Attention POLITICS Forum Moderators

Could we get a little more objectivity here? Look at gentlesailor17 on the forum. He’s just throwing personal insults left and right without any consequences. Why does he get a free pass to insult people on this board without getting sanctioned?

Here’s a prime example:

So, basically, when faced with actual evidence, you don't have a single counterargument, so you just resort to lying over and over again.

Honestly, you're completely losing the plot here.

EDIT: Fine, let me rub it in your face with a bit more proof.

See, when your Shakespearean observer grabs a copy of the official tally—you know, the breakdown of total votes cast, valid votes, and everything else—and brings it back to their headquarters, the Republican Party takes note. They track all the precinct boards across the entire country. Then, you can go ahead and check the Federal Election Commission's transparent online maps to see if those numbers actually match up with what the FEC reported.
If there was even a hint that someone was trying to spin things as communist nonsense—like claiming ballot boxes vanished or fell into a lake, or pointing out irregularities—they’d report it instantly.

But no, you’d rather just keep lying.

He earned his ban a long time ago, so why is he still allowed to trash anyone who dares to have a different opinion than him?

Yet, the second someone insults him, he's suddenly incredibly quick to pull the trigger.

So.

You really gotta look at the context of this whole thread and the posts leading up to this before judging. This user is out here making claims that the election results were rigged.

When I replied to her first post—just briefly explaining why rigging an election like that is basically impossible—she just doubled down with all this talk about "Communist conspiracies." Even two other users stepped in, some indirectly and some straight up, to tell her she was off base.

But no, she keeps pushing those "Communist conspiracies," and when I call her out on it, she starts complaining about me.
If you guys want to hand out penalties, go ahead. Do what you gotta do.

As for me calling her a liar? Yeah, I’m not apologizing for that. If someone makes accusations without providing any actual evidence—even after asking for it multiple times—I'm not gonna call it anything other than what it is: lies.
Talking about "Communist conspiracies" isn't exactly providing solid, credible evidence.

EDIT: And look, this isn't me trying to be mean to people who disagree with me. Honestly, we should be nurturing and respecting democracy. But at the same time, I've had enough of this level of political discourse where everyone gets labeled a Communist (I even got called one myself by her, which is just an insult since there's zero proof, so that counts too). I'm just matching the energy. If they decide to step up their game and actually act civil, I’ll be perfectly fine being polite back.

gentlesailor17 said:So, look.

You really need to check out the context of this whole thread and read the posts leading up to this before jumping to conclusions. This user is basically throwing around accusations that the election results were rigged.

Back when I made my first post addressing her claims—basically explaining that pulling off something like that is practically impossible—she just doubled down with all this talk about "Communist conspiracies." Even two other users stepped in, some indirectly and some straight up, to tell her she was off base.

She kept pushing the "Communist conspiracy" angle, so I fired back, and now apparently, she’s playing the victim because of my response.
If you want to hand out penalties, go ahead. Fine.

As for me calling her out for lying? Yeah, I don't plan on apologizing for that. When someone makes wild accusations without providing a shred of evidence—even after being asked multiple times to actually show their cards—I’m not going to call it anything other than what it is: lies.
Talking about "Communist conspiracies" isn't exactly a rock-solid, evidence-based argument.

EDIT: And before anyone gets it twisted, this isn't about wanting to insult people who hold different views. Not at all. You have to nurture and respect democracy. But honestly, it’s getting to be pretty much too much how we allow political discussions to devolve into a circus where everyone is labeled a Communist (which, by the way, she indirectly called me too, despite having zero proof, which is just as insulting), and I’m just meeting that low-level energy with the same level of discourse. If they decide to step up their game and act civilly, I'll be more than happy to be polite in return.

You didn't just insult her, either. This isn't even the first time you've gone after users who happen to disagree with you.

I’ve insulted you a few times myself and taken my fair share of warnings.
I'm not complaining about my own fate; I earned it.
What really gets under my skin is seeing people like you get a free pass while others aren't.

Look, if we're talking about people talking nonsense and earning bans, then fine.
But with you, it’s pretty obvious it isn't about the "nonsense"—it's about the total lack of actual arguments and the pure spite you have for anyone who doesn't see things your way.
I'd love to know exactly how many people have been sent to the > because of you.

This particular user treats this forum more like a personal punching bag for anyone who disagrees with him; he barely touches the actual topics anymore, opting instead for constant ad hominem attacks.
Here is a perfect example.
I ask about the issue regarding missing persons and border security, and he just gives me some vague line about how "work is being done." When I push back and point out that absolutely nothing is actually happening, this is what I get:

gentlesailor17 said:It’s funny how you weren't screaming about this during previous administrations or years ago.🙂

It seems you have no problem weaponizing such a heavy tragedy and loss of life just to score points in daily political skirmishes.

Essentially, there is no real answer or even an attempt at one—just lies and insults.
If you look at that post alongside his registration dates, it becomes obvious: how could we have possibly debated this during other administrations?
The same can be said for the countless other intentional lies and outbursts he directs toward these topics.

It’s not really "insulting" when you guys have been doing this nonstop without any consequences—throwing around labels like anti-American, Yugoslav, Mexican, or Communist just because someone disagrees with you.
But sure, go ahead and pretend it’s all just your "freedom of speech" to be that disrespectful.

Honestly, these kinds of posts about the forums and certain candidates are everywhere lately. Just chill out already.

Look, if you want to come at me, expect the exact same energy right back. You or anyone else. I don't play that game.

@Jeremy Diaz4/">@@Jeremy Diaz4, what kind of crazy theories are you spinning that I’m somehow getting banned too? 🤣

Anyway, whatever. Like I said, mods, do whatever you want. 😁

gentlesailor17 said:Look, I’m not trying to be offensive here, really, but let's call it what it is—it’s not even an insult at this point. It’s just a reality check. You guys have been doing this constantly for years without ever facing any consequences, tossing around labels like "anti-American," "Yugoslav," "Mexican," or "Communist" whenever someone dares to have a different opinion. It’s become such a routine part of the playbook that it doesn't even feel like a jab anymore; it’s just how you handle anyone who doesn't fall in line.
Oh, please, like you actually think having "freedom of speech" gives you a free pass to just be an absolute jerk to everyone else.

Honestly, everyone’s just losing their minds lately, constantly obsessing over all these political threads, the drama surrounding certain candidates, and even tearing apart the forum itself. It’s getting a bit much, really. Can we all just take a breather and chill out for a second?

Look, you’re gonna get exactly what you put in from me, just like you would from anyone else around here. Honestly, if you come at me with that kind of attitude, don't expect anything better than the same level of nonsense right back. You can't play it that way and still expect things to go smooth.

Hey Jeremy Diaz4, what kind of conspiracy theories am I gonna have to peddle if I want to start getting slapped with fines too? 🤣

Look, at the end of the day, like I was saying before, you mods can basically do whatever you want. Total free rein. 😁

Look, I’m not even gonna go around saying you’re lying—that’s just too much work—but what you’re putting out there is straight-up disconnected from reality. Honestly, I’ve personally taken a hit because of the nonsense you're peddling, and if I'm being real, I'm sure plenty of other people have been burned by your takes too.
You’re probably some big-shot party heavyweight or something, which I guess explains why they just look the other way whenever you pull something.
I mean, honestly, I don't see any other way this plays out.

As far as I can recall, I never called anyone an anti-American. A Mexican? If you're offended by that label, why is it such an insult to you?
Yugoslavs and Communists? That’s how I describe this current administration, and I don't see the issue. They basically claim it themselves. Why is the Boogeyman allowed to call them Yugoslavs while we aren't? The Democratic Party actually prides itself on its history with the Communist Party and its Yugoslav ties, so I fail to see where the problem lies.
You're just resorting to personal insults and lying.

Jeremy Diaz4 said:Look, I’m not even saying you’re lying, it’s just... what you’re typing isn't actually what happened. Seriously, I personally got flagged because of you. So yeah, I'm telling you again, I bet a ton of people have dealt with stuff because of you.
Maybe you're some big-shot VIP in the Republican Party or something, so they just look the other way.
I don't see any other reason for it.

In my previous reply, this part shows up:
which you Communists put together Posted at 15:50

And apparently, that's enough to make them shake in their boots. And then there's the whole thing where I get called a Communist—which I am totally not, by the way. It's just lying and manipulation and using those super low-level ad hominem attacks. But hey, I guess to you, that's just how things work, right? Just a "normal" way to label anyone who doesn't agree with you. You don't see an issue with it.
It's not an insult to you, but it definitely is to me.
So, when I dish that same energy right back at you, and then you come crying with that response from 15:15... well, that's also debatable. I'm just returning the favor.

The thing is, you guys don't respect my right to have a different opinion, so you start throwing labels around.

And honestly, since you all insist on pushing this style of insulting people and acting like you own the forum, nobody's really bothered.

But yeah, as long as you keep being the first ones to start labeling people like that, you're gonna get that same level of heat back from me.
I don't play games with people like that. If the moderator thinks I deserve a ban, then fine, hit me with it. I just wish they'd start by actually sanctioning the people who start this whole mess in the first place...

I’ve reviewed the recent reports and couldn't find any violations here. In the future, please just report the post and move on. I'm emphasizing "move on," because if you keep arguing with someone who is clearly breaking the rules, you'll end up with the exact same penalty as them.

It's obvious to all of us that things are getting a bit heated with the runoff election approaching. Some posts are pushing the limits, so I’d like to ask everyone to dial back the intensity just a touch.

Thanks.

Folks, we are right in the thick of election season. Everyone is on edge, and the emotional tension is running much higher than usual. Just be mindful of how you phrase things and try not to take the bait from trolls, and we’ll get through this just fine.

Furthermore, given the circumstances, the moderators have been instructed to be extra vigilant, so expect a surge in bans over the next few days.

Additionally, opening a new thread on the main board without first reporting controversial posts via the flag icon at least 24 hours in advance isn't the way to handle things here.

I'm losing my mind.

William Bennett53 said:Folks, we’re right in the thick of it now. Mid-election season.

Given everything mentioned above, the mods have been pressured to tighten the reins. Expect a flurry of bans over the next few days.

So, we're just deciding that a card is a right now? Like, if a signature breaks the rules, we just pretend it never happened? Fine. Whatever.
I don't care about the specifics of that signature. I'm looking at the "fate" of those cardboard signatures.

The Ban Corner — An appeal against moderator Fran Krsto Quote.

Locked in.

Yeah... but it's all being shouted into a void (at least within that specific thread over in the ban corner).

If a signature is deemed an insult, then issuing a penalty card should also include immediate removal from the game. You can't just hand out a yellow card and then hold onto someone's signature as some sort of compensatory measure. 😉

Exactly. We should probably ban those kinds of petitions at Chase Bank too. They have no business being there...

William Bennett53 said:If the signature is an insult, you get the penalty card along with an immediate removal. You don't just take the card and then try to hold onto the signature as some kind of compensation. 😉

This one. The signature was removed by the moderators. In the ban corner—where you can't even link to those posts anyway—you explicitly stated that it was justified.

No, maybe we’re looking at some kind of... I am ready. Send the text.It’s Greek. You can't even see the signatures.

I’m browsing via Tapatalk, so signatures aren't showing up on my end. If he’s gone ahead and restored that signature, it will just be stripped away again, and he’ll find himself facing another strike.

Locking this (and I won't forget). 😁