1.  Sorry for the confusion, Hagar.  I didn't mean you specifically.


2.  Pippin, how is it an inflammatory thread?  How is it stirring up trouble?  It's just another example of people discussing something intelligently, and no flaming has occured, you'll notice, yet for some reason, it fears getting locked, because a moderator has put their foot down.

This is my precise point, and exactly why I started the thread.

We can't discuss something intelligently, even if no flaming is going on, without the moderators closing the door.

Quote:

Hyp, you obiviously are very pasionate about your beliefs, and you know...thats great! Many people are just too agreable for fear of being branded as different.

However, if these forums do not fulfill your needs, then maybe it is necessary to seek out a forum like the one Ozzy suggested to fill that need.

That way, you can still come to this forum and share your questions and thoughts about FS and things that are allowed! 

Quote:


Well Hyp, it depends on how it is couched. What does the fact that the aforementioned people are Americans have to do with whether you like them or not? There are people that I do not like, where they are from is moot.

Let me rearrange your quote, just one word change and see if the meaning changes radically.

Quote:


Is that acceptable? No, it is not. You would rather judge a Black on his merits rather than his color, would you not?

Now, if you do not like Americans just because they are Americans. That is fine too. And if it was true I would not be offended. (Mostly cause I live in Texas and it is advertised as a "whole 'nother country") Seriously, If you disliked "Americans" I wouldn't want to be friends with you, plain and simple. So if you are posting things negative about "Americans" or America, it makes me feel unwelcome. Nor would I want to hang in a forum that had a lot of anti-American sentiment. Same with the French or anyone else.

My point is, that with the freedom of speech comes the responsibility to know when not to use it. Thoughtfullness, consideration of others feelings.

In public I am not so concerned, but here in this community, I am concerned about hurting someone's feelings, you all are my friends. So that invokes the responsibility.

That is what it all boils down to. Do you care whether or not your readership is hurt or offended.

One last point. Anytime you have a political discussion, there is invariably someone who has a joke, comment or cartoon about the subject that is funny as hell but is going to offend someone and they override common sense and post it anyway. Always, without fail. Then are baffled as to why they are flamed.

Regarding going to other forums. I Hang quite a bit at the Outhouse as well. There are some Internationals, but it is mostly one hundert purcent true blue Mericanism there. I feel at home.

But I hang more here. I have made friends here. In general I feel welcome here because I do not have to hear all the time what a jerk I am because I am American.

We hear it everywhere - in our own media, in our own schools, on the job, in the papers, from our own government - so why would we go somehwere that has it when we are relaxing?

Any time you want to ask me about why Americans do this or that, fine, I would be happy to discuss it with you.
But, when someone posts that Americans are dicked up because they did this or that, I do not want to hear it. That is not what I come HERE for. And if you make a post asking me something like that we will have a nice conversation, for about 2 or 3 post before some idget has to make what they think is a funny, then the fur flies.

As said before, this is an International forum where all feel welcome. Why? Because the Mods do there job well. If not, this would the Nationalistic forums rather than International. Because Americans would be excluded. Is that what you want?

This whole post was said with a smile.

[quoteLet me rearrange your quote,] [/quote]

He did not make the comment with the term Black. I did to make a point. So,....oops - sorry Hyp.

My whole tirade was more for general readership to understand why I am not tolerant of anti-American statements. Right after I first got here there was a lot of it. It was during the start of the war. I was defending my country. Most of the coments and jokes were coming from a Frenchman. You can ask Ozzy, I restrained myself from retaliation. Too bad too, I had a ton of good French Jokes. But I felt this was neither the time nor the place. Since then I have made friends and decided to stay.

But friends or no, I still would not tolerate it. And the mods do a good job.

I do not come here for political debate, there are forums that specialize in that. When I have a party in my home there are two subjects that are taboo, politics and religion, either will start a cat fight in a heartbeat. So I feel no different when congregating with friends here.

Scott, we were NOT having a go. We mods have to keep an eye on things, and politics like religion is a v.passionate area for many people. That is why I suggested that other forum, they want to discuss these things. Brave. I go mental talking politics and it normally ends up with me proposing to shoot various MPs and bomb the EU headquarters or some such silliness.
Also please remember that Europeans are far more conservative on the issue than you worldly Statesiders. I've always enjoyed the frankness of American politics, and the brutality of the press. Much cleaner than the money in a brown paper bag stuff we have in Britain
In my early days here I got a jolly stiff talking too from Pete for a rather accurate but crass observation about America and certain actions re-a certain Senator. Now what I said was right, and I would stand by it 100% but Pete for a number of good reasons doesn't want politics or religious wobblies being caused around here, so the mods for good or bad have to deal with these.
There have been times I've had to lock a thread when I was in 100% agreement with what someone was saying, but it didn't fit in with SimV. So you have to respect Pete (he is the Guv'nor), and his wishes for the site.
Is this limiting freedom of speech? Perhaps. Personally I view it as not upsetting anyone (barring a certain couple recently). I mentioned politics in a class once and ended up in a couple of metric tonnes of elephant poo over it Turned out that the political party I was making my err observation about, well the son of one of its prominent MPs was in that class
So here is my top idea. Lets go flying and supp some beer

Mark (not as wise as Confusicous, but considerable more sober than WC Fields, well until the next beer anyways)

PS. When do you want to have that race?

PPS. I know Oso had a lot of good French jokes, I sent him a load Some of his had me rolling on the floor. But I still have friends in France.

Even the nationalities thing got a little out of hand a while back, when France opposed the little shindig in the Gulf, there were quite a few problems here that seemed to prove the case in point of Petes not wanting certain topics here. That was why talk of the war was banned. We didn't want to end up like certain lesser forums
A good American friend of mine here, and a French gentleman ended up at loggerheads. And things got a little colourful.
As for Political Correctness! **** it! Call a poor person a poor person not fiscally challenged! Thats my motto, I too am honest, but unfortunately slightly less subtle than an A-Bomb But hey, it keeps my students in line

Mark

Ps. Do you really think you can whip me? I've been practising in the 51 in my spare time, you are going to have to fly the rivets off her to take me

Nah, lets do it in identical aircraft. Then it'll be down to skill of pilot and amount of beer consumed
Now that IS the way to fly

Mark

Err yeah right. Like anyone could take me when I'm in my beloved Spit!

Mark