pothos

[beausefaless]

I wood like to thank Yiannis k, dj, Dr. V and Janet F. with all my heart for I've learned so much from these beautiful peoples. I say with regret (sense of pothos) when I mentioned in a previous post there is a click, self selected group in this forum that flourish in their self righteous sate of being. So many people have given their lives for freedom of speech and expression that has been suppressed by the editors and their companions of this forum, when these words dumb and idiot are considered as foul or inappropriate language they prove my point of view. If one person reads this post before it's deleted, there's a small victory for the first amendment of the constitution of the United States and the world !

[beausefaless]

Here's the evidence of censorial control exercised repressively that proves my statement in the message above is true and correct. What do we think of Bosworth & moderating?Posted by: nickwelman
Posted on:
Thursday, 25th September 2003

Part 3. "Many strange messages pop up in the Forum. Please remember: if you feel insulted, or if you feel a certain message really doesn't belong here - e-mail me directly. I will delete inappropriate messages as soon as I can. I don't feel the need to decide upon that entirely on my own - so those who want to sound the alarm bell, please do so".

[S]

Greetings Andrew,
Nick exercises careful consideration when he deletes a message- civilized discourse is always acceptable, whether people agree or not. Nick does not and has never, to my knowledge, edited anyone on a whim. Others have editing rights but to my knowledge have not edited anything in a long time..

There is no "clique" here to my knowledge; though many of us have been on the Forum since it began, all participants are welcomed and are free to speak so long as the discussion remains respectful in tone. Each of us has been in a deleted thread at one time or another, yet I have never felt Nick did so randomly or impulsively. Moderated forums are not a perfect solution, but having seen other forums blow up and cease to exist due to member battles over ideology, name-calling and personal clashes,I appreciate the work Nick does. This does not denote membership in a "clique" but an appreciation for how long this Forum has managed to survive and thrive *due* to all parties being reminded they must respect certain boundaries of courtesy. Regards,
Sikander

[susan]

I deleted your mesage, not Nick. It contained a personal attack on another forum member's intelligence, and that goes beyond the bounds of courtesy. I'm sorry if you don't like it - but I don't think that the right to say whatever you want on this forum is more important than the right of others to make postings without being personally insulted.Susan

[nick]

Hi Andrew -You give me too much credit!I have been hanging around pothos.org since summer 1999 - and I have seen the Forum going up and down. I remember one time - I think two or three years ago - when visitors only shouted at eachother. I am sure no one wants a Forum like that - certainly not Alexander's spirit (if his spirit is still around somewhere).There is no "clique" or "circle". I enjoy your postings as well as those of e.g. mr. The Light 7000 and all new and innovative viewpoints that circulate here. I never deleted any message because of a difference in viewpoints. I think pothos.org should never wander on that path of censorship.Messages that I tend to delete are:
- totally irrelevant postings like the "Britney Spears nude" category
- the useless "I'm writing a paper - tell me everything about Alexander" category - these message only annoy people with genuine interest;
- messages that inspire racial hatred;
- messages that are linea recta abusive to others.My idea is that the Forum must be a safe place for all those who visit here. One should feel good or preferably even better after paying a visit to pothos.I hope you are with me.Best regards -
Nick

[John.]

I did get a chance to read Andrew's post before Susan deleted it on the grounds that it "contained a personal attack on another forum member's intelligence."Yet I remember at least one fairly recent and undeleted post describing Dr. Vasko as an "imbecile," which was definitely a personal attack on another's intelligence. I guess Dr. Vasko wasn't considered as worthy as the mysterious "None."Congratulations, Andrew, on all your different languages. I was sure it was Nick that deleted your post, since he could read the Dutch (whatever it said). Looks like I was mistaken! I should apologize for accusing Nick in my mind of censorship.John

[gahauser]

This forum has always been exciting to read. The diversity of opinion and personalities makes it what it is. I hope it continues to be as vibrant and controversial as ever!

[dean]

Hello,I agree with the general consensus of opinion- this for me is a fantastic forum- but at the end of the day it is "just a bit of fun" and if it turned suddenly into a slanging match then I think it would be time to say adios. I can say that I have been very impressed with the forum and its members for I have always been treated with respect. Respect for me is a very important part of good communication, you can always say what you want to say without resorting to throwing verbal stones at people and I think that respect for other members is vital for the long-term survival of this forum.To sum up, I believe in the policy "Let's keep it friendly"Well that is my penny's worth, as they say,Best regards,
Dean.

[S]

Greetings John et al,
If there was reference to anyone as imbecile, I agree- that post should be deleted. At this time I cannot do so, so I know I rely on others to monitor, and I feel they are doing a good job of it- but editors need to be informed, because they may not read the offending post?
(Nick has requested that he be notified if someone is concerned about a post)
The Macedonian-Greek debates have always seemed to be a touchy area- I think both sides bring interesting arguments; I just wish it could be done in a way that is respectful, looks for good theories to open for discussion and remains non-emotional. That said, it might be that everyone needs to read all the posts and then inform the editors when labeling or name-calling gets out of hand? I admit I have stopped reading most of the Greek-Macedonian postings.
Wish there was an easy solution..
Regards,
Sikander

[nick]

I didn't see any Dutch... If some Forum member is addressed as an imbecile, that should not be tolerated on this Forum. Sikander is right: I can not and will not read all the posts all of the time. If you feel that someone is insulted, please e-mail me. I will check as soon as I can and take appropriate action. That goes for dr. Vasco just as much as for anyone else.I agree with Dean: "Keep it friendly."I appreciate that Susan took responsibility.Best regards -
Nick

[THE LIGHT 7000]

Dear Friends,... Life is beautifull..., look arround... what a wonderfull world... ! Life is going on, be part of it...! It is time for respect,compassion, friendship, tollerance, good will and forgivness. ...Yes- the one and the only way to better future for all...Let The Light Shine same for all everywhere...With all my Love truth & Light
May Peace Prevail on Earth Forever
The Light 7000

[jan]

Thank you for such a nice compliment. I sincerely appreciate it.Jan

[John.]

Nick,You wrote, "I didn't see any Dutch..."Of course you didn't. For, as is now clear, Susan deleted Andrew's post containing the Dutch before you ever got the chance.I noticed that you didn't address Andrew's compaint that there appears to be a double standard. I just typed "IMBECILE" into the search engine below, and sure enough the offensive reply to Dr. Vasko is still there. The entire text of the post is: "You are an imbecile." Obviously not much thought went into the post.In contrast, it was apparent that a lot of thought went into Andrew's post. He typed in for or five different languages, mentioned his horses, etc... Obviously a man with no small estate, and not one who deserves to be so easily slapped around with one arrogant push of a button.To top it off, he was defending his pride, when "None" questioned his ability with a language. Made sense to me.It reminds me of what happened to almost all of the ancient pagan works of art. A lot of thought went into them, but someone considered them offensive, and so they were smashed.I, too, was once wounded by having a post deleted, so I can relate to Andrew's pain....I guess what I'm trying to say is, I can accept the forum rules, but not what appears to be (as Andrew pointed out) a double standard.Fighting against injustice,John

[marcus]

I, too, missed whatever message that Susan deleted.I would rather have a moderated forum than a free for all that would soon lose all those people who actually care about Alexander and wish to engage in worthwhile discussion about him, which is what this site is all about, surely?I seem to remember that one of the topics that has been declared 'out of bounds' is the Greek/Macedonian debate. I think it was rude and unnecessary for whoever called Dr Vasco an imbecile to do so... but on the other hand his initial postings were on a topic that everyone seems to have agreed is not for discussion here. And did anyone say or do anything about it? This is not a criticism of Dr Vasco, but a criticism of the rest of us for not steering the conversation away from an undesirable topic.I would far rather this forum were totally self-regulating, but that required everyone to aspire to the same standards. While that remains merely an aspiration and not a fact, I will not complain when a moderator decides to step in.So well done, Susan. Sorry to anyone who didn't like it, but maybe there's a lesson to be learned.All the bestMarcus (who does not have editorial rights but would be perfectly happy to use them if he had them)

[THE LIGHT 7000]

Dear Marcus,
...Even if I do not want to comment some childish comments full of arrogance ... and you name it, I must drow line here: WHO TOLD YOU THAT THERE IS GREEK- MAKEDONIAN BEBATE, WHEN ABSOLUTELY THERE IS NO EVIDENCE WHAT SO EVER THAT GREECE EXISTED IN TIME OF ALEXANDER! SO HOW IS POSIBLE, MY FRIEND, TO HAVE DEBATE ON SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT EVEN "BORN"! THERE IS ONLY MAKEDONIAN AND MAYBE HELEN DEBATE...!
IF TEHERE IS GREAT GREEK LOBBY ABOUT THIS, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IS FOREVER, CHILDREN ARE GROWING, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHO THEY REALLY ARE, SO LITTLE BIT MORE REALITYY AND RESPECT WITH PATIENTS IS WHAT YOU NEED, BECOUSE THIS IS REAL WORLD, NOBODY CAN MANIPULATE AND SELL HEARTBREAKING STORIES ANY MORE, WORLD IS CHANGING SO SHOULD YOU FOR REAL!...About some statments that you want "diplomaticly" to pin-point, you should know that going to privicy is illegal, so you should keep your oppinion for your self, and this is about many like you! I do not know what was written, (IT WAS APPARENTLY VERY STUPID,CHILDISH...), but even in that case I would repeat above entry- YES MY FRIEND,
IT IS ALL ABOUT AND ABOUT AND ABOUT AND...ONLY
ABOUT FORGIVNESS,FUELED WITH TRUE
RESPECT & COMPASSION, FRIENDSHIP,...AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU, AND MANY LIKE YOU, NEED, SO BE WISE, FRIENDLY, AND SHOW SOME RESPECT TO ALL !...THE LIGHT 7000