Moderator Update and Reminder of Moderator Members Roles
Hello NewsTalkers,
This is a friendly note from me about some changes in the lineup of member/moderators and a reminder to the group about our unique moderating system.
Jerry Verlinger and Sixpick will be moving up to full mods. Also joining the team is an old veteran moderator, Mike Lonkouski aka NewsTalker#1.
Also I want to go over the rules for moderation, since they are unique to NT.
- No mod can moderate in an article they have participating in, as it would be a conflict of interest. If there is a need for moderation, they must get another mod, just like any other member.
- Moderators are like any other member when they not moderating. That does mean that sometimes they may break the CoC. If they do, they are subject to moderation just like any other member.
- Moderators do not moderate based on their opinions, but strictly on the CoC. Any indiscretion of this should be reported to either me or Mac.
I will be on the road, late Tuesday till Saturday due to my mother's surgery, but I will have my computer and I will try to beonlineas much as possible.
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I protest all moderation...We need milita groups instead.
Sounds like a Gov't conspiracy (NewsTalker's Department of Article Management).
LOL, good one Arch.
Perrie, I know everyone here will have you and your mother in our hearts and look forward to a speedy recovery for her.
Thanks Six. That means a lot to me!
You guys crack me up!
The very best of luck to your Mom! You will all be in my prayers. Please keep us posted, ok?
Thanks Dowser and I will Dowser.
I'll be back as soon as I get the carts put away, I hope!
Perrie
Thanks for the update
My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your Mom, take care and travel safe
A fine looking cast of characters you have assembled
That list of moderators on the front page brings images to mind, for instance
Thanks to deiviantart.com for the grpaic
Your feet must be getting really hot!
Hmmmm...
Firstly, this must be like graduating For Jerry and Six, so congratulations to them. Woooooo-hoo-hoo-hooooooo!
Secondly:an old veteran moderator, Mike Lonkouski aka NewsTalker#1.You realize that this will only prompt him to change his name yet again??
Hope Your Mom does well. And you, of course. Safe travels!
That does seem to be a unique quality of this site.......
Safe travels and the best thoughts and prayers for your mom.
Congrats to Six & Jerry on your graduations!
Thoughts are with you and your mom, Perrie...keep in touch, when you can.
Is that good or bad Gar?
Good One Robert!
OMG Mike, that's too funny!
Who put Billy Joel in the picture?
Thanks Uppy! I will! Let's hope I don't end up over the Indian Ocean (Can you tell that I hate to fly???)
Thanks Brolly!
Thanks Gary! We can't have enough good wishes and prayers.
Yes they are and I have to push all those little old ladies carts back up that hill. I was 6 feet tall when I started this job. Now I'm 5 foot 8 inches.
That's hilarious Mike!
LOL... I never noticed that before!
OMG...good catch Perrie! Who knew Six was really our Billy in disguise!
And Excellent wish 1st! Thank you!
Good thoughts going up for you and your Mom Perrie. I'm sure your flight will be fine, and your Mom too!!
Safe travels, Perrie. Prayers for you and your mom during the surgery and recovery.
Well I think we should be allowed to execute people who comment on ourarticles when we don't like them. Of course, we should warn them, first. Something like "If you comment here again, it's curtains for ya!"
Good thoughts and prayers going upward Perrie!
Send me your e-mail address, Big Girl.....
Here and I thought you were a girl, the way you talk!
I thought your "Mike" was short for "Michelle"...........
I know that I have been very remiss here but wanted you to know, Perrie, that you and your Mom will be in our thoughts and prayers as well.
Thanks Tsula! Very sweet of you. She is doing amazingly well.
Mike L is the best amongst us at moderating. Fact.
Jerry and Six are definitely deserving of full mod duties.
Cheers.
I think you are being very humble here, is Alt0198 (that is quite the mouthful). You have done a most excellent job yourself.
And I concur about Mike, Jerry and Six.
I appreciate that....and stand by what I said.
That the moderators sometimes are as bad or worse than non-moderators when they aren't wearing their moderator hat? I think that's bad as they should be setting the example when it comes to living within the rules of the site, that we've all agreed to, and yet, we see the, 'well, I'm not beinga moderator right now' reasoning to act foolishly.
Very True jwc!
HA!
Now if he could only just learn to read......
I know Six was ready, I was just moved up with the class.
That's not true Jerry. I wouldn't have moved you up if you were not ready.
If only it were true ...
I am going to go on record and say I don't feel Jerry is ready nor should he be a Moderator here on NT.
A quote from Jerry's comment..."If you think a police officer, his peers and his commanders won't lie to cover an allegation of abuse, you're sadly mistaken. ..."
replace the words Police officer with moderator and I see problems coming up in the future.....
LR,
A comment made in an article as a member has no baring on a comment made as a mod. Most of our mods, including myself, have made comments less than fitting a moderator. That is why we have other mods to review comments and why we store all removed comments in the archive.
No one is going to like every moderator or their particular style of moderating. That's OK. That is why we have a team and not an individual, and when in doubt, the team will review all moderation. Hence why we have a moderators group... it is to prevent what you see as a potential problem.
I think he was joking Perrie.
I'm not so sure.
I can assure you LR that is not the case at all. That is not the way it is done. There are a set of rules and you know you can say just about anything you want to say and get by with it. Remember it is "Speak Your Mind" and Jerry, you or I can speak our minds pretty much anyway we want as long as we stay within the limits of the rules
You can always request a review of any comment anytime. Jerry's comment is his opinion, nothing more. Your point is valid and so is his. Of course his is right. LOL just kidding.
We just use the rules and there are no gray areas.
Code of Conduct:
Promise, that will never happen.
6 months ago I couldn't even spell moderator, now I are one.
Does that get rid of B.O.?
Just so you know,...my comment has nothing to do with my like or dis like for Jerry,...I have not formed an opinion on that matter yet. when I do I will let him know with no uncertainty
So everyone knows...at no time did I, or would I ever question the integrity of NT, Perrie, or the Moderators here. I emailed Perrie and told her what I was doing and what my comment was about
I was teaching someone a lesson LoneRanger style and I now believe he is Lesson Learned....
So everybody knows, this is what LR is sodesperatelytrying to cover his about;
On another thread during a discussion about some crazy bill they are trying to pass in Kansas, I said;
"If you think a police officer, his peers and his commanders won't lie to cover an allegation of abuse, you're sadly mistaken. This bill is designed solely to intimidate victims of police abuse from filing complaints."
So the Lone Ranger' posted this comment ;
and my response was (in part);
Whatever.
Ya know LR, that comment is so fucking ridicules it barely warrants a response, other than to question why you feel is fair to question the integrity of everyone on the moderating teamand theintegrity of Perrie Halpern, who oversees the team, simply because you have a problem with me.
If you have problems with me, address them tome,and leave the rest of the moderators out of it.
He also made this comment questioning theintegrityof the moderating team.
Now he's is scrambling to cover his ass.
I know this "Lone Ranger" guy, I know his reputation and I don't want to deal with him any more.
You guys can take it from here.
I'm done.
( he's "teaching me a lesson" ... can you believe that shit?! )
You seem to know quite a few "reputations" and all of them are those opposed to your fool political leanings .
The concept of objectivity seems to escape you at every turn ... and that's why LR is correct about your abilities as a moderator . The 1st requirement should be objectivity . If you don't have that you are not suitable ...
OK the intent of this article wasn't a slam fest. You guys can take that into Heated Discussions. It was to clarify what the mods do and don't do here. Let's stay on topic.
I agree . Now why don't you inform your "moderator" not to cast aspersions against someone's "reputation" ?
One of the things you didn't mention that Mods do is, take a lot of crap from the peanut gallery.
They do . And most of them take it with a lot more objectivity than you do JV .
Man, this has gotten a bit out of hand.
I think the certainties are: being a moderator doesnt preclude heated exchanges....it only precludes them once they are moderating a conversation (which is why we are no longer allowed to participate in that conversation once taking on the role of moderator on any given article).
Outside of that, it's always a good idea to avoid getting personal, although sometimes, it does in fact happen. That is why we have several moderators. That way, there is always somebody who can remain objective.
To me, that's really all there is to it when you really break it down. A moderator, when moderating has a duty to be unemotional, simply look at the facts, and try to use their best judgement to provide the most fair moderation possible. All past interaction with the participants need to be forgotten once you are moderating, and only the current issue at hand should be looked at. If however, there is a clear repeat offender, something that always requires more than one moderator to determine, then further action is take.
It doesnt need to be heavy handed, doesnt need to be all pervasive...it just needs to be consistent and fair. What more really needs to be said about it?
Ditto is Alt0198 !
Very well stated.
" I will be forced to literally, moderate the article about moderators."
How can you do that?
The article says."No mod can moderate in an article they have participating in, as it would be a conflict of interest."
You've alreadyparticipated in this article.
Query:....Yikes! I have a reputation...if I have a reputation does that make me an attention whore? and if I'm an attention whore can I charge .25 for each comment? Of course that .25 would have to be in cash only no checks or credit....
I think that the mods do a good job. Yeah, guys, and I appreciate exactly how difficult it is to be a mod. Right now, it's not a job that I need... So, folks, GOOD JOB!!!
You can't please everyone, all the time and there are many people that you can't please any of the time. So, despite all the ruckus, you're handling it very well.
Thanks!
Mike's singular comment didn't constitute participation. He was also the only mod online, and I couldn't moderate.
As for the level of moderation, if people feel that they want more, I am very open to discuss this. This site has always belonged to the members, and if they are unhappy about something, we should discuss this. But at the present, moderation here is no different than it was on the vine. You must report to get a mod to take a look. And no one is a snitch. Everyone here has the right to moderation if they want it, with the only exception of "Heated Discussions", and even there, there are limitations... i.e. death threats.
BF,
If you are referring to me or the other mods protecting John in any way, you are way off base. He never reports. Which has lead to even worse altercations. I would prefer if people reported as they did with a vengeance at NV, but they just don't do it here. And since the community at large sets the tone, I just follow what they want.
No offence intended Mike, but I disagree with that contention.
This is Perries' article, and she has already done some moderating here, because of that and because she oversees the moderating team, I think she is in the best position to moderate this thread.
Jerry,
Actually I can't. It's my article and it would be a conflict of interest if I did. Mike or any of the other mods, if they were on and hadn't said much here, can.
And this is why we need author moderation. And that, as they say, is MY opinion.
The fact that you fail to recognize what Perrie said, Jerry,is why you are not perceived to be a good moderator by many here.....
OK, a 30 second time out, while the ''Mod Squad'' changes into their new NTuniforms. Self preservation is the order of the day.
LOL Special K
Perrie,
I'm not sure I agree, but that's fine. I just figured, although Mike is probably the moderator on the team, technicality all mods are on an equal status, and because it seem all mods have commented here, including Mike, I thought the moderation should defer to you because you oversee the team.
I recalled you making a comment re; getting back on topic, and I thought it was in purple pen, but it's not, so I stand down, and I have no problem with Mike moderating the thread.
Just tryin' to suppress controversy, it's your show Mike.
Being a mod makes it feel like we actually need that armor, ......... for protection.
Mike did not post only two comments as claimed here. If you go back to Saturday on this article he posted three comments on Saturday alone. How many comments does it take before one is considered to be participating in an article?
Dean and BF,
Then the bad is on me and not on Mike. I asked him to intervene, since I couldn't and he comments so much that he didn't remember. But answer me this. Would the outcome have been any different, with another mod. I had asked to get back on topic and yet that didn't happen. My only other choice would have been to shut it down. He made a general comment about my request without there being a consequence. But if you guys feel that there was an impropriety, I will delete the comment and get a mod who was not involved to moderate. But don't put this on Mike... it was my bad, as lead mod.
BF,
You know that is a good idea about a backup moderator... but I have someone else in mind.
You, since you have some insight on behavior.
I am volunteering to be a back up moderator.
I'll bring an even handed approach,matched by a hot temper, and an willingness not to listen to facts. I don't need no ''stinkin facts'', is my motto.
I'll also enforce equality...Women can do no wrong, you others, well tough shit.
In the words of the great jurist, Judge Roy Bean, ''Hang'em High''.
John, apparently you have missed how many people care. Yours was an idea I contemplated, but what Mike pointed out to me when we were discussing it, was that by closing down the article, you are actually giving some folks exactly what they want.
Hence the decision to make the very general comment.
BTW I don't resent this discussion in the least, since it is on topic and not personal. NT functions because the groups members feedback actually does matter.
You guys can message me if that happens. I'm not on that often, but I am generally available to moderate any thread unless I'm actually at work at the time.
Dont hesitate to do so.
Attention whores... OMG at 25 cents a comment, I'd be in the poor house!
Thanks Dowser..
You just reminded me of a great song!
Well, it's all right now,
You see I've learned my lesson well,
You can't please everyone,
So you might as well please yourself.
OMG... Have tomahawk will travel....
BTW....Kavika,
Robert G's name on NV was Judge Roy Bean.
wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more.
Oh man... I have to fix that!
Much better!
Thanks is Alt0198 . Very kind of you! I think I will take you up on it!
Yes we are Mike!
One big dysfunctional family. In fact, we put the fun into dysfunctional!
I wish I did... but I also don't remember where I heard it.
Jerry, that might hurt your date!
Hoka Hey...Herecome da judge...
''So you might as well please yourself''.....OK, that's it...This is a family show, no more of that X rated stuff.
We're off topic!!!! I'm shocked Mike, shocked I tell you.
I love that song!
I've been looking up weird and unusual songs, (also old songs), and am in a much better humor! There is something about singing and dancing to "I Like Bananas 'Cause They Have No Bones"
that just makes your heart lift... In fact, I'm missing music in my life, and am looking into buying a hurdy gurdy. It looks like not having taken piano lessons may be an advantage!
Altarwinds -- I'm looking at the Harmony one... Or the one with ALL the bells and whistles. (aka The Full Monty) See what you think!
Oooooo. You went there first! LOL!
Well you just reminded me of another oldie but goodie!
Apparently, all hurdy gurdy people love this song, even though a hurdy gurdy isn't played in it! This song is credited with bringing hurdy gurdys back into more popular culture.
It sounds like a great instrument-- I don't think you need "the divine spark" in order to play it, enough to have fun, anyway! Note: I am uninterested in Gregorian chants, etc., but I think it could be used as a fiddle/dulcimer/bag pipe kind of thing.
I'm still looking into it, needless to say, but I may as well have something that I want to play with, for a change. My book/story is on hold until I can get this dratted report done... Once that is done, I can get out of technical writing and back into the fun, too. And there is the house to deal with, and all that mess...
I love you, Perrie! I've wanted to call, but my phone is at my mother's, (where I left it). Still not "all together", but getting my brain back, slowly. I was saving for a hurdy gurdy before Mama got sick, and now, I'm getting back on track.
No worries Marsha. You have had a trauma and need time to get back on your feet. Well talk sometime in the future.
And play thathurdy gurdy!
wow,..you are so funny,. that will be .25 please
I'm rich I'm rich....OMG I am going to be rich.......another .25 please...
My wife is 6 weeks post spinal surgery. It can be daunting and emotionally draining...I know. I certainly hope yer mum is doing well in her recovery and you have greater peace of mind M'Lady.
All the BEST to both of you!
TL