Ego and the religious fanatics

Gregory Turner71 said:Haha... basically religious fascists teaming up with declining right-wing parties to import some dusty old American hate-monger, while certain people are actually worried about the LGBTQ+ community causing trouble... 🤣

This marks the second time I’ve noticed this particular moderator using the term "religious fascists" to describe anyone who clearly doesn't align with his specific worldview...

If throwing around labels like "fascist" at random is considered acceptable behavior here in America, then I suppose we should all be allowed to slap fascist labels on people too, unless somehow that privilege is reserved strictly for him...

Honestly, if a regular forum member gets docked points for similar kinds of nonsense, then I really feel like the supermod deserves a much steeper penalty, something that would definitely include stripping away those colorful little icons in his username...

Thanks.

Why didn't you just drop your complaint in the "forum critics" thread? You're the one who started that whole topic specifically so we could all tell each other what's on our minds, right?

I mean, let’s be real—using an expression like that isn't exactly a step up from using slurs to kick someone out of a conversation.

We need everyone to play by the same rules, not just them. I expected better from you, my friend. 😢 (not 😁)

Raymond Ross33 said:Why didn't you just take that specific complaint over to the "forum critic" thread? You actually started that whole topic specifically so we could tell each other what's on our minds...

Because I'm sure using that particular phrase isn't any worse than calling someone a slur or an epithet just to try and "remove" them from the conversation entirely...

We should all be held to the same standard, not just them. Honestly, I expected more from you, my friend 😢 (not 😁)

Gregory Turner71 isn't just some random guy on this board.

I'm pointing out his behavior because he's acting more like a moderator than a regular user, regardless of whether he actually holds a mod position in the politics section or not...

If there are grievances regarding how things are being moderated, this is exactly where they belong.

I'm simply following the rules...

James Patel20 said:If you have complaints about mods, this is the right place for them.

I'm just following the rules here.

What exactly did Gregory Turner71 do, acting as a mod, that has you complaining about him as if he were a software mod?

Did you try making a post on the actual forum thread instead? 😁

Raymond Ross33 said:What exactly did Gregory Turner71 do, acting as a mod, that would give you grounds to complain about him, specifically regarding his role?

Just making a regular post on a thread? 😁

I suppose you have a point that this whole situation is open to interpretation...

He did technically write a post as a regular user, but my gut feeling is that this particular post isn't being treated quite the same way it would be if any other random guy had typed it up...

I guess I'm just trying to figure out if people are reacting this way because of his title, or if there truly isn't anything wrong here and I should probably stop throwing around heavy labels like fascism all over the board...

If we could just settle this uncertainty through some simple forum critic feedback, I really wouldn't feel the need to come here and vent like this...

Well, I just checked back in and it looks like everything over on that thread has completely gone off the rails...

People are throwing around accusations of fascism from every single direction now, so bringing up the supermod isn't even the main issue anymore...

As far as I'm concerned, you guys can go ahead and carry on however you like...

Since the entire political discourse here is constantly peppered with labels like communists, nationalists, or various other extremist slurs—
I really don't see what the big deal is regarding my own posts.

Gregory Turner71 said:Since this entire Politics section is constantly peppered with terms like communists, Yugoslav nationalists, or similar labels, I don't see anything wrong with my posts.

Just plain old lies. Nobody is "scattering" offensive terms around without the moderators stepping in to delete them or issue warnings.

And terms like "communist" or "nationalist" aren't insults; it's just a handful of you coming over from Religion and suffocating us with those same talking points you use there. You spread intolerance just like you do on Religion—which is basically a tragicomedy of a subforum and a breeding ground for extremism (not everyone, mind you, but certain specific users who always show up on these topics across various threads). Meanwhile, the folks here in Politics are much more objective and generally better prepared for actual discussion, rather than constant extremist rambling.

The fact that the Politics moderation is actually above average probably helps quite a bit... or at least, it certainly does.

Honestly, this part is hilarious 😁... the Religion section literally has a virtual sign at the entrance: 'Dear users, please refrain from using derogatory terms such as "clerical-fascist" or "Catholic-liberal."

And yet some people think, "Oh well, let's head over to Politics to see steel," where we can fly under the radar and enrich our debates with brand new insults... *massive facepalm*.

James Patel20 said:Gregory Turner71 isn't just some random guy on this board.

There aren't any moderator powers on this site that would make someone an "ordinary user"... why don't you just report posts like that as trolling or spam? If they really are breaking the rules, the mods will scrub them from the discussions. That’s pretty much it.

Susan Price30 said:Just a plain old lie. Nobody gets away with throwing around insults without the mods stepping in to delete the post or hand out a warning.

How? Yes, no. I’m reading this thread about Reisman over on Politics and honestly, the fact that people are even still debating this proves that those kinds of comments aren't getting flagged. I'm talking about terms like "young slut" or "commissar" and stuff like that.

The mere fact that certain people are still participating in this debate proves that these kinds of things aren't being shut down. I'm talking about terms like "young slut" or "commissar" and things of that nature.

Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't...

Though, I don't think that really connects to the constant insistence on using labels like "fascist" this and "fascist" that... which is what some folks from Religion are always doing.

Susan Price30 said:The Politics section doesn't have any moderator authority that would make someone an 'ordinary user.' If you see posts like that, just report them as trolling or indecent content. If they really are violations, the mods will delete them from the discussions. That’s it.

If he has a red username and is a super mod, then he can get away with it.

It isn't anything new on Politics. Most of the moderators here share the exact same worldview. When a super mod uses terms like clerical fascists, it gives everyone else with that mindset permission to follow suit. Look at the thread about Reisnerica. Schmokljan trolls sixteen people, calls conservatives stupid and backward, and writes short, provocative, insulting posts. Nobody says a word. 😬..And he isn't the only one. Everyone uses insults against anyone labeled as "conservative" or right-wing.

Try doing that to the other side and you'll be banned in a heartbeat.

It's a one-sided echo chamber, but that's nothing new. The moderation team is built this way, so don't expect anything different. If someone wants to post here, they can. You can still sneak a decent post through if you watch your step.

Gregory Turner71 said:Since the whole platform is constantly throwing around labels like communists, old-school partisans, or whatever other divisive political slurs you can think of, I don't see what's so wrong with my posts.

I mean, as long as there’s an equal sign between "your" specific terms and those other insults, then sure, maybe there's nothing controversial about it.
But the real issue—and I guess this goes back to what someone else already pointed out—is how some people get totally blacklisted while others just get a free pass.

It’s not just one person... everyone uses derogatory terms for those labeled as "right-wingers" or the right side of the aisle.

Just try using that kind of language toward the other side and you'll be banned before you can even blink.

If things were actually handled the way you claim, nobody would be getting banned for minor infractions.😬

I don't know, but looking at some of the most active—or rather, most visible—mods (the edge, PowerLock, and Cuka), they all seem like solid moderators who are genuinely trying to maintain order and wipe out that kind of extremist nonsense...

For instance, the edge alone probably nukes about 50 to 60 posts a day just on this specific topic. It's not that the mods aren't putting in the work or acting in unison like that one guy from Religion who famously said: 'Once I start getting paid, I'll put in more effort' when asked why he wasn't moderating reported posts... meanwhile, some people almost came to blows in this thread, lol.

Sean Cooper65 said:Honestly, this isn't anything new. It’s typical politics where almost all the moderators share the exact same worldview. When a top mod starts throwing around terms like clerical fascists, what else can you expect from the rest of the users who think just like him? It basically gives everyone else permission to follow suit. Take that thread about Reisnerica—Schmokljan spent sixteen posts trolling, calling conservatives stupid and backward, dropping short, provocative, insulting posts left and right, and nobody says a word...😬...and he's not even the only one. Everyone here uses insulting labels for anyone they label as "right-wing."

That’s a lie. I know for a fact that the moderator Cuka made sure the admins deleted a post by one of the top mods because he was being offensive toward Catholic priests—specifically on that very topic.

Susan Price30 said:If what you're saying is actually true, then honestly, it wouldn't even be considered excessive damage if someone just took off and flew the coop. 😬

I don't know about you all, but looking at some of the most active—or maybe just the most "visible"—mods around here—guys like the edge, PowerLock, and Cuka—it really feels like they’re actually high-quality moderators. They genuinely seem to be putting in the work to maintain some semblance of order and sweep away that kind of extremist nonsense that tends to clutter up these spaces.

Well, that’s about it. The edge. It’s a concept people love to throw around, usually when they think they’re being profound, but most of the time, they don't actually understand what it means—whether we're talking about technical precision, psychological grit, or just that razor-thin margin between success and total disaster. It’s like when you’re watching a high-stakes game at Madison Square Garden; there’s this palpable tension, this invisible line where one bad call or one momentary lapse in focus shifts everything from a blowout win to a humiliating loss. That’s the edge. It isn't some static thing you just "have"—it’s a moving target. You spend all your time trying to sharpen it, only to realize the moment you think you've mastered it, you've actually just become complacent. And complacency is exactly how you fall off. It looks like they’re wiping out maybe 50 or 60 posts every single day—it's honestly getting a bit ridiculous. Just looking at this specific topic—not to imply that the moderators aren't putting in the work or plotting something behind the scenes—but it reminds me of what one person from Religion once said: Honestly, it’s pretty simple math: when my paycheck actually reflects the value I'm bringing to the table, I might just consider putting in some extra hours. Until then? I'm sticking strictly to the contract. Why isn't anyone moderating the reported posts? Seriously... some people are practically tearing each other apart in this thread, lol.

That’s exactly where the issue lies. It feels like there's a massive double standard happening here—some people get away with posting blatant insults without a second thought, while others find themselves getting flagged or sanctioned for comments that aren't even remotely controversial. It’s a clear case of moving the goalposts; it seems like not all users are being held to the same set of rules. Honestly, Sean Cooper65 hit the nail on the head when he explained why this kind of bias happens in the first place.

Scott Cruz4 said:That is precisely where the issue lies. It seems some users have their offensive posts simply deleted, while others face penalties for much less controversial comments. We are looking at a clear double standard here; not all forum members are treated equally. As our colleague Sean Cooper65 so aptly explained, there is a reason this is happening.

In my case, Cuka slapped me with a 30-point penalty just because I suggested to another user that they should step away from the forum for the greater good—implying that the two of us share a more global perspective than he does and some extremely uneducated right-winger.🤷
(Not that I didn't earn the penalty, considering the cumulative total 😁 )

Gregory Turner71 said:Since the political discourse here is constantly littered with terms like communists, nationalists, and all those other labels, I don't see what's so controversial about my posts.

Every single time I’ve brought up "leftists," I’ve been flagged. To me, they’re just people who can't accept the existence of this country, hiding their agenda behind liberal parties and various fringe associations.

The same goes for when I called the Canadian Army "Harmony" (referring to the Islamization of the troops)—that got me flagged too. By that logic, using a term like "clerical-fascist" would earn me a penalty as well.

..................Or, the moderators could just do us all a favor, open a dedicated politics thread where everyone apologizes for the unnecessary bans, and call it a day.☕