The biggest gripe I have heard about the warning system mod program is that there is concern about possible abuse from those Benefactor or Endowment level members able and willing to use this power. The fear is that they will use this power to make themselves untouchable here in some fashion, or otherwise make it difficult for members to express themselves truthfully without censure. Although this can certainly happen, the hurdle required for members to be able to participate within this program was purposely set pretty high in the hopes that this would be a rare problem to have to deal with. But even the highest hurdle would never have been a GUARANTEE that this could never happen.
Another issue I have heard aired is that it is too tough to actually boot someone out of here who has proven themselves deserving of that action. Quite honestly, I set that hurdle pretty high because I was concerned about the possibility of a handful of members ganging up on another member and quickly ejecting them from here without actual just cause. I wanted to give myself and the other mods enough head room so that actual indisputable abuse along these lines could be derailed before reaching fruition. Apparently, abuse has not been a serious issue thus far, and in fact the high hurdle was set TOO high for the job the warning system mods are trying to do.
With that in mind, I have made two changes to the parameters in the warning system.
Also, many are not aware of it, but the system mods and myself have the capability to suspend a member IMMEDIATELY if it is deemed necessary to do so. This will hopefully be a rare event, but it is a tool that is necessary to have in the toolbox for special occasions.
The amount of the fine required to be reinstated after being suspended remains at $50. It's high enough to sting a little bit for someone getting suspended, but low enough to not keep someone who really wants to come back from doing so because the price is just too high. Hopefully the threat of another suspension and fine will help to modify their actions from what got them originally suspended. Perhaps some will feel that any fine is too high, but in that case, all I can say is that you really should have heeded the warnings BEFORE you got so many to get yourself suspended. This site is relatively tolerant of a lot of behavior, but necessarily cannot allow ANY and ALL behavior, no matter how abusive, to continue without corrective actions. My preference would be to not have ANY mods or warning system here, but obviously that is just foolish to the extreme to ever hope for.
The warning system is here to WARN you that your behavior or actions are not acceptable, and continuing in that manner runs the risk to getting you evicted from this site. If you get a warning, please HEED it, because the system is designed to try to keep some order here. Antagonizing the mod who assesses you the warning points is ill advised as it will likely just put you on the downward spiral out of here. There ARE members here who have never gotten a single warning point in the YEARS they have been members. So it IS possible to do. I encourage you to find and read the rules for participating here. The warning points will not be rescinded because you "didn't know"......
Another issue I have heard aired is that it is too tough to actually boot someone out of here who has proven themselves deserving of that action. Quite honestly, I set that hurdle pretty high because I was concerned about the possibility of a handful of members ganging up on another member and quickly ejecting them from here without actual just cause. I wanted to give myself and the other mods enough head room so that actual indisputable abuse along these lines could be derailed before reaching fruition. Apparently, abuse has not been a serious issue thus far, and in fact the high hurdle was set TOO high for the job the warning system mods are trying to do.
With that in mind, I have made two changes to the parameters in the warning system.
- The point penalty for Warning system abuse has been raised from 4 points to 25 points.
- The total number of points required to trigger a suspension with a fine attached to be reinstated has been lowered from 500 points to 300 points.
Also, many are not aware of it, but the system mods and myself have the capability to suspend a member IMMEDIATELY if it is deemed necessary to do so. This will hopefully be a rare event, but it is a tool that is necessary to have in the toolbox for special occasions.
The amount of the fine required to be reinstated after being suspended remains at $50. It's high enough to sting a little bit for someone getting suspended, but low enough to not keep someone who really wants to come back from doing so because the price is just too high. Hopefully the threat of another suspension and fine will help to modify their actions from what got them originally suspended. Perhaps some will feel that any fine is too high, but in that case, all I can say is that you really should have heeded the warnings BEFORE you got so many to get yourself suspended. This site is relatively tolerant of a lot of behavior, but necessarily cannot allow ANY and ALL behavior, no matter how abusive, to continue without corrective actions. My preference would be to not have ANY mods or warning system here, but obviously that is just foolish to the extreme to ever hope for.
The warning system is here to WARN you that your behavior or actions are not acceptable, and continuing in that manner runs the risk to getting you evicted from this site. If you get a warning, please HEED it, because the system is designed to try to keep some order here. Antagonizing the mod who assesses you the warning points is ill advised as it will likely just put you on the downward spiral out of here. There ARE members here who have never gotten a single warning point in the YEARS they have been members. So it IS possible to do. I encourage you to find and read the rules for participating here. The warning points will not be rescinded because you "didn't know"......
