Perhaps a little more respect and a little less intolerance might be in order
 

I have been off line for awhile and I'm sure that I don't have all the facts... that being said however I would like to offer the opinion ( and I realize that others are entitled to a different opinion) that at times what someone may intend to be humorous is not received as such...also what one may see as a ridiculus opinion may not warrant a personal attack...and that what one may view as personal attack may not have been intended as such...
Perhaps a little less intolerance, a little more respect and maybe even a bit of restraint may be in order...just my humble opinion

or maybe a lot more patience, and giving people the benefit of the doubt-such as when you take something seriously, but it was meant tongue in cheek. i think the biggest problem here, and everywhere, is people are too quick to take offense. having a differing opinion, and stating it, should not be viewed as an attack...but as a continuance of a line of thinking, or of a dialogue.
things certainly would be boring here if people started a thread, and no one responded, whether to agree or disagree! surely no one wants that. of course no one wants to be called an idiot either....

I now see that Mort is no longer listed in the member list...I'm sure that I'm in the minority in saying that I found his humor amusing...I do agree that he rubbed some people the wrong way... but there are others on here that also seem to rub some the wrong way....
such is life...

Dave,
that was a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out commentary.

Over-ruled!!!!


:D :rolleyes:

The only issue I had with the guy was the fact that he called Buffy some disgusting names yesterday. I just thought that was inappropriate...

As for his opinions, bring em on! I love arguing about football. LOL

was just an opinion...never presumed to have any say in the matter...

I know, I was just having fun.

I agree with your point.

stop undermining me. i know i'm who you're talking about. i hate how you talk like it isn't me.

you're an idiot and i hate you.

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OO

Dave, indeed, such is life. And thank you for putting all of this in excellent perspective.

Never are we as good as when we have the ability and the desire to listen and learn from each other, and enjoy this great sport.

Given the opportunity by Steve, our host, I think we owe him the best shot we got, everyday.

This is a marvelous place that can only grow and, hopefully, generate more fans for the sport. Few websites have the mix of fans and industry that is here at Derbytrail. That is unique, and a very good thing.

I hate that Kumbaya song, I never would sing the damn thing at camp.

I'll use this thread to get a few more eyes to view the Conduct Comments that were posted in February. This is a community of 1,000 people.. kind of like a college campus.. or being a regular at the track. You run into people all day long, or every few days, and they have the luxury of inviting themselves into your conversation. While you may not love them or welcome them warmly into that conversation, only people with reduced social skills cannot graciously deal with the situation or graciously excuse themselves.

A while back I made the analogy of "Goofus and Gallant", the Pre-adolescent Emily Post cartoons from 'Highlights for Children'; the wonderful dentist's office staple that taught us the ways of a polite society... Don't be a Goofus.

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(2/2/07): Our Objective and requested Code of Conduct..

Based on recent inquiries, I feel compelled to address our objectives at Derby Trail as a community dedicated to bringing new fans to racing. In addition, I'd like to detail what constitutes an acceptable code of conduct on Derby Trail.

It was my objective with the site, even in its' infancy on Yahoo, to create a community of fans and industry-involved individuals where the discussion would center on the mutual interest of promoting the game. As an outgrowth of the group conviviality, Derby Trailers are forging meaningful and lasting friendships in 'real life', and are regularly gathering at racetracks to enjoy our past-time together. With the creation of Dee Tee Stables, we have started perhaps the most unusual grass roots racing partnership ever. Simply put, I believe that together we have created something special, and it is the quality of the members of Derby Trail that is providing for the great atmosphere, crackling conversation and rapid growth.

With 1,000 members now signed on, Derby Trail is no longer a provincial outpost for racing chat. From the start, I have allowed the simple 'Terms of Service' at the start of the registration process serve as the lone set of standards and rules for the site. But there needs to be a more defined 'Code of Conduct' to give all Derby Trailers a clear understanding of what I believe the obligations of membership to be.

1.) PRONOUNCED PATIENCE AND UNENDING MUTUAL RESPECT (An over-riding philosophy): Anyone that has ventured to Derby Trail is an existing fan of the game or a potential fan. With our game under seige, EVERYONE here has a mutual interest in the ongoing viability of racing and is ostensibly protecting the future of the game by having an interest in it. We are all obligated to instantly appreciate that commitment by demonstrating at least the most basic social graces in dealing with one another.

That means that if you want to be a part of Derby Trail, you must have patience with those who may know far less than you do about the game or who voice opinions you think foolish. I urge everyone to show the same patience and respect to fellow Derby Trailers online that you will when sharing a picnic table with them at Saratoga. The game will survive if you help encourage people to learn more about it, as they will in turn bring more neophytes to the game. You may think I'm being utterly naive with this line of rationale, but I firmly believe that as group we can increase the popularity of racing one fan at a time by teaching each other everything we know, and sharing everything we love, about it.

2.) ABSOLUTELY NO HATE SPEECH, THREATS, HARASSMENT: There simply will be no toleration of hateful ideas or speech that display insensitivity, or worse, towards members' race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc.. While I am a firm believer in the viability of the Bill of Rights, 'Freedom of Speech' still doesn't give anyone the right to yell 'fire' in a crowded theater, and on this privately-owned site, the right to insult my guests. In addition, those that cannot stop themselves from issuing ridiculous threats of physical violence or engage in similar harassment, on the Forum or in Private Messaging, will also be removed without debate.

3.) AUTHENTIC PRESENTATION OF SELF: While the Internet is an adorable spot for presenting one's self as something you aren't, there are suitable spots for doing so. Derby Trail isn't one of them. A single, sincere profile is all anyone needs here, and anyone found to have registered multiple identities will be asked to choose one. In addition, be mindful that people misrepresenting themselves places the administrators in an awkward position in terms of our responsibility to you. I do not wish for anyone on DT to be duped, emotionally, financially or otherwise, in any dealings with other DTers. These issues have been a problem on other racing-related Forums and has ruined many of them. I will not let it undermine this one.

Derby Trailers spend a great deal of time and energy sharing their knowledge and passion through their writing of posts and response to others' posts. It is totally disengenious and the height of hubris to interact with fellow community members with the sole purpose of goading or humiliating them or creating conflagrations. It won't be abided by the DT administrators.

As someone who is available by Email all the time, through ATRAB on the radio 15 hours a week, and in-person at the Triple Crown events, Breeders' Cup and Saratoga, I am as open, real and available to people as possible. Andy Serling, Chuck Simon, Alan Klanfer and many other DTers are 'public' as well. Collectively as a community, I believe it is important that we all operate with a similar 'transparency'.

Those are the three areas of greatest concern.. I will add more as they occur to me...

GENERAL F.A.Q.'s

WHO DOES THE ADMINISTERING?: Paisjpq (Bethani) and I (Kasept), as Administrators, are generally responsible for all editing, deleting and movement of threads/posts as well as temporary or ongoing suspensions of account privledges. Ateamstupid (Joey) and My Miss Storm Cat (Gioia) are also Moderators that watch over certain rooms on the Forum and have thread/post editing/deleting control.

I can honestly say that Bethani and I never wish to ban anyone or delete posts or threads. Over this first year (8+ months), we have dropped less than 10 people from more than 1,000 registrants, and despite perceptions, rarely delete posts or threads. When we do, it is almost always because the offending posts or threads contain specific elements that run counter to the objectives of Derby Trail or contain offending or actionable verbiage directed at specific individuals. In that regard, I ask that Derby Trailers trust our judgement and respect our decisions. They are made with the greater good always top of mind.

As always, I am totally appreciative of everyone's involvement and commitment to making Derby Trail what I believe is the most unique assembly of racing-interested individuals on the Net. Questions or comments on any element of my expressions here are welcome.

Steve

What took so long? Another example of knowing a board member and then getting, at least for a time, a pass.

the site is private property owned by one guy so far as i know. pray he remains a benovelent dictator willing to put up with our crap.

i don't think the supreme court will hear either of our appeals when we get banned.

get a thicker skin.

I'm not commenting on a mod here...And I sure as hell don't need a thicker skin around here....Hi I'm God, the way you came in, its a shock you are still around.

Yeah, you've taken your share of beatings (read: Street Sense) and have dealt with it diplomatically. I like that.

really? want to go through my posts and find an example? not sure what i did other than change my name.

Ok...

Everyone take a deep breath and get to waxing...

Randall: you first.

EVERYONE that comes here gets the benefit of an exceedingly long fuse. And I'm sorry if the standards of my largess fall short...

I told you to be nice, but no no no... you wouldn't listen. :D

Not you Steve. Not you at all. I said it had nothing to do with a mod....AS I've said numerous times, consistency is the key. And you Steve, are consistent....Sorry if you took it that way.

Since this is directed to me, I will respond......yes, Morty is my friend, and I like him a lot. However, I did not tell him to come here, or even ask him to, and as soon as he came I made it clear to Beth and Steve that if they had any problem with him they should ban him. I also told this to Morty. I have reiterated this a number of times to each of them. He got NO special treatment from ANYBODY because he knew this board member.

Or, perhaps I am confused, and you are refering to someone else. In which case....sorry for my confusion.

I'm sorry I posted the first comment to begin with....Obviously Andy you couldn't know the guy would go off the deep end. As others have said, I'd just like to see the discourse on the up and up...Didn't need to comment at all. My bad.

No problem. Thanks.

well, what can you do when god hates you???:cool:

Hey small g: agree with you on this one...but Randall is not a bad guy. Since I usually hold an opinion converse with alot of posters....I'm frustrated that some unfortunate things are said, and feelings hurt. Our Host put B<S<T into this site and I'll enjoy it as long as I can get away with it!:D

Don't mean to offend, as others obviously have, but unfortunately I didn't get the benefit of a babysitter when I joined this forum. Nor do I need one. I suspect had I acted as Morty has managed to do over the course of a week, I would have been dismissed. It's plainly apparent what Morty's objective is in almost every, if not every, thread he has posted. And that is to provoke others and cause consternation in a play to get attention. Little am I to speak, as I've only been around here for a couple months but my only request is for him to show common decency to others and quit making it his objective to simply ANNOY everyone he encounters. If he continues to post in the manner he has, he deserves to be banned. Just as I would if I carried on the way he does.

And before everyone says just ignore him, I do; now. But, this is a FORUM in which members rely on others to partcipate in a manner which is conducive to the overall objectives of both promoting the sport of horse racing and becoming more informed fans. I don't mean that these are the only objectives, but probably the main objectives, and Morty has, so far, done little to further either of them. Instead, this has been his playground to frustrate, or "vaporize", as many members as he can.

Please, I don't want a reaction, I am more than capable of forgiving another and moving on. But, one has to prove themself worthy of being taken seriously when they have promoted themself as Morty has. And, in my opinion, in order to be taken seriously, a degree of transparency is required. The detective act and his "finest work" is probably more suited for another setting, such as the role-playing community... just my opinion. This seemed to be the appropriate place to say such a thing.

As we were...

Well said,jman! It's called 'stirring the pot'! And Mort does it well!;)

Court jesters had a long history.

King James had Archibald Armstrong.

Charles I had Jeffrey Hudson.

Usually they were executed in due course.

tough crowd!

Well said Jman.

Boy.




I did not see this until now.

My beloved Buckeyes are mekin' me sick.




Anyways......is Andrew the best...or what?


NO...he didn't ask me here. NO he doesn't protect me here.

And NO...he doesn't like me anyway.


Some of you I might have guessed would stab me firmly in the back.

Mighty white a ya.




I would like to apologize to BuffyMommy.

My attack was in fun....ah like the name ya got.



I have no idea what you look like or who you are. I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings. I make fun of each and every fool here including myself.

So again ,BM, I........







...Oh my God.



I didn't mean that.

I apologize BuffyMommy.

I'm sure you're swell and feminine and beautiful.




I'm a moo-cow....how's that?

Ya meant it and ya know ya did.





What a weasel.

Hey moron, get it right, you sure as hell know I meant that this place is better without you here and you should still be gone. Yes. I didn't mean to involve your friend who its not his fault you are a complete loser...So why you are around is beyond me and why people continue to feed you since you are a troll is even worse.

Whoa Randall, blood boiling? You better not be this mean at Saratoga :)

After rereading here....it should be obvious I got no special treatment.




I can think of at least 67 other posters who should have gone the way of the hand stop watch...but they remianed while I caught one right between the eyes.



So I think most of you carpping about the whole deal ought to stick your heads back in the sand.

Wait a second this scum calls me a weasel and I'm mean. Are you freaking serious?

Can'tdall.







And you wonder why??

Don't ya just hate the guy?

That's right Morty, back to your "Well Now" thread...You add so much to this board.