How to fight for justice on a forum...

You get hit with a penalty. You ask for an explanation—but half the time, you don't even get one. And when they finally do give you one, it might be completely wrong, yet you're left speechless if you try to point out how ridiculous their "reasoning" actually is.
Is there any actual channel to appeal an unfair penalty while you're stuck in a ban...
Or is it just a case of being guilty until proven innocent? And you can only prove your innocence once you've already been released from prison.🤷👎

Both you and I have been silenced. As far as I’m concerned, I was unfairly hit with three infractions and a ban, all thanks to one single moderator. But whatever, he isn't actually a moderator anyway, so let's not dwell on him anymore.

Now I honestly don't even know what's allowed to be posted here and what isn't.

I see you're in the same boat, since you're already planning your next moves "while you're banned..." 😉

It’s not even about the strikes. My ban expired, and honestly, I couldn't care less.

But this part right here:

Kevin Mitchell, if you want advice from the admin team, stop trying so hard to stir the pot. 😉 You’ve racked up quite a few strikes by now; you aren't exactly a model user. Various mods have disciplined you, so don't go thinking you're somehow above the rules or the moderators. 😉 I will personally step in to penalize you for any further provocations.

So, they view me as some troublemaker, yet I keep getting hit with strikes I didn't even earn. The strikes just pile up, and I can't even convince them otherwise because they immediately label me a "provocateur."

For instance, I received a strike with the reason: "Violation of sub-forum rules."

http://www.reddit.com/showpost.php?p=1...2&postcount=20

I studied the rules thoroughly and couldn't find a single one I had broken. Then came the explanation for the strike:

- Insulting the North American Republic. Referring to it as the "North American Republic" isn't just a forum violation; it's a violation of the Law of the USA.

I actually posted a question in the "Legal" section asking if I had indeed broken any laws. It looks like I haven't (though I'm still waiting for final confirmation).
Is anyone going to DELETE that strike and APOLOGIZE to me for being banned? Of course not. When they want to hand out a strike, fine—but when it comes to explaining why:

Kevin Mitchell,

The whole point of a ban is that the "punished" individual can't post on the forum during that time. Therefore, this debate you're so stubbornly pushing will have to wait until another time. OK?

So basically, while I'm banned, I'm not allowed to point out an injustice; I can only speak up once the punishment is over.

When I finally managed to convince "His Excellency" to strip 200 points (which were unfairly taken) from me on another thread, they had to hit me with a strike just to "teach me a lesson," moving up from my "minor" 45 points.
Picture this scenario: I say—the Crusaders sacked San Diego. Here are the links. Someone else says—the Cross was always a good thing for Americans. I respond—you're either ignorant or lying (since I provided historical facts and don't even need to mention everyone who was burned at the stake). Is that an insult?
I checked the sub-forum rules they provided. The definition of trolling is: "...If you start responding to a post with 'I can't believe...', 'Are you kidding me...', or something similar, then that's it..." If what I responded to wasn't trolling, then it wasn't anything.

On the flip side, people provoke, spit venom, and start hurling insults out of nowhere, and even when I report them, nothing happens...🤷
Something is rotten in the state of reddit.com.👎

I'm with you on that.

So, which specific Law did you actually break with that comment above that got you that explanation?

Only 45 points? That’s an insult...

Kevin Mitchell said:Look, it’s not even about the warnings themselves. My ban expired, so honestly, I couldn't care less.

But it's actually about this:

It’s just—they look at me like I’m some model user, yet I keep getting flagged for things I didn't even do. Then those marks just pile up, and I can't even argue my case because they immediately write me off as some "provocateur."

Do you really think you're some special snowflake who needs a private audience to discuss your issues? 😁

For example, I got hit with a warning labeled "violating sub-forum rules."

http://www.reddit.com/showpost.php?p=1...2&postcount=20

I went through the rulebook line by line, and I couldn't find a single thing I actually broke. Then there's the justification for the flag:

I even asked under the "Legal" section if I had violated any actual laws. It looks like I haven't (though I'm still waiting on final confirmation).
Is anyone going to go back and ERASE that mark or APOLOGIZE to me for being banned? Of course not. They're fine with handing out penalties, but when it comes to explaining them:

Basically, while I'm under a ban, I'm silenced—I can't point out an injustice until after I've been punished and everything has already blown over.

When I finally managed to convince "the higher-ups" to strip away 200 points (which were totally unfair) from another thread, they had to issue a warning just to "teach me a lesson"—moving me up from a mere 45-point penalty.
Just imagine the scenario: I say, "The Crusaders sacked San Diego," and provide all the links to prove it. Someone else replies, "The Crusades always benefited Americans." So I respond, "You're either ignorant or lying" (since I provided historical facts and didn't even need to mention the people burned at the stake, etc.). Is that an insult?
I looked at the sub-forum rules they posted. The definition of trolling is... "If you start responding to a post with 'I can't believe...', 'Are you kidding me...', or something similar, then you're done..." If what I responded to wasn't trolling, then it isn't anything.

The moderator handed you a penalty you earned, and I don't get why you're struggling to see that. 🤷

On the flip side, people provoke, they spit venom, they start hurling insults out of nowhere, and even when I report them, absolutely nothing happens...🤷
There's something rotten in the heart of this American forum.👎

Look, let me try to ease your mind a bit (if necessary)—being a moderator is tough. You have to hand out penalties (believe me, you have to) and you have to deal with all the crap the regular users 😁 throw at you.

God forbid you actually become a moderator for even two months just to see how much of a headache it really is. 😁

crimsonhound80 said:The moderator handed you the ban you rightfully earned. I honestly don't see what part of that is confusing to you... 🤷

How did I ever deserve this...
So, are you suggesting that moderators don't need to follow any rules at all? If they decide they just don't like me, they can slap a ban on this thread for whatever reason—it doesn't even matter why—and then I'm stuck complaining about it for a few days while I wait to cool off...

Look, let me try to ease your mind a bit if you need it. Being a moderator is tough—you have to hand out bans when necessary, believe me, you really do—and dealing with all the low-lifes on these forums is just exhausting... 😁 They're making accusations.

I wish God would let you serve as a moderator for just two months, then you'd see how wonderful it actually is... 😁

Nobody is forcing them to take on moderator roles. I get that it’s a tough job, which explains why mistakes happen. But that isn't an excuse to just overlook those errors...

http://www.reddit.com
Here is that link I mentioned... please take a look and see if there is anything you might be able to adjust regarding this thread 😉
. The one thing I find quite encouraging is that we are all starting to voice the exact same grievances... perhaps, if enough of us speak up, someone in charge will finally get the message... 🤷

Look, you have to fight for everything in this life. Justice doesn't just appear; you have to go out and demand it.

I couldn't agree more, which is exactly why you have my full support
(it truly fascinates me how people just toss around certain behavioral patterns and social etiquettes without a second thought)

Kevin Mitchell said:Forty-five points? That’s an insult...

Is this really an insult?

I'm just glad the biggest issue in the North American Republic is people buying their exam results.

That's weird. But I guess telling people to pack their bags if they don't support the Republicans or the Democrats—stuff like that—isn't considered an insult, right?

Ridiculous.

crimsonhound80 said:I wish God would let you moderate for just two months so you could see how great it actually is. 😁

This is just ridiculous and a lame excuse. If someone isn't up to the task, they shouldn't be a moderator in the first place.

You don't need to be some superhero, but you absolutely have to have the self-control to stop projecting your own opinions onto everyone else.

That’s always where the biggest issue lies.

Nancy Moore75 said:I'm with you on this—that's exactly why I've got your back.
(honestly, the way people just toss around etiquette and behavioral patterns without a second thought is... well, it's fascinating, I guess)

Dammit 😁, if we can't even use basic forum rules as some kind of standard, then what's the point of this whole thread? Is that the goal here—just to wreck everything? 🤷

I really wish the regular users would actually step up and suggest some real consequences—you know, warnings, bans, whatever else works.

From what I can see, it seems like certain people just have this desperate need to be the center of attention—it's nothing but non-stop complaining.

God, don't you people ever get tired of yourselves? 😂

wiredsailor10 said:Is this actually considered an insult?

It’s strange. People posting messages saying anyone who doesn't support Thompson or the GOP—those kinds of comments—that isn't considered an insult, right?

Ridiculous.

No, it's a violation of both the subforum rules and US Law (though it seems there isn't a single rule being followed here).

Calling someone "a liar or an idiot" is an insult...

crimsonhound80 said:Dammit. 😁If the forum rules aren't meant to be a standard, then what's the point of this whole thread? We might as well just trash everything... 🤷

I would honestly love to see the regulars on Reddit suggest some specific disciplinary measures—whether that means issuing warnings, handing out cards, or just implementing outright bans...

I've realized that some people just crave being the center of attention—they won't stop complaining...

Good grief, don't you people ever get tired of this? 😂

You are a textbook example of why things are the way they are.
Look, I’m not trying to cause trouble here. All I want is more objective criteria and fair enforcement—basically, some kind of oversight to make sure the admins don't start acting like local sheriffs. In almost every professional field in the real world, there's some form of internal accountability...
I just want my case reviewed properly so I can receive the penalties I actually deserve. You mentioned yourself that this is a massive undertaking. It’s only logical that mistakes will happen—after all, to err is human. But it is also human to admit when you've made one.

crimsonhound80 said:I’ve finally realized that certain people just crave being the center of attention—it's nothing but constant complaining.

Good grief, don't you all get tired of yourselves? 😂

And how do you and your crowd manage not to get bored with this parrot-like repetition of the same old phrases? 🙄
At least we make an effort to act according to our own conscience.

The same grievance keeps looping over and over, which you correctly pointed out, but besides those "old guard" users, there's always a fresh wave of newcomers arriving with the exact same stories.

By the way, isn't trying to psychoanalyze other members actually a violation of the forum Law? 🤔

Well, these forums just go to prove that power really does change people.

crimsonhound80 said:The moderator handed you a ban that you totally earned, and honestly, I don't get why you're still acting confused about it. 🤷

Look, crimsonhound80, we all know you struggle with making sense sometimes, but man, you’ve completely lost the plot here..
That ban was totally unjustified and just plain stupid. If they actually used those kinds of rules, nobody would be left on this entire site by tomorrow morning..

My advice? Just back off from these arguments because you're starting to look a little pathetic, if you know what I mean..
You're out here playing defense for the mods even though you aren't one anymore...
Should we start singing? "Oh, fellow users, have you no mercy?"

Kevin Mitchell, don't bother. You could try starting a thread in psychology, or maybe a jokes section, or even just over in the off-topic boards.
You're just wasting your breath and your time....

Kevin Mitchell said:So basically, they look at me like I’m some model citizen of this board, yet I keep getting slapped with warnings I haven't even earned. And then those strikes just pile up—and there's no point trying to argue because the second you open your mouth, they label you a "troublemaker" and shut you down.

Yeah, unfortunately, that's the cold, hard truth.
But if you really sit back and think about it—which, let's be honest, most people don't—it’s just basic human nature playing out.
Like, imagine if we actually knew each other (and trust me, I'm being totally cool with you here) and I told you some random guy at a bar was acting like a total creep. Would you actually believe me? Or would you instinctively side with the stranger, thinking he’s probably fine and I’m just being dramatic or holding some kind of grudge?
Just something to chew on.

It’s the exact same garbage here on the forum.

All of us who occasionally try to call out the glitches, the unfairness, or just the straight-up incompetence of certain moderators—we all get lumped together by the admin team as "provocateurs" or just people trying to mess with their workflow.

Anyway, major props to you for putting this thread together (especially since you linked it so perfectly to the Legal discussion thread).
I really hope you’re one of the lucky ones who gets an actual apology along with having those unfair strikes wiped away—because, believe it or not, that actually happens once in a blue moon.

Later,

@bohemia, @napoleon: Honestly, you could take this crowd to any other forum on the web, provided it actually follows decent moderation standards, and they wouldn't last ten days before getting hit with permanent bans for being nothing more than trolls and provocateurs. What makes this particular forum so fascinating from an editorial standpoint is how the banned users can seemingly clone themselves endlessly, coupled with the fact that once a moderator actually steps up to enforce global standards and restore order, people immediately start interfering with their job just to shield the trolls. 😵
The old, wise rule of any decent forum remains the same: read, and then read again, and then read some more; if you truly have something meaningful to add to a discussion, don't bother showing up with a single emoji or some snarky, trollish sentence, but rather contribute a thoughtful post that actually offers a perspective worth sharing.
Forums aren't chat rooms, after all. If anyone is looking for that kind of mindless chatter, there are plenty of instant messaging communities and apps out there designed specifically for that purpose...
It really is quite astonishing, isn't it, just how much—and what kind of behavior—this forum chooses to tolerate...