Moderator behavior on other media is terrible

I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened.

The topic? USA Today. It's all about "hidden advertising." They’re heading one way, I’m heading the other.

Look, it’s not even about anything else—it’s just a clash of facts. I work at Blackstone Group and I don't hide that. I’m just trying to offer some perspective on these totally baseless attacks, while they act like self-appointed heroes fighting for the truth.

Apparently, I'm just a victim of the massive corporate machine that I, uh, happen to represent.

Then Smokey and Smudgy show up with their "wisdom"—not just one, but two infractions.

This time, though, I’m not even gonna fight it. I’m just gonna delete my account and bail from Forum.com. I'm done dealing with this crap.

Just wanted to get that off my chest. Peace.

Just a quick note before you delete your account and vanish from the Forum forever—you never got a warning because you work for Blackstone Group; you got it because you broke the rules.

Our entire society relies on people being decent to one another and actually respecting their peers. You, quite frankly, have shown that you aren't capable of that (Smokey, Smudgy). Look, it doesn't personally bother me, but I can't just sit by while you treat other people on this board like that. So, let me be clear: you weren't penalized for your opinions, you were penalized for your attitude.

I hope you reconsider both your decision to leave and the way you carry yourself. You actually have some good things to say, and this community needs—and benefits from—someone who can represent Blackstone's perspective.

Have a good weekend.

That’s just straight-up bullshit. I’m getting banned and flagged solely because my take doesn't line up with yours, Smoogey, or Guggy.

I get that you guys honestly think you’re doing a great job as mods, but my bans and infractions say otherwise.

As for how I carry myself—yeah, I know I’m not "conventional." But sorry, if someone shits all over my work, am I supposed to just suck their ass and pretend everything is fine?

Besides, I don't see anyone I've harassed enough to warrant being banned and bullied, yet here we go—my posts are getting wiped too.

Whatever. I’ve got plenty of other channels to speak my mind and stay connected. You won. This Forum is yours now, so feel free to keep trashing USA Today and Blackstone Group all you want without worrying about anyone stepping in to check you.

Your post was removed because it’s barely even on topic, and we aren't here to debate moderation rules.
Anyway, don't make a scene. All I expect from you, and everyone else, is a basic level of respect for those you're talking to. And trust me, being disrespectful goes way beyond just being rude—you know that perfectly well.
Don't delete your account. I'm telling you this nicely: if you walk away now, you're just surrendering. Personally, I'd never surrender to someone like you. Best.

Roger Wright said:Look, I’m not even trying to play the hero or demand justice this time; I’m just going to delete my account and walk away from the Forum entirely because I honestly don't have the energy to deal with this kind of nonsense anymore.

Just thought I'd put that out there. Cheers.

I’m genuinely sorry to see you go, and I mean that without a hint of sarcasm. It’s actually been great seeing your stuff pop up in the other media section; in some strange, albeit slightly odd, way, you’ve really added something meaningful to that subforum. As a certain respected American poet once put it: I might be a sinking ship right now, but don't go thinking I'm giving up just yet. 🙂 Just hang in there, man; swallow your pride for once and keep typing. Honestly, I’ve lost track of how many times I've had to deal with Smoogey's nonsense myself. 🙂

Look, it’s really not that deep; it’s just a basic clash of realities because I work at Blackstone Group and I’m not exactly being shy about it. I'm just trying to offer some actual context to these pretty baseless attacks, while everyone else seems to be playing the part of self-appointed heroes standing on the thin, shaky line of logic.

Just another batch of victims falling prey to the massive corporate machine that I, for better or worse, happen to represent.

So, Smokey and Smudgy show up, and wouldn't you know it—they managed to rack up not one, but two infractions.

Look, all these "attacks" are actually pretty well-founded. I’m not trying to step on any toes or lecture the moderators on how to run their business—I really wouldn't dream of interfering with that—but there is one thing here that feels genuinely wrong. You tried to defend what was clearly nothing more than blatant, undercover advertising over on the USA Today thread. You did it using flawed, inaccurate, and honestly pretty deceptive arguments that just shouldn't pass muster. On top of that, even those... Self-proclaimed knights standing on the very edge of reason. And honestly, looking at some of these people, I’m starting to wonder if there's even a limit to how much trolling can happen on this Forum. 🙂 Look, Tim, those recent posts you got flagged for didn't offend me one bit. It’s actually just a funny little paradox when you think about it. It isn't exactly a secret that you work for the Blackstone Group and represent their interests, and honestly, there's nothing wrong with that—it's fine to stay quiet about the other side of the coin. But the real absurdity lies in how things work on the other media outlets and all the different sub-forums around here. Users are perfectly allowed—even encouraged, really—to take aim at the Blackstone Group with as much detail as they want, yet people working for the Blackstone Group aren't even permitted to push back against users, even if it's just a bit of lighthearted trolling.

So, how exactly does one go about getting on the green?

It’s pretty simple—just grab a green username and you’re in. sponsored user Forum.com 😁 Honestly, that service isn't even pricey; I’m pretty sure the CEO of Blackstone, Stephen Oreskovic, would happily sign off on that bill just to keep the marketing department at Forum.com happy.

P.S. Just a heads-up, you can't actually delete your account. 😬

Christian Taylor3, yeah, I noticed you can't delete your account, sadly.

I’m done hanging out on other media sites. Honestly, I just don't have the energy to explain the same misunderstandings over and over again.

Look, I'm not part of Blackstone Group. I’m not their lawyer. The idea that I’d go looking for some sponsored username never even crossed my mind.

On this forum, I'm just a regular member like everyone else and I'm not a public figure, even if I don't hide who I am or where I work.

Is a cameraman at PBS a public figure? Is Hloverka Novak Srzić?

My views aren't "weird"—they're just different from what most media workers on this subforum think, including those at Blackstone Group. I have a different take on journalism and how the media should deal with the public, and I don't see anything wrong with that.

But it happens constantly—every single one of my posts gets tied back to Blackstone Group. People keep calling me the spokesperson for Blackstone, claiming I'm just there to spread propaganda.

And even when I try to shut down malicious rumors or point out how messed up it is to wish unemployment and poverty on EVERY employee at Blackstone when only SOME of them are responsible for the mess, nothing changes.

The second I call out that nonsense, my post gets nuked. They’re intentionally painting me this way because I’m one of the few people here who isn't anonymous, and I’m happy to introduce myself to anyone. And don't play games with me—I know all the tricks they use to disqualify someone using the most "polite" excuses imaginable.

Over on other media sites, it's a total system.

It's basically mob mentality. "Oh, he's from Blackstone," "He's the one who set up that interview with Sanader," "He's the reason Natasha Skaricic lost her job." They nail everything on him just because he works for Blackstone.

Honestly, it feels insulting to my intelligence. I'm young, and I want to keep my sanity until at least I'm 25.

So, you guys go ahead and hang out there (really, no sarcasm intended), but like I said, I'll be posting elsewhere where nobody can censor me or twist my words.

😉

Roger Wright said:I’m young, and I’d really like to keep my sanity until at least 25.

Ugh... 😍 🙂 I can't say I've read every single thing you've ever posted here, but I guess your age is only kind of an excuse for what I just read. It isn't other people who label you as part of the Blackstone Group; you're doing that to yourself. And honestly, it’s just silly. That whole "little guy working at Blackstone" argument feels pretty childish, though maybe I'll give you some credit since you're young and were honest enough to actually state where you work. Those warnings you got—I know about them—they were actually justified (not sure about the exact count), especially since they came from moderators who, you know, prefer to steer the conversation, which is their actual job, rather than just handing out penalties left and right.
Still, it would be such a shame if you left. These little conflicts you deal with—whether they're internal or just here on the Forum—well, I think you'll actually come out stronger if you just keep facing them.

Roger Wright said:Yeah, La Familia, I noticed you can't delete an account yourselves, unfortunately.
..............

Just shoot a PM to the Administrator and they'll wipe it for you—well, they have to if you actually ask them to.

Peter Williams37 said:Just send a private message to the Administrator and they will delete it—well, they have to delete it if you ask them to.

Yeah, sure... 🙄

shadowtrucker said:Yeah, right... 🙄

Did I say something wrong? If you don't have anything intelligent to contribute, then just don't bother typing.

Peter Williams37 said:Did I say something wrong? If you don't have anything intelligent to contribute, just don't post.

As if what you wrote was actually smart... 👋

Peter Williams37 said:Did I say something wrong? I guess if you don't have anything smart to add, maybe just don't post.

But you did say 🙂

The Administrator isn't going to delete an account—that's just not how things work... ever.

Peter Williams37 said:Was I wrong about something?

Yes, you were...
http://www.forum.com/showthread.php?t=424387

Jacob Foster11 said:Exactly...
http://www.example-us-forum.com/showthread.php?t=424387

So you want me to follow the 2007 rules while sticking to the 2006 ones I already agreed to?

Peter Williams37 said:So I just accepted the 2007 rules instead of the 2006 ones?

Regardless of which rules you agreed to, they both included a clause stating that regulations can be changed without prior notice.

Jacob Foster11 said:Regardless of which rules you agreed to, there was always a clause stating they could be updated without prior notice.

Man, I’ve been waiting for this:
First off, what you're saying is true, BUT!
If they actually end up adding anything to the rules, I have to accept them again. In other words, they need to notify me.

Peter Williams37 said:Finally, this is what I was waiting for. :
First off, what you're saying is true, BUT!
If any rule updates happen, I have to be notified so I can accept them again.

I wouldn't know. I'm not a lawyer.

But I'm pretty sure they won't just delete your profile just because you want them to. You can always file a lawsuit to prove they're required to do it. Maybe even win in court. But they won't just delete it on request. At least that’s how it's worked up until now.

Jacob Foster11 said:I wouldn't know. I'm definitely not a lawyer.

But I am certain they won't just wipe your profile because you asked them to. You can always file a lawsuit to prove they’re legally obligated to do it. There's a chance a judge might even rule in your favor. But they aren't going to delete it just on a whim. At least, that's how it's always worked.

I know they won't just delete it out of nowhere, but if I really want it gone, I can make that happen. I can demand it, no problem. Once a lawsuit is filed, it goes 100% in the user's favor. Like I said before, sure, there's a specific procedure to follow, but there are plenty of legal loopholes that work in your favor too.
Standard practice everywhere is notice and then re-accepting the terms of service.
Anyway, I don't want to take this thread totally off-topic, so I think we've covered it.

Sorry for the OT. Mods or Administrators, feel free to scrub these posts if needed...

Thanks

hollowtrucker77 said:that’s exactly why the rules are posted publicly
so you stay just as informed (if not more so) than you would be about, say, federal laws

I mean, I get that, but like I said before, there's a legal loophole where they can actually sue to force an account deletion.

Anyway, sorry for the off-topic tangent!