A Reason WHY some people are Leaving!

Natalie84 has declared that she's leaving. I will truly miss her great opinions and wonderful poems.
If you've read her profile, she's mentioned that on this site, many people have violated the Right of Freedom of Speech. >>>Which I agree

On some of my latest poems concerning about Bush and cutters, I've been named-called and hated for MY opinions.

Think about what this quote means:
"All the poet can do today is warn.
That is why true Poets must be truthful"~~Wilfred Owen

Also, everytime (especially in the sadness forum) anything we say seem to fire up people and lead to them to conclusions. Then they suddenly defend themselves as if we're forcing them to do something. It seems as though people are trying to tell people to shut up (like me and others) because of what we think is right.

*If that's the case, there's no need for advice anymore, or debates since there's ALWAYS gonna be two sides.

*In honesty, I'm in love writing poems, but I'm getting tired of the lack of respect on this site.*

^^ horray! Someone is saying how they truly feel!!

This is only the begining, the site appears to be going downward. Many many more will be leaving if something is not done to bring it up to speed.

Oh look, my poems are STILL being downvoted today. about 137 of my poems to be close, Who in the WORLD would WAIT 30 Seconds everytime to give me a one. Ha, get a life

Oh wow, now it's down to 4.4

Well, thank you whoever is downvoting me because you've helped me reach past 1000 votes

Thanks For Speaking Up...

^^^ It is such apathy and couldn't care less attitude that is driving people away from this site and bringing this site down! It is a far cry from what it once was, don't flatter yourself.

Their choice is to go where people do count and make a difference, their leaving does not mean that they have given up writing and poetry. To be precise their leaving means that they have given up on P & Q and for that reason I am very sad to see such cavalier and uncaring attitude.

On the contrary, there is plenty that can be done, but only by the powers that be and don't think that the rest of the population does not know what is going on or what problems are hidden and embedded. Think again! You must think that we are all constipated in our senses, perception and thought.

Yeah, what Steven said!!!! I couldn't have said it better myself!!!!

I agree with Steven. =)

I find it strange that a poetry site can have catogories that include 'rape' and 'erotic' and 'explicit' where anyone can log in and go down fantasy island. And yet if I choose to use the f**k word in the middle of an argument I risk suspension. Everyone, and I mean everyone on this site has heard of the F word - what many of them won't be familiar with are poems or prose that indulge in abstract adult fantsy. That is far more disgusting and degrading in relation to those young eyes who may be watching. Surely you agree?

If you want respect on this site then give it first.

I can see where all of these points of views are leading to but at least there are 'staff' aka mods who are here for protection. I agree that some mods are more strict than others but some people just dont learn... and that is a lesson that needs to be taught.

Rules are rules... mods have to obey them too. They dont make the rules, the site managers do. The mods are just here to reinforce them. Mods are human too.... they dont like to kick people or ban them.... but sometimes it is what people deserve.

"Natalie84 has declared that she's leaving. I will truly miss her great opinions and wonderful poems."

She can't leave! I love reading her advice and opinions.

The Moderators along with the Admin have been discussing ways to make the site better. There is a huge list which is around 40 things that will be implemented on the site. Hopefully these new things along with the help and better attitude of everyone on this site will make it a better place.

Ciao, Joe

I'm not going to repeat anything already said, the points about getting involved are sound, as is the post about the fact you can post anything you want in the explicit section, but you can't swear in the forums.

The bottom line for me is that I want the rules to be set up so that as a mod, my only job is to defend people who are attacked, and not to tsk tsk adults of all ages about swearing etc.

Rules have a nasty habit of breeding more rules to support themselves. Of course we need guidelines and some rules for things like poem theft etc..but as for conduct and freedom of speech..if it were up to me the rules for such things would read something like this:

1. Members are not permitted to verbally attack or use foul language in communication to other members with the intent to cause upset. This includes any and all forms of predjudice directed AT someone.

2. It is acknowledged that in the course of debates, conflicting opinions will occur which may develope into arguments, this is not to be discouraged as long as reference to rule 1 [above] is adherred to.

3. If rule 1 is broken, then a written warning posted onto that persons post and below it will be issued, if attacks continue that person will revieve and penalty, and where appropriate[ as in an instance of rascism[the post will be removed]

How does that sound guys? The way i see it, this removes all the debates about what one can and can't say, it encouraged lively debate and the only thing ruled out [no pun intended] is attacking someone.

Perhaps a few roleplaying examples of this could be in order....

I do appreciate the Mods for their hard work and dedication to this site but....this site is not what it was a few months back .SOME of the Mods have become great friends of mine and have never treated me as nothing less than an equal. Never have they used their authority to make me feel as though I am less than them or unimportant for that matter .

Yet it seems a " bad apple " has turned this site sour and it's leaving a bad taste in the mouth's of many of the members.

Constantly I see RULES ! RULES ! and more RULES ! ABOUT THE CHAT .
No ! I do not go in the chat often, but I feel that as an older member I must stand up for the younger ones that do.
A positve attitude and respect (by A mod) would gain positive attitudes and respect by the members .

I think respect is a big factor here .
Not every kid is a " bad apple " and even the ones that are can sometimes be turned around by adding a little sugar (respect and positive attitude) . Not a constant harping of "I'll ban you" or "this matter is none of your business " for example. (A higher than thou attitude)

I think a certain mod needs to step back and see (the whole clear picture) and stop acting like a "drill sergent" and more like a positive leader . Then maybe this site will return to the beautiful POETRY site it use to be .

Let the voices of all members be heard ! Before this (once beautiful site) turns into a hate group.

^ Respect is main issue right now. How to respect other people's opinions and so on.

Who is this person or bad apple that people keep mentioning... say his/her name. don't be scurred.

Only by mentioning that persons name can we address Ken.. er him... or her. Ooops.

"There is a storm coming."
- Gas Stating Attendant

"I know"
- Sara Conners

No one is going to penalize, or delete any post as long as it is

constructive and respectful.

I think Ann, Sunny, Kevin, Sean, Joe and even Ken can attest to that.

Go ahead.. speak your mind. What is itching it?

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Edited: In the space that it took for me to write this.. I was proven wrong by one of the mods.. they deleted some of the posts made before this one. Sorry.

The fairies are stealing them...LMAO Mine were deleted too and in THIS thread they were all decent...I won't say GOOD but I can say decent...they shouldn't have been deleted.

Cut it out booger face!! (And by booger face, I mean...well what the hell use your imagination).

Ok all I'll say is ROBO COP!!! HAHAHA

All I have to say is when I delete a post, I don't delete it unless it has some really offencive stuff within it, instead I will delete the words in the post and leave a message saying,

Edited due to....

and I will explain why

As for what the other Mods do, I can not say, for I am not the other Mods, But that is what I do.

Ciao, Joe

Janis NEEDS to get control of HIS site...that's the bottom line!

If you read my 2 last post.. they seem to be back to back.
They Britt and Nat reacted to the first one and answered along the lines of:
-------------------------------------
ROFL
If we were to do that, we would get penalized or our posts would be deleted.
--------------------------------------

I then posted that: no one would delete their post.

Then the postmaster came and wooshed them away.

There was 2 post. None were offensive or disrespectful. and contained around 3-5 lines each.

Maybe it was a mistake.. or a vendetta. lol

Protecting the children? WHAT A CROCK!

Oh please...Joshua is some spawn of Ken...quit feeding in to it.

*sigh* people

Can we all stop speaking in secrets please.

Many of you are talking in sideways manners about Ken, one of the moderators, if you have somethng to say about him, please use his name and address him with some respect, otherwise you may not get any in return if he replies.

We don't want a witchhunt.

Pz, aside from the obviously intelligent Sunny [because she agreed with me] what say you all to my idea about the conduct rule update? Many of you have complained about it, and here I am suggesting an alternative and one person comments.

And you all wonder why things don't change...

Please get involved.

The rules should be simple....and easy to police...swear if you must, but not at someone. Attack an arguement or point vehemently, but not the person. No insults. Nothing degrading. Stick to the issue. If you personalize the arguement within a forum you get whacked. Simple. Easy to understand and is also how arguements are handled in the business world, so it will help the younger members learn to agrue the issue, not the person.

Peace.

Amen Bill, that is exactly what I said [only I worded mine more officially] in a post a few leagues up.

We can only hope our esteemed leader arrives soon to implement all these fantastic ideas...I mean what does a guy have to do to get something done around here?

Maybe I should sue Janis for neglection of duty?

Ken, Play my part? I have made suggestions on "umteen to the power 10" no. of occassions even before you ever surfaced and all have fallen on deaf ears, this has also happened to other people who have made suggestions. You're just acting like a know it all and you certainly don't and as far as what we have said and done in the past, you have no clue or else you would not make such a wild statement.

Make suggestions, we are always making suggestions, but nothing is ever done. You guys act the part, talk the talk, walk the walk, but all we ever hear is you squark and no action. Blow it out the other ear! Then may be you can hear!

So don't go thinking you know everything, cause you don't. I have even sent emails, but then again the courtesy of even a reply has never been received. SO I AM PISSED OFF LIKE OTHERS! The only person who has ever given the time of day to give a reply (even though his hands were bound) was Bob Shank, as for the rest pffft! Why else did he leave Butthead??? Hmmm???

He isn't Lord Voldemort, i think we can say Ken and be ok, he isn't a monster, just maybe a guy who takes things really personally.

Overly sensitive perhaps.

I wish people would calm down....not that I'm one to talk.

BOLLOCKS!!!

Kevin sorry, but we all know that this does not all boil down to how the website should be improved, so let's not try to pull wool over peoples eyes! Hmmm!

There is a predator in your ranks, and that is a BIG problem!!!!

I know ths is my place to comment but i just wanted to say one thing

I only joined P&Q a few months ago and loved it at first i still love the poetry but the site is going down hill and it seems that ken has been the one to cause the most controversy. So therefore shouldnt he be expelled from P&Q. This is just my opinion sorry if i create controversy by saying this.

Kazza

As for me, this site has been going downward long before Bob left.

People werent overly active last summer, so we can at least look forward to an autumn of more posts...

Kazza, well done for speaking up.

Thankyou... I just felt i had to get it off my chest.

Kazza

This is so strange. Something doesn't seem right.

what doesnt seem right??

Kazza

^^^ You're right, it's like "Watergate" a cover up and something upstairs stinks to the high heavens. But unfortunately or should we say fortunately for all of us, the bubble has burst and many people know!

True. It is fortunate for all of our sakes that many people know.