I Thought No Politics

[thspfc]

SPUI - Hawk Tuah '28!

Double Dribble for the Gribble!

Irony is that I ran a mock presidential campaign on social media for my dog in 2020.  He is nothing but empty promises but he would get my vote. 

Not sure how this is ironic.

However I would vote for SPUI - Hawk Tuah.

[Max Rockatansky]

SPUI - Hawk Tuah '28!

Double Dribble for the Gribble!

Irony is that I ran a mock presidential campaign on social media for my dog in 2020.  He is nothing but empty promises but he would get my vote. 

Not sure how this is ironic.

However I would vote for SPUI - Hawk Tuah.

Irony in that I was already the mastermind of a fake presidential campaign.

[thspfc]

SPUI - Hawk Tuah '28!

Double Dribble for the Gribble!

Irony is that I ran a mock presidential campaign on social media for my dog in 2020.  He is nothing but empty promises but he would get my vote. 

Not sure how this is ironic.

However I would vote for SPUI - Hawk Tuah.

Irony in that I was already the mastermind of a fake presidential campaign.

. . . is it not an incredibly common gag to make jokes about an absurd fictional presidential campaign? I've probably "masterminded" about 50 of those, from Kanye West to Aaron Rodgers to my aunt's lizard.

It's like saying that it's ironic to see a car driving down the street after you just drove your car earlier in the day.

[Max Rockatansky]

SPUI - Hawk Tuah '28!

Double Dribble for the Gribble!

Irony is that I ran a mock presidential campaign on social media for my dog in 2020.  He is nothing but empty promises but he would get my vote. 

Not sure how this is ironic.

However I would vote for SPUI - Hawk Tuah.

Irony in that I was already the mastermind of a fake presidential campaign.

. . . is it not an incredibly common gag to make jokes about an absurd fictional presidential campaign? I've probably "masterminded" about 50 of those, from Kanye West to Aaron Rodgers to my aunt's lizard.

It's like saying that it's ironic to see a car driving down the street after you just drove your car earlier in the day.

In the crowd I normally frequent it was fairly novel.  Most people I know aren't into politics in general much less political satire. (besides who has ever heard of a dog named Monster?)  And really the only reason I'm pointing out any of this in general is because our page was referenced.

[webny99]

In a vacuum I don't care about whether the post was locked, deleted, or left alone to descend into chaos. But it's really hard not to point out that a post of similar intent criticizing democratic voters / a democratic administration would have been deleted and the user would have been banned.

Whether or not this is true, this sentiment is exactly why it's so important to distinguish between the first sentence and the rest of the post in this particular case.

I don't want to continue harping on this, but it's really, really important that the first sentence gets isolated and dealt with separately, because letting it stand puts the integrity of the entire forum in jeopardy.

[PNWRoadgeek]

General question, who is this SPUI that you guys keep on talking about?

[Max Rockatansky]

General question, who is this SPUI that you guys keep on talking about?

NE2

[JayhawkCO]

In a vacuum I don't care about whether the post was locked, deleted, or left alone to descend into chaos. But it's really hard not to point out that a post of similar intent criticizing democratic voters / a democratic administration would have been deleted and the user would have been banned.

Whether or not this is true, this sentiment is exactly why it's so important to distinguish between the first sentence and the rest of the post in this particular case.

I don't want to continue harping on this, but it's really, really important that the first sentence gets isolated and dealt with separately, because letting it stand puts the integrity of the entire forum in jeopardy.

I don't know what integrity has to do with this situation to be honest. Any I don't think that anything on this forum is really, really important. YMMV.

[adventurernumber1]

These are very troubling times, and I think the increasing amount of political threads (while indeed not allowed, and are thus promptly locked as such) is indicative of how bad divisiveness is getting. This worsening divisiveness is directly caused by a certain figure who I won't name, but we all know who it is. I truly hope that some sense of normalcy can eventually be restored, at least within my lifetime. I feel these emotions very strongly myself, and I do not blame others for expressing these emotions more overtly, however I hate to see the increasing conflict and the heated nature of some comments.

My personal approach to try to manage these strong emotions is admittedly very bizarre and perhaps even irrational, and it would not be feasible or realistic for many people, including people who are affected by these troubling events on a daily basis: but my approach is essentially to block it all out of my mind as much as I can (in turn meaning blocking out as much news as I possibly can). I strive to remain educated and informed by updating myself on current events at a minimum of once every few weeks, but I just can't do it every week and certainly not every day. I used to be able to handle politics years ago, but things have gotten so bad that I just can't anymore. My peace of mind is too important, and I will go to considerable lengths to try to forget that current events are even happening, such as even pretending like I'm in an alternate reality or dimension where bad things don't happen and bad people don't exist, and everything is just nice, peaceful, and carefree. This is honestly even embarrassing to admit, but I wanted to share it both to show solidarity, and to throw out a possible idea (however ridiculous or bizarre) for anyone else who, like me, has been struggling to manage strong emotions that are exacerbated by these tumultuous times. I wish I was stronger and more resilient to where I wouldn't have to resort to such a strange and convoluted approach, but my mental health struggles over the years have not provided me with a robust framework for handling stress effectively. I have to work hard every day to try to protect my peace, which is where my approach comes in as I try to block out as much negative stuff that I have no control over as I possibly can (can seem almost impossible at times, though), and instead try to focus my energy and attention on things that bring me joy instead of stress, such as anything road-related or part of this hobby, listening to music, and of course being productive with the important obligations of day-to-day life. As mentioned, this approach is far from feasible for everyone, and I very well might be the only person who it would work for, but it is helping me to spend more time enjoying my days instead of stressing (if I can be so lucky). In previous months and years, I spent far too many hours slouched on the couch doomscrolling, and I wanted that to end (even though I might have done that again earlier today....). I would much rather do something that I thoroughly enjoy that has no stress involved, such as immersing myself in roads while listening to a great album. This message has probably dragged out much too long, but hopefully it may offer at least a glimmer of help to anyone else who is struggling to navigate these difficult times.

But also even more to the point of this thread, it is important to remain strong and cohesive as a community, and I do hope that conflict and heated arguments can be minimized as much as possible, even though these are very divisive and difficult times.

[webny99]

I don't want to continue harping on this, but it's really, really important that the first sentence gets isolated and dealt with separately, because letting it stand puts the integrity of the entire forum in jeopardy.

I don't know what integrity has to do with this situation to be honest. Any I don't think that anything on this forum is really, really important. YMMV.

It's not "really, really important" to me personally, but to the forum.

As to integrity, a comment was made that would unquestionably be deleted and/or removed from public view if it was a standalone post. 9 times out of 10 the entire posts gets deleted too, but the moderation team made the decision in this case to keep the entire post public. Based on both my personal views on content deletion *and* the public explanation that was given, I support that decision, but there is part of the post that cannot be left in public view under any circumstance based on both previous longstanding precedent and the need to ensure that the forum remains a welcoming place for all.

[Max Rockatansky]

Why do so many of you think that an Internet forum about a niche hobby has to have complicated precedent and due process?  Either abide by the rules or GTFO.

[Rothman]

Why do so many of you think that an Internet forum about a niche hobby has to have complicated precedent and due process?  Either abide by the rules or GTFO.

We should have committees.

[1995hoo]

Why do so many of you think that an Internet forum about a niche hobby has to have complicated precedent and due process?  Either abide by the rules or GTFO.

We should have committees.

I'm tempted to make a joke about forum efficiency, but I have a feeling that would be a bad idea.

[Max Rockatansky]

Why do so many of you think that an Internet forum about a niche hobby has to have complicated precedent and due process?  Either abide by the rules or GTFO.

We should have committees.

I'm tempted to make a joke about forum efficiency, but I have a feeling that would be a bad idea.

We need a forum Safety Committee.  Each board will send a designated representative to the monthly committee meeting.  I think this is needed. 

[JayhawkCO]

I don't want to continue harping on this, but it's really, really important that the first sentence gets isolated and dealt with separately, because letting it stand puts the integrity of the entire forum in jeopardy.

I don't know what integrity has to do with this situation to be honest. Any I don't think that anything on this forum is really, really important. YMMV.

It's not "really, really important" to me personally, but to the forum.

As to integrity, a comment was made that would unquestionably be deleted and/or removed from public view if it was a standalone post. 9 times out of 10 the entire posts gets deleted too, but the moderation team made the decision in this case to keep the entire post public. Based on both my personal views on content deletion *and* the public explanation that was given, I support that decision, but there is part of the post that cannot be left in public view under any circumstance based on both previous longstanding precedent and the need to ensure that the forum remains a welcoming place for all.

I get all that, and don't inherently disagree with any of it. That said, ::valedictorian hat on:: Oxford dictionary defines integrity as 'the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles'. I don't think the decision to leave the post in full is a) dishonest nor b) immoral. That was the point I was trying to make. Some people here get pedantic about road stuff; I get pedantic about vocabulary I suppose.

[thspfc]

Why do so many of you think that an Internet forum about a niche hobby has to have complicated precedent and due process?  Either abide by the rules or GTFO.

The issue arises when the rules are unclear, which happens to be the entire point of this thread. Your message applies to the user who made that post.

[Molandfreak]

Why do so many of you think that an Internet forum about a niche hobby has to have complicated precedent and due process?  Either abide by the rules or GTFO.

The issue arises when the rules are unclear, which happens to be the entire point of this thread. Your message applies to the user who made that post.

Or when the methods of moderation are unclear, seemingly applying to certain users (SPUI) more harshly than others (Terry Shea/SP Cook). What the mods see out of these two that is worth keeping around I don't understand. They are abrasive, uncompromising, obnoxious, and don't seem to have a personality outside of their politics. They also refuse to take accountability when they break the forum rules, blaming others instead. There are no redeeming qualities about them.

[hotdogPi]

NE2 likes to inject politics into discussion that previously had no issues. While I don't like SP Cook's beliefs, he always seems to be on topic, and he's usually stating his own beliefs rather than making personal attacks on others.

[roadman65]

NE2 likes to inject politics into discussion that previously had no issues. While I don't like SP Cook's beliefs, he always seems to be on topic, and he's usually stating his own beliefs rather than making personal attacks on others.

Or he likes to correct people when they misspelled a word in a post or lecture the user for bad grammar in a post.

One time he shit his pants when I said the word captured over caption and told other users I did it on purpose to get him upset. Of course I died laughing at that remark as I didn't use captured in that sentence in question at all to get anybody  mad.  I thought it was the word to use at the time.

Even the hierarchy says proper grammar is not required in the forum rules and long as the statement is somewhat obvious. 

He even used to be called by some " The Spelling Nazi."

[Bruce]

I wish politics wasn't a day-to-day worry. But I don't get that privilege, and neither do most folks who are targeted for things that are completely out of their control. Sometimes it'll just slip out, and it's okay to just get a little warning and move on.

[Scott5114]

I am guessing the reason why Facebook mods don't act charitably toward people when they're personally facing a sudden life-changing crisis is so they don't get accused of lacking integrity.

Or maybe because they're robots, I don't know.

I'm so damn tired of life, man.

[Max Rockatansky]

I am guessing the reason why Facebook mods don't act charitably toward people when they're personally facing a sudden life-changing crisis is so they don't get accused of lacking integrity.

Or maybe because they're robots, I don't know.

I'm so damn tired of life, man.

It is actually "counterintuitive" for a Facebook page mod to ban/block people from commenting on posts given the platform has an engagement model.  Essentially the platform wants pages to push engagement via commenting and shares.  I still ban if things get out of hand, especially if nonsense comes from non-page followers. 

Crash_It was a classic example of a quick ban/block when we had a recent Illinois road post.  He thought it was okay to be nasty and start insulting to commenters when he never had interacted with our page previously.  Suffice to say I wasn't in the mood for his shit and got rid of him plus his comments fast. 

But on groups, yeah if people don't stay on topic I don't have much issue banning them.  For the most part I try to get people to knock it off once if they did something minor.  That said, people tend to be much more direct on Facebook and do stuff that merits an obvious ban. 

The biggest Facebook road group I manage is Old Highway 101.  For the most part that has tended to remain mostly controversy free.  The biggest problem I've had as the admin is stopping people from posting things that aren't US 101 adjacent.   There was spat of people (likely bots) who kept posting random stuff from San Francisco that had no tie into the highway corridor.   The one that frustrated me the most was the guy on a California road group that wouldn't stop sharing AI road posts (copy/paste stuff from Wikipedia).  I had a lengthy debate about banning with the other admin after I gave said poster three warning about spamming in short succession. 

[adventurernumber1]

I will clarify that I do believe in these times that politics is a day-to-day worry (and is becoming even more so with each passing day). My approach is just to pretend like it's not (in my head, temporarily until reality comes back again), so that I won't be incapacitated by my own stress (for example, if I sit on it too long my body will begin shaking with tremors and I will not be able to find enjoyment in anything). In other words, I know one thing to be true in my head, but I try to (temporarily) forget that it's true, as a coping mechanism so that I can function in day-to-day life. As irrational and unrealistic as it is, I have found that coping mechanisms, however bizarre, are essential to trying to improve or maintain quality of life. It's also worth noting that this coping mechanism has application for when I'm just doing stuff on my own and am trying to maintain or improve enjoyment of my day without current events constantly torturing my mind, but if I am ever actively discussing these topics with other people, I am in the moment and I am in reality (also with the understanding of the gravity of that reality). Much of this detail was probably wholly unnecessary to go into, but I wanted to make sure there was no unintentional insensitivity communicated in my previous post.


TL;DR: My coping mechanisms are very bizarre and perhaps irrational

[Roadgeekteen]

I get everything, but roads are very influenced by politics so keep that in mind. Administration changes at the state and federal level have massive impacts on what projects are done. Not hard for non road politics to seep out from that.

[Molandfreak]

NE2 likes to inject politics into discussion that previously had no issues. While I don't like SP Cook's beliefs, he always seems to be on topic, and he's usually stating his own beliefs rather than making personal attacks on others.

You mean like this post here? Or how about starting a topic deliberately in bad faith?

At what point do we actually quit saying "abide by the rules or GTFO" and start saying "this person is literally incapable of following the rules, so we should force them out?"