Quote:

---

The real problem is that his standing had deteriorated to the point that almost every post he made got several flame replies (I’m guilty here too) and he would understandably reply in kind. Every post he made, even if reasonable for XXXPT, would result in a trail of worthless sniping.

My inclination is to not ban him. I’d ask him to try to harder to check & cite sources – he needs to learn this anyway – and have mods try to nudge him when needed and douse flames (or at least not make it worse). A ban ought to be the last option, when he’s been read the rules & can’t comply.

---

JRV is very good at putting into words what I am thinking! You are exactly right, this was the problem with Swami.

He would post a top ten list, or comment which was usually deserving of being bashed in some way - because it was usually incorrect, over generalized, misinformed, what have you. Unfortunately, this would cause an avalanche of retorts. What you end up with is a giant thread of useless information bashing on the swami, with very little information-exchange.

Now, part of this is shame-on-us, because we all responded. Swami was the catalyst, but we are all part of the chain-reaction that led to his ban.

I might add this too is why I banned Outsider. The same kind of thing would happen.

If you notice, there are no posted rules here on XXX PT. That is not an accident or mistake. I really don't want there to be "rules". Save that crap for ADT.

Because, for instance, like every other message board on earth we could have a rule "don't flame people." But, as we know, on this board, flaming tends to make things interesting. It prompts people to defend their positions, and I feel it brings interesting character and discussion to the board. So, in the end when you call Brandon Iron gay or Steve Holmes old, I think it adds alot when those guys come on and defend themselves (even if it is just to promote their new movies).

What we do have is a loose fabric of acceptible behavior. Sammura had obviously crossed a line, people like the Smelly Monkey, Outsider, and now the Swami have perhaps made clear where other lines are.

Okay, enough rambling,

Malice