Forums 'Absolute' Rule of Zero Tolerance on Antisemitism

[Deleted account]

By the way, I've always felt uneasy about the board rule that goes "antisemitism in any form will result in an immediate, permanent ban". It seemed to me like a glaring exception to the otherwise even-handed policy the staff are trying to enforce. Of course I understand where it comes from, but - years before Hamas' raid on Israel - it occurred to me that one day the state of Israel might engage in inhumane acts, and the cited rule would then suddenly appear antiquated and not in keeping with the times.

There's absolutely no reason why a single, specific religious group should be accorded more protection than everyone else - and that's coming from someone who has lost family members at Auschwitz.

 

[NuclearID]

By the way, I've always felt uneasy about the board rule that goes "antisemitism in any form will result in an immediate, permanent ban". It seemed to me like a glaring exception to the otherwise even-handed policy the staff are trying to enforce. Of course I understand where it comes from, but - years before Hamas' raid on Israel - it occurred to me that one day the state of Israel might engage in inhumane acts, and the cited rule would then suddenly appear antiquated and not in keeping with the times.

There's absolutely no reason why a single, specific religious group should be accorded more protection than everyone else - and that's coming from someone who has lost family members at Auschwitz.

I don’t like speaking for the Director or anyone. But I’ve been here long enough to recall his responses over the years, you’re not the first to bring this rule up.

Long story short: it’s the Director’s prerogative as owner to set it, and the severity was set for personal reasons. As he jokes, he’s the forum’s director dictator (sarcasm).

Of course, @DEFCON Warning System @RiffRaff, feel free to speak for yourselves, sirs.

 

[Deleted account]

Long story short it is Directors prerogative as owner to set this rule and the severity was set for personal reasons. As the director jokes, he is the director dictator of the forums. (Sarcasm on last part.)

Imma quote my grandmother on this one: "This explains you, but it does not excuse you."

Edit: the whole discussion is, of course, academic, since there don't seem to be any true antisemites around, and in any case the staff follows a - shall we say - elastic approach to enforcement of the board guidelines. Which is actually fine by me; I find that rigid adherence to what's written down causes one to paint themselves into all sorts of awkward corners. Still; I've been waiting to bring this topic up given Israel's recent actions in the Gaza Strip - so here we go...

 

[NuclearID]

As the director jokes, he is the director dictator of the forums. (Sarcasm on last part.)

Speaking as a former staffer... the @DEFCON Warning System does not decide alone. He seeks out dissenting views, pushes for a wider lens, and weighs staff input heavily. That’s why I respect the hell out of him. He keeps voices that challenge him in the room.

Leaders who genuinely invite opposing perspectives and ask for advice before acting are rare. He’s one of them.

 

[Deleted account]

Speaking as a former staffer... the Director does not decide alone. He seeks out dissenting views, pushes for a wider lens, and weighs staff input heavily. That’s why I respect the hell out of him. He keeps voices that challenge him in the room.

Leaders who genuinely invite opposing perspectives and ask for advice before acting are rare. He’s one of them.

I agree, but with the caveat that people change as time goes by - and almost always for the worse.

 

[Irag8er]

By the way, I've always felt uneasy about the board rule that goes "antisemitism in any form will result in an immediate, permanent ban". It seemed to me like a glaring exception to the otherwise even-handed policy the staff are trying to enforce. Of course I understand where it comes from, but - years before Hamas' raid on Israel - it occurred to me that one day the state of Israel might engage in inhumane acts, and the cited rule would then suddenly appear antiquated and not in keeping with the times.

There's absolutely no reason why a single, specific religious group should be accorded more protection than everyone else - and that's coming from someone who has lost family members at Auschwitz.

Personally, I would ban anyone who showed any blatant antisemitism, anti-blackism, anti-whiteism, anti- insert anyism here.

 

[Deleted account]

Personally, I would ban anyone who showed any blatant antisemitism, anti-blackism, anti-whiteism, anti- insert anyism here.

Nice rule to espouse, and "blatant" provides the much-needed wiggle room, but I wouldn't go so far as to extend it to "anti- insert anyism here".

There are plenty of "-isms" that have vehement opponents in the forums (myself among them), and those people don't appear to be at risk of getting banned. Perhaps it's better to just stick to the "-isms" people have no control over (e.g. race/ethnicity/gender/etc.)

 

[teekay99]

it occurred to me that one day the state of Israel might engage in inhumane acts, and the cited rule would then suddenly appear antiquated and not in keeping with the times.

I think the way through this would be to criticize the decisions or actions of the Israeli government with minimal bias instead of making statements about the largest religious group in Israel.

For example: "The Israeli government decided to do X. This is a bad decision because it can lead to Y. The Israeli government is making a poor decision..." And cite a reputable source to add academic weight.


***Edit****
It appears that the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) has 3 Druze members and 10 Arab members, so focusing comments on the Israeli government is more correct and inclusive then referencing specific faiths in Israel.
Source: List of members of the twenty-fifth Knesset - Wikipedia

 

[Yingyang]

Support for Palestinians doesn't = antisemitism. Majority of global countries Support Palestinians. Personally I don't understand the problem as free speech is supported here in a civil manner. I understand American politics is funded alot through Israel but surely not this particular site. Flaws exist everywhere.

 

[Librarylady]

Support for Palestinians doesn't = antisemitism. Majority of global countries Support Palestinians. Personally I don't understand the problem as free speech is supported here in a civil manner. I understand American politics is funded alot through Israel but surely not this particular site. Flaws exist everywhere.

Saying that the Jews are funding American politicians.IS an antisemitic trope, btw. And yes, support for a group of people who have vowed to exterminate the Jews is pretty antisemitic, as well.

 

[Yingyang]

Saying that the Jews are funding American politicians.IS an antisemitic trope, btw. And yes, support for a group of people who have vowed to exterminate the Jews is pretty antisemitic, as well.

Majority of the global governments are antisemitic then. Germans , ukranians etc still exist today. They tried to exterminate Jews.
Why change now?
Should not be any different.
Tar n feather seems more justified nowadays obviously

 

[Librarylady]

Last I checked Germany wasn't run by Nazis anymore? Not sure what your point is? But, yes. Many Europeans and their governments are still antisemitic.