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Post by athena on Mar 7, 2007 1:08:48 GMT -8
Please note the new disclosure posted above next to the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It reads: NOTE: Posters are not anonymous so please be honest when you write. Mountain Cove Moderators can and have shared the identities of posters with selected neighbors in the past.  : |
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Post by coliseum on Mar 7, 2007 1:58:30 GMT -8
Well, that's tragic. Lester, sorry to impose my thoughts this way. But when I was running the Azusa Online boards, I would never have considered arbitrarily divulging anyone's personal information. I could have, but never did. It suggests that you're looming the threat of retribution over people for merely having an opinion (albeit an opinion that may be contrary to yours). Here, folks: www.AzusaOnline.comI had previously closed the board when I could no longer maintain it (death in the family). I don't know how active it will be, but I'll open it up just so the opportunity is there. And I will make time for it now. I agree with you 100% that there should be decorum and respect on a community message board, but there are better ways of going about it than to threaten people's privacy. Everyone should be able to state their thoughts without fear of any retribution. Sincerely, I don't mean to step on any toes, or try to steal anyone's thunder. I really just believe there has to be an alternative to that. Sorry if this crosses any lines. |
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Post by greylion on Mar 7, 2007 8:57:18 GMT -8
I have a few questions regarding the disclosure.
1. What does it mean that posters are not anonymous? Does it mean if I ask the moderator for the identity of a fellow member of this board that I will receive it no questions asked?
2. Who is the judge and jury on whether a poster is being honest? How would the moderator know if a post is honest or not?
3. What is meant by the veiled threat "...so please be honest when you post." Will the "truth police" come knocking on someones door?
I have other thoughts regarding this but it is best not to post them right now until I have more time to consider them.
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Post by athena on Mar 7, 2007 11:40:48 GMT -8
Greylion,
You have some very good questions and have made some very valid points. I too am curious to hear from the moderators.
From my personal experience two years ago, I would tell you that:
1) No. You will not be given the name of any poster merely by asking unless.... you happen to be a personal friend/neighbor of the moderator who shares the same views.
I was not given the same consideration.
2) The judge and jury are the moderators and their advisors (usually friends and neighbors who share the same opinions). There is no way for the moderators to gage the truth or falsehood of any posters.
In a recent post, Mr. Rocha's son was slandered and openly accused of being a child molester. That post was not removed.
In a previous post, I made a factual reference to a person who had control of the entrance gates at the Cove and who also happened to support different candidates than my own. During the recent forum at Mountain Cove the gates mysteriously started working 20 minutes before the event. I merely stated the facts as evidenced by many people. My post chastised and was called slanderous and promptly removed. The post against Mr. Rocha's son was not and remains there as we speak.
3) In my opinion, the threat means that if something is said about someone they like or agree with, the poster will be revealed and "handed over" for the "priviledged" victim to do as they wish.
Unfortunately, this board does not follow any democratic template.
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Post by DavieBoi on Mar 7, 2007 13:07:15 GMT -8
Who has control of the gates? Thought that as owners, we all have controls to the gate.
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Post by athena on Mar 7, 2007 14:23:57 GMT -8
The gates can be controled via home computer in case of emergency, malfunction, or special requests, such as a community event.
I'm not sure if all HOA board members can do this or not, but there is at least one HOA board member that I know of who can control the gates in this manner.
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Post by greylion on Mar 7, 2007 14:42:27 GMT -8
I would like to know if this site/board is supported and/or paid for by the homeowners association or is it owned/operated by an individual (moderator) not associated with the homeowners association. Is it being paid for out of our monthly dues or is it paid for by an individual or group of people as a community resource?
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Post by 29Mossdale on Mar 7, 2007 14:53:59 GMT -8
This site is not sponsored, supported, or funded by our homeowners association. In fact, during monthly board meetings, the board has made it very clear that this is not an association site. However, some of the topics, like the dog attack incident and the bulletin board sign at the front gate, have been discussed at past board meetings. That suggest to me that some of the board members do read the comments on this site.
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Post by discretion on Mar 7, 2007 15:56:30 GMT -8
This board is privately owned, moderated and supported by an individual resident. If you are interested in the "fine print" of his/her rights to moderate, block or disclose identities, simply go back to the page where participants register. There is a full disclaimer that must be agreed to as a part of your registration process. I read this recently as I am a new member.
As for comparing the way this board is moderated to other boards ... I strongly encourage you to find another board to chat on or even create your own message board if you are not happy with this one. Maybe the person who posted about his Azusa board would be a better moderator for your posts? Don't know. I've never been on that board.
I really don't mean this last comment in a "nasty" way ... I just think that, since this board is the private property of an individual, it's a little out of line to criticize.
It's a little like wandering on to someone's yard because they allowed you to ... and then making a fuss about their choice of plants.
Not making war here ---- just defending the moderator a little bit.
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Post by beautifulhome1 on Mar 7, 2007 17:36:21 GMT -8
so how do we control the gates from home?
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Post by athena on Mar 7, 2007 20:10:55 GMT -8
The homeowners cannot control the gates from home other than by pressing 9 to let someone enter when they are at the gates.
There is only a select person or persons from the HOA board who have access to control the gates any further than that from home.
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Post by athena on Mar 8, 2007 15:03:04 GMT -8
I realize that this board is privately owned and operated. We are essentially playing in someone else's playground according to their rules. I just think everyone should be aware that this is the case and the moderators can basically decide what they allow to be posted and deleted and who's identity is divulged.
I would assume, however, that there must still be some sort of legal responsibility involved at some point.
Any attorneys with the answer to this one out there?
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Post by jmay on Mar 9, 2007 13:43:49 GMT -8
What did I miss? Not sure what is going on. What happened?  |
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Post by jmay on Mar 9, 2007 13:44:33 GMT -8
What did I miss? Not sure what is going on. What happened? |
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Post by discretion on Mar 9, 2007 18:35:48 GMT -8
Dear jmay,
You haven't missed anything.
Nothing happened except that the moderator added a disclaimer at the top of the page about posting "honestly" because we are not truly anonymous as this board requires registration.
Athena seems a little disturbed by the idea and has accused the moderator of sharing information with his/her friends in the past. (How she knows this unless she is one of those freinds, I don't know.)
Some other people got disturbed as well, mostly because of Athena's accusations I think.
I recommended that the really upset ones find another board if they are unhappy because the moderator does have this right ... it's on our original registration agreement. Not trying to kick anyone out --- just being logical.
Now Athena wants to hear from a lawyer on the subject.
That's it in a nutshell .......... ALL TALK TALK TALK ....... nothing has really "happened". Yet.
Not trying to sound harsh here ... I'm just rushing at the moment.
Everyone have a good weekend.
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Post by athena on Mar 9, 2007 21:03:44 GMT -8
Dear Discretion,
Yes.....I was one of those friends....and so are you. As a matter of fact, I think you could be the one who disclosed that violation to me in the first place.
The only difference between us is that I was so bold as to have a different choice of candidates in the election two years ago.
It's also true, that I am a "little disturbed" by the identity disclosures. It's not right to do that just because someone thinks differently than you or the moderator does.
I believe in tolerance of other people's differences in political choices, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, nationality and ethnicity.
Strangely enough, sometimes people demand tolerance in one area that pertains to them yet are unwilling to give it in another that does not.
And by the way....about being nothing but talk.....you, more than anyone, should know that, if I want something done.....I get it done!
However, I do choose my causes.
This one is just not worth my time.
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Post by discretion on Mar 10, 2007 0:40:43 GMT -8
Dear Athena,
I'm not sure exactly who you think I am, but if we've conversed, I'm not aware of it.
I am 100% SURE, however, that we've never had any conversations about who is who on this board or anything even close as I am not privy to that information.
As for candidates ... if you are talking about the election two years ago I was new to the community then and had no strong opinion either way at that time.
Sounds like my explanation to jmay offended you. Sorry, that wasn't my intention.
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Post by athena on Mar 10, 2007 9:38:10 GMT -8
Discretion,
I based my thoughts regarding your identity on your prior post and another poster's identification of you as the person who caused the disruption at the Forum here at Mountain Cove. You did not deny that poster's claim.
If I am wrong, you have my sincerest apology. However, even so, I did not mean to say that the person who made the disclosure to me was in the wrong. That person was not the one who can see everyone's identity to begin with.
What I meant was that the moderator should not be disclosing this type of information and deleting posts arbritarily and with prejudice. That's all.
I still like the moderators as people and neighbors. I think this board is a great opportunity for people to discuss their thoughts about different subjects. I do not intend any harm come to them or this board. However, I think they should also be cognitive of the harm they can cause others.
I only hope that the moderators will consider my comments in the future.
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