Freedom of speech Vs PSB forum rules

[dVTB]

This is why Steve provided the homophobic rule so hetrosexuals cant dislike homosexuals here, the same rule should apply equally the other way. Homosexuals should not be allowed to state they dislike hetrosexuals.

You can dislike homosexuals as much as you want (although I wonder why you're still a Pet Shop Boys fan, and why you call yourself "pet shop boy"...), you only can't make homophobic comments. Adding a phrase about "heterophobic comments" to the forum rules, would 'solve' your non-existing problem, but it's about as necessary as an additional phrase about "blue eyed-phobic" comments.

They are clear, they dont cover all problems, they've created problems. Do you think adjustments are necessary?

Rules don't cause problems, people do. I don't think adjustments are necessary, I only think the consequences of breaking forum rules deserves review, as well as more tranparancy about actions that are taken.

Doesn't need more moderation, its a forum where the underage can learn from sensible adults, it should be capable of self moderation.

The reality is almost 180 degrees from what you desribe here. Forum rules are mostly broken by people who are supposed to grown up adults. The amount of 'underage' users on this forum is very limited they hardly post anything offensive. As long as 29-year olds and 36-year olds dicuss global warming using words like "fascists", "retards", it's clear that self moderation will not work. And let's not even mention posts like "STEVE ABUSE ABUSE ABUSE", when forum rules describe a completely different method to make moderators aware of abuse...

What should happen to suspicious members?

If there's enough proof that the particular member account is an alias of a banned forum member, it should immediately be suspended. The same goes for new members who only come here to cause commotion, by posting sarcastic comments about members of this forum. This is Pet Shop Boys discussion forum, not a Pet Shop Boys forum members discussion forum.

As for the banned forum members: I'm in favour of deleting ALL their previous contributions, especially new topics they opened.

[gareth]

Can members be tracked by logging their IP or something along those lines? Would this stop banned members simply re-registering?

[Janet Street-Porter]

Nobody's ever going to be completely happy with the forum rules. There are those who would ban people for ridiculing the Shop Boyz, alluding to banned forum members or failing to have an opinion on the Disco 4/Four controversy. It's all part of life's rich tapestry.

[gareth]

Pet Shop Boy - you have a rather strange outlook if you think it is OK to advertise or discuss homophobia as you have freedom of speech.

There are many areas which people can't really use the FOS argument to hide behind because they are, to a great extent, universally agreed upon as being unacceptable or illegal.

These would include other areas such as racism, obscenity, incitiment to violence (terrorism), perjury, slander and defamation etc etc.

I can't believe you are arguing that it should be OK to be homophobic because there is nothing to say that it can't be allowed in reverse. I don't recall a mass hetero-bashing thread here, or anywhere else for that matter.

It doesn't need to be written down anywhere as it doesn't happen.

[dVTB]

Nobody's ever going to be completely happy with the forum rules. There are those who would ban people for ridiculing the Shop Boyz, alluding to banned forum members or failing to have an opinion on the Disco 4/Four controversy. It's all part of life's rich tapestry.

Nah, I'd rather ban people for repeatedly failing on comprehensive reading, twisting words and hiding behind the name of an existing person. Not to mention repeated off-topic remarks aimed at one particular user of this forum.

If you have issues to settle with me, PM me. If you can't deal with my contributions on this forum, go elsewhere (for instance to that forum you advertise) or ignore me, using the handy ignore button.

You're not entitled to take part in, or to read the topic about Disco 4/Four. I'm very much aware that it isn't the most shocking issue, but my question was relevant and 100 percent on-topic.

You can ridiculize Shop Boyz as much as you want to. I never said you can't. I couldn't care less how many Wikipedia pages you vandalise, but I have a right to delete names from PSB forum members from Wikipedia pages, as well as not wanting my user name involved. Fact is: I have a unique username that's recognizable, you are hiding behind the name of Neil's good friend. Calling you a "coward" is hardly an insult or a violation of forum rules, since it's basically a fact.

Now quickly run over to 'that other forum' to discuss my latest contribution in the famous 'that other forum' topic, which - I guess - should be at page 100 right now, isn't it? Get a life, seriously.

[dVTB]

Can members be tracked by logging their IP or something along those lines? Would this stop banned members simply re-registering?

IP's can be logged, yes. Former members of this forum who left and returned under new names could easily be traced. Banned members could change their IP and re-register. Monitoring posting behaviour is probably more effective to get rid of banned ex-members.

[Frequency]

So essentially because the widespread non-existant problem of heterophobia isn't addressed in the rules and so therefore presents a bias of sorts towards gay people that somehow the rules are flawed ? While we're at why isn't any mention of discrimination against midgets or dwarfs mentonied in the rules.

Were you raised by an A.I. lifeform per chance ? I never realised you could read something <i>that</i> literally.

It should be obvious that the rules, like any other forum out there, are context sensitive and as such homophobia is rightfully addressed amongst other points. Common sense tends to fill the gaps for the most part.

[Janet Street-Porter]

Nah, I'd rather ban people for repeatedly failing on comprehensive reading, twisting words and hiding behind the name of an existing person. Not to mention repeated off-topic remarks aimed at one particular user of this forum.

If you have issues to settle with me, PM me. If you can't deal with my contributions on this forum, go elsewhere (for instance to that forum you advertise) or ignore me, using the handy ignore button.

You're not entitled to take part in, or to read the topic about Disco 4/Four. I'm very much aware that it isn't the most shocking issue, but my question was relevant and 100 percent on-topic.

You can ridiculize Shop Boyz as much as you want to. I never said you can't. I couldn't care less how many Wikipedia pages you vandalise, but I have a right to delete names from PSB forum members from Wikipedia pages, as well as not wanting my user name involved. Fact is: I have a unique username that's recognizable, you are hiding behind the name of Neil's good friend. Calling you a "coward" is hardly an insult or a violation of forum rules, since it's basically a fact.

Now quickly run over to 'that other forum' to discuss my latest contribution in the famous 'that other forum' topic, which - I guess - should be at page 100 right now, isn't it? Get a life, seriously.

My problem with you is that you always, as in this thread, like to portray yourself as a voice of reason who has a sensible approach to forum rules when you are really (hardly an insult or a violation of forum rules, since it's basically a fact) an hysterical and whimpering homage to Mary Whitehouse.

(Actually it's only 89 pages right now and nobody's posted in it since July but don't let that stop your paranoia.)

[dVTB]

My problem with you is that you always, as in this thread, like to portray yourself as a voice of reason who has a sensible approach to forum rules when you are really (hardly an insult or a violation of forum rules, since it's basically a fact) an hysterical and whimpering homage to Mary Whitehouse.

It's funny how you act as if you know me, where in fact you know absolutely nothing about me. I don't plan/intend to be a 'voice of reason', I am just a forum user, with as many human mistakes as any other user, but I happen to have some concrete ideas about forum moderation.

These ideas are based upon experiences on this forum and other forums I visited in the past, or still visit today. Those other forums (for instance a very big Dutch news, politics and music forum) are moderated in a different way. I don't see why I cannot take part in a discussion about forum rules, or why expressing my opinion about this issue would make me a 'voice of reason'.

I want to enjoy posting on this forum, rather than being confronted with attention-seeking psychopats, people who constantly use rude language to get their point accross (causing interesting topics to be closed) and people who only come here to post bitchy remarks at users who discuss actively.

I checked Wikipedia - hopefully the page wasn't vandalized by somebody who has nothing useful to do with his spare time - to read who Mary Whitehouse was. It's a pretty hilarious comparison, I can assure you.

(Actually it's only 89 pages right now and nobody's posted in it since July but don't let that stop your paranoia.)

Wow... I'm somewhat shocked, since I took a rather low estimation. Does this mean people finally started discussing PSB without constantly referring to every single sentence posted on this forum, or is the place totally dead?

[Undertaker]

Wow... I'm somewhat shocked, since I took a rather low estimation. Does this mean people finally started discussing PSB without constantly referring to every single sentence posted on this forum, or is the place totally dead?

No, it means that forum is dead in the water. No one seems to post there anymore.

[Deschanel]

I just can't believe I was cautioned for tart comments towards Petshopboy, now here he is peeing all over the place, doing cartwheels as he gives us all the finger.

Pull the trigger Steve.

[pet shop boy]

You can dislike homosexuals as much as you want

If i dislike homosexuals on this website, i'll be breaking the rules.

Adding a phrase about "heterophobic comments" to the forum rules, would 'solve' your non-existing problem

Not solve, but help.

Rules don't cause problems

This websites sexual rules do.

Forum rules are mostly broken by people who are supposed to grown up adults.

It is sensible to be homophobic, but that would be breaking the rules...

As long as 29-year olds and 36-year olds dicuss global warming using words like "fascists", "retards", it's clear that self moderation will not work.

I WAS DEFENDING MYSELF. If someone attacks you verbally, you're entitled to attack them back aren't you, yes, thats what i did.

[pet shop boy]

Pet Shop Boy - you have a rather strange outlook if you think it is OK to advertise or discuss homophobia as you have freedom of speech.

Shouldn't i be allowed to dislike homosexuals then?

I can't believe you are arguing that it should be OK to be homophobic because there is nothing to say that it can't be allowed in reverse. I don't recall a mass hetero-bashing thread here, or anywhere else for that matter.

Do you know what the word homophobic means?

It doesn't need to be written down anywhere as it doesn't happen.

So you dont agree that homosexuals should ever be punished if they're hetrophobic on this website?

[JSDOUVRES]

Pet shop boy stop winding us all up with this crap! And you still have not corrected the mistake you made about your age. You need to remove the 3.

[pet shop boy]

It should be obvious that the rules, like any other forum out there, are context sensitive and as such homophobia is rightfully addressed amongst other points.

Why is it homophobicly wrong to dislike gays and their sexuality?

Why is wrong to be christianphobic, nottingham forest phobic, aracnaphobic (however that word is spelt) Why is it wrong to dislike spiders

I dont think most folk know what the word means.