Lisa Jones wrote on Nov 26^th, 2011 at 10:23pm:




Aussie wrote on Nov 26^th, 2011 at 10:26pm:


It really beggars belief eh Aussie?

Lisa Jones wrote on Nov 26^th, 2011 at 10:25pm:



Mmmm I spoke too soon, that was well out of order. I haven't seen a reason for the angst you raise in people Lisa. But as it is raised in people I respect I imagine it's only a matter of time.

I suggest you all go and have a nice cup of tea and a good ly down. If I become a mod, I shall continue to treat each post on its merits, which is my practice at any time. Thanks to all who've provided such graphic examples of actionable comment. I think we get the idea now.

Well, it seems that everyone has had fun in my absence?

It has been a busy day, with a funeral (fun thing - NOT) to attend, amongst a few other things, which leads to the first of a few things, to say.

I think it should be apparent that being a moderator on a website, such as this, is not something that can be satisfactorily handled by one or two or even three people, as there are always going to be times when people simply will not have the time to spare.

For that reason, the role of Moderator needs to be spread over a number of people, if there is to be any chance of maintaining some sort of control & sanity, both for posters & moderators

It seems there are a number of capable people who are considering the role and to them I say, please stay with it.

Ok, that said, I would like to make a few observations -
First, there are various forum rules, policies etc and in general they seem well formulated, I would suggest they should be adhered to, by posters & moderators alike, and they can be viewed at -
http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/forum-rules.html
http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1172540626
http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1317691911

Amongst these, I find some particularly worth noting here -
Personal criticism
Do not post personal criticism of other members.

Pornography
Do not post pornography.

Racism
Discussion of racism and race related political issues is encouraged. However, politically correct language should be used when making criticism of racial policies or groups.

Swearing
These are my words -
I would encourage ALL posters, not to denigrate others or to go too far, with the use of swearing, as frankly, neither is productive & it usually says more about the person using the words, than those who the words are being used against.
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Suspensions
In a typical case, a member violating the above rules will be given warnings, then suspended. The first suspension will be for approximately 1 day and each subsequent suspension for double the period (2,4,8 days etc).  
Suspended members should get an email letting them know what is going on, so make sure the email address you used to sign up for an account is still valid.

For board moderators:
1) Warn the member via PM and then publicly that they are breaking the rules.
2) If they persist in being disruptive, send them a PM notifying them that they are banned from the board. Include a link to this post.

3) If they continue to post, give them a public warning (eg refer them to their PM if you want to be subtle (recommended), or tell them they are banned). This is in case they don't read their PMs.
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OzPolitic is committed to free speech and open debate about all political issues. We will try to avoid censoring people in any way for merely expressing political views.
A forum that grants free speech will only function effectively if members are able to control their emotional reaction to inflammatory remarks.
Personal attacks (ad hominem) against other members are discouraged and may be censored. They add nothing to the debate.
While political correctness is not mandatory, members are encouraged to avoid unnecessary use of politically incorrect terms, especially to 'bait' or where the term is likely to 'open old wounds' from recent historical injustices. Members are encouraged to use language appropriate for as broad a cross section of the community as possible and to assume that members of whatever minorty group they are discussing are viewing and participating in a discussion. While OzPolitic is dedicated to free speech, please remember that insensitive language can effectively prevent many people from speaking out and that the OzPolitic community will be poorer for their absence.
Remember that children view and use these boards, as well as foreigners - especially the global issues board.
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That said, I am not applying for a job, I am simply offering to assist, within my own time contraints, to help in the moderation this forum, hopefully for the betterment of all posters, irrespective of their personal views on a range of issues, including -
Politics or getting rid of all Politicians
Religion or lack of it
Relationships or lack of them
Drugs or the lack of them
The Environment or the lack of it
Finance & Economic or the lack of it
OR any other number of issues!

When I say moderation, I mean to moderate forum discussions, by keeping those discussions within reasonable or proper limits, to discourage that which may become too extreme.

Whilst I am a firm believer in freedom of speech & ideas and in every persons right to express their ideas, I also realise that everything has limits.

As I have said previously, we must be able to agree & disagree, with the agreement of last resort being to agree to disagree, but to continue to communicate! This is a basic tenant that I would encourage all posters to consider, irrespective of whether they be Left, Right or Centre, in the Political or any other landscape!

I would also use counselling, rather than banning, as a first weapon, but if members go too far & too often, then they have themselves to blame!

Anyway, I have prattled on far too much, but I would be happy to help  moderate, if you think it would help!

So, folks, this is where we were at a few hours ago - before that unfortunate and unwitting test...


Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Nov 26^th, 2011 at 5:47pm:



I reckon we should go with this capable and worthy lot, before anyone changes their minds...again...

PN - YES
Smithy - YES
Annie - YES
Grey - YES

All those in favour, say so!

Wow, really good to see such a cool process go ahead!  All the people listed would make terrific mods! Congrats guys. 

If I may, if it isn't too late - I would like to add Kat to this list for consideration, if she of course wants.  I have always found Kat to be a very neutral poster that always offers fresh views and ideas.

And of course, DNA.

left_handed has earned a suspension until midnight Sunday, for his excessive personal abuse.

I also ask that any members who have concerns they wish to see addressed by a mod, PM myself, or FD with tha links to any posts or threads that they feel should be looked at.
That is easily the best and most effective way to ensure I will get to see the post in question, and members should not assume because they have seen certain posts, that a mod has also seen it, but chosen to not act on the matter.

Sexually suggestive comments made by some members are way, way over the top, so let's all try and make sure that type of post does not get ignored, PM FD or myself and we can then get rid of such comments, and hopefully teach the members to be more respectful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

So, where were we!?

Yes, Alevine, I agree that DNA would be an ideal Mod - as would Crow (Adelcrow), Phil (although Philperth seems to have taken up Longy's suggestion and gone AWOL) and yourself - and a few others...

That said, everyone has equal opportunity to put their own names forward (even names of others), either publicly or privately - and FD can appoint anyone at any time under any circumstances, without consultation, and anonymously...

Either way, I think that this process has already dragged on for long enough - and I maintain that we we should go with this capable and worthy lot, before any of them gets scared off...

PN - YES
Smithy - YES
Annie - YES
Grey - YES

All those NOT in favour, say NO!

Squeak now, or forever hold your piece...