I'm sure Tony appreciates the "plug", and am glad you found the issue. The nice thing about this forum is if you make a post, you see right away (if you wait for it to generate). I would like to add to the discussion though:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tom Welch:
.......but i do believe in the basic rights of all Americans and therefore will allow freedom of speech to anyone who has auto related comments and concerns that they wish to share with others. Board users must have an VALID AND ACTIVE EMAIL ADDRESS or their posts will be deleted.......
Tom
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is a topic near and dear to many's heart. The VCA Forums require a valid email address to "register to post". BUT, it requires an acknowledgment and acceptance of the posting regulations to be able to post on these forums. The regulations are displayed in red (verses read
You must be registered for see images
) before every posting opportunity.
Something many do not understand is the difference between a "right" and a "privilege". It is a privilege to post on a private individuals/company's/etc. forum, not a right. If an individual takes advantage or abuses a privilege, they may lose that privilege. Shouting "fire" in a crowded theater when there is none, is not a "right" of free speach. As many have noted before, in the end, an unmoderated forum will implode. AOL, C&D, R&T Viper discussion forums are all examples. On the other hand, an over moderated discussion forum, one that supports an overly tight "world view", also will likely fail.....for lack of benefit to the user. It is to maintain the fine balance that we have the policy we do. It is in the end, it is the benefit to the user that dictates continued success.
These forums are about open discussions pertaining to Vipers. We added the off topic forum for non-viper but "socially acceptable" subjects. The posting regulations are clearly displayed for all to see. The moderators use the regulations as their "Bill of Rights". That does not mean that there will be differences in interpretation (which is healthy). If a person is getting something deleted they feel was within the policy, contact Tony or myself. You may not agree with us, but we are here if you have a question. We are human, and as such, make mistakes.
I said this before in another post, we have deleted VERY FEW posts since moving to the new format (proving that registration does help). I personally have deleted around a dozen..... at least eight of those were from the same person for "shameless commercialism" (i.e. they violated the no commercial post reg, big time - none of these were yours Tom
You must be registered for see images
). The others all involved either profanity, vulgarities, or were ads that were moved to the classified. All quite routine and per the policy.
We continue to do our best to make this a place that people want to come to, participate in, and benefit from. It will always include a posting policy for moderators to moderate by. Speaking of moderators, we are looking for a "few good volunteers willing to take on the challenge".