Who is closing and/or deleting any off-topic thread? My light-hearted post about the Yanks/Sox game got yanked. It didn't even get moved to the "General" forum. The "September Already" thread was closed, even tho people obviously enjoyed it.

I'm not some troll on this board, and I don't start a lot of these threads. Why can't there be a couple threads here and there so JR and Dan can heckle me? I think it's being a little over-officious, personally.

Not me, Chuck. You may want to email Brad and find out if he did it. He runs the jernt.

--Rich

Maybe it's your "board presence"??? It's obviously not a rules issue, so it must be your presence...either that or JR and Dan paid somebody big bucks to go thru and remove all references to any baseball team other than the Yankees...hey, imagine that, "Yankees" and "paid big bucks" all in the same sentence...go figure.

C'mon....why would a Yankees fan want to delete Chuck's baseball posts? Chuck gets excited about the post season? Red Sox lose to NY in the playoffs. Chuck gets excited the Sox might get A Rod? Boss George picks up A Rod. It is just too much fun watching his eyes light up only to see his hopes dashed against the rocks yet again...and again...and again...

And for those who do not know how to get a Red Sox fan's eyes to light up, the answer is simple. Just shine a flashlight through his ears.

I did it. Someone sent me a complaint -- said it didn't belong here (wasn't about officiating or basketball; the header didn't make it clear what it was). I agreed.

I don't see how to make an exception for Red Sox v. Yankees posts and not for political posts, other sports posts, joke threads, other topics of interest to an idividual poster, etc.

Just post here about non officiating stuff -> http://www.officialforum.com/forum/14

Somebody complained?!?!?! Are you kidding?

Why does it have to be an exception? As long as it doesn't turn into a politics forum or a free-for-all, who cares if there's an occasional off-topic post? We had a huge thread about the possibility of invading Iraq. It didn't get yanked. It may have been closed after a dozen pages or so, I don't remember. We've had lots of threads that started out as basketball-related, but then degenerated into silliness. They don't get closed.

Unless the website just doesn't have the space to support any more threads than absolutely necessary, I just don't see the big deal. I can not believe that somebody would complain about that thread. I mean, I believe it, but it's unbelievable.

Thanks, Bob, for letting me know what happened. I respect you for being up-front about it. But again, JMO, but it seems over-officious to me.

Over-officious and just plain ridiculous.

If ever this was needed......

http://www.gifs.net/animate/setupz.gif

Censorship because one person doesn't like baseball. Unbelievable.

An occasional off-topic post? I agree.

But this was an off-topic thread. And, they have, in general, become more frequent. Maybe that's why the thread on Iraq wasn't deleted -- it was "just one" -- but now there have been "just one more" and "just another" and "just a quick addition" .... (I dont' really know -- I'm just speculating here)

And, on the particular sox v. yankees thread(s), the complainer hinted at (or maybe I just read into it) "6 more months of this" -- we've just started the baseball season.

There's plenty of spots on the internet where you guys can go trade good-natured insults -- heck, you could start your own list for free at Yahoo, for example.

Just for the record, Chuck, I posted a sort of joking complaint on that thread, but I'm not the one that wanted it yanked. If I don't want to read a thread, I just ..... don't!

I would agree with Chuck here. I don't want to search around the 'general' forum or find somewhere else to 'go and heckle each other'. This is the only internet forum, I frequent and I feel like I sorta know some of the characters that are also around here. I don't see what the harm of an off-topic thread every now and then. Do we need to make it clear in the title of the thread that it's off-topic so those who arent' interested won't be troubled?

Wow, what a novel concept, Juulie.

An occasional off-topic post? I agree.

[/B][/QUOTE]No way!! if you're gonna censor baseball posts, then censor ALL off-topic posts. No exceptions! No jokes either! I personally object to any humor that isn't my own!

The freakin' No Fun Crew is taking over the whole world.

I'm with Chuck on this one. This is a community, and although we all share a passion for officiating, that is not the only aspect to our personalities or our interests or our lives. This forum works really well because we like each other (generally speaking ;)) and respect each other. That feeling grows from getting to know each other as people as well as officials. The occassional off topic post promotes that sense of community. I am neither a Yankees nor a Red Sox fan, but I feel a sense of commraderie with those who are as I read their light-hearted banter. And on days when I just don't care, I skip those threads. Heck, I even skip the officiating related threads I don't care about. It just ain't that hard.

Perhaps, rather than unilaterally imposing a policy on the community because of a few (almost certainly a small number) complainers, those with the power to impose such policies ought to poll the general population to see how the majority feel?

How about just calling the obvious? ;)

I did not complain about this post. But I personally do not want to read baseball posts all summer. And I can see why it was dropped. And the powers that be have that power. Just like Bob said, there are plenty of places to rip on each other about the stupid Soocx and Yankees. There are those that complain about other posts that have nothing to do with basketball officiating and those get dumped. So why not that post.

Peace

I agree with BITS about this forum, but I can also see the moderators' dilemma. If they start letting some off-topic stay, it feels like a pretty slippery slope. Perhaps the answer is for us all to check the General Forum more often, and keep our way off-topic stuff there. If we give a little in this respect, then maybe we can keep some of the off-topic humor that gets so intertwined with the real meat.

Why don't we just ask Brad since he OWNS the site?

Bob I find this insulting. This little corner of the internet has become a public space - yes it's owned & operated by a non-public entity but it's the people who come here, make it attractive & raise its value. Kinda like the "public space" you might find in front of a privately held skyscraper. There is a symbiotic relationship at work here. The owners provide the public square for people to enjoy. The good folks who post here provide free content for the owners. Obviously you have the power to walk your beat and shush those who might be having too much fun in the public square. But sooner or later folks are going to start wandering off and have their fun elsewhere.

It's all good!
 

Who complained? Maybe they need to be moved or deleted!

Perhaps Rainmaker said it best, again. "If I don't want to read a thread...I just don't!"

I, for one, enjoy the playful banter we sports officials give each other. It's, in my humble opinion, part of our culture. I like it!

How else do I say to my senior partner that last call was in my primary and I passed on it for a reason? I tease out the conversation and in the end I learn that the call was necessary one-way or the other. I passed and I learn. It's good natured and competitive. That's why I'm still in the game!

Because our officiating culture is athletic, competitive and serious we have to be able to give and take. It's fun!

I like it.

GO SOX! DAMN YANKEES!

Ok, you all seem like nice people. But, I don't come here for baseball information, or politics. Whenever a thread gets that theme going I stop paying attention. I come here for the basketball referee stuff. That's it. I have no need for anything else. That being said, so long as the title of the thread says what it is, I don't care if it's on here. But I have no interest in off-topic threads.

I still don't see a problem, there is a forum set aside for off topic stuff.

It's true. Brad owns the site. He owns the domain name. It's his IP address. The hardware it runs on belongs to him. I'd like to thank Brad for creating this site. And I would never argue that he doesn't have the right to impose whatever rules he desires.

However, the hardware, software, and internet resources alone are NOT what makes this site worthwhile. What makes this site really worthwhile are the community of people who gather here to share their knowledge and experience and passion. Because of this community questions get answered, new officials get encouragement and instruction, we learn from one another, we laugh together, sometimes we mourn together, we vent about insufferable howler monkeys, we cheer each other on. Where else can you go for a guaranteed attaboy when you've finally mastered something difficult or been assigned a big game? And when you get that attaboy, it means somthing because it's coming from friends, people all over the world whom you have come to know and trust and respect through their posts, people you've developed a relationship with through discussing topics related to officating, and other topics as well.

Let me add one more observation. As a newcomer to this forum, you are presented with dozens of often differing opinions on myriad topics. It is through observing the interaction of the community members that it becomes obvious who the well respected and knowlegable members are, who the controversial members are, and who should be avoided. I've been to other officiating forums, forums that are sponsored by the biggest names in this game, but they all lack the community we enjoy here.

Unfortunately, this community, as a whole, is diminished when one moderator unilaterally imposes restrictions on what can be talked about without regard to the community.

None of us wants this forum to devolve into a mire of off-topic nonsense. But I would hasten to point out that that hasn't happened--not even close. This forum has successfully withstood the ravages of the Yankees and the BoSox for years, without being censored. Do we really need to start now?

On the other hand, I think we can agree that you have to draw the line somewhere. Where should the line be drawn? Sometimes it is obvious--personal attacks, obscenity, offensive posts should be removed. Beyond that, the line is less obvious. If the number of off topic posts is truly becoming a problem, then it should be addressed. However the question of whether it is really a problem ought to be directed to the community. And if it is the general feeling that there is a problem, the general will of the community should give guidance to where the line is drawn--not just the secret complaints of a few. Even if one of the moderators personally agrees with the complainers.

Methinks we've found the answer . . . . .

I moderate several other boards, so I see the need for a policy to be in place.

However, it's no different than officiating. Are you going to call the game strictly by the rules, never deviating from the written code, or are you going to officiate the spirit of the rules, telling kids to get out of the lane or ignoring the occasional palming?

As has been said, this is a community. Why should we have to go somewhere else to discuss things among ourselves? I can understand deleting flaming topics about race, religion, or politics. But a little friendly banter about baseball, during the offseason for basketball. C'mon!

Sorry Bob but I think you were wrong. Hopefully, Brad will clarify this issue, for everyone.

I vote: CHUCK!

Woooo! Anyone who uses the word "myriad" correctly, deserves to be listened to!!

We will have to wait a while for Brad's "ruling" on this issue as I happen to know that he is vacationing across the pond!

Who cares!!!!
 

I have a great solution for those that do not like it. Create your own site. If you do not like the fact that the powers that be have decided that they do not want mindless talk about baseball (not all of us are fans of MLB btw), create a place to talk about that. You are right that you can ignore the posts, but if they let that dribble go on, then what other conversations that have nothing about basketball should be allowed to go on? And if Chuck wants to make an issue, too bad. He is not an administrator, nor is he the owner. I do not like everything that is taken off here, but I do not make the rules. I have been given the right to post here as long as I follow the rules. Just like an official that works a game, it is their call what to tolerate and what not to tolerate. It does not matter what I think about it, it is there call. When I work the game, then it is my call. I am going to watch the start of a Sectional playoff game, if I do not like what the officials do in the game or what they call, that is my problem. The IHSA did not assign me to do so. This is the call of the moderators and owner to get rid of what they want. Not our chice. There are thousands of places you guys can go and talk baseball and debate if Jeter is going to play better than Nomar. But many of us do not care and would rather not open a post thinking it is about basketball, only to find it is a sport that is losing interest every day.

Peace

Jewel,
Oh, my! :eek:
mick
<HR>
It must be chilly in the underworld today.

How can you stop a thread when there was neither advantage nor displacment? BoSox/Yankees banter is incidental contact. When it starts displacing other content, call the foul, but until then, it's part of the game.

Plus, on a more serious note, humor is a wonderful reflection of the individual. The value of this board is not just in its ability to get different insights on rules, but also on differences in officiating styles and approaches. What works or doesn't work for any idividual is greatly influenced by their own personality. This board helps people understand each other's personalities, thereby giving everybody insight into what might work best for them. Humor has a rightful place here in the context of the regulars. I wouldn't want this board to be where I went to hear the latest rich Yankee joke, but I do appreciate what any of the regulars have to say, even when it is an off-topic joke.

HMMMMMM!!

I wonder if this post will be deleted as it has nothing to do with Basketball??

That rule went out years and years ago. Besides, even by that old rule what would be the acceptable re-wording? I suppose, back then, one might say, "...deserves to be heard", but today, it doesn't have the same exact meaning. The way I wrote it, there is an emphasis that isn't there in the "old-fashioned" way.

I hope you read this before it gets deleted!

A dangling participle is one thing up with which I will not put! -- Winston Churchill

Jewel,
I haven't been informed of the "new way". I thought there were only two ways, correct and incorrect.

However, I do remember my first born telling us of her English teacher that said, "I am more of a modern teacher with regard to grammar and punctuation. I don't worry about that."

And all this time, I thought that was the lazy way. Mybad.
mick
<HR>
<font color = red>Anyone who uses the word "myriad" correctly, deserves to be listened to!!</font>

Listen to anyone who uses the word, "myriad", correctly!

I think Bob hinted that the real reason it got deleted was not so much that it was off topic but that the subject gave no indication (or [perhaps and inaccurate one) of what the topic really was.

I think he'd have left it alone if it was clear from the subject.

I really don't like opening a thread only to find it about something completely different than the subject indicates.

In my defense, the post dealt exactly with the what the subject indicated (gloating). It just wasn't about what you expected the gloating to be about. I will be more scrupulous in my use the "Off Topic" disclaimer in the future.

I've got two words for you Batman,
... Turdus migratorius.

What do the Red Sox call themselves when they come north after spring training?

I'll take Annoying Threads for $200 Alex.

(BTW, I'm wiping coffee off my monitor as I type this! :D )

Chuck is a migrating turd?

I thought he was a squirrel! :p

I may have to take that from Batman, but I'm not taking it from Robin! :p

Ah...you mean the ellusive sacculus maximus.

I wouldn't expect so. I would suppose you didn't have, as a grandmother, a member of the English Teachers of America, or whatever it was called. My grandmother got their news bulletin for years and years, and when the "dangling participle" thing got changed, we all heard about it for months. The rule wasn't completely revoked, but there is now an acknowledgement that sometimes there is no other way to express a certain idea, than to leave a preposition stuck onto the end of the sentence.

The reason for the acknowledgement was that words change their meanings over time, and in English, more and more, certain collections of words have come to acquire specific meanings which can be expressed in no other way. For instance, the verb phrase, "to play through", as used in golf. How could the idea, "May I play through?" be properly expressed without the "through" at the end? It just doesn't work. It is as though "through" isn't a preposition, and "play through" is one word, connected. I see "to listen to" as a similar situation, and different from "to listen".

I hope you read this before it gets deleted.


[Edited by rainmaker on Mar 9th, 2004 at 02:06 PM]

I would probably buy your premise, Juulie, but the example isn't the best. "Play through" is just short-hand for "play through your group". You're asking if it's ok to play through another group of players.

It's like "to go out". It's just short-hand for "to go out-of-doors".

As Yoda said: "Play through, may I?"
Or, as Coach Yoda (to remain faithul to the basketball theme) said: "Follow through, you must, for your shot to be straight and true. Trust the Force, young Jeddi Jordan, and fly through the sky will you."

Gee, sorry I missed my cue, guys. I was out.

http://www.sodamnfunny.com/Picture/Animal/photo7.jpg

Yes in deed, I agree, most people are, for the lack of a better phrase, lazy to finish a sentence. I have worked hard to teach my daughter proper English. She complains to me about the teachers at school for using poor grammer and incorrect wording.

Amen!

Yes, in deeds and in thought people are lazy indeed! And let's not forget about their spelling in addition to their grammar! Ahem. ;)

PG -- In Bart's case, I think it's mostly just typing. It does make a cute little irony, though!

yes, you got me, ...again. :)