Forum 'censorship' - a word from the sponsor.

[Rose B]

As private sponsors of 'The Inspectors Journal' we would like to state our position regarding any censorship of posts on the forum included on this site. While we too dislike censorship, we believe it is necessary to maintain a certain level of decorum on this forum.

TIJ was originally created with the idea of providing a resource center for both new and experienced home inspectors alike. The focus of the site was intended to be news articles, events calendars etc. and the forum was included as further resource and networking opportunity.

The content of the forum impacts the commercial opportunities that are available on this site, without which TIJ will not be able to successfully continue it's mission. TIJ has newsletter distributorship of over 8000 home inspectors as well as a large number of 'hits' that arrive directly on the forum topic pages via search engines.

Our policy reflects what we believe is our responsibility to organizations that wish to advertise to this audience. The policy on TIJ is clearly stated under the 'Forum Rules' link on the 'Help FAQ' menu and includes a section on 'What is Appropriate'. TIJ has provided both a chat area and private messaging facility for discussion that does not meet the criteria stated in the forum rules.

It is unfortunate that any censorship has become necessary, but the lack of respect for this business by a small number of participants on an on-going basis has created a situation that must be responded to. We will be reviewing our internal policies as a result of these incidents and may consider warnings or suspension of partipants as a preferable alternative to removing offensive threads.

It is not the intention of the sponsors to limit discussions of any particular topic. To keep this board free of 'censorship', participants need to ensure that both topics and replies are relevant to the category where they are posted and meet a reasonable level of decorum.

Keep it professional everyone!

Rose Balden/Michael Brown

DevWave Software Inc.

[allspec33351]

First of all I would like to thank you both for sponsoring a fine forum for home inspectors.

I abhor censorship I feel it serves no purpose but to make the censored person or topic more important than it may very well be. I have found the best form of censorship is not to respond. If one posts and nobody responds to the post it dies quickly. By censoring you only excite the writer of the post and his supporters.

If you are anybody is so offending by a post send them a pm or as some people say don’t read anything that person says. When I watch TV my remote works over time just as my buttons on my radio I chose what to watch, read, or hear.

When we do home inspection many a time a seller tries to instigate us into an argument and we don’t bite 99% of the time. I’ve only been thrown out twice in seven years and on one of them I returned back.

So why can’t we do the same here?

There is no need for censorship even a broken clock; if with a visible face with all numbers showing properly, no am or pm indicator, nor date is right at least twice a day

Captain

[Richard Stanley]

This is a private forum. Owner makes the rules.

Whatever I write hereafter in this post, refer back to these first 2 statements.

I. too, abhor censorship. I also agree with changing the channel or station or turning the page, etc. You may want to review some history of how censorship has been used in places such as Germany, Russia, China. I know this is just a little ol' forum compared to those examples. Just a few days ago, 'Bubba The love sponge' radio show was censored and cancelled. A lot of people may have cheered that also. Another 'small thing'. Maybe. This forum has categories like 'open discussion - discuss anything you want except religion and politics, Flame and blame, HI associations. These catagories invite the type of posts that tend to get deleted.-Maybe you should delete the categories if you don't mean it. I'm just a 'little guy' and telling you what I see. I do not attend this forum as much as I did. Like I said - refer to the first 2 statements.

[Jim Morrison]

The distinction I'd make is:

When the government does it, it's censorship.

When Mike does is, it's editing.

In my view, as long as it's applied even-handedly, it's hard to make a compelling case against it.

This kind of thing does not lead to the rise of the Third Reich. At worst, the elements Mike weeds out go start a competing forum. We're not talkin' bout a revolution here.

Jim

[Brian G]

I respect the opinions of my colleagues who are concerned about the censorship issues here, but there has never been totally unrestricted free speech in this country, not since the advent of written law. There have always been rules and restrictions governing both speech and actions, and recognizing the connection between the two.

This place has been most frequently compared to a neighborhood bar, which is probably about as close as anything. A neighborhood HI bar, just as there are "Cop bars". Like a bar, this is both a public gathering place and a private business. If one or a few persons repeatedly came in and stirred up trouble, costing the owners the patronage of others who never made trouble, how long do you think the owners should let it go on? Would anyone concern themselves with the right of the few to make trouble when the owners showed them the door? I doubt it. One person was banned from here from the word go, because it was well-known what effect he would have on the others and the business as a whole. It was the right thing to do for both the business and the patrons.

This is Mike's business, and Rose and Mike #2 have a stake in it. In these unfortunate situations, they're damned if they do and they're damned if they don't.

I just think at a certain point you have to draw the line and say "That's it, no more." There comes a time when I stop reasoning with my 5 year old and just spank his butt. It works.

Brian G.