[makevx73]

A thread was posted in the past 24 hrs, containing a help picture of how someone had set up the interior of their PM. It happened to contain a view of a shotgun within the photo along with a mention of its type and color.

A Moderator then decided to post a comment about what is and what isn't appropriate on this forum.

Myself and one other member commented that there had been nothing to cause any issues in the original posting.

I also looked for somewhere that stated the terms the Moderator used in his statement. I didn't find anything of the like within the Website's Terms of Use. http://www.verticalscope.com/aboutus/tos.php?site=promasterforum.com

Next thing we knew the Thread had been removed. Where did it go any why???

The terms of use for this site state the following (copy and pasted from this site):

You may not:

Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Web Site.
Use the Web Site to impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity.
Interfere with or disrupt any servers or networks used to provide the Web Site or its features, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies or regulations of the networks we use to provide the Web Site.
Use the Web Site to instigate or encourage others to commit illegal activities or cause injury or property damage or interfere with business interests or contractual relations of any person.
Gain unauthorized access to the Web Site, or any account, computer system, or network connected to this Web Site, by means such as hacking, password mining or other illicit means.
Obtain or attempt to obtain any materials or information through any means not intentionally made available through this Web Site.
Use the Web Site to post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane or indecent information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, provincial, national or international law.
Use the Web Site to post or transmit any information, software or other material that violates or infringes upon the rights of others, including material that is an invasion of privacy or publicity rights or that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right, or derivative works with respect thereto, without first obtaining permission from the owner or rights holder.
Use the Web Site to post or transmit any information, software or other material that contains a virus or other harmful component.
Use the Web Site to post, transmit or in any way exploit any information, software or other material for commercial purposes, or that contains advertising.
Use the Web Site to advertise or solicit to anyone to buy or sell products or services, to cease using the Web Site, to visit another competing Web Site, or to make donations of any kind, without our express written approval.
Gather for marketing purposes any email addresses or other personal information that has been posted by other users of the Site.

I don't see anything in these "Terms" that would justify the removal of the Thread and it's photo. If I'm reading this all wrong, I hope someone who decided the post was violating these Terms and removed it will post here and explain what I missed in reading them. In this way we can all learn from this and continue to post Threads that meet the Website's Terms of Use.

Thanks!

Hopefully this post won't be found disagreeable to someone and be deleted also...

 

[Brian P]

No firm knowledge of this specific case, but a somewhat-informed theory. This website is a subset of AutoGuide, which minor research reveals is in turn owned by VerticalScope, which owns a large number of automotive and motorcycle web forums. VerticalScope is a Canadian company, and with all due respect and fully recognizing that I am not speaking for all Canadians when saying this, but we (collectively) take a rather dim view of American "gun culture" (and I fully acknowledge and hereby publicly disclose, that I am one of those who take a dim view of it). It is also entirely possible (and again, I haven't seen the photo in question) that the photo that was shown in some way violated Canadian laws concerning how firearms are meant to be used, stored, etc.

And having said that ... I'm a moderator on another website that is also owned by VerticalScope (the website pre-dated VerticalScope ownership - they bought it) and on that one, they are pretty much laissez-faire with the exception of advertising. Directions to avoid gun discussions do not come from above (VerticalScope), we deal with it ourselves. BUT ... We have found that topics involving firearms tend to lead to heated discussions (primarily pitting the Americans against most of the rest of the world) and it's a topic where both sides are pretty much set in their ways, refusing to see how "the other side" sees it or even acknowledging that the other side has a point.

I can totally understand firearms being a banned topic because of its contentious nature. I can also totally understand not having a public written policy stating thus - topics involving firearms just go away.

 

[keeponvaning]

The removed post had absolutely nothing to do with the photo or the weapon.

The offensive statement that caused it to be removed for was "It's for shooting protesters". Legal acts and images are, for obvious reasons, allowable (as long as they pertain to Promasters). Illegal acts, such as shooting people, who are exercising their right of free speech, are not! Very simple.

 

[Brian P]

That would certainly do it ... Keep up the good work, by the way; it is not always easy to keep the peace ...

 

[GuyT]

Just to make things clear, I moderated that post.

I spend a lot a times in the US, have a lot friends on both sides of the political fence, including NRA members. I know that the gun issue is a very delicate matter, so I never discuss it, it's not of my business.

I didn't delete the post because of the gun picture, but because of the "it's for shooting protesters". I am sure it was intended as humor, but I felt it was of bad taste and had nothing to do in a forum that was as friendly as it can get, so far.

If people are not happy with my decision, they can complain to the boss, AG Jeff. If he feels I was wrong, he can revoke my moderator rights, I don't really care.

 

[makevx73]

Just to make things clear, I moderated that post.

I spend a lot a times in the US, have a lot friends on both sides of the political fence, including NRA members. I know that the gun issue is a very delicate matter, so I never discuss it, it's not of my business.

I didn't delete the post because of the gun picture, but because of the "it's for shooting protesters". I am sure it was intended as humor, but I felt it was of bad taste and had nothing to do in a forum that was as friendly as it can get, so far.

If people are not happy with my decision, they can complain to the boss, AG Jeff. If he feels I was wrong, he can revoke my moderator rights, I don't really care.

Thanks for clearing this up GuyT.

It seemed as if a moderator had made what was his personal interpretation of what was posted, with a mention of words about politics/objectionable material on this website, making it seem like someone was inserting "their beliefs" into making a judgement on it. Nothing was ever stated about "such as shooting people, who are exercising their right of free speech"... The term "protester" could have been as simple as meaning someone trying to break into his PM... This is what I was concerned about when the Thread disappeared.

Maybe this could have ended up in Ram Promaster Lounge area? But you made a good decision.

In several months on here I have found your posts to be very helpful, well-written and always good natured. You're an example of why this forum is so pleasant, helpful and garbage free when compared to so many other forums.

Thanks and Good On Ya!

 

[keeponvaning]

Let's just say it was a unfortunate attempt at humor by the OP and get over it, so we can move on and start talking about something important , such as our Promasters.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

Let's just say it was a unfortunate attempt at humor by the OP and get over it, so we can move on and start talking about something important , such as our Promasters.

What KOV said! Please move on. Keep our sense of oneness. Get up a post on your Van. Thanks.

 

[zwarte]

I saw the photo and the responses and concur with the decision to remove it.

Not every forum needs to be degraded in the name of free speech.

Keep it classy, folks.

 

[bulldogneon]

gotcha