I have some serious questions, and I some how feel that this thread was created for the sole purpose of my asking it...
Actually this thread was inspired by something said in the thread that VB_Spike started about your avatars, but it wasn't anything you posted or anything directly related to you, CBR. It was wat44 (I believe) stating something to the effect of "censoring posts definitely happens here". I wanted to provide a space to speak about that, as well as any other concerns the membership have about how things are run and decisions are made.
Having said that, it DOES segue wonderfully into your question:
Topic One:
With the understanding that all members of the RWI community agree to strictly adhere to certain ethical and moral obligations such as are set by the admin and moderators... Who in fact is responsible for deeming what is ethically or morally acceptable?
A majority decision from the staff is what determines what is or isn't acceptable. I don't know of a better way to do it, but I'm open to suggestions. So, lob 'em out there if you have 'em.
Is there anywhere on this forum that states the rules pertaining to the posting of ethically or morally unacceptable matieral OTHER THAN the brief paragraph presented to new members at the time they agree to them? And if so, can you point me in the right direction.
Before today, nope. So, we have the VB thread and your avatar to thank for that, too. It was something that had slipped through the cracks for too long. It is now stickied at the top of the "Flame Free" forum, IIRC, and will be stickied in other sub-fora. It's still relatively vague, but it is impossible to lay out/define every possible scenario. It *is* a living document and open for review/revision, however.
If in fact, the posting of ethically or morally objectionable material is STRICTLY forbidden, is there anywhere that it is allowed? Such as in your aptly named Looney Bin?
Good question - the Looney Bin rules have gone back and forth a bit. I believe there is nowhere on the forum right now, even the Bin, where porn and the like are permitted. Other objectionable posts, be they racial, threatening/violent, what have you have been and always will be STRICTLY disallowed as long as I have a say in the matter. This covers images as well as text.
What is the process by which someone might report objectionable material, and to whom would it be reported... can it be reported to ANY admin or moderator? Or has a morality moderator been assigned?
Every member of the forum is relied upon/trusted to be a "morality mod". If anyone finds anything offensive posted, the staff expects it to be reported to a staff member for evaluation.
I reserve the right to ask more questions based on the answers to these if so allowed by the admin and mod team.
Thank you kindly for your time and consideration,
ME
Certainly, that's the very point of this thread. Ask away.
OK, I'm off to get a work out in. Back in about 60 mins. I'm sure some of the other staff will step in and answer questions whilst I'm away.