"Freedom of Speech" on this Board

[DCU]

In light of a recent thread closing (the thread was closed for being "a rumor mongering troll fest", but I only saw one troll--who wasn't really being that bad--and as for the rumor mongering, well...) I want to ask a simple question:

If, 8 months from now, LeBron James were to suddenly leave his NBA team AND the only explanation offered was "personal reasons" AND the team and James refused to elaborate...what would happen? Two words: Media Frenzy. And while some might call discussion of James's situation "distasteful," I hardly think the media would have the balls to silence it. So why has someone found the balls to silence our discussion of a young DC United player's problems?

Rumors about players' behavior are facts of life for professional athletes. For goodness sake, recently, a baseball players' sexual preference provided fodder for dozens of articles. Another athlete's bouts with manic depression became the Superbowl's top story. Why? Because many fans find it interesting to hear about players going crazy, drugs, and/or screwing. Anyone who expects a team's fans to keep their mouths shut when the fans hear rumors of drug use or pregnant girlfriends connected to their favorite team is being unrealistic and, perhaps, ridiculous.

If a player truly feels he is being slandered, he can have his lawyer take action. Perhaps they have, but I doubt it. Of course, there's a far simpler way for a player to kill rumors about his off field behavior. He can just speak up and tell the truth.

[79United]

???

TS.

[dadman]

My view, DCU (though it ain't worth a plugged nickel): The name-calling had gotten out of hand. If the thread could have stayed on-topic, it would still be open, but it became troll and sockpuppet fodder.

Jeez, it was reading like the Metro boards :eek:

So start another thread. If the trolls and sockpuppets come back, it may be closed again. I'm all for baseless speculation (this IS BigSoccer, and it's been a looong off-season), but some of the posts were just skanky.

dadman

[Th4119]

So why not just delete the trolls posts?

I believe it was a moderator who stated in another thread that MLS has taken action against people (Mejido?) for slandering personnel? Exactly what type of action was taken? And what had he done to provoke it?

[MeridianFC]

Hey F, long time no speak. Man I have to say this (and I mean it in the nicest way possible), you make my life a living hell on this board. ;) How's CA by the by?

Now to the issue at hand. The thread in question has been moved to a safe location for the time being. It was actually removed by one of the other supermods owing to some outside complaints and with a mind that some of the items in it are possibly libelous. The other DC Mods, including myself, were ok with that. We are still discussing the merits of the various parts of that thread (btw the current current thread operating on SQ covers much of the same ground). Now the action in this might be a bit heavy handed, but we are agreeing with that action because we want to error on the side of caution when it comes to libel. Sandon Milbut's response in the currently open SQ thread expresses many of the sentiments I agree with, we are here to talk about DC and its players, good or bad but there are limits and we're just trying to be cautious.

We're still talking about both threads, and if we have time maybe we can put back an edited version.

I do know that the 4 of us who mod this particular section of Big Soccer have been accused of being heavy handed (and humorless). It's true, we are. But we're just trying to do the best we can on the little pay we get.

On a personal note, which has nothing whatsover to do with any BigSoc policy or even how I moderate, I think all of this Enquirer speculation stuff is stupid. I mean if somebody had some facts maybe I'd cast an eyeball at 'em, but it is kinda weak IMHO. Then again so what it's not like the fate of nations is hanging on this.

[Sandon Mibut]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Sandon Milbut's response in the currently open SQ thread expresses many of the sentiments I agree with, we are here to talk about DC and its players, good or bad but there are limits and we're just trying to be cautious. Actually, one of your fellow moderators closed that thread.

Apparently we can only talk about "good things" on the DCU boards.

[MeridianFC]

Cut the nazi ************************ out right now.

[Sandon Mibut]

Reopen the thread, and I'll detract my statement.

[BuffloSoldier]

How about everybody cool off a bit, ok?

[chayes]

Nobody here on BigSoccer knows scandal, libel and the damage rumors can do until you go visit the UNC Basketball message boards...

The things said over there make all the Q1 talk look very, very tame.

[79United]

In the moderators defense,... if you don't like it you can get your soccer fix elsewhere.

TS.

[Sandon Mibut]

Well, if you don't like the First Amendment, you can live elsewhere.

[CHICO13]

Originally posted by 79United
In the moderators defense,... if you don't like it you can get your soccer fix elsewhere.

TS.
Amen brother. Having come to BigSoccer from Soccer365.com was like a breath of fresh air. You wanna talk about jingoistic, homophobic etc....crap. That was it. If any of those retards even got to the topic of soccer, it was a miracle. So I appluad the mods on this board. They do a good job with some difficult subjects being discussed. Do they get it right all the time? No, probably not, but they moderate what is easily recognized as the best forum on BigSoccer. Want to talk smack? Go to the Rivalries thread. Want gossip and innuendo? Go to Free for All. But for all things United, keep it tuned right here.

[GoDC]

While I disagree with the decision to lock the thread in question, I can't really complain because if I wanted this place to be run differently, I would volunteer to be a mod. They put up with a lot and do a good job around here.

[Th4119]

Originally posted by CHICO13
But for all things United, keep it tuned right here.

Maybe you're responding about something different, but if Q1 had what was rumored on that thread, I think that falls under "all things United."

[Knave]

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
Actually, one of your fellow First Amendment trampling Nazis closed that thread.

Apparently we can only talk about "good things" on the DCU boards.
Here's the thing - That thread should be re-opened without the trolling. I have to leave right now though and can't do it. If it's still closed tonight then I'll do it. If one of the other mods has time to do it then great.

But, really, the mods on this board have never had it in mind to shut down free discussion. Even though the First Amendment has no place here (read the TOS) free discussion about DC United has been the guiding principle of this board. It will always remain our guiding principle too.

And believe it or not the mods honestly think that they help to facilitate that free discussion by helping to tone down it's more violent and disruptive moments.

[Sandon Mibut]

Knave, thank you for your decision.

As a show of faith, I will now retract my statement, as promised.

[Z010 Union]

I believe the mods are doing a great job deeming what is acceptable and what is over the line and making it a good community for all of us to discuss relevant topics. I have been guilty of adding fuel to the rumor fire, but to the mods I say well done. We may not always see eye to eye with you on what is and what isn't topical or appropriate, but as long as we are free to discuss and you "police" the discussions, this message board will be valuable and not under legal investigation :)

[cherno]

I know I was never a very good History student, but I don't remember anything about BigSoccer.com in the 1st amendment. The first amendment protects the general right to free speech, it does not mandate that BS provide you with a platform to express your views. Closing a thread on these boards does nothing to hinder your free speech and claiming that it does is just a bit silly.

I for one agree with the Mod's decision to close the post, nothing constructive was coming out of it. To whoever posted about what would happen if James disappeared temporarily from the NBA with a similar explanation as we've been given about Tino, I would say this; do you look to NBA fans as an example of what you want to be? We are soccer fans, and more importantly DC United fans. We should be held to a much higher standard than NBA fans or any other sports fans.

Sorry to be so long winded.

Cherno

[TEConnor]

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
Knave, thank you for your decision.

As a show of faith, I will now retract my statement, as promised.

Are you a North Korean negotiator or something?

"I will not retract my unprovoked offensive statement unless you comply with my demands."

Really, this is a moderated board. These guys do a great job. We need to help them more by being understanding of the difficult role that they have. If you feel that they don't protect your interests enough, make your statement and let them get on with it, but refrain from the ridiculous and inflammatory statements from before. This ain't politics.

As for the original topic started by Mr DCU, I'd like to remind him that he made the exact opposite argument last year and was defended by the mods by them maintaining an offensive thread open longer than I thought was reasonable. I think that they deserve some degree of consideration for past and present behavior. It's a tough job that pays nothing and we're just making a pain in the ass job that pays nothing. If you don't want moderators, don't visit bigsoccer. Either that, lobby the bigsoccer owners for a moderator-less forum.

Tim