An alternate solution for closing threads?

[stevetothekizzo]

http://www.thrillnetwork.com/boards/...threadid=27291

It's a shame that an entire thread has to be closed because of one member. Is there a way to ban a single member from a thread who is the trouble maker rather than closing the whole thread for everyone else? I would have liked to make a post regarding some of the statements made in this thread. I was unable to do this as I was away for the holidays.

I understand why this thread was closed. However, I wish we had an alternate solution.

A side note: Was RCT Loser banned for good? It's too bad the "conservative" point of view on some issues have to be tainted by extremist opinions such as those of RCT Loser.

[Chip]

I'm thinking of opening that thread up in a day or two. Sometimes we'll close threads like that just to let them cool down and be a warning to not do what he was doing.

Yes, RCT Loser was banned for good. Why? Hate. He may have had his opinions in that thread (and others), but when you cross the line of hate, you're breaking the terms of service. Some of you argue that he was just stating his opinion and that we're cracking down on someone because we may not agree with him.

We've disagreed with some members before, but they stayed out of the line of hate. RCT loser proved that he was bigoted and closed minded, despite trying to back up that he wasn't. When you say a group of people is "swine," "should be treated like second class citizens," "slime," and that "we would be better off without them completely," that's hate.

Actually, that likens to Hitler and his feelings of Jews, and white slave holders on their views of blacks. Plain and simple, it's hate and it will not be tolerated here.

[stevetothekizzo]

Thanks for explaining it, Chip. I agree that his statements were over the top. The second class citizen stuff was completely wrong.

Also, does anyone get any warnings before they're banned? Or is there a possibility anyone can get a second chance? I only ask this for future reference...you know, just in case I ever get into that situation. Though I doubt I will. It sounds pretty tough to be banned.

[CrystalKat]

Banning is never considered lightly. The only way that anyone would be banned without notice is if they go very extreme (posting pornography, spam attacking multiple threads at once, etc.), otherwise you would definately be warned first, told what you've been doing that is a violation, and allowed to correct your behavior.

As for getting a second chance, that, too, is possible. Some bannings are "temporary" and last from a week to a month or so, depending on the severity of the infraction and the past record of the member. Most of the time, however, by the time someone has gotten to the point where a banning would be considered, they've already had multiple infractions, warnings, etc., and are simply proving that they can't abide by the policies. In most cases the bans are permanent.

I hope this helps!

[Andrew P]

Due to disagreements with webmasters at other sites, I have been banned before. What involved my banning was that (A), the webmaster did not like me and (B) I had breached the ToS. I let things simmer down and tried to plead my case. Within 2 weeks, I was back up and posting on those boards.

What makes these boards stand out is that if you are going down the way of RCT_Loser, there is a chance someone (mod, admin, editor) might contact you and see what's going on. Sometimes something that simple is enough to get a person to step back, take a few deep breaths, chill out and return to normal. Its been done to me, I've done it to others and you gain a better understanding of the person as well.