I did, and I replied to the post there on that same page. If the forum wants to ban politics then that is their prerogative - however the post made was unclear about whether political posts were ok or not - if posts 'may be' deleted for mentioning politics, then allowing a thread entitled politics is a bit odd, especially when posts within that thread had been removed. Obviously that thread and thousands of other political posts across threads weren't deleted.
Politics touches everything - I would guess that the moderators response itself was politically based. There was obviously something that triggered the moderators' response - but it was unclear from what was said as to what exactly that issue was. A bit like a ref giving a player a red card and saying '...you did something wrong...' as the reason.
I'd go along with that. It's often said that it's impossible to have a reasoned discussion on religion or politics. If it was a choice of banning one or the other I would ban organised religion.
I suspect some posts could be seen as deliberately provocative …
If you haven’t been able to get the gist of Catherine Mansley’s announcement and seek clarity on the moderating policy can I suggest contacting the editor directly. I think she and the rest of the staff have more to do than keep reading the forum looking for ponderings on what may be permissible.
I don’t think continually ‘poking the bear’ is going to help matters and may well be counter-productive … it will just add to their workload and its certainly making me curmudgeonly.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
So, you have your answer. The Editor’s decision is final. We’ve been reminded that this is first and foremost a gardening site and asked not to make political posts … the message I take from that is that posts regarding government policy as it applies to gardening/wildlife etc are likely to be acceptable, all other things being equal … however discussing global politics, which inevitably also encompass race and religion, will impact on many folks’ sensitivities and vulnerabilities and may give rise to complaints.
While folk who regularly post here may not get worked up about such things, we are not the only folk who read this forum.
As Ive said before, there are procedures which must be followed if an allegation of racism or another illegal action is alleged. The Editir cannot just say ‘Oh that’s ok … let’s move on’. These things all take time … time out of the main purpose for which the website exists.
To put it bluntly Time = Money. As I see it, if policing our behaviour on the forum begins to impact on the GW’s ability to do their main job a choice will have to be made about the forum’s future.
What is so difficult to understand about that? 😠
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A child is outside playing football on the green in such a way as to annoy the neighbours. They ask him to tone things down a bit … he carries on regardless … the neighbour comes out and shouts at him and his mum tells him to have more respect for other people … he ignores them and carries on his own sweet way. His neighbour comes round and speaks to his mum and she comes out, confiscates his ball and sends him to his room. From now on he is only allowed to have his football in the park, away from houses and where they are geared up for such things.
Now do you understand?!?! 🤬
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Maybe I'm missing something - as usual eh Dove? But I thought that the politics (various guises), Covid,brexit,Curmudge threads had been going for ages and had thousands of political posts. No? Isn't there a humour thread that is also quite political? The kiddie with the ball had been playing, in the same way for years with no intervention, then suddenly, with one word of warning - and while still doing the same thing he'd always done - his ball was taken away. Does that fit your analogy?
You keep repeating about complaints, but unless you have more insight, I wasn't aware of any complaints. Obviously I can't know what the moderators saw. BUT if 'politics' in general caused as much grief as you suggest, why on earth weren't the threads closed way, way back - or - hey maybe - the people told their posts were too contentious? (A bit like your analogy - ie tell the person to tone it down BEFORE doing something drastic).
We went to a nature reserve yesterday. Signs everywhere that dogs are welcome, tons of dog poo bins and they even have 'dog ranger of the month' posters all over the place. Just keep the dogs under control and clean up after then and all is fine. Still nature reserves have to have boundaries where nature takes priorities so dogs have to stick to the paths. Out on the salt marsh this was so crucial that there are signs every few metres to say no one must go onto the flats and dogs must be kept on the path. The signs explain that birds are on there all year round and need protection from disturbance. There's even a big hide facing the flats for people to watch the birds. And yet there was still a guy with his daughter walking along there with a spaniel running flat out all over the marsh flushing the birds. Maybe he was from the belligerent anti-nature set who send death threats to people like Chris Packham and just wanted to upset people, or maybe he was just an idiot, but when I see nature reserves banning dogs this kind of dog owner is why.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Posts
I'd go along with that. It's often said that it's impossible to have a reasoned discussion on religion or politics. If it was a choice of banning one or the other I would ban organised religion.
If you haven’t been able to get the gist of Catherine Mansley’s announcement and seek clarity on the moderating policy can I suggest contacting the editor directly. I think she and the rest of the staff have more to do than keep reading the forum looking for ponderings on what may be permissible.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.