Er... I Spy... no violation?

[^_^ 5,021]

+1, madhouse.

[Doris_G 4]

Catullus is somewhat quaint by contemporary standards. A little beej, a little backdoor, some grudge-sex...big whoop.

He's no Dr Dre.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

and an inappropriate video has also been removed for violating TOS

[^_^ 5,021]

fair enough.

[Doris_G 4]

Can I play with yo panty line

Reported to moderator. TOS expressly forbids mention of visible panty lines.

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Can I play with yo panty line

Reported to moderator. TOS expressly forbids mention of visible panty lines.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I would just like to remind everyone what Visa Journey's purpose is:

I want to take a moment and welcome you to VisaJourney. You will find that this community was designed from the ground up to be a friendly and welcoming environment so that you can relax and help discover your path through all the immigration issues ahead.

We are a community dedicated to providing general information and discussion to anyone considering or in the process of immigrating to the United States. Whether you are bringing a family member or loved one to be with you, or are deciding to take job and move to the US, you are welcome to join our community. VisaJourney is filled with people just like you who are going through or have been through the same thing you are undertaking right now. US immigration can certainly be confusing however at VisaJourney you may find that talking to people in the same situation can often make things a bit easier!

http://www.visajourn...tent/newmembers

Much of what has been going on lately - as evidenced in these threads and the various reported comments - is anything but friendly and welcoming and is certainly not making things easier for those who are going through the immigration process. Some of the other topics - such as ones that contain sexually explicit descriptions about a 'hot date' or other similar matters that you wish to discuss may be more appropriate in social networks like Facebook rather than on Visa Journey, even in the Regional Forums or Off Topic.

Edited August 15, 2010 by Kathryn41

[LaL 418]

Content control?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That's fine, but there IS a social element to this site - people have formed relationships with other members here and so you're going to get some candid lewd talk every once in a while.

Meanwhile, VJ OT has and continues to tolerate thread topics about divisive political subjects that are the primary reason for the vast majority of the personal attacks and long-running personal vendettas on this site. I think unless you're prepared to say outright that topics X,Y,Z are proscribed and shall never be discussed on VJ - it's simply laughable to take issue with scatterings of alleged "obscenity" and to imply that this is somehow making VJ a less welcoming place.

For example, a thread that makes out that Islam is responsible for 9/11 isn't welcoming in any way whatsoever - it defames muslims and alienates muslim VJers who participate in this site.

I can understand that moderating a site like this isn't an easy job and a thankless one at best - but when the application of moderation can't see the wood for the trees you end up with much the same situation that that has people laughing at film and TV censors for tolerating violence and racist content, but coming down like a tonne of bricks on swearing and sexual content. It's ridiculous!

[^_^ 5,021]

For example, a thread that makes out that Islam is responsible for 9/11 isn't welcoming in any way whatsoever - it defames muslims and alienates muslim VJers who participate in this site.

Hatred towards Muslims on OT was the driving factor behind the creation of Regional Forums, in case anyone has forgotten.

It's not like this is a new phenomenon and it's not like Site Admin hasn't considered it a problem before. It was a problem then and it is a problem now.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Right - but the point remains that unless you are prepared to "ban" certain topics from being discussed, you aren't going to address the fundamental thing that makes VJ a less welcoming place.

[Mags 112]

Actually, you should read the link. You will find out Charles was doing nothing of the kind - merely adding additional information that he thought useful to the discussion, although it came across as an inappropriate comment.

Kathryn, dress it up however you want to, but we all know that Charles crossed the line with that one. If it was merely inappropriate content, then why is it no longer visible to Joe Public?

Fact is, Charles owes Maven an apology.

[LaL 418]

Right - but the point remains that unless you are prepared to "ban" certain topics from being discussed, you aren't going to address the fundamental thing that makes VJ a less welcoming place.

this would be an enormous job, and would need the full backing of the admin, and quite frankly - I am surprised this conversation has taken this turn.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That's fine, but there IS a social element to this site - people have formed relationships with other members here and so you're going to get some candid lewd talk every once in a while.

Meanwhile, VJ OT has and continues to tolerate thread topics about divisive political subjects that are the primary reason for the vast majority of the personal attacks and long-running personal vendettas on this site. I think unless you're prepared to say outright that topics X,Y,Z are proscribed and shall never be discussed on VJ - it's simply laughable to take issue with scatterings of alleged "obscenity" and to imply that this is somehow making VJ a less welcoming place.

For example, a thread that makes out that Islam is responsible for 9/11 isn't welcoming in any way whatsoever - it defames muslims and alienates muslim VJers who participate in this site.

I can understand that moderating a site like this isn't an easy job and a thankless one at best - but when the application of moderation can't see the wood for the trees you end up with much the same situation that that has people laughing at film and TV censors for tolerating violence and racist content, but coming down like a tonne of bricks on swearing and sexual content. It's ridiculous!

I agree with much of what you write. You make good sense. I also agree that there is a very strong social element to this site - and that is also part of what makes it welcoming. It is when the social aspect becomes clique-ish or gang-like that we run into problems. There are also subjects that are much more appropriate for another site that is set up specifically as a social network site than on Visa Journey. One thing that is easy to overlook - surprisingly - is the cultural diversity of Visa Journey. There is a large diversity of what is 'acceptable' and what is not acceptable, which is why the Regional Forums can offer an even more supportive environment for those who share immigration concerns. These forums are set up in support of those on the immigration journey, though, and not necessarily as substitutes for those looking for a purely social venue. That is why places like Facebook thrive, and quite honestly, there is nothing wrong with using Facebook instead of VJ for some of those discussions, especially ones that have no relevance to immigration.

Regarding the political threads, while I don't recall stating so before publicly, my personal preference would be to remove them from Off Topic. The problem with that is that sometimes they do impact upon the immigration journey and immigration matters so are relevant to VJ. A 'compromise' I have suggested and supported is setting up a separate "Political Discussions" sub-forum for Off Topic so that those who really feel compelled to involve themselves in endless political discussions, campaigning, rhetoric, whatever - can do so there. Yes, TOS would still apply but I think it would be easier to define the limits of what is acceptable and what is not in this type of forum.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

this would be an enormous job, and would need the full backing of the admin, and quite frankly - I am surprised this conversation has taken this turn.

Oh I'm not endorsing it or even suggesting it would be practical - merely pointing out that the political topics in OT are the primary reason for the majority of the personal issues that play out across VJ and make it a less welcoming place for new VJers.