Swords: Verdict and Poll

See last post on last page for final decision.



02/10/12 c.14.30hrs

Merged two threads on this (Verdict and subsequent Poll) to contain all comments in the one thread.

Poll

If you wish to register your vote, please do so. If you don't, it suggests to me that you do not wish to dispute our decision to ban Swords for 4 weeks - as opposed to the permanent ban he had been warned to expect for his next transgression.


Our Verdict 30/09/12 07.26hrs

Posting this to avoid all the usual curiosity questions and speculation.

Following his latest (anti-Semitic) outburst, I have requested and the new Super-Mod has confirmed, a 4 week ban for Swords to end at 5.00pm on 29/10/12. . This as opposed to the imminent permanent ban for wumming / trolling and thread hijacking he has been forewarned about and duly acknowledged.

The rationale for this decision derives from the responses received to my open invitation for comments from posters on here. Tbh there weren’t many. The following clips (no names) sum it all up.

‘Just to give you my opinion for what its worth on swords post
The yid comment could well of been meant about the username of our Spurs poster for a start
Swords will post without thinking at times and say things he shouldn't as we all know
The fact that afterwards, the Spurs poster explained his username and swords apologised for his post was good
The Spurs poster was happy with swords apology and that should of been the end of the matter
Swords does not deserve any sort of ban for this in my opinion, he has been ok of late and the the board is more of a laugh with him on board
If swords did leave the board I think some of the ones who argue with him may even miss him.’

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‘Just seen the end of the thread where Brix explains what has happened with Swords. You asked for opinions...........so for what it's worth...........I'm not convinced Swords is a racist, in fact, if pushed I'd say I'm pretty sure he's not. If anything, he's Mr PC, taking offence on behalf of others regularly.
I think he just posts the first thing that pops into his brain without thinking about it. Most of us have an inappropriate thought on occasions, but have enough about us not to say/type it out loud (not necessarily racist thoughts you understand!). That's the nub of it I suppose..........he is a loose cannon and no mistake. Whatever you guys decide, you will get no hassle from me. He has had a lot of chances to be fair.’

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‘Why not give you Mods the power to apply a global 'ignore' onto the account of offensive posters such that they can post away to their hearts content but, unbeknownst to them, nobody else can see their stuff? Just imagine how frustrating it would be for the likes of Swords & Co. hammering away at their keyboards and bunging out windup after wind up, but not having anyone bite. Not so much as a sausage. Surely more jolly japes than just banning them?’

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‘I am really happy enough to go along with anything you suggest, however since you asked for my opinion I will give it.

I think Swords should be banned for a month (his own sabbatical included in the month). My reasoning is as follows;

1. He has already been sent his final warning. Anything other than serious Mod action (IMO) just devalues our position completely and means we can only issue idle threats. Others on this board know that Swords is skating on thin ice. Either we decide to send a serious message to the board or we don't. Having already received your warning surely Swords expects action. His self imposed sabbatical is basically him diving for cover.

2. The short period when swords was away last month was actually an excellent period on this board. Many excellent threads actually ran their course without the usual interference.

3. Having received his final warning Swords contribution on this board up to his last infringement was actually positive, proving that he can behave knowing that he was been watched. I think a month would make him seriously consider his position on this board. If anything I think it might help him and us on his return.

4. It will send out a crystal clear message to the board that this type of behavior, simply will not be tolerated. It sets an important precedent on this board. Otherwise let’s rip up the rules and guidelines. Either they are in use or they are not. To put it simply, he has consistently broke the rules.

I also think that he should be warned that any attempt to come back within the month will result in a permanent ban.’

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Personally, I have no axe to grind with Swords OTHER than the amount of unnecessary effort he regularly puts us mods to. We could well do without it.

With this in mind and the fact that you have now been fully informed, the matter is not up for further discussion. Any threads / posts attempting to do so will be closed and/or deleted owing to my boredom with this whole issue.

Should we find that Swords breaks the ban by re-entering under the guise of another user-name, the current ban will be made permanent without further consultation.

Cheers.

 

See my comments at #13 below.

For all the moaning about endless 'Swords' threads, might have guessed my attempt to notify (inform without reply) could never pass without sparking yet another fiery exchange. Oh well. Here goes.

 

Just read that Swords is banned for four weeks while eating in a Surrey pub...

Well again it's bloody funny

But these words of bans is all very sad
The bloke is no harm and this board is dead without his character .The people who get offended are the ones with problems. The man is QPR and a brother

It really is laughable and I will be therefore considering a permanent ban for myself ... As I recently discovered I am a ****y monkey and I may even build my own QPR forum

 

Re the other new this evening and already closed thread on Swords. I am on here quite a lot and have not been aware of any invitation to comment on Swords postings. But for what it is worth, I think they are among the best and have absolutely no problem with them.

I should also add that I can think of nothing in this World than I hate more than racism, but I do not find Swords postings in any way racist.

 

In before the lock.

 

Agree 100%. Have just posted the same myself, without your far more colourful language Dave

 

In before the lock.

 

Swords banned and shefford allowed to roam free, outrageous, so being homophobic is better than being anti Jewish

 

agreed

 

I missed the anti-jewish comment but caught the full blast of the anti-homo blast. Through 50% lack of knowledge I sympathise with WILMH....I would be interested in what QPR Matt thinks of this too

 

More concerned about Swords defending of Terry and swing towards Chelsea.

 

Always thought he swung both ways.

 

Noted. Now seen all the responses on another two threads - and merged them.


I've always seen this as a poster-led forum. For the sake of clarifying opinion, I'll immediately U-turn on my preference to leave it at that, keep this thread open and invite opinion. Our role is to keep things moderate, e.g. reasonable and respectful, for the benefit of those who grumble most. It is not to make unpopular decisions.

That friggin' liberal in me says what about a poll then? The business man's saying I'll set the questions. This is them and the context in which I'd like them put.

Having been banned 3 times over a couple of months or so, and having been allowed to sneak back in under a new user-name on each occasion, Swords sinned again and was given a final warning that said 'next time it's permanent'. Swords acknowledged the forewarning and said 'no hard feelings come what may'. The next time came with complaints about stereotyping Jews, which some considered disrespectful if not plain racist in this day and age.

What were we to do?

Carry out our warning and make the ban permanent?
Give him yet another one week ban?
Give him a longer ban to justify postponing the permanent one?
Do nothing and **** those offended or bored by Swords' persistent wumming our own mob?
Tell him off (again) but otherwise do nothing?
Something else (details posted below).

I'd appreciate it if a techie amongst us would do me the honour of turning this into one of those poll things. Not smart enough for those kinda things I'm afraid.

 

Re-opened thread.

 

I don't think Swords is deliberately racist. I think he gets a kick out of stirring things up whether it is this topic or any other.

He just likes a bit of attention and getting reactions.

I would welcome him back whenever he has served his time. He's not everybody's cup of tea I know but he makes the board more interesting.

 

I tend to bow to Brix's rationale on such things. I believe it's based on the principal that the more you contribute, the more he'll try to accommodate you (whilst not tolerating unreasonable views). Shefford erred but it was a first offence, the thread was allowed to run to see if reason prevailed and then Brix stepped in with a warning. I'm sure his future conduct on any similar topics will be closely monitored. That's sufficient for me (while I realise neither side of the debate will be completely appeased).

With regard to Swords, I did appeal on his behalf (not sure if it was received since messages on phones aren't as easy).

Basically I said his conduct improved but he never got a fresh start from his doubters. I'd hope he does get one on his return because his doubters baited him saying that it was the same old Swords despite his efforts. This created a time bomb in my opinion.

I don't consider him racist but a bit naive. I also see the logic that pervades his counter arguments since they do highlight some of the absurdities of popular opinion. Not necessarily correct in their overall view mostly but worth disecting. That has always meant that me and him have a mutual respect (I think) that his knockers might benefit from if they didn't jump on his every word.

Since the man is so intrinsic to the board that he has threads on him then one stating the terms of his return and a plea for everyone to give him a fair chance doesn't seem excessive.

 

what should be the future for swords

 

I wonder what the next reincarnation will be of our chameleon Swords Hoopster.....Swords Hoppster......Swords Hoopster.

At least our Swords doesn't have a forked tongue on him?

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I thought his ban was a bit unfair this time so I went for the first option

 

I quite like that bloke even if he repeatedly calls me "Buthead" - so what. I like his comments and never read anything nasty.

B.