In light of my restriction and the restriction of others I have a rant:

[durhamleft]

Okay I'm leaving the forum but let you leave you with this.

You restrict people who are vehemently opposed to racism, homophobia and sexism and yet think that under capitalism simply passing laws against it is counter-productive.

You restrict people 'for being sexist' who oppose abortion at later stages of pregnancy. Incidentally I support all abortion, but in fact the majority of people who disagree with me on this are women, who say to me 'wouldn't it be immoral to kill a foetus'. The point I'm making is you are absolute morons for saying its simply sexist, and thus restricting people, as the vast, vast, vast majority of the population do not support complete abortion so to simply restrict people who say anything like that fails to engage with them.

You restrict people who put up decent points like the poster in unfair restrictions regarding war under capitalism. And regarding prison labour- I actually disagree with him- but for God's sake, surely that is just an opinion and one that should be debated.

You restrict people who say things like we shouldn't have complete free immigration, because it drives down workers wages, again I disagree with this point but why the hell are you banning him? Surely, surely you should just engage with him on it, and even if he doesnt change his mind then accept that while most of us disagree with him he's entitled to a different opinion.

And then, the ultimate irony is of course you allow people to post who support Stalin! Who passed laws banning abortion and homosexuality, and who discriminated against women. Stalin, a man who vindictively supressed Georgian dissent and was more than happy to see millions of Ukrainians die in a famine he created. A man who closed down 10,000 mosques and was without doubt leader of one of the most oppressive regimes of all time. You allow people to post who support North Korea- who have over 100,000 people in labour camps and treat them like shit, and who execute people for ridiculous stuff. You have people who regularly spout out about how a victory for the Taliban is a victory for the working class- I mean WTF?

To conclude, I have nowt against this forum, but some of your moderators are an absolute disgrace, like 'Khad'. He gives me an infraction for discussing politics in the unfair restriction threat when a mod was doing it too, and doesn't do anything to the mod, FOR A BUNCH OF PEOPLE OPPOSED TO ELITISM ITS A TAD IRONIC DONT YA THINK?

And it's what I'd expect from Stalinists, but how can anyone of the libertarian socialist or anarchist side really buy into this rubbish? How many of your members who are committed leftists have you lost as a result of these draconian measures for only somewhat differing opinions? And then you say you offer appeals- nobody is prepared to discuss it with one of us, I'm basically just told 'prove you've changed your mind'. Which is the exact problem of the left, we are far, far, far too intolerant of other opinions and I would genuinely fear for what the world would look like if some of these over-zealous moderators got in power because there's no room for manoeuvre, no room to think for yourselves, you either agree with absolutely everything or youre a racist, sexist capitalist pig. What a joke, I'm really not wanting to put this forum down either because most people here are absolutely sound as out, but if ever there was evidence of why you shouldn't give power to a few people- this is it, because they abuse it and become utter freaks.

So goodbye everyone and take care

PS I am also aware that most moderators are ok, but it does seem like theres some right evil people who the rest wont stand up to, or go along with, or whatever

PPS What would be wrong with electing mods? Not clique enough?

PPPS I mean seriously what the hell: I've taken a punch in the face defending someone from racism and yet because I propose a different way of tackling I'm accused of 'indirect racism' while those who fetish over throwing paintbombs of a pub that serves drinks to racists are seen as heroes.

[L.A.P.]

I love how he was arrogant enough to think this whole sob story was typed up as if anyone gave a shit about this guy leaving and declaring his RAGE against RevLeft. Good riddance.

[durhamleft]

I love how he was arrogant enough to think this whole sob story was typed up as if anyone gave a shit about this guy leaving and declaring his RAGE against RevLeft. Good riddance.

I'm not declaring my rage. However it's not like it's just me, Revleft must have lost half its membership over the years.

[hatzel]

kthnxbye

[L.A.P.]

I'm not declaring my rage. However it's not like it's just me, Revleft must have lost half its membership over the years.

out of 29,000 there are only 1,800

[Thug Lessons]

Didn't read a word.

[Agent Ducky]

I'm not declaring my rage. However it's not like it's just me, Revleft must have lost half its membership over the years.

I completely agree, because out of 29,000 there are only 1,800.
;)

Edit: SHIT 1994 beat me to it.

[Johnny Kerosene]

Okay I'm leaving the forum but let you leave you with this.

You restrict people who are vehemently opposed to racism, homophobia and sexism and yet think that under capitalism simply passing laws against it is counter-productive.

You restrict people 'for being sexist' who oppose abortion at later stages of pregnancy. Incidentally I support all abortion, but in fact the majority of people who disagree with me on this are women, who say to me 'wouldn't it be immoral to kill a foetus'. The point I'm making is you are absolute morons for saying its simply sexist, and thus restricting people, as the vast, vast, vast majority of the population do not support complete abortion so to simply restrict people who say anything like that fails to engage with them.

You restrict people who put up decent points like the poster in unfair restrictions regarding war under capitalism. And regarding prison labour- I actually disagree with him- but for God's sake, surely that is just an opinion and one that should be debated.

You restrict people who say things like we shouldn't have complete free immigration, because it drives down workers wages, again I disagree with this point but why the hell are you banning him? Surely, surely you should just engage with him on it, and even if he doesnt change his mind then accept that while most of us disagree with him he's entitled to a different opinion.

And then, the ultimate irony is of course you allow people to post who support Stalin! Who passed laws banning abortion and homosexuality, and who discriminated against women. Stalin, a man who vindictively supressed Georgian dissent and was more than happy to see millions of Ukrainians die in a famine he created. A man who closed down 10,000 mosques and was without doubt leader of one of the most oppressive regimes of all time. You allow people to post who support North Korea- who have over 100,000 people in labour camps and treat them like shit, and who execute people for ridiculous stuff. You have people who regularly spout out about how a victory for the Taliban is a victory for the working class- I mean WTF?

To conclude, I have nowt against this forum, but some of your moderators are an absolute disgrace, like 'Khad'. He gives me an infraction for discussing politics in the unfair restriction threat when a mod was doing it too, and doesn't do anything to the mod, FOR A BUNCH OF PEOPLE OPPOSED TO ELITISM ITS A TAD IRONIC DONT YA THINK?

And it's what I'd expect from Stalinists, but how can anyone of the libertarian socialist or anarchist side really buy into this rubbish? How many of your members who are committed leftists have you lost as a result of these draconian measures for only somewhat differing opinions? And then you say you offer appeals- nobody is prepared to discuss it with one of us, I'm basically just told 'prove you've changed your mind'. Which is the exact problem of the left, we are far, far, far too intolerant of other opinions and I would genuinely fear for what the world would look like if some of these over-zealous moderators got in power because there's no room for manoeuvre, no room to think for yourselves, you either agree with absolutely everything or youre a racist, sexist capitalist pig. What a joke, I'm really not wanting to put this forum down either because most people here are absolutely sound as out, but if ever there was evidence of why you shouldn't give power to a few people- this is it, because they abuse it and become utter freaks.

So goodbye everyone and take care

PS I am also aware that most moderators are ok, but it does seem like theres some right evil people who the rest wont stand up to, or go along with, or whatever

PPS What would be wrong with electing mods? Not clique enough?

PPPS I mean seriously what the hell: I've taken a punch in the face defending someone from racism and yet because I propose a different way of tackling I'm accused of 'indirect racism' while those who fetish over throwing paintbombs of a pub that serves drinks to racists are seen as heroes.


Some of what you say is true. And I applaud you for saying fuck you to authority. Even if this authority is mostly agreeable.

[Thug Lessons]

Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums. Forums.

[Agent Ducky]

Some of what you say is true. And I applaud you for saying fuck you to authority. Even if this authority is mostly agreeable.

Some of these points are legitimate. Everyone is gonna write this person off as someone who's butthurt about being restricted but some of his points still stand. Yeah.

[hatzel]

Didn't read a word.

The only words I read were...


What would be wrong with electing mods?

...and then I remembered that mods are elected so I guessed the rest would be bullshit, too :)

[Thug Lessons]

The only words I read were...



...and then I remembered that mods are elected so I guessed the rest would be bullshit, too :)
Elect me to be mod.

[hatzel]

This is a cutesy-wutesy picture of some polar bears:

http://www.uniquepicturehunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/cutelittleanimalsfunnyanimalpicturespichunter-12.jpg

[Impulse97]

I can understand your beef to a degree, I've been restricted for stupid things too. It's not always right, but our mods are only human and can make mistakes.

I think we need to lighten up a bit, but not so much that we allow Social Dems. and Caps to go unchecked.

[Revolutionair]

I agree with the OP to a certain extent.

A lot of positions are presented as something that you should assimilate to. There is an anti-debating atmosphere, either you will get restricted, or the debate will leave you with unhappy feelings.

If the admins have superior positions, why not debate them and proof that that position is superior.

Banning Rosa also made no sense to me. Banning someone because her posts were too long/complicated means that you will ban every person who thinks about leftism. The more you think, the more you write.

Sometimes complete newbs are restricted just by saying they think the Democrats/Greens are better than the Republicans. Why not let them post so their minds will change?

And last and not least, look at the posts in this thread. OKAY BAI WE DUNT WANTZ YOU ANIWAI! It's so snobby and elitist.

[durhamleft]

If I was a troll or a Nazi I'd understand you all being dicks, but Im just raising what I think are genuine concerns. I havent been rude, I havent been offensive, I just would love to know how you justify these ridiculous restrictions?

Fair enough, it may just seem like I've spat my dummy out because I've been restricted, and I know its always easier to attack the person making the rant, but please pick out anything I've said that you seriously think is bollocks.

[durhamleft]

But even then- I was a social democrat when I joined this site, and it wasnt till I was DEBATED with that I moved to the left, if Id been restricted straight away I'd have probably never moved to the left

[hatzel]

draconian

Is that about dragons or something?

http://anime-15.webs.com/photos/Pokemon/004_Charmander_by_Skitteeh.jpg

CHARMANDER CHAAAAAR!!!

[durhamleft]

Also, people like Rabbi K, what the fuck are you playing at? I can play the be a sarcy git game as anyone, and I can be as childish and whathaveyou as anyone but I've taken this site seriously because this site is about serious stuff, and if you object to stuff I say then fair enough but just trolling the thread is both disrespectful to me and also very counterproductive and it prevents many of my objections from being raised.

[Dr Mindbender]

tl;dr

[Thug Lessons]

If I was a troll or a Nazi I'd understand you all being dicks, but Im just raising what I think are genuine concerns. I havent been rude, I havent been offensive, I just would love to know how you justify these ridiculous restrictions?

Fair enough, it may just seem like I've spat my dummy out because I've been restricted, and I know its always easier to attack the person making the rant, but please pick out anything I've said that you seriously think is bollocks.
Internet forums. Forums, on the internet. Hundreds of words about how you have been wronged by the mod team on internet forums. Do you understand now?

[durhamleft]

I just don't understand it, like banning people who support the Greens. I mean, I don't support the Greens, but then again I don't support Stalinists, Maoists or Anarchists, but I think they should have the right to post.

I also probably identify with anarchists closest to my own position but after that I'd probably support a Green party more than a Stalinist one. Does that make me a reformist?

No, what it means is we all have different opinions on here and the idea that we just ban people because they are one of the ones we don't accept is silly, ban Nazis fair enough, but even then many of the younger racists are as suseptible to leftist ideas as anyone because theyre people dissatisfied with capitalism.

[durhamleft]

Internet forums. Forums, on the internet. Hundreds of words about how you have been wronged by the mod team on internet forums. Do you understand now?

No I don't. You're trying to be funny and I really don't understand what you're going on about and it just comes across as very rude and disrespectful.

[RedSunRising]

No I don't. You're trying to be funny and I really don't understand what you're going on about and it just comes across as very rude and disrespectful.

Given your rant about Stalin and Stalinists in the OP :rolleyes:

[Blackscare]

Banning Rosa also made no sense to me. Banning someone because her posts were too long/complicated means that you will ban every person who thinks about leftism. The more you think, the more you write.


Lol, what? That isn't why Rosa was banned, I wasn't aware you were there for that LENGTHY debate.

[durhamleft]

But I mean there are people on here who support the death penalty. Now I, personally, cant see anything more repugnant than execution, but they arent banned- quite rightly, because theyre entitled to that opinion and it should be debated. Even though incidently I think support of capital punishment is more "indirectly" racist than anything I or other restricted comrades have said

[Bronco]

I just don't understand it, like banning people who support the Greens. I mean, I don't support the Greens, but then again I don't support Stalinists, Maoists or Anarchists, but I think they should have the right to post.


Probably because Stalinists, Maoists & Anarchists are all revolutionary leftists; the Green party are not

[durhamleft]

Probably because Stalinists, Maoists & Anarchists are all revolutionary leftists; the Green party are not

Well, if you go by that definition then those who support Pol Pot should be allowed to post.

And the point I was making, is that some reformist tendencies are closer to sections of the revolutionary left than some sections of the revolutionary left are to other sections of the revolutionary left

[Thug Lessons]

No I don't. You're trying to be funny and I really don't understand what you're going on about and it just comes across as very rude and disrespectful.
Okay, I'll be as clear as possible. You're getting way too upset over something that happened on an internet message board, the the point of writing hundreds of words about it in a dedicated thread, something that is specifically prohibited by said internet message board. It's probably the worst response you could possibly have to the situation. If you want to be unrestricted post in the thread dedicated to that topic, but if you'd rather keep whining I'll be happy to keep laughing at you.

[hatzel]

Yeah, seriously, Durham, it's just a forum. You shouldn't need the mods to 'validate' you by confirming you're left enough for them. Particularly not if you hold so much disdain for them. And you're not even banned. You can still hang here and discuss with some of the best posters on the forum, who are often in OI. What's wrong with that? And if you really want to be freed, and your restriction revoked...do you know what you do? You don't keep saying 'hey, derestrict me! Can you derestrict me yet? When will I be derestricted? FINE, THAT'S IT, I'M RANTING!!!' Instead, you should have actually engaged in debate here in OI, shown yourself as a valuable poster, with something to offer. If being able to post on this forum is that important to you. Just look at Mari3L, who was once restricted, and is now a mod on here, and easily one of the best posters we have. Do you think she was just sitting around moping and crying about stuff, or do you think she actually made posts, engaged in discussion, and demonstrated why she was a great asset to the site, and to the leftist movement as a whole?

[Dr Mindbender]

In summary

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwzPW-OPi3LEhBMe_2fAOKObiFpVrtZcXLU7RGNTGONI-EHK1T&t=1

[Os Cangaceiros]

I used to be restricted too, actually. That was only for my first 100 posts or so, though.

It's just an internet forum about communism owned by some dude in Germany, though. I wouldn't expend too much effort on a rant. Just write the forum's users off as dicks and leave, or stick around. :cool:

[Blackscare]

Rabbi K, this is an administrative warning for spamming. Don't do it again.


If you don't think he has valid points, or have anything legitimate to add, then kindly fuck off to chit-chat.


As for the OP, I understand where you're coming from to a degree. I usually stay out of the 'ban/restrict this user' threads except for obvious trolls and some of the more odious situations, like Rosa. To be honest, there's a relatively small group, I wouldn't call it a clique or anything, of people who do most of the inquisitions against users around here. I think it's too much and it's certainly killing the board.

[Nolan]

1. Rage and leave rant

2. Cry over cheap beer

3. Insert pistol into mouth, pull trigger

You're doing pretty good so far.

[hatzel]

If you don't think he has valid points, or have anything legitimate to add, then kindly fuck off to chit-chat.

I feel I technically did offer something. Post #30. I'm a multifaceted individual, see, I can play it hot and cold! :) That is to say, I felt that Durham needed some of the wind taking out of his sails, so that he might realise he was being just a teeny-weeny bit silly with this thread, before he'd really be able to take anything constructive on board. I'm playing the long game here!

EDIT: also it's coming up to 2am and I've necked a bottle of Frosty Jack's and literally everything seems like the best idea ever at the moment, I'm gonna get a job in international relations or conflict management or something and sort all this shit out (with pictures of Pokémonzzz) :thumbup:

[durhamleft]

Rabbi K, this is an administrative warning for spamming. Don't do it again.


If you don't think he has valid points, or have anything legitimate to add, then kindly fuck off to chit-chat.


As for the OP, I understand where you're coming from to a degree. I usually stay out of the 'ban/restrict this user' threads except for obvious trolls and some of the more odious situations, like Rosa. To be honest, there's a relatively small group, I wouldn't call it a clique or anything, of people who do most of the inquisitions against users around here. I think it's too much and it's certainly killing the board.


Thank you.

I just don't understand it. Im clearly a communist, most the restricted people are communists are anarchists and sure I can stick around in OI, but it just genuinely hurts me that after contributing for around a year as soon as I post something many people disagree with I'm immediately restricted.

And those of you mocking me for getting agitated about this fair enough, but it has really actually (upset?) me quite a bit, because I was basically accused of supporting racism, which I do find upsetting, and then when I tried to take it up I had the same moderator saying that my restriction wasn't going to be appealed and I had no feeling whatsoever that it was being taken seriously.

And then I felt a bit like I was being treated as 'second class' almost, and saw how many of the people in restricted were being talked down to, not in a rude way, but in a 'our opinions are more enlightened than yours, little one' and it just really aggrieved me.

And then I get talking to other people in restricted and realise most of them are people who have been restricted because something they say has been interpreted in a certain way, and then when they try to appeal they hit a closed door.

So I'm sorry if you think I'm being melodramatic but I just find it upsetting that on a leftist forum we are being so intolerant of our brothers and sisters and that is why I made this rant and I'm sure if I read back over it there are points I articulated poorly/ bordered on flaming but the general point is this: why are we restricting so many of our own comrades?

[durhamleft]

1. Rage and leave rant

2. Cry over cheap beer

3. Insert pistol into mouth, pull trigger

You're doing pretty good so far.

Another example of a disrespectful and not even humorous attempt at wit. Not to mention the blatantly insensitive references to suicide which I'm not even going to go into.

[Le Libérer]

I feel I technically did offer something. Post #30. I'm a multifaceted individual, see, I can play it hot and cold! :) That is to say, I felt that Durham needed some of the wind taking out of his sails, so that he might realise he was being just a teeny-weeny bit silly with this thread, before he'd really be able to take anything constructive on board. I'm playing the long game here!

EDIT: also it's coming up to 2am and I've necked a bottle of Frosty Jack's and literally everything seems like the best idea ever at the moment, I'm gonna get a job in international relations or conflict management or something and sort all this shit out (with pictures of Pokémonzzz) :thumbup:
I'm sorry you are frustrated with your position here, Durham, but we dont make whole threads like this for users to vent. If you would like, theres a blog you can post to.

Ok and on that note, thread is closed.