My farewell

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Tender: [quote author=Pecker link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=60#70 date=11/06/03 at 04:25:09]

My guess is that Mark is (and should be) allowing Mindseye and his moderators to speak for him.  That's part of the reason we're here.

But by way of information, (I'm certain he won't mind being quoted by a moderator) here is a statement Mark made to the mods in the Lounge:

I absolutely hate censorship.  Stories about bestiality are allowed.  In fact, stories about ANYTHING are allowed here.  If you don't like what someone has posted, you have as much of a right to tell them how you feel as that person does to post his or her fantasies or stories.  Or, another way to look at it is this:  If you don't like it, don't read it.

And as much as I appreciate the help that all of you are offering, if you don't feel comfortable being a part of a message board that allows complete freedom of expression, then you should probably find other ways to spend your free time.

'Nuff said.

[/quote]

Pecker, as rough as this sounds,
i have to say i agree with Mark more than i disagree.

as far as Rains comments on Max's post, i agree.
whats he still here for? but then no one tied him down, if he wants he can post everyday....
as far as John goes, i have a Q, well John and the others who are posting at both sites...

ok John you left this site because some things you were uncomfortable with are being allowed to stay? well then if thats the case, then why are you still here ???
i dont grasp the idea of posting in both places if you left here for "moral" reasons?
just posting at both because you want to is one thing, but leaving here because it personally rubs you the wrong way--why keep posting?

Tender

 

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mindseye: [quote author=Donk link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=60#75 date=11/06/03 at 05:48:52]
it's about whether this forum is intended to be a forum for pornography (N.B. that the word literally means "fleshly writing") about sex with kids and animals or a "large penis support group." People have plenty of outlets on the internet to express themselves about pedophilia and bestiality. The issue is whether this forum will degenerate into one of them or if we will adopt a common-sense policy refusing to allow people to hijack this board as a forum to discuss a couple of topics that go beyond offensive. [/quote]

This board isn't about sex with children and animals. It's not about Hurricane Isabel, the Mach III razor, or George W. Bush either, but in the process of building a community, we've drifted into these topics as well.

If we banned individual posts because they didn't fit the topic of the board -- every post must be about large penises -- we'd have a more narrowly-focused, but less useful board. We've come to accept topic-drift as a productive way of interacting with people here, and I agree that if there weren't a way to control that topic-drift that the board would lose its uniqueness.

If someone joined LPSG and posted nothing but bestiality stories, one right after another, I think Mark would have no problem stepping in and handling that case. He's specifically said that he can justify deleting posts if the poster is "contributing nothing constructive". And I think the case would be the same for him as if someone joined LPSG and posted nothing but washer-dryer repair tips.

In fact, we've seen people who pop in to cause disruptions -- the pirate guys (arrr!) for example. If their intent is to disrupt, they generally disappear on their own, and if not -- well, they disappear anyway, don't they? Mark is able to handle these posters quitely and behind the scenes.

What's being demanded now is a 'first strike' -- a declaration that all posts of a certain nature are disruptive even before we've read them. Mark's stated that he will not make that declaration -- that's far different than saying that he'll roll over and allow pedophiles and chicken-fuckers to take over.

 

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H8Monga: Thanks Pete, you little perv you!

I don't think it's wrong for our departed friends to come here. It's just a choice not to participate I think. Plus this place is an incredible magnet. The only way to escape it is not to have been a regular. People still have their hearts and friends here. I hope I have not upset anyone or put words in their mouths but it's the way I see it.

 

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9cyclops9: [quote author=Tender link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=80#80 date=11/06/03 at 08:20:13]

as far as John goes, i have a Q, well John and the others who are posting at both sites...

ok John you left this site because some things you were uncomfortable with are being allowed to stay? well then if thats the case, then why are you still here  ???
i dont grasp the idea of posting in both places if you left here for "moral" reasons?
just posting at both because you want to is one thing, but leaving here because it personally rubs you the wrong way--why keep posting?

Tender
[/quote]

I never said that I left. I said I was going to wait it out. I still have not made up my mind as whether I'm giong to leave or not. It's a tough choice to have to make because I've become very attached to this board, and in particular to the members of the board.

And about Max posting here too, who said he couldn't? Is he banned from the site? He can post if he likes, and I think he should certainly be allowed to defend himself. It doesn't speak very well for the members of this board when they want to flame Max for leaving, and then they expect him not to defend himself. Have a bit more class, folks. If I spoke poorly of anyone here on the other board (which I haven't and I never will), would it be fair if they were not allowed to join there, if only to defend themselves?

None of us have said anything negative toward any of the members of this board. We respect your decision to stay and we only want the same courtesy from you.

John

 

[B_DoubleMeatWhopper]

[quote author=gigantikok link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=60#79 date=11/06/03 at 06:55:59]
I really don't know, but Max isn't the only ex-LPSGer that is lurking around.  Nony emailed me asking me to edit a part of a post using an excerpt from an email she sent me without her permission.  My fault, but shows that she is clearly still visiting the site.[/quote]

Actually, I think I should get the blame there. I spoke with Nony over the phone yesterday (she said I have a sexy voice!) and spoke with her about many things. The responses in this thread was one of them, and I told her that she might want to log in as a guest to check them out. I doubt that she'll be back to do so a second time.

I guess officially disassociating yourself from the site officially diassociates yourself from the questionable material.

Exactly. Considering Nony's intended career, discovery that she frequents and moderates a site that allows posts concerning bestiality, sex with minors, incest and rape could be highly embarassing and could conceivably result in the ending of her career and public denouncement as a pervert. I understand her leaving in light of potentially devastating outcomes. I'm not trying to be melodramatic; I've known such things to happen based on much more tenuous associations with groups that condone 'perversions'. On a happier note, Nony says that she still views many people here as friends and feels that her decision to leave and our decision to stay doesn't change that. She understands why we're here and has no problems with it.

 

[B_DoubleMeatWhopper]

[quote author=Monstro link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=60#77 date=11/06/03 at 06:20:11]I can't seem to do anything right these days.  

[/quote]

Peter ... quit beating yourself up, dude. You took on a category that the rest of us were too squeamish to touch. I wouldn't have moderated Fictitious Story with a ten-foot pole and oven mitts. You did as you felt best; it's just that it didn't match Mark's vision, and you had no way of knowing that. You're still standing, and you rock.

 

[Pecker]

Gee, Mindseye, I sure am glad I'm not a chicken fucker (although there have been some damn lonely nights....)

I hope Mark can forgive his children for acting like kids. Some of us threw a tantrum at him (and some of us are still turning blue from holding our breath) but things will calm down and normalcy will return to the board.

LPSG fills an important niche. New members will register, new posters will query and comment and the old standbys will continue to make them feel welcome.

 

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awellhungboi: You have truly been a calm center in this storm, Pecker. I think you're right.

And thank you, Jacinto. I truly appreciate your kind words. If you speak to Nony again soon please give her all my best.

And John, so far as I'm concerned, you're a great poster and I hope you'll stay on. I don't think you have to choose between boards or anything like that. I don't think--at least I hope--no one has any desire to turn this into an 'us vs. them' sort of thing.

I'm going to try to relax now.

 

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longtimelurker: If the centre of the problem is censorship by one person, as mindseye mentioned - how about having a 'moderator committee' to decide what constitutes offensive posting?

If a clear majority has to accept the post is offensive and should be removed then it probably wont be just an errant story. I suppose Mark could always have a veto on the matter if he feels personally about it.

 

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wvu_kerq: I'm sorry to see so many people go from this wonderful community and I'm sorry to say I will be following them. I will not state my believes, only that I am going. Good bye to my fanclub. If you've got my info, you'll know where I am.
Act II: scene 7:
Wvu_kerq: grabs jacket and hat, waves a goodbye. EXIT stage left, quietly, without fanfare......

 

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OreoLover: Hi everyone,

I must admit, I am somewhat shocked and appauled that something that's obviously offensive and illegal would be allowed and accepted. When you hurt others beit physically, emotionaly, or spiritually, someone should stand up and protect the innocent.

I agree with Sammy and Nony and most of the other folks on the boad and I will have to gracefully discontinue my postings and membership as well.

Even though I came on the board to learn (and which I made that very clear) and to make friends (not sexual friends), I was constantly disrespected and hit on. I made the mistake of not hiding my e-mail address and recieved quite a few disturbing e-mails as well as pictures. (Damn, I wish I could get those out of my head.)

On the other hand, I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to the ones that respected my wishes and treated me like a lady.

I wish everyone well, and I do not hold a grudge or judge anyone; but in the words of my friends nony "everyone draws a line in the sand at some point... I just drew mine first."

Thank you again, and I hope to hear/see from some of you sometime on-line.

Oreo
(Ahvon) :-[

 

[D_Martin van Burden]

This is going to make me sound like a bad guy, but at this point I really don't care.

I can respect anyone's decision to leave the board because they feel uncomfortable, because they don't agree with how Mark runs things, or if they've got conflicting circumstances that prevent them from enjoying a membership on this board. That's cool.

But if I have to read one more God damn "It is with a heavy heart that I must leave...", I'm going to lose my cool. Just shut up and clear out already.

If you can't or don't wish to be here anymore, it's just better that you delete your membership and leave, no questions asked. No fanfare. No sorrow. No subtle slights or attempts with which to drag the rest of us who have a clear conscience down. You owe no one an explanation. If you have friends that you would rather discuss your terms of disengagement, please feel free to do so through more private mediums. Send your buddy a message, an e-mail, or a blip over an IM program.

Don't make this thread the LPSG equivalent of the Korean Wall. I might regret your choice on leaving, but self-imposed eulogies aren't going to make me miss you anymore.

Done.

 

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Donk: [quote author=mindseye link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=80#81 date=11/06/03 at 08:32:07]

This board isn't about sex with children and animals.  It's not about Hurricane Isabel, the Mach III razor, or George W. Bush either, but in the process of building a community, we've drifted into these topics as well.  

If we banned individual posts because they didn't fit the topic of the board -- every post must be about large penises -- we'd have a more narrowly-focused, but less useful board.    We've come to accept topic-drift as a productive way of interacting with people here, and I agree that if there weren't a way to control that topic-drift that the board would lose its uniqueness.
 [/quote]

Your refusal to distinguish between simple "topic drift" and the proliferation of a couple of particular topics that should churn the stomach of any decent human being illustrates the irrationality behind opposition to a common-sense standard that would very narrowly channel two topics to other outlets.

 

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Donk: [quote author=DeeBlackthorne link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=80#91 date=11/06/03 at 18:26:12]
But if I have to read one more God damn "It is with a heavy heart that I must leave...", I'm going to lose my cool.  Just shut up and clear out already.
[/quote]

Dee, please cut out the censorship. It's not tolerated here.

 

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Tender: [quote author=Donk link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=80#93 date=11/06/03 at 19:45:09]

Dee, please cut out the censorship. It's not tolerated here.[/quote]

 

[Pecker]

[quote author=DeeBlackthorne link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=80#91 date=11/06/03 at 18:26:12]If you can't or don't wish to be here anymore, it's just better that you delete your membership and leave, no questions asked.  No fanfare.  No sorrow.[/quote]

Some folks have to que the band on entrances and exits.

"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille."

Pecker

(I dated this girl for two years - then the nagging started: 'I want to know your name.')

 

[D_Martin van Burden]

Too bad, Donk. I'm entitled to say my peace, even if you don't agree with it, so back off.

In all fairness, though, dwelling on the issue makes it all the more difficult for me to remain focused on moving on and having fun with the board again. So as far as I'm concerned, it's all done. 'Sides, I had a pretty damn good day yesterday -- got some work done, had some fun -- not about to go into Friday in a bad mood. (It's pay day!) ;D

 

[13788]

mindseye: For those of you who don't read the Administrative Issues board, I've made some changes to the code tonight.

In your profile, you have an 'ignore list'. Adding a name to that list blocks you from receiving private messages and posts from that user. You can also enter '*' in the ignore list to block all private messages but still be able to read posts. If there's a user on the board who's crossed your personal threshhold of acceptability, you can now block that user yourself.

I hope that empowering everyone here in this way will be viewed as a sensible way of balancing Mark's commitment to freedom of speech with members' individual and varied senses of propriety and taste.

 

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Javierdude22: Dee, you being able to enjoy the board or not shouldnt be and is not something people keep in mind when they say goodbye. Enjoy the board or not, but don't let it depend on them keeping quiet about their departure.

I think it is very logical they do so with one single post, otherwise the board will be swirming with 'o dear, we haven't heard from that person in two days, what happened?'  

And some people have it tough to leave yes, although you disqualify that simply cause they dó leave. You make the simple asumption that if you like it here you stay no matter what, but it isnt that simple, nor very fair, but like you mentioned: it's your right to say so so i'll back off  

I think some people are acting childish as well in the reaction to others leaving. From some i'm getting a good riddance which to me cheapens the initial warmth they felt when they wére on the board. But that is realities hypocrisy I guess.

Besides this particular thread I'm going into lurk mode as well to just clear some things up...hope i didn't draw too much attention to myself.

 

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Donk: [quote author=DeeBlackthorne link=board=99;num=1068001982;start=80#96 date=11/06/03 at 22:06:15]Too bad, Donk.  I'm entitled to say my peace, even if you don't agree with it, so back off.  
[/quote]

Touche. As you point out, my censorship of your censorship was also censorship and my censorship of your censorship should, as should your censorship, be censored and . . . OK, now I've just confused myself.