censorship

[The Might]

I understand what mean by that, I too enjoy heated discussions, especially if both sides bring good arguments, however it is important to always keep in mind this is a family friendly site, and there are certain rules that shouldn't be broken, and certain lines that shouldn't be crossed.
As long as the discussion takes place within these boundaries I personally have no problem.
Censorship of words such as "damn" did seem to me sometimes as unnecessary considering what you see on the net or on TV these days, but I comply because these are the rules I as a member have to play by.
For some such constraints are too much, but I'm ok with that, since our whole society is based on certain rules.

For example comparing another member (who probably knows is the one targeted) to Joseph Stalin already implies crossing a line that you shouldn't cross.
Such things are much easier in RL, because you know who you're talking to, but on forums you need to take more care, you could be addressing a 9 year old girl or a 80 year old man, and this in a way you normally probably wouldn't.

Anyway, I hope you'll learn that you can have fun and enjoy the Downs even with all the rules, and that you won't leave the site.

Cheers, TM

PS: cross-posted with Esty

[davem]

There is a fine line between robust debate & personal insult - which some people don't get - not to mention the fact that what is obviously a joke to one person can be taken the wrong way by others - some people have objected to posts of mine which they considered 'offensive' when I was making jokes, or even simply quoting from comedy sketches - those who were offended didn't get the references. Some people are very eager to complain, but, as I know well, there is a line there & the mods/admins don't allow it to be crossed.

Now, there are some people you can argue with, even robustly - because you know them & they can take it. Its like water off a duck's back to them & they will come back fighting. Narfforc has a thick skin, a thick skull & a sharp tongue & is afraid of nothing & no-one, having spent many years in the British Army ('Her Majesty's Royal Straitjackets 'I think it was) & can kill a man at fifty yards with only a prongless plastic fork & a mean sneer. Others are more sensitive & can take what is intended as an innocent joke or snappy comeback as a hurtful insult.

You see - I know Narfforc in RL & he knows me. He knows I don't mean any offence & that I respect him as a friend & as an incredibly knowledgeable Tolkien fan, so he will (I hope) take what I just said in the jokey spirit in which it was intended - of course, if he reaches for the plastic fork I'll know I'm in trouble.

In short, wait till you know people. Don't leave though.

Then Iluvatar spoke, and he said: 'Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done. And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'

I understand that as the most profound spiritual revelation I have ever recieved. What do you think it means?

[narfforc]

I'm gonnnnnnna kill that Davem, where is that plastic spoon, sorry fork, and it's sixty yards, Neithan hide your forks....................

[davem]

Originally Posted by narfforc

, and it's sixty yards,

Well, you always claim its longer than it really is.....

[narfforc]

I will leave others to decide the truth of that statement Davem.

[Elmo]

I'm trying to be less ironic on this forum, some people don't understand it