Banning non-Americans from posting

judolino said:It really gets under my skin, honestly...
If you want to go sleep with your wife—be my guest.
Just leave me out of it.
....
Because those of you who don't actually live here in America have absolutely no right telling us Americans that we should just pack up and move somewhere else...

guzica3 said:Yeah, it’s truly fascinating how Americans who refuse to live in the States feel entitled to dictate exactly how life ought to be lived here...

"Thanks" for deleting my replies while conveniently ignoring the comments about where I actually reside...

I’d really appreciate it if you could just rename this whole thread about Minister Hasanbegović to "James Patel20," and maybe update the rules to state that anyone living outside the US doesn't get a say, otherwise their posts will just be wiped away...

Please, for heaven's sake, do something, because the true Americans living right here in the US are starting to feel targeted and they need some kind of protection...

Maybe you could just put a little badge next to the avatars of those of us who aren't posting from within the US...

Labeling people seems perfectly fine according to the rules...

So, I went ahead and updated my avatar.

I have a feeling that the true Americans living here in the States might feel just a little bit less targeted now...

And it should make things much simpler for the moderation team when they need to decide which posts to clear out...

It’s honestly pretty frustrating when I can’t tell where everyone on here is actually from.

I find myself having way more patience for those controversial takes if I know the person is coming from somewhere like Mexico or South America.

You used to be able to spot someone's background pretty easily. Too bad they got rid of that feature.

Anthony Perez9 said:It’s honestly pretty frustrating when I can’t tell where everyone on here is actually from.

I find myself having way more patience for those controversial takes if I know the person is coming from somewhere like Mexico or South America.

You used to be able to spot someone's background pretty easily. Too bad they got rid of that feature.

Personally, I don't have any issue with the anonymity itself, as long as the rules apply to everyone equally without exception.

Following those same rules, though, I still can't quite wrap my head around how posts targeting my specific hometown are even relevant to a discussion about Secretary Hasanbegović...

And yet, those posts are still sitting there, unmoderated and untouched.

Maybe it's meant to serve as some kind of warning, or perhaps it's just the moderators silently agreeing that we aren't—and can't be—treated as equal participants in this conversation...

It really is a pathetic situation, truly...

The insults just keep coming:

twistdrum said:just another person claiming to love America from a safe distance, I suppose?

James Patel20 said:Personally, I don't have any issue with the anonymity itself, as long as the rules apply to everyone equally without exception.

Following those same rules, though, I still can't quite wrap my head around how posts targeting my specific hometown are even relevant to a discussion about Secretary Hasanbegović...

And yet, those posts are still sitting there, unmoderated and untouched.

Maybe it's meant to serve as some kind of warning, or perhaps it's just the moderators silently agreeing that we aren't—and can't be—treated as equal participants in this conversation...

It really is a pathetic situation, truly...

If nothing else, it’s because we wouldn't want such an incompetent individual shaping the cultural policy of the very nation where we reside. While nobody is stopping you from speaking, those of us living here in America feel far more qualified to comment on the affairs unfolding within our own country.

From what I can recall back during the war years, we didn't turn away a single cent from those who weren't even living in the States at the time, nor did we pass up any contributions from the volunteers out there elsewhwere, among other things.

Look, there’s absolutely nothing stopping anyone from posting just because they aren't from the US; we welcome everyone here, but if you run into a controversial post, you really need to report it properly. If you don't see any action from the mods after more than twenty-four hours, then feel free to ask about it right here, just make sure you include the direct links. From what I can tell, you opened this thread only a few hours after those posts you quoted were even written.

So, I went ahead and reported those posts mentioned above, just to see if they’ll actually get taken down...

It’s honestly pretty interesting how my own replies to those specific threads were deleted at lightning speed, though...

That really suggests the moderators definitely caught sight of the original posts, yet chose not to step in...

It seems like they're perfectly fine letting people dig into everyone's personal locations, even when it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual discussion...

It’s just pure, unadulterated low-class behavior...

I’m not a fan of this, and clearly you aren't either—bringing up someone's residence or suggesting they move. It slips through the cracks occasionally, I suppose.☕

James Patel20 said:If she thinks Fascist Europe is the problem, I’d suggest North Korea—truly a beautiful anti-fascist nation.

Well, if we aren't being quite so extreme, there's always Russia, China, or the USA...

All such lovely anti-fascist states.

Honestly, with so many wonderful anti-fascist countries out there, who would be crazy enough to live in "Fascist Europe"?

Especially in a backwater like America.

(Which, by the way, is about to get swallowed up by fascist Spain. In handball, obviously.)

Looking at this from an outside perspective here in the States: it’s just a total nightmare, from start to finish...

And technically speaking, this website is a complete disaster too.

Charles Fox10 said:I’m not a fan of this, and clearly you aren't either—bringing up someone's residence or suggesting they move. It slips through the cracks occasionally, I suppose.☕

Come on, Charles Fox10, are you actually being serious right now... comparing Nina Violić to me like we’re somehow on the same level... 🤣

She’s a public figure, really, which is why we were all discussing her in the first place, and my comment was intended specifically for her...

While everyone else on the board seemed to be aiming their comments directly at me—completely ignoring the actual topic at hand just to be difficult—it felt like nothing more than pure, mindless trolling...

If you truly can’t see the difference between the two, my honest advice would be to maybe start thinking about a quiet retirement in some sleepy suburb... just to give your mind a rest... 😉

I’m being serious when I say I have no interest in hearing suggestions about leaving America, nor does anyone's residency status particularly concern me. It’s just unpleasant to see these things brought up. Generally speaking, it all feels unnecessary and quite pointless.

Charles Fox10 said:I’m being serious when I say I have no interest in hearing suggestions about leaving America, nor does anyone's residency status particularly concern me. It’s just unpleasant to see these things brought up. Generally speaking, it all feels unnecessary and quite pointless.

Alright, I can see your point, but I really need you to notice the distinction here...

My comment was strictly about the topic at hand, specifically regarding a public figure who went out of their way to claim they live in the middle of nowhere...

But those other comments were direct personal attacks aimed at a fellow forum member, which in this case, was me...

Do you see the difference there?...

Because if you don't consider that controversial, then I suppose I'll just have to respond to you personally every single time you post about some topic from now on...

For instance, if you write something about Hasanbegović, I might decide to bring up where you live, or the color of your hair, or even your parents...

Apologies for mentioning the "parents" part, you know how it goes, I hope you understand...

Look, James Patel20, I get your point, and honestly, you could have made it without resorting to those ad hominem attacks. But let’s be clear: you’re the one who opened this door. When commenting on a public figure, you suggested that if she isn't happy here in the States, she should just move to Russia, China, or North Korea... essentially suggesting she leave the US for countries notorious for practicing the exact same tactics the new minister is advocating for—the very things Nina Violić reacted to. And when you told her to leave the country, people called you out because you aren't even living here yourself; you're telling a prominent cultural figure to pack up because she doesn't fit a specific mold, all while you reside elsewhere. This isn't about whether anyone is allowed to post on this forum; that's a mischaracterization. The issue is that people are calling you out for trying to "force" a public official out simply because she disagrees with the ideology of a problematic department where she has spent her entire career, whereas he has been there for eight days. Just imagine if someone told Glogoški that if he wasn't happy under Matić's leadership, he should move to a country where disabled veterans are thrown onto the streets to fend for themselves—especially when that person, say, lives in Canada and isn't directly affected by the lives of American war veterans.
Let’s move on; this really isn't worth our time.

William Bennett53 said:Look, James Patel20, I get your point, and honestly, you could have made it without resorting to those ad hominem attacks. But let’s be clear: you’re the one who opened this door. When commenting on a public figure, you suggested that if she isn't happy here in the States, she should just move to Russia, China, or North Korea... essentially suggesting she leave the US for countries notorious for practicing the exact same tactics the new minister is advocating for—the very things Nina Violić reacted to. And when you told her to leave the country, people called you out because you aren't even living here yourself; you're telling a prominent cultural figure to pack up because she doesn't fit a specific mold, all while you reside elsewhere. This isn't about whether anyone is allowed to post on this forum; that's a mischaracterization. The issue is that people are calling you out for trying to "force" a public official out simply because she disagrees with the ideology of a problematic department where she has spent her entire career, whereas he has been there for eight days. Just imagine if someone told Glogoški that if he wasn't happy under Matić's leadership, he should move to a country where disabled veterans are thrown onto the streets to fend for themselves—especially when that person, say, lives in Canada and isn't directly affected by the lives of American war veterans.
Let’s move on; this really isn't worth our time.

Hahahahah, I mean, does one really need a perfectly relevant resume just to participate in a discussion on the appropriate topic? 🤣

I mean, just think about it... what if a Member of the European Parliament, or a credit agent, or anyone in a similar position commented on how extravagant life is in America, even if it doesn't personally affect their daily existence? It would be considered absolutely scandalous, wouldn't it?

Really, what is the harm in suggesting Glogoški move anywhere else, even to the middle of nowhere, especially if he describes his location as being "at the edge of the world"...

If everyone thinks my place of residence or any other bit of my personal data is somehow relevant to politics, then feel free to start a thread titled "James Patel20" and tear me apart to your heart's content...

But reducing a debate about public figures down to personal attacks between forum members is, at the very least, quite pathetic...

And it is certainly not true that this isn't a worthwhile topic; it is actually crucial for determining whether this forum is a place to discuss public figures or just a place to attack one another...

Because if we are just going to attack each other, then there is really no reason for me to even visit the forum, since the personal lives of users truly don't interest me at all...

And just as a side note, I am curious... what exactly are the policies the minister is pushing for that are supposedly practiced in North Korea?

It seems users on this forum tend to go back and forth in hundreds of individual posts. If someone is actually being judgmental, we step in and penalize them. That isn’t what happened here; it was simply a group of members noticing that you're sharing content from a country you don't actually reside in. That’s really all there is to it. It’s nothing more than a minor storm in a teacup.

I have to jump in here because it’s blindingly obvious—and I mean blatantly obvious—that people are openly bullying one of the users, and even worse, the moderators are actually egging this harassment on. Just wonderful. Absolutely brilliant.

So, let’s break down what’s actually happening here:
If someone isn't happy with the country they live in—specifically, if they hate Nina Violić, who has famously dubbed this place the "asshole of the world"—then it’s perfectly logical to suggest that such a person just move out of the very country they're insulting. But apparently, according to our beloved commenters and mods who are all jumping to defend this behavior, if you don't live in this "asshole of the world" (which is America, right?), then you aren't allowed to tell someone to leave! Because you don't live there yourself?! What kind of absolute nonsense is that...

Look, if someone living in Germany comes up to me and says, "Listen, I really don't like life in Germany, I think it's the asshole of the world," my first response—and honestly, the only thing any sane, rational person would say—is to suggest they pack their bags and move. Even if I don't live in Germany myself and don't know exactly what daily life is like over there, based purely on that person's own description, it's clear that leaving would be their best bet.

It’s just basic common sense and simple logic. But of course, some people here find that concept totally foreign, so they immediately pivot to attacking me personally—classic ad hominem bullshit—claiming I have no right to give anyone advice on the subject since I don't live in Germany either.

That kind of reasoning is so incredibly idiotic that there isn't a single justifiable reason to support it.

Thanks, Brenda Taylor13.

And get this, my response regarding that whole residency issue was wiped out within minutes...

Meanwhile, all those troll posts about where I live are still sitting there perfectly fine, despite me reporting them and starting this entire thread...

It’s clearly not that easy to get stuff removed...🤣

Regarding the whole situation involving Hasanbegović... I’ve been sitting here thinking about it for quite a while now, just trying to wrap my head around how everything unfolded... It feels like one of those moments where you realize how much the landscape of our national conversation has shifted over the years, doesn't it? I find myself drifting back to the various debates we've had on this forum, wondering if we ever truly settled any of these questions or if we just moved on to the next thing without really processing the implications... It’s a lot to take in, honestly, especially when you consider how deeply these topics touch upon our shared identity and the way we view our own history... I suppose I'm just trying to find some sense of clarity amidst all the noise...

Artiso James Patel20 said:It honestly feels completely unacceptable to me when these import ministers from elsewhere come over here and try to lecture us on how we should be running our own business... I mean, if they have such strong opinions on how things ought to be done, they should probably just head back to their own home countries and preach to them instead of trying to dictate terms to us here in America...🕺

It’s strange to me that I don't see the usual crowd jumping on this post, especially when you consider the family ties involved... since the Secretary, his father, and even his grandfather are all lifelong New Yorkers...