You have ZERO freedom of speech here.!

[Smokey]

This is what I received from the owner of this forum in regards to my comments in defense of my comments in a post that was full of slander to wards a manufacturer product that was not part of the forum sponsorship.  I stated my opinion and agreed with another forum member's comments on the privileges of the sponsors on the left( I have nothing against the sponsors) 

I question the integrity of the forum and is censorship, there was a clear double standard that was being shown, When I question the owner of the forum about it this because he demanded an apology for my comments yet none of the other members had to do so for there remarks, here's what he wrote me

Jeff
Lead Administrator
Administrator
*****

   
Re: (No subject)
« Sent to: Smokey on: Today at 12:57:28 PM »
   Reply with quote Reply Save PM Remove this message
I guess that's what you dont understand, so let me make it clear. You have ZERO freedom of speech here. NONE. This is my private property that I give you permission to enter.

I wish I could show you all the pm responses that I wrote to show you how this came to be(if anyone can tell me how to get them I would love to show them to you all so you can see how childish and ridiculous this hole thing is)

What do you think of this? I used tho think that this forum was great but it's clearly a dictatorship in which if you don't go along with the status quoe your not welcome here and not allowed to freely post your opinions.

What do you member think of this crap!

Sincerely,
Jason Ashenhurst.
(Smokey) 

[stonebroke]

I think Jeff is right.

Stonebroke

[Mark K]

I think we have plenty of freedom. Sometimes things get out of hand and Jeff steps in. I stand behind Jeff.

[bull]

You have the freedom to hang yourself with admins, go to far and they will reign you in..   Try it again and the boss will hang you out to dry!!!
Jeff is in charge !!!
Its all about respect and responability..... you have the responsibility to show respect, if you fail its your loss !!

[John Bartley]

It's a private forum. We can either abide by the forum owners wishes and play by his rules or we can leave...

cheers

John

[olyman]

just like you have the right to tell someone to get of your property if trespassing--same here--hes allowing you in--by PERMISSION. end of story

[Norm]

I think Jeff has shown far more restraint than I would.

I've meet him and shook his hand, he's a good guy and what he says goes.

[Samuel]

Interesting conversation but here is my 2 cents...

This is a forum not a country so the same rights may or may not apply.  If you offend someone, slander a company,etc. the tribe can speak and vote you off the island.  A fairly simple concept in my mind, although I perhaps have crossed or came close to crossing before and with a gentle reminder, brought myself back in line.  No one is forcing anyone to be here, and there are no membership fees.  With that said, I suggest mind your P's and Q's however reading Jeff's quote without the proceeding comments... does sound a bit cranky like   :D...but that is why he is the lead admin. 

[red oaks lumber]

if this is a private forum why can the general public look at it? we should all be entitled to voice our opinoin( respectfully) not every sponsor on here has the best equipment or products ,and as wood people we should be able to give our honest feed back on things, good or bad. there are plenty of other forums out there that dont sensor your dialog, which are really more benifical far as info goes.  

[Raider Bill]

MAybe this should be put in the Full Membership section?

That said......

It's Jeff's house Jeff's rules. We may not always agree but in the long run this IS the best run forum I have ever been on populated by a bunch of great people.

You guys should maybe reconsider your position, take a breath and enjoy The Forestry Forum and what he's built here.

Like Norm said I've shaken his hand he's a stand up guy.

[D Hagens]

If the pm's were so childish and ridiculous then why wouldn't you stand up and be the bigger man and admit that in all reality that you and you only instigated the whole thing by going up against the owner who works his butt off keeping this place the way it is and understand that maybe you pushed the wrong buttons with him?
I'm thinking that with his powers he could have booted you from the start but he gave you a chance and now look how you treat him by bringing it here to air.
I'm sorry but I can hear the sarcasm in Jeff's post and maybe you should have too!

[jamesamd]

Not being a full member yet,I've no idea what other boards are waiting for Me to browse.
What I do know,is this is one wonderful source of information and a very large population of great individuals that almost always play nice.

Your feelings of being,stifled or limited by THE OWNERS of this place,to Me,just means You probably don't really belong here.

Find a board where flaming and teenagers rule.This Board IMHO,is for Men & Women that try to encourage fellow members and help them,find the solutions to thier questions.

I am not allowed to view the topic Jeff MOVED,yet but I would easiley guess,You were wrong.

Speaking from the outside!

Jim

[florida]

Smokey,

One of the things I appreciate the most about this forum is the lack of friction. Everybody here understands the rules and pretty much gets along with everybody else. I'm sure everyone here has moments when he or she would like to blast another poster or post but sits on it anyway. Every forum you go to has rules, you broke one and got called out. Let it go and no one will ever think about it again.

[Patty]

I cannot believe you are still here!  We are so narrow minded and mean, why would you want to be here in the first place?  :

[jim king]

I think if your temper is that short you should find another forum to pith and moan about.

[Captain]

With our son, who has ADHD and tends to run blindly into situations, we try to encourage him to live by the S.T.A.R. principle.  Stop, Think, Act, Review.  Sometimes catch myself over-reacting and do the same thing.

Just try to understand the viewpoint of the administration here at the Forestry Forum.  They are all a group of fair-minded individuals who give far more to the Forum than they receive.  Many, many people all over the world have been the benefactor of their time and talents, and in Jeff's example, his entire existence for the last several years.  

I'm a proud member.  I like a spirited discussion like anybody else.  But when it stops being good-natured, a referee needs to step in and sometimes feelings get hurt.  Stick around and you'll find that we are easy to forgive and forget just like beloved family members.  Hang in there Smokey.

Captain

[logwalker]

Smokey,

It took you 13 posts to upset the apple cart. Has this happened to you in the past?

I read the the whole thread that Tom sent to the woodshed and I was offended by several posts in it, not all yours. I do know what Harbor Freight normally sells and represents in the way of quality and it goes against everything I strive for in my life.

It is too bad you were so offended. If it is so terrible why don't you just leave us to our petty and close-minded little world.

But then it would be a little less interesting without you.

Joe

[CLL]

I think that there has been times that I, probably along with others have disagreed on other posts, however I will say this,"" If I had the knowledge of equipment and business wises of most of the moderators, I probably wouldn't being looking stupid as I have many times". Jeff has moved some of my posts, due to my ingnorance in putting them in the wrong place. I appreciate all the friends I have found on here and the wealth of information. My dad always said, don't bite the hand that feeds you!!!Enough said.

[Warbird]

What do you think of this?

Sincerely,
Jason Ashenhurst.
(Smokey) 

Well Jason, are you sure you want to know what I think of this?  I think a man's character is defined by how he acts around others.  And you sir, are acting like an ass.  Jeff is a good man, as has been demonstrated countless times, to many folks, over the course of quite a few years.

Now then, if you wish to stay in these parts, which is an extension of this man's home, then I suggest you stop disturbing the peace, lest Jeff closes the door on you.  Like Norm, I would have had far less restraint than Jeff has already shown you.

Good day.

[Patty]

You know, I am not normally one to gush all over the moderators. I do think they do a great job, and I do appreciate all their hard work. Especially Jeff.

I have been hanging out here for many years and I hope to have the privilege to stay many more years. Only here can I count on my friends to pray for me if I am in need. Only here do folks drop gifts in the mail to surprise me, or to help celebrate an anniversary, or to place my dad's memorial flag into for my mom. Only here can I honestly say I have friends all over the world, who would even play host to me if I decide to visit their side!

It is a nice place, and for that I am very thankful. I am even more thankful that Jeff and his moderators keep the forum just as it is, and you are not welcome to come in and disrupt what we have created.

Now, be a good boy and go crawl back under the rock, Mr smokey.

[stumpy]

I have seen many posts that criticize manufacturers both sponsors and not.  Never once have I seen someone get scolded for stating their opinion.  It is when that opinion changes to an attack that Jeff or the admins get involved.  By attack, I mean comments that are based on singular incidents and the author is slamming the company  while giving only one side of the story. in those cases, I believe it is fair to call fowl.  When one hears those kind of comments in conversation, it's easy to take it with a grain of salt.  When it's written on a forum with thousands of readers, it can easily become a firestorm with the manufacturer unable to defend themselves.  I agree this sometimes is a fine line, but that's the way it is.  As far a freedom of speech, this forum is owned by Jeff and as such, I look at it as if I were standing in his garage shooting the bull.  At any time, Jeff may ask me to leave.  Remember, You don't pay to get in here, You are welcomed in until such time as you "pi** off the cook"

[isawlogs]

  Last thing one needs do is air his dirty laundry, you have two solutions, suck it up apoligise and help us be better at what we do , or  leave, wich I think is a poor way out . Nothing can't be fixed unless you is already with Mickey  ;)
  Eather way , I will stand by Jeff, I also have shaken his hand and will do it again 

[scsmith42]

Jason, I've been a member here for a long time, have met Jeff personally, and have nothing but respect and appreciation for how he manages this forum.

There has been a lot of good advise offered to you by others on this thread.

On a private forum, we do not have the right to "free speech", because it's not ours.  It is incumbant upon us to respect the rules of the forum if we wish to benefit from it's priviledges.

[timberfaller390]

I have been a member here for a few years. There is no better place to exchange info on everything from logging and milling to farming and politics. I have not always agreed with posts on this forum by members and admins including Jeff but this is jeffs forum and he can run it the way he sees fit. I stand behind Jeff and his descisions because when it comes down to it all Jeff has to do is get tired of handleing what I am sure is a huge workload keeping this forum going, pull the plug then nobody gets to play. Jeff, my hat is off to you sir.

[Dave Shepard]

One point not mentioned, is that even where free speech is allowed, it can come with consequences if it is not employed with tact. You can insult that 400 pound biker in the bar, but there's nothing saying he won't flatten you. :D