Wanderer, what's does AUP stand for?

Mike, I assume as a regular poster you should have read and agreed to adibe by it.

I probably did when I signed up but that was a long time ago.

Can I check it out anywhere? Thanks.

It's okay. I've found it in the help section - Acceptable Usage Policy.

I can't ever recall seeing it before. I will have a good read through it now.

May I also add that back in the days when the Sin Bin was the place to go for lively debate and there were some heavyweight posters with real gravitas, some posters on here that claim they get offended easily would have been ripped to shreds.
Now they were the days ... until crackpot religious nutjobs, flat earthist nutjobs and conspiracy nutjobs tried to take over and logic and serious posters took a holiday.
This place is like a retirement home for old folk in comparison.

Back to the Dons ...

I remember the posters you are referring to especially Kirkstaller and Flat Stanley

I welcome in-depth debates. I enjoy reading other people’s views. Different opinions make the world go round. The more people we can get coming on here and sharing their views, the better.

However, open debate does not benefit from name calling or being rude to people.

Having read the Acceptable Usage Policy, item 2.1 covers the subject:

2.1. Comments that are meant to upset or cause distress to other members are prohibited on this site.

All posters may be able to claim their posts weren’t meant to upset others or they didn’t mean to cause distress but the more relevant issue is whether they actually cause distress to others.

If we limit our posts to facts and personal opinions, cut out the name calling and rudeness, others may feel they want to get involved in the debates again.

That's exactly the kind of lawyer-speak that offends my sensibilities, causes me great distress, anxiety, panic attacks and leaves me with low self esteem and seeking financial redress.

Let me say this ... as soon as an OPINION is forwarded SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW will take umbridge.

Just exactly what causes offence is an intangible and open to debate and interpretation.

Observations are not necessarily of themselves insults, but may be.

When someone says that they feel insulted they need to provide evidence. Not just state that they FEEL insulted.

Is calling you an apologist and insult for instance?
Since you spend a lot of time apologising for the Dons' and other people's behaviour some might think that.
That's an OPINION not an insult.
If you chose to make it an insult that is your problem.

You need to give concrete proof of insults before taking on the role of of God on here.

Where are they?

And further to that....it may well be that posters don't come on here because it is a negative place, full of criticism of the Dons at the moment.
But it is NOT because the posters aren't playing nicely!

As I see it, they ARE!.

The definition of if a post causes upset or distress to other members is probably whether it has been deemed to have done so in the eyes of the moderators

I do not want to stop anyone from voicing their opinions, far from it, but others have posted that they do not like this forum because of the tone used by certain posters.

The problem with rudeness and name calling is that it inherently encourages responses of a similar nature. People appear to be choosing to leave the forum rather than get involved in these personal battles.

I was looking to see if a solution could be found where the missing posters might be encouraged to come back, without anyone feeling their right to say what they want had been compromised.

I believe the forum would be a better place if more tolerance of differing views was accepted, that name calling didn’t exist, and rudeness was stopped but if posters are happy to carry on in the same old way, then that’s fine with me.

Exactly and I was going to post as much .. but don't like to suck up to evil moderators.
lol

I for one am pleased to see our moderators are taking more interest in some of the posts on this site . They are 2 respected & well known posters , 1 for his interest in real ale & the other for his interest in toilets . Seriously I hope they do not have to intervene anymore .

When you need one you can't find a mod for love nor money and then two come along.
lol

Although I am not sure Jemmo is a moderator anymore.

Anyone who gets offended on here should try 'Millwall Online'...ha ha ha