Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I feel like a middle school teacher with all the name calling and crap happening. Now I've had to go remove a ton of posts, yank a few posting privileges, and take up time I would normally have spent reading the good messages and drooling over the pictures.

Could somebody PLEASE e-mail me next time if they see this starting and I haven't reacted??

Not amused,

Bonnie

Most folks here are not amused either.

We have a wonderful tool in this forum. It's such a great place to come and visit, and share our ideas and critters with others who love boas as well, no matter their level of knowledge. We don't all love the same thing and we don't all agree on the same things, but isn't that what makes the world go round?

Unfortunately, there are those who "troll" here, consistently bashing others, and slamming their animals. This has been going on for the 3 years I have frequented this forum - from the same person. What must the newbies to our forum and to boa keeping think? Yet, this is tolerated. Why? Because this person has experience and knowledge of boas? This wisdom is lost in the shadow of his constant attacks on other people and their animals "he" doesn't like.

This person, no matter his wealth of wisdom, is a sport-troller who seemingly delights in this activity and the turmoil it causes. People have repeatedly BEGGED him for tolerance and tact, only to have it fall on deaf ears time and time again. When one is a sport-troller, this reaction is what one lives for.

What amazes me is that it has been condoned by KS for so long. This type of negativity can't be good for KS or the forum. I would imagine a percentage of new people reading these diatribes would be so disgusted that they would stay away. Who wants to be attacked by a troller because they happen to like the wrong kind of boa? It's a shame.....

NP.

n/p

I've been coming here since 1999 or so when I found this place by searching for information on my Dumerils boas. Back then things were considerably different. It wasn't uncommon to have heated discussions, but they stayed civil and people exchanged ideas. There's a lot more trolls and people stirring the pot now than back then and a lot fewer of the knowledgable old timers. I know I don't participate near as much as I once did and rarely even visit anymore...maybe once a week and rarely that. I've seen a lot of good people, people I considered friends and mentors in cyberspace, go away because they got tired of the constant b.s. And it's been allowed to happen. KS has done nothing to stop it when they easily could have. This isn't a jab at you, Bonnie. It's been happening since long before you came aboard. Newbies wonder why their posts don't get answered...it's because most of the people who took the time with newcomers to the hobby have left, leaving the self-proclaimed 'experts' in their wake who don't have time for those simple questions we all started with.

Raven

And,not only could I not have said it any better...I could not agree with you any more thoroughly! It's high time to take out the garbage,and,get back to what brought us here in the first place!

While I don't agree with the majority of his remarks I also do not agree with your suggestion that his remarks or anyone elses be censored by Kingsnake. This is an open forum for ideas and opinions even those that you do not agree with and as long as the poster is not violating the TOS I don't think we should be considering shutting someone up because we don't like what he or she is saying.

Most of us live in a country that cherishes free speech however it seems lately that that has been modified to free speech as long as you don't disagree or insult me. Everyone here has the ability to just turn away and not read any post by a person we do not like or agree with. How difficult can that be?

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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

Trolling, an activity he has engaged in many times, *is* a violation of the TOS.

I always thought trolling was when you anonymously posted, not just posting what might be interpretted as an inflammatory post. As far as I know he has always signed his name to his posts and while he does seem to gain some delight in the aftermath, I also get the feeling he believes most of what he states. IMO it would be a reach to call this trolling. Certainly the topics of pure lines, hybrids, crossbreeds, and the ethics of breeders are all relevant topics and it is just the tactics, prose and extremist point of view that most people disagree with.
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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

I don't always have a chance to read the forum, though I try. This summer has been especially busy, and I've fallen way behind on lots of things. So, if you see a post that ought not be tolerated, E-MAIL ME!!!

And, as for people who continually cause a problem, I take care of them as they violate the TOS. Until they do, though, I can't/won't remove someone. When they cross the line (and several did recently) they are taken care of. But I can't do it until I see the problem, folks!!

By the way, if anyone here is interested in being a moderator for this or any of the forums, please fill in the volunteer application in the "employment" link at the bottom of any main Kingsnake page. I'd love to have some more folks helping.

--Bonnie, the swamped

But to yank the song? That was my last chance to make it big.I am a middle school teacher.I deal with it every day. I feel the song had potential.There aren't many immature, 50ish,Bass fishing,Boa breeding,white rap artists.What now?

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` Those who have the guts to post about their shortcomings, are the true contributors. It is a matter of saying " I did this, don't do it". If you are willing to inform others of problems you have encountered by your own mistakes, you are contributing more than all of those who want to pick out your mistakes, and put you down for it.
` For heavens sake, there ought to be a way to differentiate between those trying to pump themselves up, and those who are trying to be better snake-keepers. If you are willing to help others, by exposing your errors, more power to you.
` It sure as Hell is not amusing. This should be about the critters, not about the personalities.
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Think education is expensive? Consider the cost of ignorance.