Closing threads down

[Riverkilt]

Yup, do know them folks. Dad flew for the RAF was at Dieppe and Kassarine. Uncle Don marched across France and Germany and was with the first company in to Dachau.
Uncle Larry hunted U Boats in a PBY.

Just guessed - wrongly it turns out - that if a background t-shirt wasn't okay....

Folks, this is why I ain't a mod....I just don't get it.

Carry on.

Ron

[macwilkin]

Yup, do know them folks. Dad flew for the RAF was at Dieppe and Kassarine. Uncle Don marched across France and Germany and was with the first company in to Dachau.
Uncle Larry hunted U Boats in a PBY.

Just guessed - wrongly it turns out - that if a background t-shirt wasn't okay....

Folks, this is why I ain't a mod....I just don't get it.

Carry on.

Ron

Ron,

My grandfather fought against fascism as well in the China-Burma-India Theatre. He was at the air field where the survivours of the Bataan Death March were brought after being liberated from camps in Manchuria. My point was, though, that his hometown (thankfully) was never occupied by the Nazis or the Japanese. You'll get no arguement from me about the bravery of the allied forces, including many Commonwealth Scottish regiments, who fought against fascism during the Second World War.

However, in reference to the picture you mentioned -- why would anyone want to wear a t-shirt based on the flag of the Third Reich? Personally, I find that sort of thing insulting to the memory of brave men like your father, uncles and my grandfather. That t-shirt is not the same as a discussion of WWII history and the role of the Scottish regiments. I'm sorry that offended you, but that's how I see it. The forum rules specifically prohibit hate speech & groups and their symbols.

Respectfully,

Todd

[csbdr]

Ok....maybe there was one reference to frozen park benches, but that was pretty vague....

[fudgeman]

What particularly irks me is the shutting down of threads on the basis that they are not "kilt-related" yet threads regarding someone working on their motorcycle or telling jokes (not kilt related) or moving to a new location continue. I don't believe it is an issue of being inappropriate or crossing any lines--it relates to what the mods interests are and what they like. Closing the two recent threads regarding corset and bodice making are examples. As well as the current one under discussion. Sure they weren't exactly "kilt related" but were interesting. Yet many other non kilt related threads continue. Go figure. Is this one closed down yet??

[macwilkin]

What particularly irks me is the shutting down of threads on the basis that they are not "kilt-related" yet threads regarding someone working on their motorcycle or telling jokes (not kilt related) or moving to a new location continue. I don't believe it is an issue of being inappropriate or crossing any lines--it relates to what the mods interests are and what they like. Closing the two recent threads regarding corset and bodice making are examples. As well as the current one under discussion. Sure they weren't exactly "kilt related" but were interesting. Yet many other non kilt related threads continue. Go figure. Is this one closed down yet??

Did you raise your concerns with the Mod staff? All of our mods are pretty reasonable fellows, and I'm sure they would have listened to your comments, as well as presenting their reasons.

Regards,

Todd

[Cynthia]

I would like to point out, as far as non-kilt related things for women goes, we have a Lasses Wear thread here that has been allowed to go for a long time. Much thanks, to the Moderators for allowing us Lasses to have our little spot! Keeping in mind, honestly, how many men are here and how riled up they get even in that thread, I can understand to some degree why they might not want to allow too many threads that don't have anything to do with a man's kilt or accessories (especially regarding women's wear).

The recent thread being closed did have something to do with kilt wearing, but I can see how they thought that closing it before things got out of control would be wise. Some good advice came up, and they did wait for that, at least and then saw the opportunity to go ahead and close it. Do I wish that a few other things had been posted? Yes. Maybe some of the final tips posted aren't the things that might have been a problem, and I know many of you were probably interested in that thread. I was, actually.

I was the woman who PM'd the OP of that thread. I was hesitant to discuss things too much openly for obvious reasons and also because my husband finds that subject frustrating and I didn't want to upset him if he came across it -- when I've tried to help give him advice to help him sit better, he gets very frustrated and I was a little nervous about discussing things I've seen from his sitting and seeing if it compared with the OP to help him. My husband does know about that thread now and I'm hoping that the tips in it will help him.

I do understand the frustration as to why some things are allowed to stay and others are locked. But as a few have said, moderators have to stay on their toes and try their best to do what they can to follow forum rules and make sure things stay where they should. You can never please 100% of the people 100% of the time. I for one am happy to have as much moderation as we do -- some of my other favorite places allow a lot more and frankly I think it causes a lot more frustration and hurt feelings. Will I eventually be slapped on the wrist? I'm sure I will, but I'll understand that it's nothing personal and I will just have to try to remember that I'm glad I don't have their job!

[Jack Daw]

I would like to point out, as far as non-kilt related things for women goes, we have a Lasses Wear thread here that has been allowed to go for a long time. Much thanks, to the Moderators for allowing us Lasses to have our little spot! Keeping in mind, honestly, how many men are here and how riled up they get even in that thread, I can understand to some degree why they might not want to allow too many threads that don't have anything to do with a man's kilt or accessories (especially regarding women's wear).

The recent thread being closed did have something to do with kilt wearing, but I can see how they thought that closing it before things got out of control would be wise. Some good advice came up, and they did wait for that, at least and then saw the opportunity to go ahead and close it. Do I wish that a few other things had been posted? Yes. Maybe some of the final tips posted aren't the things that might have been a problem, and I know many of you were probably interested in that thread. I was, actually.

I was the woman who PM'd the OP of that thread. I was hesitant to discuss things too much openly for obvious reasons and also because my husband finds that subject frustrating and I didn't want to upset him if he came across it -- when I've tried to help give him advice to help him sit better, he gets very frustrated and I was a little nervous about discussing things I've seen from his sitting and seeing if it compared with the OP to help him. My husband does know about that thread now and I'm hoping that the tips in it will help him.

I do understand the frustration as to why some things are allowed to stay and others are locked. But as a few have said, moderators have to stay on their toes and try their best to do what they can to follow forum rules and make sure things stay where they should. You can never please 100% of the people 100% of the time. I for one am happy to have as much moderation as we do -- some of my other favorite places allow a lot more and frankly I think it causes a lot more frustration and hurt feelings. Will I eventually be slapped on the wrist? I'm sure I will, but I'll understand that it's nothing personal and I will just have to try to remember that I'm glad I don't have their job!

Well said.

[Panache]

To All,

This thread was posted concerning the decision of the Moderating Staff of X Marks the Scot to close a thread concerning kilt wearing, sitting, and male genitalia.

The original post stated that there apparently was a certain amount of unease with dealing with issues of male anatomy on XMTS.

To this I have to say that there are certainly differences between European and American sensibilities concerning a great many subjects. As an international forum we have to try to make things comfortable for all. This can seem restrictive to Americans on some issues and Europeans on others. The best we can hope for is a happy middle ground where families world wide can learn from and enjoy the forum.

Some subjects can be discussed on our forum that come close to the boundaries of our forum rules provided they are approached with a mature and respectful attitude. There were signs from the start of this discussion that there was a high chance of inappropriate humor and/or commentary being posted that would result in the thread being removed from the open forum.

Because the original poster declared that he had received useful information that solved their problem we thought it best to close the thread before it devolved into one that gave offense and had to be removed (taking with it the useful information).

It was suggested that the Moderating Staff here are biased in applying the rules of our forum. I can say in all honesty that we try exceptionally hard to be fair to all. We discuss matters as a group, we vote on them, and try to explain our actions. Members of the “Mod Squad” often excuse themselves from certain votes if they feel that they cannot be truly unbiased.

Some thread topics, posts, or images can be very difficult to judge. Sometimes it is a subtle matter of focus or intent that define them as falling within or without of our rules.

Members always have the option of contacting one of the staff here if they think something is questionable before posting it.

Members can always contact the staff to politely ask why something was pulled or see if they could be given the reasoning behind that decision.

There are other forums out there that allow pretty much everything and for adults that is fine.

This forum has rules to keep it one that virtually anyone can feel comfortable participating in or recommending to others.

We have an exceptional membership and the polite, respectful, informative, and fun setup with have here on XMTS allows all kinds of people from all walks of life to interact on a level playing field.

XMTS isn’t perfect and there are compromises.

The Moderators aren’t perfect, we are human.

No community is perfect, but this one is pretty darn good.

In future it would be far better and far more respectful to contact the Moderators directly by PM to ask questions or express a concern.

Since this issue has now been addressed it is the decision of the Mod Squad to close this thread.

Sincerely

Jamie

[duchessofnc]

I have been a former Mod before on (holy cow) a Harry Potter forum *shudders* and it is a thankless job. And while sometimes I think the mods are a bit heavy handed on this thread (sorry) they have to be else it can quickly be chaos. I've been to several of the other kilt and Scottish forums, I will say this... in my opinion while they are ok, they don't stand up to what Xmarks is.

The mods here do a wonderful, wonderful job.

[Rex_Tremende]

Having asked the question myself once a long while ago, the thread did not get closed down, so it is confusing sometimes why some decisions go one way and not the other. I'm sure every decision the mods make is informed by nuance, history and instinct, and we're not privy to any discussion that takes place, so it seems like a mystery. In this case it might be that the OP indicated he got an answer. In my case it ended up being a discussion about waistbands until it took an odd turn and I myself suggested enough was enough and it petered out on its own.

Regards,
Rex.