The issue of "Freedom of Speech" on ATS

Originally posted by soothsayer
People have to remember, too, that ATS isn't the United States. It isn't run/operated or owned in the United States (if I remember correctly), so our constitutional values have no merit on here.

Being able to say what you want, or even believe what you want, is a good thing... but there are some things that cannot be tolerated, least it effect the community as a whole. "One bad apple" and the such spring to mind.

Agrees with soothsayer.........There is no reason to pass judgment nor manipulate fellow community folk. We are all here to learn, take what we beleive to heart, and disregaurd the rest. This being said there is never any need to pass judgment in a manner that is vulgar toward any individual. Speak your mind.............speak what you beleive is truth.... without displaying
your opinion on the persons posting the matter.

My first thread was recently thrown in the grabage by a Super Mod and I can accept it. It clearly violated the Terms and Conditions but the rule doesn't make sense to me.

16.) Discussion of illegal activities such as drug use, drug paraphernalia, hacking, etc. are strictly forbidden.

Talking about illegal activites is not illegal, and I thought the topic had some merit. It was a conspiracy and I thought that's what we are all here to discuss, are we not?

Originally posted by soothsayer
People have to remember, too, that ATS isn't the United States. It isn't run/operated or owned in the United States (if I remember correctly), so our constitutional values have no merit on here.

Being able to say what you want, or even believe what you want, is a good thing... but there are some things that cannot be tolerated, least it effect the community as a whole. "One bad apple" and the such spring to mind.

You have voted soothsayer for the Way Above Top Secret award. You have two more votes this month.

Originally posted by Charlie Murphy
Talking about illegal activites is not illegal,

Generally, no.

But it does attract a community element we'd like to avoid... and more importantly, would place this domain on lists that automatically deny access for things like public libraries, corporate firewalls, and parental monitoring software.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Generally, no.

But it does attract a community element we'd like to avoid... and more importantly, would place this domain on lists that automatically deny access for things like public libraries, corporate firewalls, and parental monitoring software.

meaning, attracting the wrong type of people to the board?

[edit on 2-6-2005 by infinite]

Originally posted by infinite
We meaning, attracting the wrong type of people to the board?

Generally, yes. For example, long ago we've clearly seen a connection between the discussion of computer hacking and hacker traffic. (meaning "hacking" in it's original illegal context, not modified definitions)

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Generally, yes. For example, long ago we've clearly seen a connection between the discussion of computer hacking and hacker traffic. (meaning "hacking" in it's original illegal context, not modified definitions)

ah i see, so when we had the infamous manwife threads, did we get manwife traffic?

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Originally posted by infinite
We meaning, attracting the wrong type of people to the board?

Generally, yes. For example, long ago we've clearly seen a connection between the discussion of computer hacking and hacker traffic. (meaning "hacking" in it's original illegal context, not modified definitions)

My topic was not about hacking and I can assure you I am no hacker. I do understand why you want to have a positive enviroment on ATS though.

Although Im rather new, I see ATS as having to equally important groups. Their would be no ATS without the staff, and their would be no ATS without its members. Both should have a say in how things work on ATS. I think the council is a step forward that will bring us closer to that.


[edit on 2-6-2005 by Charlie Murphy]

The potential within Abovetopsecret is huge, but the fact of the matter is that it is totally restricted. I have first hand experience of members being banned instantly for posting material that is far from offensive or illegal. In many cases, the member is banned and then their IP is logged and they are forbidden not only to post on the website, but are totally forbidden to even look at the forum page. They become totally blocked.

Instantly you may think that they have stirred hatred or posted inappropriatley or discussed illegal activity. This is often not the case.

The irony of all of it is that there are many posts on ATS about loss of liberty and things that the government keep concealed from us. Well i can 100% assure you that there are many many posts on ATS which are deleted instantly and then their writers blocked for writing pieces which are "too close to the knuckle"

If you want an example of one of the posts was immediatley deleted and its author immediatley banned and BLOCKED from even viewing ATS then please click the link

I do hope im not breaking any rules in posting this...





[Mod Edit:

To ensure that you 'are not breaking any rules', please take the time to READ the Terms and Conditions of Membership for the AboveTopSecret.com Message Board(s) you agreed to upon joining ATS

Originally posted by SimonGray
Terms and Conditions of Membership for the AboveTopSecret.com Message Board(s)

...

By becoming a member of these domains, you agree to the following:


1d.) Cross-Posting: You will not cross-post content from other discussion boards (unless you receive advance permission from AboveTopSecret.com LLP). You will not post-by-proxy the material of banned members or other individuals who are not members, but have written a response to content within a thread on these forums.

1e.) Recruitment Content: You will not post advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or solicitations of any kind. You will not collect personal information about forum members for the purpose of sending advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or solicitations through other means (email, messaging programs, etc.).


4) Advertising: You will not advertise or promote other discussion boards, chat systems, online communities or other websites on ATS within posts, avatars or signatures without prior written permission from AboveTopSecret.com LLP. Your will not choose a username that is the same as website domain, subdomain, or URL for which you are associated.


Simon Gray - Webmaster, Founder and Managing Partner of AboveTopSecret.com LLP
SkepticOverlord, Partner, Community Director, AboveTopSecret.com, LLP
Springer, Partner, Director of Business Development AboveTopSecret.com, LLP


(These terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Please refer to them often to stay up-to-date with our current board policies.)




[edit on 09-02-2006 by SkepticOverlord]

Thank you for understanding. Here's a copy of Zedd's handbook of ATS Links From which you should be able to find out just about everything about ATS from T&C's to BB Code. Please feel free to U2U me if there is anything else. Jak]

[edit on 26/2/06 by JAK]

Originally posted by philos0pher
I have first hand experience of members being banned instantly for posting material that is far from offensive or illegal. In many cases, the member is banned and then their IP is logged and they are forbidden not only to post on the website, but are totally forbidden to even look at the forum page. They become totally blocked.

Really?

Other than posting material clearly outside the agreed upon Terms and Conditions, who are they and what did they post?

I'm the only person who has the ability to IP-ban anyone. And I've never blocked anyone other than those who are malicious.

Originally posted by Djarums

If you consider my post "sucking up" you're not either not reading it or simply do not want to hear what makes sense. It's nothing unusual. Really.

I think your post made perfect sense, was gramatically correct and all those kinds of things, but I still think it was sucking up.

Originally posted by philos0pher
The potential within Abovetopsecret is huge, but the fact of the matter is that it is totally restricted.

I'm having a hard time believing your post. I haven't been a member all that long, but I have never seen any of the kind of actions you allude too.

There are restrictions concerning posting on this site, but they are mostly just common (or perhaps un-common) sense. I have seen several people get banned over the last couple of years, but they damn well had it coming and were warned several times first. Undoubtedly there have been cases of someone being banned without a long series of warnings, etc., but I have never seen it.

As far as moderators go, I have seen a couple loose their temper during a contentious argument, but generally they just vacate the thread so as not to further inflame the issue and send a U2U message. By and large, I believe the moderators on ATS are fair and tolerant--sometimes overly so. You seem to have a totally different opinion and say you have witnessed arbitrary, capricious actions by moderators. If that is truely the case you should send Skeptic, or someone, a U2U about it, or at the very least back up such a claim with verifiable facts instead of just making a blanket statement.

Let me correct myself. I have seen a whole bunch of people temporarily cut off from ATS; however, that was an accident by a new moderator and was very quickly corrected. Additionally, I heard about a different moderator banning themselves by accident--I'll bet that was embarrassing.

[edit on 26-2-2006 by Astronomer68]

philos0pher

*yawn*

I'm living proof that what you say is NOT true...

If it were, SkepticOverlord would have booted my butt long ago...

So, reason I am having troubles with my posts, Dont Tread On Me editing them, is this. I read the T&C, eventually, and wasn't sure how strict/words that fell under it. I see hell, a lot, so even though that is a "bad" word it is allowed.

Although does this mean words that aren't bad in England are allowed? Or words that are bad, like Bloody, Bleedy, and git, in England are edited to?

Love your avatar. I nearly choked when I first saw it.

Originally posted by DevinS
So, reason I am having troubles with my posts, Dont Tread On Me editing them, is this. I read the T&C, eventually, and wasn't sure how strict/words that fell under it. I see hell, a lot, so even though that is a "bad" word it is allowed.

Although does this mean words that aren't bad in England are allowed? Or words that are bad, like Bloody, Bleedy, and git, in England are edited to?

It's not just certain words.
Graphic descriptions of sex are edited out. ATS is a diverse community and we try to keep it acceptable to all.
Here's your post that I edited:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

DontTreadOnMe I just read the post you apparently edited out and I have to tell you I didn't see anything offensive about it. Yes, he mentioned sex, but in a funny sort of way and without being specific or crude or anything else offensive--to me anyway. As a matter of fact, his holding hands comment was funny.

Originally posted by Astronomer68
DontTreadOnMe I just read the post you apparently edited out and I have to tell you I didn't see anything offensive about it.

You're seeing the edited version.

My bad, that would certainly explain why I did not find it offensive.

BH I sure hope the last part of your signature is wrong. I've had it with political correctness, expecially as it is applied by probably well meaning, but ignorant local people.

[edit on 26-2-2006 by Astronomer68]

I know why it was edited DTOM, it was not a complaint or anything. Also, no answer on the Bloody/Git/whatever words that are bad in one country but not the other? What about Humbug? Or Myopic Politician?(I know I'd find being called a politician an offensive term, lol)

Oh and thanks for the compliments Astronomer

[edit on 26-2-2006 by DevinS]