After much thought I have come up with the following list of guidelines for interaction on our forum. These apply mostly to the political, or controversial, threads, and for some posters they will be of no relevance whatsoever. 3 of them are general site rules, the others are designed to keep our forum as a pleasant place to be. They are guidelines which are subject to amendments, removal or addition. Frenchie is the one who has the prime responsibility of administering them and so he has the first right of amendment. So, yer they be. 1. Thou shalt not import naughty pictures or videos onto the site ie. porn. This applies to the import of all material which could either damage the site, or lead to legal consequences. 2. Thou shalt neither threaten thy fellow poster, nor incite violence in others eg. ''The next time I see you down the Vic. I'll cut your balls off'' or ''I call to all able bodied men to take to the streets and eat the rich'' 3. Thou shalt not commit libel against thy fellow poster - could lead to legal consequences. 4. Thou shalt use neither homophobic nor racist language or use of other such negative stereotypes. We are an open forum which is readable by all people from all walks of life. 5. Long debate with Frenchie on this next one ! Thou shalt not commit slander against politicians by adding epithets such as Nazi, Trotskyist unles they have confessed themselves to that ideology. Expressions such as Nazi Nige, or Comrade Corbyn are out of place if the subject is not here to answer back to them. They are often used simply as a club to hit someone over the head with - but have no historical validation. This means that I promise not to refer to ''the wicked witch Margaret Thatcher'' as this is deeply discriminatory against witches ! 6. Thou shalt not use foul language on the forum. I know that we're all football fans and it is second nature to us - but our forum is not classified as ''over 18''. Andy's kids may occasionally read threads - and if it's not ok to use words in front of your own kids, it's not ok. here. 7. Thou shalt not insult thy fellow poster. ''You are an idiot'' is not acceptable ''You are being an idiot'' is ok. because it is limited only to the case in hand. In the case where such insults are exchanged then the first to have used such abuse is held responsible - retaliation is understandable. 8. Thou shalt respect all visitors to the forum as you would fellow Hornets, whoever they support (If they come in peace). 9. Thou shalt answer posts without personalizing your answer. 10. Should war break out on one thread it is not allowed to spread to other threads. It is perfectly possible to be going hammer and tongs with someone on one thread - yet to have a civilized conversation with them on another. All of the above are subject to discussion, and possible amendment. I hereby promise to abide by all of the guidelines above (even if I may have broken one or two in the past). I solemnly swear not to mention party membership figures for a year, if SH behaves himself. Needless to say if others like the rules stated here and enough are prepared to sign up for them - then everyone starts with a clean slate. This is bearing in mind that Frenchie has no objection to this (I mean no guidelines were coming from anywhere else).
You do have a sense of humour after all, I will have a beer with you. not much chance of the clique members refraining from insulting me for very long.
Thou shalt not post in a manner which is not in line with the subject of the thread. Off topic posts will be deleted I tried to think of something about the spirit of the board etc.. But hard to pin down..
Well if we go for three strikes and a ban... The person will bring it on therm selves Looking like no intention of wanting to make it work for the good of all.. I really can't believe people can act in such a way!!
At the moment this is just a blueprint/a starting point - how could it be anything else, because it is not my role to be making rules for the site. Are there improvements or amendments which are necessary ? My big concern is that these guidelines do not address provocation - they would punish the Zinadine Zidane but not the Mattarazzi.
7. Thou shalt not insult thy fellow poster or post in a way to personally provoke. ''You are an idiot'' is not acceptable ''You are being an idiot'' is ok. because it is limited only to the case in hand. In the case where such insults are exchanged then the first to have used such abuse is held responsible - retaliation is understandable. ??
I can see where the sentiments are coming from Yorkie - but how can you actually define 'provocation' in black and white terms ?
It is also subjective, something that provokes one person others may not rise to - they may even find it funny.
agreed... hard to tie down.... just trying to get round to... "inciting another" to respond, needless provocation etc..... and police officers or legal experts in our midst???
This is very true HHT (is that anything to do with Hemel FC ?). What is provocative to me is not necessarily the same to you. The last thing we want is a list of rules which is so all embracing, that people end up not posting at all - little bit like always having to think of PC before you speak. I can see all the problems and pitfalls - and my list is probably too long, and too idealistic already.
Just googling deliberate action or speech to make someone angry.... In law.... provocation is when a person is considered to have committed a criminal act partly because of a preceding set of events that might cause a reasonable person to lose self control. A premeditated act done out of malice
