can take ourselves elsewhere.

I've been a member of OSA for quite a while; been part of some out-of-hand threads and on both sides - the yelling and the (would-be) calming. You Admins have assigned yourselves the difficult task of trying to keep order and foster a sense of community. I have no complaints as to how you do it; I applaud your dedication.

That said, I think it's a shame that someone who objected to you closing down a thread to keep things civil had to call names. And such an abigous one at that ... pretty lame.

[DarkElfChilde]

If someone had complained about you taking a thread down because you had the right to do so, then that must have been someone really immature, and ignorant, maybe? If I was an admin to this site, and things were looking as if they were getting out of hand, then I would've deleted the thread as well.

[Texasgirl]

[NancyBrooke]

Well, in all fairness, it is easy to forget that we members cannot just go our merry way and do as we please, here, wave around the Bill of Rights etc.; the Admins have done such a good job making us all feel welcome and free to discuss as we please.

We just shouldn't get bent out of shape when we are reminded.

It's kind of like being in College ... you think you're a real adult living in the Real World but really, there's this thing called the Administration and they can actually tell you what to do in a surprising number of situations.

[Texasgirl]

haha! i remember those days! but you know, real freedom only lasts the day after graduation until that night...cuz then you have to get a job, and personallly, i'd rather go through all school again if it meant i didn't have to work....*stretches lazily*

TG

[DarkElfChilde]

I'm a college student, who actually misses high school, but at least some of these teachers at the college don't treat you like a kid, and when I say some, I really mean some.