Super Forum Volatility

[petek]

So as not to pollute Eugenes thread on Confessions of what you Fear most;
in reference to Eugenes thread on what Creeps You Out turning into a rant fest yet again

I believe when Eugene started this thread it was meant to be a lighthearted one at that.
Adults of at least average intelligence should be able to discern what is and what is and what is not the appropriate type of commentary to go along with it. Everyone who belongs to this forum for a length of times KNOWS exactly what topics create tremendous animosity and only a FOOL or a TROLL would even dare to bring them up in an unrelated thread or WORSE expand on them into that treacherous territory by additional commetary known to inflame other posters.. And that folks is what we have going on here.
Personally I saw NOTHING wrong with Alans caricature of Sarah Palin. She does creep a lot of people out including me. However Alan did the right thing and made no commentary,, the picture spoke for itself and did add some humor and I think again everyone here of average intelligence knew it and that it was a "hot button" issue. They could leave it alone and let it speak for itself. But not everyone, they should have, but they didn't.
There's a saying for these things "less is more"

Then we move to Mattys fear of dark hoods.. how that evolved into a rant about the KKK and Christianists we all know how and that again was totally unnecessary in the genre of that whole thread but there we have it again. What Keven thought when posting that response is as much a mystery as he is, though he especially should have known better considering his history here and the fact that Robert had politely asked him to take a break or stop posting on such topics iirc.

In fact his intial posting about his fear being hateful Christians at funerals is even questionable.. I mean honestly and again any right thinking person knows the gist of this thread is lighthearted, what the the hot buttons and what does he post.More ranting about hateful Christians at funerals

So yes there are one or two people here who for some reason, be it an agenda, being a troll or the lacking of the ability to discern what and when a comment is appropriate continue seemingly ignorant of the animosity they create or fully cognizant and relishing in it which is what I think is going on here personally.

If you look at the current thread about Progressive Christianity you will see that no-one has jumped in attacking the posters for their views or calling them names. That's because that thread is appropriate for the discussion taking place.

So there ya have my thoughts.

 

[kenb]

Such a well said post!

I rarely visit and post around here anymore because of all the volatility...

 

[DADoES]

 
He knows exactly what he's doing every time he does it. He's complaining about the "Austin incident" not going away ... but he's the one always bringing it up. And calling someone else on language when he had a long-time habit of using a particular expletive in munged spelling as if that makes it cute and acceptable ... what's that about?

 

[maytagbear]

Volatile, schmolative.

In my opinion, and only my opinion, some people on both sides of the more violent posts should be spanked soundly and sent to bed without their suppers! No, not like that, but as in old books for children.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[maytagbear]

MEANT LIGHTHEARTEDLY:

"Super Forum Volatility expealadocious, even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious. If you say it long enough, you'll always sound precocious! Superforumvolatilityexpealidocious!"

Again, meant only in fun. Could not resist the sound of it.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[rickr]

Every web site with message boards have them..

If it acts like a troll, it's a troll. Simple as that. It is best to ignore them. All they want is attention. The only way a troll can get attention is to try and inflame others. That is what they feed on. Ignore them and they will go elsewhere.

 

[112561]

I've made direct apologies to Frigilux

And hopefully he received the email. I will apologize to all here for that grotesque error in judgement that created the latest flamewar. I am very sorry. What the HELL was I thinking?

and for a lighter note:

 

[danemodsandy]

Apology Accepted...

...At least by me!

Now, who'll give me a basket full of kisses for a basket full of hugs?

 

[112561]

I will Mommy!

I love you Mommy!!

 

[iheartmaytag]

Our group here is like a family

You have to love them and accept them for what they are, because they are your family.

 

[hydralique]

May we now unfasten our seatbelts?

It's been a bumpy ride!

 

[mixfinder]

How to Stop a Runaway Locomotive

Thank you Pete for starting a dialogue to address volatility. I appreciate your words and those that have followed. History with this group seems to demonstrate there is no way to stop the angry words and accusations once they begin. I wish we could collectively find a signal that would be a covenent among us to take a break and let go. Let them eat cake worked once but has grown ineffective. Regardless of what is said there is always collateral damage to our trust and often it brings a good friend to part ways. If only there was a way to throw a bucket of cold water on the growling dogs we may be able to avoid the shame of wearing a cone until our wounds heal.

 

[hydralique]

Cake . . .

I was really expecting the classic (and ever-so-yummy) cake pic in the other thread, but it never appeared. For those of us who are AW veterans, it would seem a good way to ask for a cooldown.

 

[saltysam]

Super Forum Volatility

Pete, thank you for starting this thread to address the volatility issue. It has gone on for way too long.

If you all would indulge me for a few minutes I would like to give my perspective on these issues.

When I happened across this site the excitement of finding other people with the same interests was overwhelming at first. I thought I was the only one with a strange addiction to washer/dryers and to a lesser extent other household appliances. As my wife can attest I was excited as hell. Through the years I have met some of the most wonderful people through here (In St. Louis) and hope one day to be able to attend a wash-in to meet some more. The knowledge of how to restore/repair, obtain parts etc is astounding and I haven't been able to find any other place on the net that devotes the time and resources to preserving history as you all do. It is truly remarkable!

It didn't take long to realize that the majority of the members here were gay. (I guess the pink format gave it away) lol. Personally, I don't have any problem with that at all. My older brother is gay, as are numerous friends, and I know first hand the trials that are faced by everyone. I believe every person on this earth has the right to persue the lifestyle they wish. that holds true to all groups whether they be ethnic, religious etc. as long as no one gets hurt in the process I'm cool with it.

The thing that gets to me the most is how the attacks on other people are allowed to go on just because they have a different point of view and mentality of "in your face, shove it down their throats till they accept it". Again I realize it is a select few that are the offenders. But the select few are making the entire community look like a landfill. Its ugly and it stinks!

Being that I am the minority here (yes it's true lol) some of the comments that are posted by a select few are quite disturbing. If I am recognizing it I am sure other people notice it too and espeically if they are new to the site or if they are just visiting. The hateful, negative comments, the drama that is on display only goes to prove to the outside world (in my opinion) that what they have heard about the gay community is in fact true. First impressions mean a lot, whehter you like to believe it or not, and to see some of the stuff that goes on here would make most not want to return. Having fun and the some of the crude comments are funny as hell in my opinion. Those that know me know that I can be just as crass and crude as the next person and enjoy the joking that goes on. But the in your face, hateful comments have to go.

I know that some on here do not accept me just for the fact that I'm a "breeder", so to speak, and hold the opinion that this is a "gay" website and we "outsiders" have to deal with it. That may hold true but can we at least be civil to one another? Again I realize that these problems are caused by a select few.

I guess the question is, Are the members on this site going to allow someone put a blimish on this group or are they going to stand up and just say enough is enough! Your call ladies and gentlemen.

I hope everyone will realize the sincerity of my comments. I don't intend to offend anyone, but thought these comments needed to be made.
Thanks for listening

Mark AKA-Saltysam

 

[brianl]

I agree with you totally Sam

Just a little of my own 2 cents. I normally don't post much here, but this topic definitely could not be ignored. I too after a while being a member, started to notice a majority of members were gay. That actually made me feel more welcome, because not only did someone else share my crazy washer/dryer addiction, they also shared my lifestyle. I don't care that there are "breeders" on this site, it's a community for all to share equally. I have come to know a lot of members here and even meet some who have been very helpful. At the same time, I have started to also notice the troublemakers. I agree that seeing this type of "flaming up" can shed a very negative light on this site and type of people we are, and I personally would like to see these religious and political commentary stay away, preferably on some other site where it would be more appropriate. I don't think this is what the Super forum was meant to be all about. Prejudice seems to plague everything in life, but this was the one place where I thought it would not. Select few members here need to stop picking fights all the time, going on these tangents and relax. It almost seems like it is their goal to just get our webmaster so annoyed, that he does not want to deal with the site anymore. Luckily, it seems like we have a very tolerant webmaster with a patience beyond belief. I am just as angry as other people about the rights gay's have, but to fight about it here is just plain ridiculous since it well never solve anything. We need to be united as a appliance family so that we don't fall from within. It is like beating a dead horse. Let everyone live their life with their opinions as long as it does not physically harm someone else and lets agree to disagree. Plain and simple. Thanks for hearing my rant as well.

Brian

 

[112561]

Mark, you are absolutely right!!

I'm guessing that the object of this site is to allow those who collect, and perhaps those who have a love of all these things, have a place to enjoy bragging, swapping ideas, parts, stories, whatever. I don't own vintage washers or kitchen appliances, but I love them as much as you all do. I'm aspiring to own such, when the opportunity arises. I believe it's supposed to be an all inclusive site, as long as the member adheres to simple rules of common sense and deportment. Thank God, only one person here thoroughly trashed me, and had been banned finally, for years of heaping abuse and hatred on too many others. It seems like members of all the clubs get the idea that if you are not GRAND enough, you do not belong. I don't believe that is Robert's intention. I'm trying to keep this simple. Nobody should be made to feel useless or unwelcome, regardless of religion, color, creed, sexuality, etc, unless they look for ways to just destroy it for everyone else. Like the people who were ultimately banned from here and a couple other places I am a member of.

 

[petek]

What we have breeders on here? ha.

 

[petek]

aside from the joking though,,, thanks for that Sam and Brian.

Now on the sentiment of "we're all like a family" as if that's supposed to excuse assholic behavior. (I just made that up so it's a Petek copyright now) Yes that all fine and dandy to a point.. The breaking point and family dysfunctionality.

 

[mattl]

I think the real issue is that every time two opposing ideas/concepts/thought/feelings are posted it quickly descends into name calling. No further back and forth discussion, no give and take. The parties involved are entrenched. I don't have a solution other than to suggest that everyone here who is riled up about something, walk way from the thread for 10 minutes or an hour and then post a rebuttal. Cool off a bit.

As I have stated before I like the political/religious discussions here, they have broadened my perspective a bit. Perhaps it's because I have come to know the people here a to some extent, and am less likely to dismiss there thoughts out of hand. Some people I disregard just as I do in my family. I know you do not discuss politics in any form with my cousin Paul or another cousin Bob, their views are diametrically opposed to mine and are firmly entrenched. If at a gathering discussion moves in that direction there are a number of us who suddenly need to go to the bathroom or get a drink in the kitchen. Perhaps that's a solution here too...