Does BANNED = Censorship ? Should it happen here?

[duke37]

Yeah I'm all for civil discourse. I hope my question didn't add to your load. For most of us out here its just a big mystery. Not why Ethan would get banned. Althought it SEEMED( and I have no reason to think otherwise) he was behaving himself and trying. The silence on HooBoys part along with other odd occurences helps to fuel conspiracy theories.

 

For the record I hate conspiracy theories. Here is hoping that HooBoy is well and enjoying some much needed rest. And that Ethan is well and happy and making tons of guys smile somewhere. And that we haven't blown our new spirit of goodwill. And that flower decides to keep posting. Oh yeah and the moderators get a freebie from their fav. escorts. Well I can hope can't I?

 

Jeff

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Two pennies

 

Tolerance, acceptance, censorship. These are amongst the many words which have been misused and overused in society. Having no place in real life any longer, they disperse into anonymity.

 

Censorship is the use of power to deny free expression. There is a difference between censoring of ideas or expression and the ability of a business to run and organize its own affairs. Censorship is not the same thing as a ban. Generally, a censor is a government official and censorship is an official act by a ruling or governing power.

 

A business may decline to serve a customer, and in this regard, this web site is a business and not a public accommodation. The public can decline to patronize a business, but as with America On Line, people will continue to come to this site as it has reached and developed a life of its own. With that, therefore, comes a measure of responsibility. As an unmoderated poster, I need to accept responsibility for what I say, how I say it, and to take care with my words and accept the effect they may have on this community. Others must do so as well, moderated or not. However, our humble editor must be answerable for the trust that the readers of this site have placed in his hands.

 

What this means in plain English is that you guys should cut Hoo Boy some slack about the reviews being slightly late or even very late. Everyone is entitled to a vacation, even several. You guys should cut Deej, Losgatan and Bottomboykk some slack about the length and time that a post may take in the cue. They are doing this as volunteers and not paid at that.

 

On the other hand, as participants in this community, we should all take responsibility for the site, to improve it, to make it meet our needs, to be honest to whatever our agenda is, hidden or otherwise and to recognize our own limitations. I believe this was the impetus behind Mr. Munroe's efforts elsewhere in the Lounge. What form this may take is not for me to say, this is a community and any such changes must arise from a community-based approach.

 

For the record, I personally am in favor of freedom of expression for everyone. As an artist, I recognize that ideas can be dangerous and destabilizing. They can invite others to use their imaginations, they are not always easily accessible and they are not always given to shallow or simple interpretations.

 

 

Ask me no questions and I shall tell you no lies.

[Flower]

>First of all - what's this about Ethan's green font. Yours

>is the first I've ever seen here. Do you have "special"

>glasses?

 

TB, as a special tribute to you, I will stop using the GREEN FONT since it was only to bring attention to Ethan's banning, which appears to have now been lifted or mistakenly believed to have been the case by Ethan in the first place.

 

>Secondly - why do you think he was banned? I never read

>that. Did I miss something? I assumed he was silent because

>he was hookin' in California this summer as he so often told

>us.

 

Ethan has been in communicaion with me and was still in DC as of the 4rth. My information came from him. But I will leave that for him to explain or discuss if he cares to.

 

Flower :*

[Flower]

I'll say it again, Rick, your posts bring a smile to my face and your Icon a lump in my pants }>

 

Thanks for the level head, FYI, however, I have communicated with Ethan and as of yesterday, he was still in DC thinking he was banned. I am sure he will appreciate the good news

 

Stay happy my sexi friend, you are always a breath of sunshine no matter how dark outside

 

Flower :*

[Guest TexasTaurus]

Would an ignore button work with this software?

 

Could help! I enjoy coming to this site but not for catfights. Come on folks let's get back to the "escort" topics!

[Flower]

>And tell me, oh wise one - what could you know that I am not

>privy to?

>Enlighten me please.

>

>Thunderbuns

 

Oh, Thunder, oh Thunder, wherefore art thou with your head up your ass so far--don't you see babe, there just isn't enough time in the universe to even begin such an impossible undertaking

Flower :*

[Huey]

>

Damn, you sure sound brain washed, but

>if not, then you certainly do fall into place easy, don't

>you?

>

>I like it here Duey, and if they'll have me I'll stay, but I

>never was one to preach "love it or leave it", nor have I

>had any respect for those that did. The message board is a

>place for the expression of ideas and free thought and that

>includes righting wrongs and making it better through

>constructive criticism. I have asked questions, based on

>emails I have recieved, BUT I HAVE NOT, I repeat, I have

>NOT, Duey, called names or hurled groundless accusations,

>nor have I called someone a fraud based on NO evidence but

>rather an "admitted gut impression."

 

There was a time when I really would have taken your low road and attacked you as you have me. Only I would have done it far better and with more class.

 

Instead I will simply and move on leaving you with these words of wisdom from an artist who changed the world.

 

"Love is the answer and you know that for sure

Love is a flower, you got to let it, you got to let it grow"[/font color=blue]

 

-----------

WAR IS OVER

if you want it

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

[Guest Thunderbuns]

RE: Two pennies

 

>What this means in plain English is that you guys should cut

>Hoo Boy some slack about the reviews being slightly late or

>even very late. Everyone is entitled to a vacation, even

>several. >

 

I don't think anyone was COMPLAINING about the reviews being late. My own inquiry was to try and determine if there was a technical problem that was causing the delays.

 

However, perhaps it would have been wise of Hooboy to have posted a message that he was on vacation and to expect sporadic reviews for the next two weeks. Then this thread would have been unnecessary.

 

Thunderbuns

[Guest Thunderbuns]

>>And tell me, oh wise one - what could you know that I am not

>>privy to?

>>Enlighten me please.

>>

>>Thunderbuns

>

>Oh, Thunder, oh Thunder, wherefore art

>thou with your head up your ass so far--don't you see babe,

> there just isn't enough time in the universe to even begin

>such an impossible undertaking

>Flower :*

 

Well I can see that you certainly intend to follow Rick's suggestions for a more polite board. And as for my head up my ass - while in this position I saw a turd floatin' by that looked remarkably like you.

 

You shouldn't start something here you can't finish "babe"!

 

Thunderbuns

[+ deej]

RE: Two pennies

 

>However, perhaps it would have been wise of Hooboy to have

>posted a message that he was on vacation and to expect

>sporadic reviews for the next two weeks. Then this thread

>would have been unnecessary.

 

This thread has nothing to do with reviews being late.

 

But, for the record, Hooboy DID post a note yesterday in the "Newest Reviews" section apologizing for having much fun in Ptown.

[Guest Thunderbuns]

RE: Two pennies

 

>But, for the record, Hooboy DID post a note yesterday in the

>"Newest Reviews" section apologizing for having much fun in

>Ptown.

 

Sorry Deej - I never read it, I guess I thought it was just advertising, which my eyes are trained to ignore :-)

 

Thunderbuns

[Guest msagget]

RE: Two pennies

 

The issues addressed here are somewhat similar in nature to another post which became very controversial to say the least...something about Professionals not being professional.

It's allegations being made that "we don't know all the facts". However, we never are given the facts. As I recall Deej was the one who made that statement and HooBoy also had strong words about certain posters on that thread.

The bottom line appears to be that THEY RUN THE SHOW and have the final say as to who gets to post and who and what gets rejected. I don't know who Ethan is but have read some of his controversial postings and quite frankly thought they were funny. But that is my opinion.

Some individuals here feel that everything should get on. Others feel that whatever and whoever gets banned is ok with them. Just remember that censorship of issues is very suspect. When someone or something is censored give us the real facts and not some FLIMSY excuse like YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THE FACTS.

Well, another hot topic on these hot and humid summer days. Perhaps we ought to stick to topics like "How best to suck dick in 100 degree weather"...Rick Munroe...the ball is in your court.

[Rick Munroe]

RE: Two pennies

 

>"How best to suck dick in 100 degree weather"...

 

On your knees (it's cooler down there on the floor).

 

>Rick Munroe...the ball is in your court.

 

Can I have the other one in my mouth? :9

[+ deej]

RE: Two pennies

 

<<When someone or something is censored give us the real facts and not some FLIMSY excuse like YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THE FACTS.>>

 

You are attempting to claim a right that you simply do not have. Nobody owes you any explanation for anything that happens around here. Period.

 

I've said this before: this is a private club. If you don't like the way it's run, join another. I don't find it at all curious that someone waited until HooBoy was out of pocket to stir up shit. I would have been surprised if it HADN'T happened, actually.

 

If we were really aiming for censorship, this thread would not exist. As for deleting posts, the total is a whopping four over the last month or so, I think. Those new posters "got it" and toned it down.

[Barry]

>i HAVE been banned. deej is INCORRECT. when i try to sign

>on, i am met with

>

>"invalid username"!!!!!!!!!! sounds pretty fucking banned to

>me! >>]

>

>That's all folks--you be the judge!

>Flower :*

 

Well since I'm not a moderator any longer I can't say for sure but if Ethan was unmoderated and for some reason needed to be moderated again the only way to do that would be to cancel his existing username. This would force him to create a new one which would default to moderated status. I'm surprised he doesn't remember because Hoo did that to him before for that very purpose. It's not banned, it's a change to moderated status.

 

Then again......I may be wrong. Barry :-)

[ad rian]

RE: Two pennies

 

>You are attempting to claim a right that you simply do not

>have. Nobody owes you any explanation for anything that

>happens around here. Period.

>

>I've said this before: this is a private club. If you don't

>like the way it's run, join another.

 

 

I really don't understand the tone of your response DEEJ. Why is it so improper in your judgement for members of this private club to have a little more transparency as to the nature of the policies and practices of the club, in this case related to censorship. I don't have the background here, but what bothers me more than the fact of censorship, but your seeming unwillingness to either adequately describe or defend your actions logically. We are grateful for your work here, as we are with any officers of the private club, but if you consistently take this tone towards your members, you may well loose some members. That might not concern you, but it probably should concern Hoo.

[+ deej]

RE: Two pennies

 

>Why is it so improper in your judgement for members of this

>private club to have a little more transparency as to the

>nature of the policies and practices of the club, in this

>case related to censorship.

 

I did not comment on whether you should be given information. I said you have no native-born right to it. Demanding something that is not rightfully yours doesn't make very much sense.

 

>but what bothers me more than the fact of censorship,

>but your seeming unwillingness to either adequately describe

>or defend your actions logically.

 

See above.

 

>but if you consistently take this tone towards your members,

>you may well loose some members. That might not concern

>you, but it probably should concern Hoo.

 

We are well aware of the risk of losing members. There are even some we wish we COULD lose, but they keep coming back. ;-)

 

I don't happen to like the way Hoo has handled Ethan, but it's not MY business. I'll let the shop owner make his own decisions based on information known to HIM, rather than speculating with half the story and a lot of chest-beating.

[Flower]

>Well I can see that you certainly intend to follow Rick's

>suggestions for a more polite board. And as for my head up

>my ass - while in this position I saw a turd floatin' by

>that looked remarkably like you.

>

>You shouldn't start something here you can't finish "babe"!

>

>Thunderbuns

 

Maybe I WAS wrong, I see signs of enlightenment already in your response.

 

:-) :-) :7 ;-) :o

 

Flower :*

[Flower]

RE: Two pennies

 

> I don't find it at all curious that someone waited until HooBoy was out of pocket

>to stir up shit. I would have been surprised if it HADN'T

>happened, actually.

>

Deej,

 

I'm sure that wasn't a reference to me :-) but being the hypersensitive fag I am I am, I feel guilty and the need to assure you that;

First., I never meant to nor tried to attack you or Hooboy personally, Nor "stir up the shit" intentionally--I was asking questions and in my first post on the subject, was ignored--possibly the ease at which I pander to self righteousness made it sound as if I was trying to stir the shit, but not so--that was a serious statement, btw.

Second, I had no knowledge whatsoever of Hoo's absence when I wrote it. Quite honestly, however, I 'm not sure that it would have prevented me since I didn't think he got directly involved in the MB.

 

Quite frankly how this thing is managed is something that I know nothing about nor ever care to--I just liked the site and liked reading the MB and every once in a while, if the "SR" mood struck, to put in my 2 cents. This time it happened to be Ethan's predicament since I've always enjoyed his writings and input--it was one of the things I came here for--it was only after he no longer appeared, I emailed him about it as a matter of concern.

 

It is BECAUSE I like it here, that I am concerned--if I didn't like it, I would, of course, move on, but these are a group of intelligent, politically astute, concerned, and for the most part, caring people who do have a common bond in at least their gayness, which can be a very emotional and personal bonding and subject in general. There are few venues like this, although many pander to this type of readership.

 

So my point? No attacks, personal or otherwise meant to you, whatsoever, but I was and still am concerned about Ethan. Can he or can he not sign on and post at this moment? He has asked me to ask, so I am not just being nosey :+

 

Flower :*

[Flower]

RE: Two pennies

 

We are grateful for your

>work here, as we are with any officers of the private club,

>but if you consistently take this tone towards your members,

>you may well loose some members. That might not concern

>you, but it probably should concern Hoo.

 

That's an excellent point Ad drian. While this is a "free-to-us" club, as it has been pointed out many time before, everyone seems to conveniently ignore that by US (members who apparently have so little status) BEING HERE, this "club' has become VERY commercially viable and valuable based on the number of daily/monthly hits and its constant use by a well defined niche market (so to speak:). I am not totally devoid of knowledge of e-commerce, btw, so we do have a part in this symbiotic relationship other than just being free loaders.

Flower :*

[Guest seraph250]

RE: Two pennies

 

If only the owner and webmaster have access to IP addresses then why does one of the moderators keep taunting people with his knowledge of IP addresses? I have seen the same moderator do this two or three times now including this thread.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Venus said to Martina ...

 

>>"How best to suck dick in 100 degree weather"...

>

>On your knees (it's cooler down there on the floor).

 

"Girl, you gonna git your ass licked in that position."

 

"Munch, bitch, the right word is 'munch,' you non-native slacker, you."

 

 

>>Rick Munroe...the ball is in your court.

>

>Can I have the other one in my mouth?

 

"Sampras lost his after that power serve from Hewitt."

 

"You will imitate me with a loud grunt and enjoy my back hand..."

 

Thanks to Twink Hos Number One and Three for invaluable technical assistance in this analysis.

[+ deej]

RE: Two pennies

 

> Ethan. Can he or can he not sign on and

>post at this moment? He has asked me to

>ask, so I am not just being nosey :+

 

I am certain he has asked. It is his style. He found an unsuspecting accomplice to stir up shit while Hoo is away.

 

I have answered this question TWICE on this thread already.

 

I've told Ethan repeatedly: direct all inquiries to hooboy@male4malescorts.com. Hooboy and only Hooboy knows what's in his head.

[Guest Thunderbuns]

RE: Two pennies

 

>This time it happened to be Ethan's predicament since I've always enjoyed his writings and input--it was one of the things I came here

>for--it was only after he no longer appeared, I emailed him

>about it as a matter of concern.

 

If you stick around this site long enough you will come to learn that Ethan ALWAYS has a "predicament" as you refer to it. And it is always started by Ethan, due in no small part to his ability to be the most vicious and insulting, foul mouthed member this site has. If you find his writings insightful and witty I sugest you start an Ethan Fan Club. Just do it on some other site please!

 

 

Thunderbuns

[Flower]

RE: Two pennies

 

>I've told Ethan repeatedly: direct all inquiries to

>hooboy@male4malescorts.com. Hooboy and only Hooboy knows

>what's in his head.

 

Unfortuneately, deej, Hoo doesn't reply to any of Ethan's emails, so he has no recourse that I can see. Any ideas?

 

Flower :*