Posts by Aaron Phillips2

Man, I’ve got two forum ladies actually asking me to step up into moderation.
icuce 😍
If I had any idea that a thread this heated would end with both Petra and Africa finally coming clean, I might have acted sooner!
Girls, you’re the best. Thanks!

My bad, Michelle Evans.
I was just talking about that thread over on Zelkova.
And I was chatting with Kate Wilson here—didn't realize that was off-limits.

Is there actually a better spot for complaints and feedback that isn't just the "Messages, Complaints, and Feedback" section?
If there is, let me know.

Anyway, Kate Wilson, I'm just hanging tight until you get back. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Kate Wilson said:I basically gave her a collective summary regarding how she contributed to the topic; I didn't go back and flag posts from before I took over the thread.
From here on out, though, I’m flagging stuff like that immediately.

Gotcha.
If some third party happens to stumble onto this thread and notices this post isn't flagged, they're gonna assume things were handled differently before and think this kind of talk isn't tolerated on the forum.

Fine, works for me. Thanks.

Look, I don't want to start a whole new thread for this, but I just want a quick answer to something I've brought up a few times now that seems to be getting ignored:
Is this post actually going to get me sanctioned?
Because if it won't, then I should probably know if I can just throw around terms like xenophobe or fascist whenever I feel like it—regardless of the topic, who I'm talking to, or the vibe of the conversation.
I mean, does it matter if the thread has strict moderation or not?

Thanks!

Alright, let's just wait for Kate Wilson to actually dig through these posts. It’s not like things haven't been getting messy since last night.

So, I went to see what was actually going on with that post that got flagged like twenty-four hours ago. This one right here... From my signature.
Seriously? Fascism is still out here living its best life on this forum without anyone lifting a finger to stop it. Unbelievable.
Maybe Kate Wilson is cleaning up that mess right now.

So, I just noticed that the "like" button finally showed up on Sarah Doyle54's Facebook post. 😁
Since when did this forum start letting people Facebook like posts?

I don't know. 😍

Maybe we should step up the game with how certain forum posters and mods write. Just so the Facebook crowd can actually see the kind of nonsense some people are throwing around.
So, what’s Zuckerberg actually thinking when people start throwing around words like fascism or Nazism to describe his platform? Is he even listening?

What penis? Here we go again with the same old tired topic.

We were having a perfectly nice, chill conversation, until Sarah Doyle54 decided to jump in.

Richard Nelson84 said:I only read what you wrote. Nothing else! ☕

You can say whatever you want, but true class is about staying polite—even when the person you're talking to is being completely out of line.

I just want to point out how hypocritical you're being! 😁

Everyone deserves a little respect, no matter what their job title is. Even moderators should keep things civil! I'm in! Let's do this! You get a warning if you break the rules. Honestly, I think it’s way worse if a moderator slips up, though. Not only do they catch a strike, but they also get a massive reprimand from the higher-ups. Trust me, you definitely don't want to experience that! 😬

🤣

Richard Nelson84, did someone send you here to handle the damage control? Are you just trolling us honest folks for a laugh after that heavy topic?

Honestly, this whole thread just proves that moderators can totally screw up and still get away with it without any pushback from their own teammates.
What on earth are you even talking about?

Christian Howard2 said:Alright, I'm back. Sorry to keep you guys waiting.

Look, this thread has definitely spiraled out of control lately. People have been throwing insults around and getting way too personal with one another, but honestly? That’s no reason to just kill the discussion entirely.
I'm going to unlock the thread, but I’ll be stepping in to moderate it personally—and I mean being a bit more hands-on than we have been up until now.
So, you can jump back in soon, but let's keep it civil. No insults, no blatant trolling, and please, stop attacking each other instead of actually talking about the topic at hand. Just a reminder: hate speech and similar nonsense are strictly against our forum rules and the community guidelines outlined in the handbook.

thanks Christian Howard2!

Tyler Grant76 said:That’s the bigger picture, I guess. It'll be some way for people to protect themselves from those "accusations" of chauvinism 🙏 🙏 🙏

🤣
Chauvinism? I think you're pulling that one out of thin air.

Just another imaginary bastion of tolerance. Another ivory tower. 👍

I’ve gone through both of your posts, thanks

Michelle Evans said:Yes, I can answer. Whenever I am online...

It isn't our practice to issue warnings for posts edited within the allowed timeframe before a moderator even has a chance to spot them. We don't do that anywhere on the forum. It would result in way too many warnings if we penalized the original version of a post. I was acting as moderator at that moment, and while I was typing my reply to the OP, that post was written and then immediately edited, from what I can see...
My colleagues can correct me if I'm wrong and if warnings are indeed given for posts prior to editing.

If you're trying to draw a parallel to your own warning—it's been over an hour since your post went up, you've participated in the thread, and you had plenty of time to fix whatever caused your warning.

Any grievances regarding the moderation of this thread should be moved to a new topic. We shouldn't clutter this discussion, as this isn't the place to debate how this Women's Corner and Complaint thread is being managed.

Is Christian Howard2 here? You know, the one in charge of the Women's Corner and Complaint?
If not, when can we expect her?
I really don't want the admin team here to be a carbon copy of some mediocre US government bureaucracy, where after I file a formal complaint, I then have to open yet another separate thread just to argue about how my first complaint was handled. Does that sound efficient to anyone?

And while we're at it—since posts seem to be vanishing into thin air and you're basically the only one actually talking to us—can someone please tell me how to get a hold of Christian Howard2? If she’s the one running the Women's Corner and handling complaints regarding moderators, I need to talk. Especially since certain moderator posts—both current and former—seem to be getting a free pass and going unpunished.

Aaron Phillips2 said:I’m signing off on this for the third time.
They just keep deleting posts.

If they actually told me what I was doing wrong, I’d easily fix my wording.
But instead, I just watch my stuff vanish for the second time, so thanks a lot, Zhang Qin...

Do I seriously have to save a screenshot of every single post just so we can send it to someone who actually knows how to handle a complaint properly?

Michelle Evans and the rest of the higher-ups,

can I get an explanation as to why certain posts in the Women's Corner and Complaint are being deleted?

Thanks!

driftingcanyon16 said:And which of Gilda's posts are actually xenophobic or racist?

God, I could go back and forth with you all day, but I won't. It’s just too much. It’s actually kind of sad that you view yourself as some bastion of tolerance...

I’m signing off on this for the third time.
They just keep deleting posts.

If they actually told me what I was doing wrong, I’d easily fix my wording.
But instead, I just watch my stuff vanish for the second time, so thanks a lot, Zhang Qin...

Do I seriously have to save a screenshot of every single post just so we can send it to someone who actually knows how to handle a complaint properly?

Michelle Evans said:I can't personally answer those kinds of questions. For anything regarding the CNN threads, you'll need to talk to the moderators for that specific section, the supermoderator—Sabaa, in this instance—or the administrator, who is Miami. Usually, you follow that hierarchy...

The moderators for this specific thread don't handle appeals unless they involve sections under their direct control (which would be Miami, since she oversees the entire forum). Their job is just to moderate so things don't spiral out of hand...

In this space, you can post freely as long as there's no insulting, provoking, trolling, dragging out old arguments from closed threads, or digging up resolved disputes...

As for reporting a moderator, they don't have the technical tools to issue sanctions against one of their own. If a moderator's post warrants action, it falls to the supermoderator or the administrator...

Thanks for nothing.
So why the hell is there this public callout for someone to issue a ban when everyone knows a mod can't even pull the trigger on another mod?

Bradley Sanders4 said:My post isn't breaking any rules. Look, we all agreed a long time ago that you can call an idiot an idiot without getting punished, right? So, by that same logic, if users are posting xenophobic or fascist garbage, they should be called out as xenophobes and fascists too. I requested a just and exclusively just because I'm a moderator on another subforum, and I don't want my own posts being scrutinized under a microscope because of how I write.

I honestly don't care why you went looking for a ban for yourself.
No, I guess we just can't call fascists fascists anymore? You aren't exactly invited to throw those labels around whenever you feel like someone is a fascist.
Do you go around calling people fascists on a regular basis? Are you really cool with other people talking like that?
Don't try to play the relativity card. You know how the rules work; you're the one who handed out bans on CNN.

And "not targeting anyone specifically"? Give me a break. What, are you too chicken to actually use forum usernames?
Just drop a metaphorical bomb and hope nobody catches it, since technically you didn't "call anyone out," right?
Are you even embarrassed?
You should be.

Nancy Cruz3 said:Peter, Aaron Phillips2!

I won't bother quoting that massive wall of text right now.

The fallout went both ways—everyone was getting called out. It wasn't just about people swooping in without contributing anything useful to the debate and then throwing a tantrum when they didn't get their way.

On the flip side, there was a systematic, repeated violation of rule 6, specifically that second half of the policy.

I stand by my actions—and everything else I’ve said here. Everyone seems to have lost their moral compass. You either want flimsy rules and loose moderation on the Forum, or you demand trust and then immediately fail to maintain a decent level of discourse.

There are higher authorities on this Forum than me—they can certainly reopen this thread if they decide I'm actually the one in the wrong.

Got it.
So what’s the move when the conversation goes off the rails? Just wait until one side starts firing shots, and then lock it once the replies start rolling in?

Anyway, please answer my questions from the first and second-to-last posts.

What happened to the warnings issued to those specific users and regarding those posts?

Thanks!

Michelle Evans said:This isn't the Women's Corner, so please keep the discussion level appropriate. I ask that you refrain from calling other members "complexists" or using any other insults, provoking one another, starting unnecessary arguments, or dragging content over from the Women's Corner... let's just stick to the rules outlined in this PDF.

Pringles

So, you're asking what we can actually use to write stuff here? Seriously? Is that really the question? Look, it's pretty straightforward. You just jump in and start typing. No special equipment required, no fancy setup. Just your thoughts and a keyboard. What else would you need?

Besides being a direct answer to my question in the opening post, isn't it also just a blatant violation of the Forum rules?

Thanks!

Nancy Cruz3 said:😍

Where are you ladies?

It seems you were a bit stung by losing your little discussion platform—so naturally, you’ve decided to take your frustrations out on me instead.

I figured it would be best to give everyone some breathing room to cool off before half the subreddits ended up banned, but clearly, you aren't interested in playing nice.
You're entitled to your opinions.

Since I have zero interest in getting dragged into a massive debate, I'll just say this: feel free to join the moderation team. You can clean up your own messes then. I'm sure the other mods would love the extra hands, and it would certainly take a load off my plate.

Hey Nancy!
Look, I know you're flying solo right now, but being the only moderator on duty doesn't excuse how you're handling things.

The gossip thread belongs to certain users who, from what I can see, are still getting by just fine.
It actually matters to me when people on my main boards start calling me a fascist or total trash. And I'm not talking about those random trolls who swoop in, spit on everyone, and leave in a fit of self-righteous rage.
What bugs me even more is seeing how fascist rhetoric and "motherf***er" insults—and everything else that comes with that package—get a free pass.
How long ago was that post reported? 4 hours?
The post is still sitting there without a warning, and nobody has been banned.
clones

Afrikin

The Forum rules say something completely different.

You aren't following the rules of the site you work for. You're just protecting one of your fellow mods. Instead of actually moderating a heated topic, you just swoop in and lock the whole thing down so nobody ends up getting banned.
And you're doing it by nitpicking tiny details. To put it in the language of the people who throw the word "fascist" around so easily—yet you don't react to actual fascism—honestly, aren't you embarrassed?

You know what? That invitation to join the mod team is useless. This is YOUR job, not a charity case. Do your job. If you can't handle it, call another mod for backup. Don't just toss the ball into our court.