Flags in signatures/avatars

[Clay_More]

I am allergic to cat-hairs. I believe your nick is making fun of my life-long struggle against a terrible curse....

(Can you even report a moderator?)

 

[krunchyfrogg]

It's pretty simple. If a moderator thinks you're being a jerk about something, you'll get called on it. Deliberately trying to be provocative (and yes, posting a swastika counts!) is probably not the best way to go.

But posting an Iraqi flag when you're from North Carolina doesn't?

 

[Piratecat]

Krunchyfrogg, let me quote from the first post of this thread:

"any simple flag that contains no further political content. "

Your sig violates this. Please change it or remove it.

 

[Chacal]

Policing on the basis of trying to stop effects we cannot clearly see is perhaps a bad idea.

Are you sure that every word that Eric GrandMa wouldn't aprove would degenerate in flame wars ? That doesn't mean we shouldn't police a priori.

Probably true, at least in part. But, your argument against the flags is much the same - avoid offending minorities who might feel pressured or oppressed.

I agree that my opinions about oppressed minorities were quite out of place here and didn't serve well my position.

Either way, it's a matter of trying to satisfy people's sensibilities. The rules have always been a balancing act - balancing the offense of some at being restricted against the offense others take at certain statements. More a matter of practicality than idealism.

People's sensibility shouldn't override boards primary objectives (rpg, not politics). Of course it's the moderators' choice to define these objectives and the way they want to enforce them. I'm just respectfully disagreeing with them on this subject.

Simply put - It may be nicely idealistic to restict the flags, but it will serve nobody if doing so starts flames.

There was some heat about the no curse words policy in the past. I still think this was a good policy.

Chacal

 

[Chacal]

Yes people get emotional about their politics, that's why it isn't allowed and when somebody does post something political you are supposed to ignore it.

I agree with the "isn't allowed part" and I'm trying to ignoring, except in this thread which is dedicated to the topic.
My point is that "politic isn't allowed" is not enforced concerning the flags.

Many people I know wear flags as a visible marker of where they are from, not as a statement that they necessarily support said nation's politics. Many people I know wear flags as a visible marker of where they are from, not as a statement that they necessarily support said nation's politics.

There is a nice little field labelled location for stating were you are from.Thus, I suppose that putting a flag in a post does not serve this purpose.

If KIM Chong-il wants to post his favorite humorous D20 module titles or discuss why the Harm spell needs to be nerfed then why should anybody worry about his political ideaology?

I wouldn't worry about his political ideaology if he weren't stating it in his posts.

I all boilds down to wether you think that a flag is political content or not. I believe so, and the mods don't. Last time I checked, I wasn't a mod. So I'll just shut up now and change my settings, hoping that this all issue will not last too long.

Chacal

 

[HellHound]

It's pretty simple. If a moderator thinks you're being a jerk about something, you'll get called on it. Deliberately trying to be provocative (and yes, posting a swastika counts!) is probably not the best way to go.

Sorry, My bad.

 

[diaglo]

[extreme gamecat right wing rhetoric]
If your location indicates you are anywhere from the US, and you have a flag in your sig, then that flag should have exactly 50 stars and 13 stripes, or there should be no flag.
[/extreme gamecat right wing rhetoric]

Living in a state where the last election cost the incumbent Governor his job b/c of his stance over a flag, i think you better think again.

the South is still the South in more ways than one.

flags are political. why else rally round them?

 

[Umbran]

Are you sure that every word that Eric GrandMa wouldn't aprove would degenerate in flame wars ?

Of course not. However, a look at other, similar forums shows a pretty direct correlation between use of Grandma-offending language and the heat of discussion. Not every conversation that includes them blows up, but there does seem to be some linkage.

The simple flags do not seem to have such a demonstrable effect.

On top of that, avoiding flames is not the only reason for restricting language use. Keeping us to clean language tends to heighten the average intellectual quality of discussion, for one thing. For another, our hobby already has image problems. And, there are minors present.

People's sensibility shouldn't override boards primary objectives (rpg, not politics). Of course it's the moderators' choice to define these objectives and the way they want to enforce them. I'm just respectfully disagreeing with them on this subject.

And the respectfulness of your disagreement is noted, and appreciated by this reader. It is good to have civil conversation on such topics.

I agree that sensibilities should not generally override the board's primary purpose. But that works both ways. The sensibilities of folks who don't like the flags shouldn't be allowed to override the primary goals either.

Getting rid of simple flags will almost certainly cause much hooha and furor and acrimony. That will override the primary purpose of the boards. So, until it can be shown that the flags are doing notable damage, how are we served by getting rid of them?

 

[krunchyfrogg]

Krunchyfrogg, let me quote from the first post of this thread:

"any simple flag that contains no further political content. "

Your sig violates this. Please change it or remove it.

That doesn't make much sense, IMO, considering the flag and the eagle both represent the United States of America. But, rules are rules, and if I'm in your playground, I'll play by yours.

I just hope the Great Seal of the United States is ok with you.

 

[SylverFlame]

I checked this thread out because I was interested in the topic (freedom of speech is my thing). As such, this thread definitely falls into this category.

There has been much talk about the nature of flags in this thread. I agree, a flag is a statement. I am canadian, and I feel strongly whenever I see my flag. I expect americans feel the same, as do all other people in the world. However, something I have noticed about this thread is somewhat disturbing (I should note here that the mod's and some others have not ignored this). There are a number of people who are saying how the Iraqi flag is a bad thing due to its implied statement. Well, on the same token, so is the American flag and the Skull and Cross Bones and everyother flag here. I find it a little troubling that nothing has been said about the nature of the American flag but plenty has been said about the other flags. This creates an issue.

If a person is going to drop flags (political tag ons aside), then all flags should be dropped. I like the sigs here. I have more than one good laugh over someones sig and (shameless plug) have started a poll in this forum as to whether or not people like mine. So, since a sig is a personal thing, then all things in it are personal. The nature of the flag then becomes redundent.

I feel no more issue rise in me when I see an Iraqi flag than I do when I see an American flag, a Canadian flag (except the pride mentioned above), the Union Jack, or even the ol' Hammer and Sickle of the USSR. These things are okay because a person flies what speaks to them.

I would fly an Irish flag even though I do not live there. I have Irish blood in me and so is that flag not a part of me? Issue has been raised over the nature of "special" flags (ie. the bullet-riddled one described by someone earlier). Well, these are equally interesting to me. It shows an opinion. If someone were to post a Canadian flag with a big red line and circle over it, I would be insulted (deeply). However, I also realize it is that persons right to show this image. It's freedom of speech. They aren't forcing it on me and aren't actively hurting me (aside from the insult). Also, it is my right to reply to it. Freedom of speech again.

So, this is the nature of the beast. As has been said before: All or none. I vote all. This forum proves that the great, tolerant, posters who frequent this site can have a calm and informed discussion. Just as they can do it over this then they can do it between themselves should issue rise with a sig (no matter the nature). I myself have gotten comments on the Care Bear in my sig. All of these have been calm (with the exception of one, which was not nasty actually). I responded with the above mentioned poll. If this phenonemon can occur twice, it can occur again.

Thanks to everyone who has made this post, and ENWorld in general, accessible to those who wish to speak. To draw on the eighties: May your future be so bright, you gotta wear shades.