Flags in signatures/avatars

[jdavis]

actually this flag has been used by a plethora of extremely political groups through history, includign various anarchist groups, as well as the left-wing German anti-Nazi youth group known as the Edelwiess Pirates.

Variations include the Combat 18 logo (UK neo-nazi group) and the SS deaths head.

That is a stylized version of Richard Worley's flag which was later used on poison bottles. Being as there are hundreds of different pirate flags (this is just one of the more popular designs) I feel safe to say that you should not put any political merit into this stylized version of a famous pirate flag that is sold as a novelty gift. The fact that many groups might of made their own pirate like flags shouldn't be that big of a issue as there are hundreds of different pirate flags.

I think a serious point to this is that people will find something to be offended with if they are looking to be offended, if you are not looking to find something offensive then most of this stuff shouldn't bother you. If you find something offensive e-mail a moderator. Personally, there is enough stuff going on without me loosing any sleep over a flag in a sig. I'm not here to discuss politics thus I don't care about anybody here's political opinion, it's easy enough to ignore the flag and get back to why I am here, to discuss D&D related topics.

 

[Buttercup]

Except that people are using flags that are not their homeland's flag.

In which case, if one is offended, one always has recourse to the Ignore function.

 

[Piratecat]

And of course, it's possible to turn off all sigs and avatars for oneself.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I just can't wait to see the board member who rises to the occasion and starts flying the flag of Cormyr, or the Free City of Greyhawk, or the Kingdom of Iuz...

Well, I had a look, but I can't find one! Not sure I'd want to do that really, since the number of Pro/Against FR or Greyhawk people would probably get me flamed anyway...

 

[diaglo]

In which case, if one is offended, one always has recourse to the Ignore function.

this is what i have done. my list is growing.

serious question: what is the upper limit for the ignore list?

 

[Piratecat]

serious question: what is the upper limit for the ignore list?

I have no idea. Currently, it's probably about 10495, since you can't ignore moderators.

 

[DM_Matt]

To look at a couple concrete (and not criticizing anyone)examples, three flags with a victory "V" isn't so great, but just the US flag or just the Iraq flag is fine. An artistic rendering of the US flag in the shape of a (non-gesturing) hand is also fine, but if it's excessively large in any case, you can expect to be asked to trim the size down.

Ah, I was the V guy. Sorry about that. Didn't realize that it crossed the line. To explain what I actually meant by that flag composition, it was only tangentially related to Iraq. After all, one of the three countries is not (officially, anyway) in the Gulf War II coalition. The text, along with the three flags, actually read:

V
-----
T

meaning.....

"Victory over Terrorism"


I'll just go get myself a regular American flag I guess...


Krizzel: Someone put up an IRAQI flag?!?!?!??

 

[DM_Matt]

2x post

 

[Buttercup]

Re: Re: Flags in signatures/avatars

Krizzel: Someone put up an IRAQI flag?!?!?!??

Yes. At least one person has.

 

[Chacal]

IMO, putting a flag on an avatar or sig IS a political statement. While a flag might represent intemporal values (and I doubt any government represents them well everytime), those values are political, and their interpretation is temporal and thus they are very strong statements at some times.
I think that in a place dedicated to RPG and not politics, this is unapropriate.
I understand the "least censorship" position of the moderators, but it still looks like opening a can of worms in this case. It's detracting from the boards primary purposes: How many of you would reply to a post with an Iraqi flag with the same exact feeling as if the flag hasn't been there ? I know it has some political impact on me, and I dare think that it has on many of us. Allowing political statements is bringing bitterness, unfairness and pressure upon minorities, IMO.

I'm afraid that the motivations beside the "flags allowed" policy is based on the fact that many people in this board wouldn't understand why they can't show their flag everywhere and would be very pissed off. The freedom of speech has the respect of others for limitation. In these boards, I thought respect was expressed by "not offending Eric's GrandMa" and not stating political/religious/offending statements.
I wouldn't play Death Metal music in a church/classroom/bus (and say the people that they can just ignore me by covering their ears).

The avatars and sigs can be seen in every thread, bringing politics everywhere on the board. It's not like there was an [OT] thread " I like my flag".
I find it sad that I have to "cover my ears" to go in this place.

Chacal