Kewtee~ You are very astute and I agree with Eddie's Father, Schatzie, Suzsmitt and txshopper73.
There is a history of this site that may help explain why so many rules have had to be implemented to keep it civil and respectful. This is just my perspective and is only my opinion. Others may and do see it differently.
Different internet sites have different rules and I have been on a few. I have never been suspended from this forum because I know the rules and I follow them. ON sites with no rules anyone can be banned just for disagreeing with someone, having a different point of view or for NO REASON AT ALL!! The suspensions that occur here occur as a result of a direct violation of the rules.
I know because
I was banned from a site with "No rules" when I defended a breeder who was wrongly accused of stealing a photo off the internet by one of its most popular members. Not only was I banned but I was
publicly humiliated in thread after thread although I was sending urgent PMs to the admin there asking for HELP but she was RARELY on. When she returned the
popular member convinced her to ban me without so much as a warning...no suspension or even explanation. I am still attacked on that site constantly and there are now members there who know me well enough to defend me since I cannot defend myself and I appreciate them greatly.
My threads are closed here quite frequently because
I seem to be a target for those negative members who are also members on the other site where I was banned, and they like to "bait", push buttons and name call until they get suspended or the thread is closed. They have made things as uncontroversial as service dogs, chocolate, and coccicidia controversial. These are not posts that "scream for drama". There is nothing that can be done about this immature behavior and I appreciate admin and the YT TEAM for all they do in that area because it is hard work. It has increased their work load signficantly...that and
the sheer number of members we have here.
That other site got really slow recently and a great many of the members left or became more regular over here where things are hopping. Many had joined when another site they were regulars on went down but they left as soon as "THEIR" site was ready and only visited here occasionally. It is an interesting dynamic to me to see the migration as now many members here have been "recruited". I love admin's philosophy about this as well since he welcomes EVERYONE and he is not in the least bit prejudiced against other sites or members of other sites, but rather states that anyone is welcome on YT as long as they follow the rules and respect the members here.
There is no site that is "drama free" unfortunately despite some statements I have read recently refuting this, but
the team here is the BEST I have experienced at handling situations fairly, quickly and professionally so no one gets too badly hurt. There is NO FAVORTISM and no special treatment.
Admin here cannot be bought and is impartial. The rules are clear and written. He is not perfect and we had a real hard time in the beginning because I was such a "TARGET" and it was so time consuming to monitor. I offered to quit and he almost accepted...lol...but the members rallied in my favor and things have been significantly better.
It is more clear than ever now who the "pot stirrers" are and, although they haven't learned how to follow the rules, they have had to become much more creative in their "attacks" to avoid disciplinary action. We have admin and his team to thank for this.
We do live in a very litigious society and
banning someone from a forum with no written rules and for no reason, or the wrong reasons is defamation under our laws and is actionable. An admin who allows defamation and libel to go on can also potentially subject the site to liability and lawsuits have happened and are happpening more and more frequently as a result of this.
It is not okay to "write whatever you want" even under the freedom of speech auspices because you are not free to "lie" or tell untruths, anything that you are not 100% sure of. It is not only
not morally correct but it is irresponsible and potentially damaging to others. This does not mean that we should be afraid to express our opinions, but simply state that is is your OPINION and there is never a problem. It's that simple!
YT is the BEST around and is getting better and stronger everyday. There will always be people who cannot be respectful and post in a civil manner when they run into a different point of view from their own, and so admin will never be free to let down his guard completely, but it is my hope that the degree to which it happens now will lessen as we weed out those who continually and childishly attack others.
