Make Monday Forum Amnesty Day?

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   Just an idea I'm tossing out there. How about HP declaring on Monday a blanket forum amnesty for all forum-banned Hubbers?
   
   I'm saying Monday so that HP has the weekend to mull the idea over.
   
   I am not suggesting any changes to forum rules. If HP grants the amnesty, and a Hubber turns around and perpetrates another no-no, then they get banned again.
   
   So, what do you all think? Would you agree or disagree with a one-time, all-is-forgiven, brand-new-start amnesty?
   
   If nothing else, it will probably liven things up around here. Leastwise for awhile...
   
   I am not emotionally attached to either point of view on this. I just think it would be an interesting experiment. Whatever happens, happens.
   
   And if Monday is not a good day to start the amnesty, how about Christmas Day? Or Halloween?

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      SmartAndFunposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds good to me. It's not like HP would be turning murderers out of jail and onto a playground full of little kids. They'd just be letting a few anonymous people type their thoughts into an internet forum which barely has any users any more. The forum could probably do with a few more posters, but I doubt any of the banned hubbers would take HP up on it, anyway.

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   Anna Marie Bowmanposted 11 years ago

   Aren't the bans temporary?  I like the idea.  Kind of a pardon for bad behavior.  I don't think I would ever need one, but who knows.  Maybe issue everyone a "get out of hubber jail free" card.  One time only.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The bans start out temporary. But if a Hubber keeps putting their foot in it, it can result in being permanent.

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      rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      lol, thanks for the much needed laugh on a Friday lunch break.
      
      Although I think relache makes a valid point.

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   relacheposted 11 years ago

   Anyone who has been permanently banned from the forums got that way by demonstrating a history of recidivism.
   
   Why should repeated bad behavior committed after previous negative reinforcement suddenly be rewarded?

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      Anna Marie Bowmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You do make a good point.  Forever is such a long time, though.  Or should that go in the platitudes thread?  LOL

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         aa liteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Isn't the whole forum basically one big platitude thread, now that the recidivists are removed?

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm just a kinder, gentler paradigmsearch today.

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   Muttfaceposted 11 years ago

   Yeah, the forum threads are kinda boring. Don't know who these firebrands were, but they sound like fun.

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   Beth37posted 11 years ago

   I was under the impression that when someone was permanently banned, they just opened a new acct. Do they ban the URL or just the account itself?

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   relacheposted 11 years ago

   Beth, it's possible to be banned from posting in the forums due to repeated civil infractions while still keeping a valid Hub account.  Meaning you create content just fine but really don't play well with others.
   
   If your actual Hub user account is banned (spamming, TOS violations, etc), creating a new one to circumvent that action is grounds for having any new accounts banned as well.

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      Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In other words... they have nothing to lose.

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   relacheposted 11 years ago

   Admins tracks access by IP addresses.  If you are banned from the forums and get caught sock puppeting, that's a TOS violation.
   
   Tell ya what... Start attacking people and insulting them constantly in the forums, and then you can see just what you lose.

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      Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have someone in mind.

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      CraftytotheCoreposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good to know info.  Note to self.  Play nicely. 

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   Will Apseposted 11 years ago

   I'm guessing Randy is feeling left out again...

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      Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Who's Randy?

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         Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         He was banished long before your reign began and is destined never to be one of your loyal subjects.
         
         Of course, you can visit his cabin on the edge of the woods, if you wish. Randy, himself, is awfully quaint but you will find a collection of unsavory types in attendance.
         
         hxxp://randygodwin.hubpages.com/hub/A-Poisonous-Clique-The-Henhouse-Chronicals
         
         Try not to let him turn you into a hen.

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            paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            

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            WriteAngledposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Ooooh, exciting. I've never been called an unsavoury type before!!!
            
            I find the poisonous clique a good bunch. They are currently my main reason for continuing to visit this site.

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            Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I think I did meet him. He was always mad at HP's right? I didn't know he was banished. I hope Im not confusing him with someone else, but I think he was here less than a year ago.

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               Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Randy believes that HP is a semi-criminal conspiracy that exists purely to take the pleasure out of being a contrary, elder gentleman.

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                  Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  lol. Is he elder? He doesn't look it... of course ive been looking at a 74 year old man a lot differently than usual lately so I may not be a good judge.

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                     Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     74? I know the feeling, Beth. When they are really old they can't just leg it when you start to make your moves.

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                        Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        You haven't seen this guy.

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            Anna Marie Bowmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Oh, how I miss Randy!!

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               LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               +1

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            Beth Godwinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            As Randy's wife , I resent your comments in regard to my husband.   Randy has never had anything against hub pages , he just speaks out when he feels justice is not being dealt in regard to it's members. People who have the courage to " buck the system"  are usually singled out for retribution.  In regard to Randy's ban from the forums,  I only concur with one instance deserving of a ban.  I noted that other people could say much worse with nothing being said or done , depending on the identity of the person in question.   
            
            I agree that amnesty day would be a good move on the part of hub pages.  Members should not be banned unless their actions were so egregious that no other option was available.   Face it, if anyone wanted to post on forums they could always use a sock puppet, which Randy has not done.   Actually, Randy has been very loyal to Hub pages, and is just seeking to  bring attention to needed improvements.  I think hub pages should have an unbiased panel to determine if a member should be banned.  Course, as a retired Judge, I am always seeking justice. 
            
            While, you may not agree with Randy, it's people like him that made this country great.  Everyone has the right to freedom of speech.   If people would look at criticism with an open mind and not just dismiss it as sour grapes,  they might find some value in what is being said. 
            
            I guess if my association with Randy makes me " unsavory",  then I am proud to wear the banner.  I am surprised YOU were not banned for clearly insulting other HP members as referring to them as " unsavory.", not to mention, the personal insults you have directed toward my husband. .  But then, I'm not too surprised!

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               relacheposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Isn't that what happened to your husband and his forum privileges?

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                  Beth Godwinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  No it is not what happened.  As I previously stated, I only saw one occasion where I felt his offense to be warranting of a temporary ban.  Many other people were in agreement.  That is why I suggest a unbiased panel to vote on all complaints received and vote on  the question as to if the offense is ban worthy. Also, the name of the person accused should not be known to the panel.  That way, justice is indeed blind. 
                  
                  Unless someone files a complaint no action should be taken.  That way no witch hunts flourish.  And we all know how that turned out.   Earnest people are indeed dangerous to those in the wrong.  I have nothing against yourself, Hub pages,  or anyone else on here for that matter.   I think that Hub pages showing goodwill and  grating amnesty would go a long way.  Then  incorporating a improved method for issuing bans .    Just sayin'........

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               Anna Marie Bowmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I agree with you.  I have seen a lot of people make vicious attacks, a few times even at me, that never got banned, not even temporarily.  I don't know how certain people get singled out, and others don't.  If it's supposed to be the same set of rules for everyone, why are only certain people being banned?  I have had some people say some nasty things about me, and I have seen nasty things said about others, and a lot of times, those people don't get banned.

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                  Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I mentally ban them. I put my fingers in my ears and say "I can't hear you, I can't hear you" and then I tell myself I'm better than every one else, then drink 3 shots of hard liqueur. I have found this combination works better than any other I've tried.

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                     Anna Marie Bowmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     I find that works with my children, too.  When they are being particularly nasty, I separate them into their individual rooms, and I put on my headphones until they are done arguing that it was the other one's fault.  LOL!

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                  relacheposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Two things have a huge influence on who gets banned.
                  
                  1)  Name-calling.  If you never do this, it's actually rather hard to get banned (unless you are a spammer). 
                  
                  2)  Reporting.  This is probably the #1 influence.  People who get reported to admin and are determined to be breaking the forum rules incur bans.  There are a lot of site users who opt to attack back when attacked instead of reporting the person who attacked first.  Then the person who got attacked gets reported (most often for name-calling) and they get banned, and the original attacker (who wasn't reported) has nothing happen.

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                     aa liteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     The one time I was banned for a day, it was for telling a troll he was "culturally deprived" for not having seen the British meerkat commercial (Troll had made fun of my "simples"). 
                     
                     I thought the ban was very funny but I can't say it filled me with confidence that the moderators knew what they are doing.  I sort of suspect the troll reported me, I think he was trying to cause as much havoc on the forums as possible.

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                        Beth Godwinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        My point exactly.  That comment was certainly not reason enough to ban someone.  I agree that spammers , threats, and really viscous attacks should result in a ban. but people are being banned for snide or off hand comments and that is just crazy.  According to HP rules, if I reported Will  then he would be banned for calling Randy quaint and his associates unsavory, { personal attack}  but that would also be crazy.  LOL I would defend him if he was banned for his comments, as being no reason to ban someone,  as well.  While, I don't agree with his opinion, he has a right to it.  I certainly would never associate the word " quaint" with Randy. LOL  Colorful yes. LOl  .  It is the differences of opinion that makes the forums interesting.  More traffic, more money for hub pages.  Take a tip from Miley Cyrus. She offended most everybody with her performance., but has been on TV non stop since, SNL, Ellen, ect... The money is just rolling in.....  LOL.   Religion and politics are hot topics so persons afraid of the heat shouldn't enter that domain.  LOL

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                           Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                           I found that out during our last US Presidential election. People were getting very heated. I try to avoid religion here completely, unless somebody copies a pile of scriptures from the Bible and tries to pass it off as a hub.

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                           psycheskinnerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                           Crazy or not, it is easy to not do the things you are not meant to do.  If people choose not to...[shrug]

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                           Writer Foxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                           I don't think it would be crazy.  I think you should report Will.  By the way, would Randy be interested in joining a private forum for Hubbers?

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                              Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                              Lol. You are such a charmer. I do think that you and Randy should get together, though.

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   FatFreddysCatposted 11 years ago

   Where does one find this "poisonous clique?" They sound like people I wanna hang with. Do they have a newsletter?

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      WriteAngledposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Come and meet the poisonous ones any time you wish: randygodwin.hubpages.com/hub/A-Poisonous-Clique-The-Henhouse-Chronicals
      
      No censorship operates there

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    psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

    Oh please don't.  People get banned for a reason.

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    Reality Bytesposted 11 years ago

    Banned from the forums and not being able to interact with the almost ten post per hour average, must be so, so, frustrating...
    
    
    
    C'mon, being unable to participate on the HP forums is equivalent to no one visiting your myspace page!

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       Anna Marie Bowmanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I don't even visit my MySpace page...

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    PaulGoodman67posted 11 years ago

    A lot of the permanently banned are spammers.  I don't want them back.  Some of the serial offenders are also pretty tiresome, rather than exciting as some have suggested, in my experience - they just complain about the same things over and over again and attack anyone who dares to have an alternative opinion, which gets tired quite quickly for me.  (They are banned for attacking others, not the repetition, by the way).

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       Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Does it not seem we have similar types poster(s) now?

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    Will Apseposted 11 years ago

    I have a feeling someone needs to hang for some outrage or another.
    
    The earnest are a dangerous bunch.

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    Beth37posted 11 years ago

    According to the pattern, someone with a hubber score of 96 needs to post now. I will delete when that happens, don't fear.

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    ahorsebackposted 11 years ago

    It all seems so weird . I haven't been posting on forums the way I used to , too boring I guess ! I think anyone should be forgiven though , after all it's only the internet !  Maybe us old timers should fire this place up once in a while ........:-}

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       SmartAndFunposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree. It is just the internet. Most people here are anonymous, so why are forum disagreements taken so personally?
       
       Other forums I frequent manage to keep things in check and somehow allow a back-and-forth without banning half their members any time one of the kiddies baws to a mod. Mods can be very effective at keeping discussions going without banning anyone from either side. Members know who the mods are, and respect them because they can see the mods' work in action, as the mods post about what is going on and cite which rules were broken any time a post is moved or removed. Posts are sometimes moved or removed, but members are rarely banned.
       
       HP is now putting ads on their forums. If they want to make a little extra dough, they should allow the forums to be fun and interesting again.

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    Mark Ewbieposted 11 years ago

    Hey!  I'm Class Clown!!  Time to liven up the whole place with a song...
    
    Oh we're all Bubbling..
    
    Sorry.  Wrong site.

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       Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I told you, that would have been funnier without your pants.
       
       google translation for pants: trousers.

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          Mark Ewbieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Too late!  They're off now!!!
          
          

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             Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Although the forums have been a bit boring, they used to get really nasty. I got banned once when somebody was calling me names! I wrote to the administration and got reinstated. Why look for trouble? People are here to write and make money, not to get into discussions about controversial topics. If you ban religion, politics, and people who want to talk about their ex's as topics, maybe that would be OK. Mark, congrats on Class Clown, I voted for you!

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    ahorsebackposted 11 years ago

    Okay so lets start a fight , I'm looking for trouble , is it You ? Do You Wanna wrestle  Huh ?Huh? Come on ! Go ahead ban me ..........:-} I'm a lover not a fighter !

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    LongTimeMotherposted 11 years ago

    That's not how lovers talk where I come from.
    
    I visit Randy's chatting page. I discovered it quite by accident after reading a number of his excellent hubs. Actually I think it sets a very good example for how a 'forum' should be run. People feel comfortable enough to share instant thoughts, conduct discussions, debate points and disagree with each other.
    
    I don't think anyone could realistically consider me 'unsavory'. lol. There are many conversations on Randy's page - and in the forums - where I don't have anything to contribute so I read but don't write.  It isn't necessary to express an opinion on everything.

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    LongTimeMotherposted 11 years ago

    BTW, Mark. I hope you are not offended by Class Clown. I always loved and admired the class clowns when I was at school ... Plus I consider you to be a clown with class!

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       Mark Ewbieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Oh I like that - cheers!

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    LeanManposted 11 years ago

    Hell yeah - bring them all back!
    
    Most have been banned for misdemeanors rather than out and out being truly offensive.
    
    Everyone has a right to freedom of speech and we all have our own opinion, some choose to voice that opinion and others are a little too polite to do so even if they are thinking it! But the problem is with HP is that what one person thinks is an innocent comment or a little risky is to some moderators and other forum users a crime against humanity!
    
    If someone calls someone a name - grow up!!! Sticks and stones as they say!! As long as the person is not going out of their way to follow someone around the forums, creating highly downright rude and threatening posts, then what does calling someone a righteous fool or an idiot that should have left his head firmly planted in his/her own ass where it belongs matter??
    
    If you can't handle the heat stay out of it! If people are getting heated and you are feeling offended get out of the conversation and leave the real fools to it..
    
    I was always told that when you argue with a fool that no one will be able to tell you apart!!
    
    Let those that have not threatened anyone else or really called someone something truly offensive come back.. These are not the people to worry about anyway as the real trolls and offensive idiots just change their ip, create a new account and come back to cause problems..

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       Writer Foxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Is there a TOS somewhere that lists reasons people get banned from the forum?

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          Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Worried that you might be hanging from a thread? Or looking for a tool to exploit?

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             Writer Foxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             And so, from under the bridge, we have a comment that doesn't at all answer the question in the post.  Are you just looking for a thread to exploit?

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                Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                'from under the bridge'
                
                What is that meant to mean?

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                   Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                   I think he/she is calling you a troll.

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                      Will Apseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                      He/she often does that when flustered. So you are probably right.

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                         Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                         You really should write a "How to make friends" hub. You have a knack.

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          quiterandomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I would imagine that the term "Author Content", in the Hubpages Terms of Use document, probably includes forum posts.

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             Writer Foxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Nope, that didn't help much.  What I've learned is that pointing out that someone is "culturally deprived" will get you banned.  Other reasons are unknown but a little traffic cop shows up and gives you a banishment notice, according to this thread:
             http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/117228?page=10
             
             It's apparently OK to call someone "unsavory", "disillusional", "quaint", give someone a "Duck Cough” or to say that someone "believes that HP is a semi-criminal conspiracy that exists purely to take the pleasure out of being a contrary, elder gentleman."  And then there's the case of the famous missing troll for three weeks beginning on September 17; it's difficult to identify just which post found him MIA from the forum, though he was still commenting on Hubs.

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                Mark Ewbieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                Yeah "Duck cough" was funny.  I'm surprised I got with away with that.

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                   paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                   You are apparently loved.

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                   Writer Foxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                   It was funny.  I'm glad you got away with it, too!

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    paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

    HP is noticeably absent from this thread. That could actually be a good sign. It would really be interesting if they were to actually do it.
    
    It is my theory that many of the banned would have learned and would be entertaining posters. Some, of course, would immediately be banned again. Not a problem.
    
    I've seen the posts noting bias. I agree that some bannings were incorrect. What with bannings not being that frequent, it would not be an undue hardship for HP banning decisions to be determined by more than one staff member. Just a thought.
    
    My thoughts only apply to those hubbers whose accounts were not banned. Spammers in particular.

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       psycheskinnerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I would predict that having them all back at once (remembering that a good number of them were basically bonkers and most of the rest were spammers) might drive many users off the forums altogether. I doubt banned people are tagged with why they were banned so they would all just flood back in.
       
       I think the forums have been pretty good since the division into two zones.  Peaceful.

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          SmartAndFunposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I agree that separating the hot topic forums from the HP-related forums was a good idea.
          
          I think most of the banned people don't care to come back to the forums anyway, but I'm sure a few would.

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          paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          You are dead bang right re: the two zones. That religion crap being shoved in my face everyday really was awful.

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             SmartAndFunposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Yes, I am so glad it's gone. And the politics, too.

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