Forums > Social Discussion > (Mods, please read!) Let me ask a question re: Raymund Phule

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MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
So as many of you know, Ray and I have been exchanging E-mails. I've been posting some stuff from those E-mails.

Now, as some of you may know, there were some behavioral issues with Ray a while back and without wanting to get into the sordid details, Ray was banned from HOP.

So before I post anything else from him, how do we feel about my doing this? Mods?

Honestly, I don't feel strongly either way. So I'm happy to stop posting stuff from him if it's bothering anyone.

What do we feel about this?

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


flash fireBRONZE Member
Sporadically Prodigal
2,758 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia


Posted:
Up until now, I hadn't felt strongly either way however my gut feeling is this:



I personally think that if a user is banned from a community, then they are banned period. If people from HOP want updates on Ray's adventures, then he can email them personally, or hook up with them on a forum where he isn't banned. We'll wait to see what the other mods think first, but I vote 'no'.



And spanner - that suspected pseudonym was banned yesterday. If a user has been asked not to come back, they should respect that request. Perhaps much of my reformulated opinion on posting Ray's emails is a direct result of that apparent lack of respect.

HoP Posting Guidelines
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
If you can answer YES to these 4 questions then you may post a reply.


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
I didn’t know Ray was banned, but I’m happy to read his posts and hear how he is going smile


It takes all types.

Lost me with the suspected pseudonym banning though.

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
I think it depends on why the person was banned.

If a person is banned because they are constantly antagonizing members (as a few people have) I don't think it's fair to the VICTIMS of the antagonism to have that persons words reprinted.

Unfortunately, I do believe that there are people on this site who have been victims of Ray's antagonism. On their behalf, I don't think his words should be reprinted. Especially since he's ALREADY used specific names of people in Lightning's "reprinted" form to further antagonize from the grave. I see no reason why Ray would WANT to post here except to get his 'last word' like he always did... to feel that he'd 'gotten in our heads' and continue to antagonize.

I'm actually a bit sad to see that Ray hasn't moved on. I'd hoped he'd have found a community that he would have fit into better.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


CantusSILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,967 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom


Posted:
seriously don't wake him up.

He might remember I'm menat to be designing him a tattoo...

Meh


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Right-o.

And this is exactly why I asked. smile

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


vanizeSILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA


Posted:
well, as I see it, if anyone were trying to get himself banned, it was Raymund - and it took a long time for the mods to get around to doing it.

I have had personal experience with one other case of disruptive behavior from a HoP member, and thought the mods were pretty lenient in that case too.

So really I think that the mods are pretty laid back and if they decide someone needs to be banned, I trust they aren't over-reacting.

And while it has been interesting to hear that Ray has been shipped off to Iraq, I don't think it is appropriate for direct quotes of his to be showing up here if he isn't allowed to do that himself.

-v-

Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!


PyrolificBRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia


Posted:
I think its inconsistent to ban a user and then let him/her post by proxy.

So I think that Rays presence should not be allowed (ie; in direct quotes). However if Lightning wants to talk about his mate Ray's amazing adventures...well the normal rules for posting will apply.

clear as mud?

smile

Josh

--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!


DentrassiGOLD Member
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia


Posted:
although i didnt get along with ray too much, i am interest about hearing his percption of his experience. if it has to be off the board so everyones happy - so be it.

right... back to another discussion with an 'interesting young gentleman...'

"Here kitty kitty...." - Schroedinger.


Mistress_MaledictiHeaven doesn't want me, and Hell is afraid I'll take over
192 posts
Location: Wolverhampton


Posted:
Surely email/pm details shouldn't be reproduced here, or in any other forum, without the express permission of all parties involved?

"Abashed, the Devil stood and saw how awful Goodness is"


onewheeldaveGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom


Posted:
Is the ban for life?

If Rays cleaned up his act are there grounds for him being allowed back?

Possibly on a trial basis where he sticks to a few specific threads and on the understanding that any aggression would result in immediate rebanning; with close supervision for a year by a moderator, until he's proved that he's changed.

"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."

--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32


Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


UCOFSILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales


Posted:
ditto

PyrolificBRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia


Posted:

Perhaps someone with a good reputation on HOP would care to volunteer to be Rays guarantor of good behaviour. If he mucks up - you both get banned. Him for life, you for 6 months. If you have faith in him this wont be a problem, if you dont, then perhaps you have good reason? Its all very well to expect mods to read everything he writes, but HOP is already moving very quickly, and is hard to keep track of, without us having a list of people (cuz this wont stop with Ray) who we have to keep an eye on.

BTW - I'm not able to cut deals, this is just my reaction to the above questions. But what do you think of the idea?

Josh

--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!


DeepSoulSheepGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland


Posted:
I'm not volunteering anyway. I don't know whether his ban was initiallly made for life or a temporary term but I suggest that what ever those conditions were should be stuck to.

If and until such time as is he is unbanned. I don't think it's appropriate for his words to be posted here.

It'd be great if he was unbanned at some stage in the future to come and tell everyone what he's been up to and certainly more appropriate. Especially if there was a decent period of reflection first.

This my opinion only if it's wanted....no offense to anyone. peace

I live in a world of infinite possibilities.


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Ok, my reasons for keeping in touch with him are the fact that I wanted to hear about his adventures in Iraq and get his viewpoint on what's happening.



I have my own opinions on the E-mails we've been sending back and forth, but I won't post them here because he can't defend himself.



Scott (that's his real name) has been asking me to post stuff on HOP. I did it once or twice, but I've begun to wonder if it's really a good idea for me to be acting as a proxy for him to post on the boards. Frankly, all he has to do is make a new ID and not tell or hint that it's the same guy.



Now, I don't have strong feelings on being a proxy, but I'm not so dense as to think that others might. So I asked.



People do object and I will not be posting anything else from him except for contact information. Those who wish to contact him may do so.



I also want to apologize for a major goof on my part. I was not aware that it was not public knowledge that Ray had been banned. I figure it was pretty obvious and I thought someone had made a public announcement. (Damned ADHD)



So mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. redface frown



Sound good?

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
This is a difficult topic because of the fact that Ray never did ONE specific thing that was clearly overboard. It was months and months of small antagonistic comments as well as drawing people into fights and harping on sensitive topics. It was contributing to a constant environment of harassment without doing anything clearly blatant. Ray was never aggressive, he was ONLY manipulative. It was all passive harassment. Frankly, it was maniacally brilliant, which is why the mods took so long to make a decision.

Also.... NOBODY on here except the Moderators know of the communication that went on between Ray and them. NONE of y'all (including me) know how many times he was warned nor how he responded to those requests.

I think he did enough in public to get banned myself but that's only me.

My real question is WHY?

WHY does Ray want to come back?

He has hurt and infuriated so many of us. His mere presence intimidates some of us.

The ONLY reason I can see for Ray to want to come back is so that he can further antagonize us. The very few on this site that want to continue a friendship with him can do so elsewhere. He can participate in any other forum on the world wide web.

The ONLY reason he'd want to come back HERE would be to shove it in our faces.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Well, be that as it may, all I wanted to know is whether people had a problem with it. The answer is "yes." Ok. That's all I needed to know.

As for a discussion of the psycho(patho)logy of Ray/Scott, I am currently on Psych ER as a rotation. I think about psychiatry, psychology, and psychopathology at work all darned day. Which is exactly why I'm not about to start doing it here, too.

So by all means do enjoy that line of discussion if it entertains you (and doesn't piss off the mods). Meanwhile, I'm going to go chase butterflies or something because I think that will be a more productive use of my time than psychoanalyzing ex-members of this board. cool

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


CharlesBRONZE Member
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand


Posted:
Firstly, I'd like to second Malcolms post, as Malcolm's word is law (he pays the bills and has invested thousands of hours and dollars into creating HoP from nothing).

Secondly, please don't think that you know the whole story in any given situation on HoP. Even if you are in touch with a person involved directly, be aware that very few people give the same story from their point of view. Even witnesses not directly involved have different versions of the same events.

And trust me, there is a lot more that has gone on in the past and will in the future that no other member of HoP will see. The other mods and myself aim to keep this a welcoming, unthreatening and simple place with common-sense rules.

In fact, if someone is being offensive or saying dangerous comments, its my intention to withdraw those comments before ANYONE ELSE sees them.

With this aim in mind, it would be fair to imagine that most of the Mods actions are as swift and quiet as possible. We are not interested in punishing offenders, we simply want the board to remain a positive welcoming place.

Banning is not a punishment, it is simply a last ditch attempt to prevent further posts which do not add to this community, but instead take things away.

We do not advertise that people are banned, or tell every member about another members transgressions. We do what needs to be done and try to keep it as low key as possible, which is a part of keeping HoP welcoming to new and existing members.

I am not commenting on any single member or action, and am not referring directly to Raymond at all.

Although I find it interesting to hear peoples comments that they know exactly what went on and what the final result was when only Malcolm and mods are in aposition to know, and even then, we likley have slightly different versions as we also are human, and see things differently as individuals...

HoP Posting Guidelines
* Is it the Truth?
* Is it Fair to all concerned?
* Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
* Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?


DomBRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK


Posted:
I'm only going to make a couple of comments in reply to various points as most of it has been said.

People get banned for a reason and we, the mods, try to be really understanding and forgiving. And we act on people's interaction with other members of the board more than with us.

Dave: Bans aren't always for life. We have lifted bans, usually after much discussion. We aren't power mad dictators, most days we're actually reasonable and open people.

As it is no such dscussion has occured with Scott (Ray). In fact he's reregistered several times and we let him stay for a bit. But he caused the same problems as he did to get banned. So a blind 'trial' has already occured, and failed.

Enough said I think.

MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Boy do I feel dumb for starting this thread.

I think I need to change my title to "Official HOP Can o' Worms Opener."

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
I actually really like what Charles had to say, more in response to Vanize than anything. Sometimes we appear lenient but as you have one side of the story (yours), we have *many* more to deal with and as such have to attempt to stay in a middle ground.
What appears lenient to you may not be all that you think it is to someone else.
Remember all, we did once run this place with a whip cracking strictness, and no one liked it. We also ran it with leniencey, and people had complaints. We have found a system that right now works.

As far as ban-lifespans. As Dom said, none are set. Though I am of the thought that anyone who can not respect the decision that was come to based on his actions (ie: Ray posting under other names and Ray asking someone else to post for him) does not deserve to have his term reconcidered. Until he can prove that he is responsible and respectful, including of his bannishment, then I, speaking for myself, am not ready to concider any petition to allow him back on the board.

*ALL* moderator determinations on here are on a case by case basis, and no two are handled alike. However, all are given the same thoughtful concideration and no determination is entered into lightly.

Now, as far as Ray, thank you Lightning for your thoughtfulness in asking. It is much appreciated. As you can see there are some heated feelings about this person and the subject, and I think it was a good one to bring up. All I can say, and this is to everyone, if someone asks you to put something up on HoP for them, first ask why they can not do it for themselves. If they can talk with you through email, chances are pretty good that they can do it themselves.
*shrug*

Namaste All,
Pele

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


CantusSILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,967 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom


Posted:
it's good to see that he can cause so much argument and consternation from beyond the grave...

He'd be really proud i'm sure.

Meh


UCOFSILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales


Posted:
..and Ctrl+V

2) Just because you are taller than your father, that does not make you his peer. Similarly, maybe us older ones should listen to the newer people. This has been brought up more than once before. Maybe we should let it drop. I know, posts will keep on coming up about this. But what can be said that has not been said already?

Oh..but hang on...

There are no newer people in here talking about this....

umm

I got very confused tonight....

redface

NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Written by: C@ntus

it's good to see that he can cause so much argument and consternation from beyond the grave...

He'd be really proud i'm sure.




Well said. My point exactly.

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


BurningByronmember
340 posts
Location: Australia


Posted:
I think heavy handed moderators are needed especially now the group is getting very large...

It was only a year ago that the forum was a lot more personal. You kind of had a feel of who most of the people on the board were. With the huge increase in HOPs population it has allowed a greater degree of anonimity which tends to always result in behaviour that is less than desirable. I say ban away!!! If a person is suspected of re-registering under different names, ban specific IP addresses!

HOW TO FLY 101:
step 1. Throw your self at the ground.
step 2. Miss.


Sakura_MoonHop's Kitten Jester.
1,803 posts
Location: Wonderland igloo, Vic, Australia


Posted:
What do people do to get banned from HoP?

.:Pink Exocutioner:.

I am Jack's Raging Bile Duct...

Loving you from the deepest part of my loins.



flash fireBRONZE Member
Sporadically Prodigal
2,758 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia


Posted:
consistent disregard for the feelings of others, cyber stalking, lewd/ obscene behaviour or language, lack of respect, spamming the boards and members, polluting the boards.... I personally don't enjoy banning people and am always wanting to give them a second chance, but some people just won't adhere to the guidelines.

There's been relatively few bannings considering the size and age of the community. smile

Hooray for HOP! Thank you for being so well behaved! hug

HoP Posting Guidelines
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
If you can answer YES to these 4 questions then you may post a reply.


DomBRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK


Posted:
Out of interest: 15 people have been banned from this site. There are 12592 registered users.

MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Written by:

consistent disregard for the feelings of others, cyber stalking, lewd/ obscene behaviour or language, lack of respect, spamming the boards and members, polluting the boards....




*quietly sneaking out hoping not to be noticed*
ubblol

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
Written by: Dom


Out of interest: 15 people have been banned from this site. There are 12592 registered users.




Hrmm... that's disappointingly below the US incarceration rate. You guys may want to restructure your system. wink

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


bluecatgeek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere


Posted:
i think you should ban all users over 4000 posts.

wink

Holistic Spinner (I hope)


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