Freedom of speech.......

[Dave.Mil]

Due to popular demand, there is no clearly defined, strict moderation policy in the NAAFI Bar. However, those traits which we do not tolerate in everyday Army life, we certainly won't tolerate here either.

We should consider ourselves fortunate that we a have a place to vent-off without the draconian moderation policy seen in most other discussion forums across the net. In fact, most of the discussion in this 'bar' wouldn't even be tolerated in some of the 18+ only bulletin boards.

Please treat this board as you would a normal bar. But remember that 'white van man' and his journalist mate are permanent guests. Need we say more?

Banter is fine but should you feel it's getting personal, please "step outside" and use the PM system.

Don't want to labour the point any more but here are a few guidelines (which may be modified/added to from time to time):

No offensive signature pics - Engage brain...

Absolutely No Racist remarks - As above...

No Sexist remarks - Well, all right then, this is the Army after all!!! Just don't get personal....

Innuendo is fine......just please don't drag it out.

Swearing is fine too if that's what float's yer boat - used cleverly, it can enhance a post - just don't kick the proverbial arrse out of it!

Personal attacks - It is sometimes difficult to judge malicious intent but any complaint to a moderator will be viewed seriously. If you choose to fuel the fire, on your head be it. Dont whine if you get a slagging having offered yourself for 'attention'. Don't post unless you can take the flak. Simple. If you get offended at the 'robust' nature, leave and post on the Knitting thread.

Attention seeking will not be tolerated. Come into the thread, expect the pi55 to be taken. If that clashes with your moral values, go.

....oh, and definately NO promotion of cruelty to animals either....joking or otherwise.....

The moderators descision is final. Not happy with that, go speak to someone with a degree in underwater basket weaving.

Everybody has rules. If you want true freedom of speech there would be no rules at all. This is not the NAAFI and as such the rules laid down are the one's you abide by. If you think that this restricts your freedom to discuss then there are other forum's on the net where you can exercise your right's.

[Dave.Mil]

AIMS

The aim of ARRSE (in such that it has one) is to provide a useful, informative and amusing site for people with an interest in the British Army. Contrary to duty rumour we are not promoting the overthrow of HMG nor do we exist to toe the party line and users can expect to find both reasoned argument and complete ARRSE within our pages. It exists for all.

PRINCIPLES

1. Although we have no issues with challenging the ‘official’ viewpoint we do not wish to bring the wrath of the authorities down upon the site.
2. We wish to avoid attracting those with extremist views, personal agendas or mental health problems to the site.
3. Ultimatelywe would like the site to make some money but would settle for having our costs covered in the interim! Plans to relocate ARRSE HQ to the Bahamas are currently on hold.

POSTING STANDARDS

The following describes acceptable posting in the site, which is split in to three levels of "seriousness", starting from the liberal end of the site. Please observe the regulations - they are to ensure that there is something for everyone. A varied and large user group is in the interests of all. Obviously regulations in the NAAFI also apply to the next category up and so on.

1. The NAAFI.

The NAAFI is designed to allow our users to conduct the pointless bickering, personal vendettas and utter drivel that is the mainstay of any web site. We strongly discourage anyone who is under 18, easily offended or with liberal tendencies from entering this forum. That being said, it is still moderated and the following is totally unacceptable:

a. Breaches of Operational Security (OPSEC).
b. Use of real names.
c. Hardline extremist views and racism in particular.

2. General Boards.

These are the bulk of the site and consist of everything not included in the Serious Boards and the NAAFI. Banter, obtuse posts and ignorant comment are often the norm but we will moderate (ie police) against:

a. Thread hijacking where an argument/slagging match is carried over from elsewhere.
b. Totally pointless points.
c. Extreme swearing and abuse of other users.

3. Serious boards

Current Affairs, Finance, RHQ, Staff College, Military History, Charities

Our serious boards are heavily moderated as we aim to keep them sensible and relevant for those who wish to engage in serious discussion. The following are not tolerated:

a. Taking thread off topic
b. Moderate swearing / abuse of other users.
c. Non-contributory posting ie pointless ranting.

MODERATORS

The site moderators exist to ensure that the site is managed in accordance with the policy detailed above. They are to decide how the policy is implemented in their own forum and may wish to post details of their moderation policy. Please repect the moderators' decisions, but if you have any complaints about moderation policies, write to admin@arrse.co.uk or to one of the "COs" using the site instant message system.

You may not have read the rules for you own forum so just to remind you.

[BBC]

Gosh Dave.Mil, another more subtle way of reacting would have been to stand up and scream......
'Free thinkers take note, no rule questioning!'
......not that I am questioning the rules, just the bases on which they are written.
So Dave.Mil have you read my posts?
Please quote those inclusions that you deem to have breached or confronted these rules and justify them.
Tab, thank you for the welcome, yes i will try to keep my input on topic and informative.

BBC

[Dave.Mil]

BBC
I would like to draw your attention to a post by Blessed Baby Cakes on the arrse forum

Unfortunately MF does have an issue with the freedom of speech that ARRSE doesn't...
Posts deleted or edited...
Hmmmmmmmm a little bit of censorship goes a long way...
Don’t rock the boat boys, and the brass will always smile upon us...

It would seem strange you start a post on here about freedom of speech if you were not one and the same. I'm pointing out to you that the forum Blessed Baby Cakes feels has no rules that inhibit freedom of speech does have rules which outside of the NAAFI are almost identical to here. As we have a lot of users who are under 18 the moderators here do a fantastic job of enforcing those rules.

[BBC]

Dave.Mil

I am the one and only.
The point of this post was to clarify exactly where, in an uncensored not confrontational and adult manner, the moderators viewed the freedom of speech as the topic had been raised on ARRSE.
I do, however, feel your tone of post is an attack and confrontational.
As I have said, can you show me in my postings on THIS forum where I have been so?
As to the moderation of ARRSE, there is very little that is removed or edited by the moderators, they do tend to PM and justify why they have done so, and I would challenge you to find anywhere I have been so moderated.

BBC

[Dave.Mil]

BBC

I would like you to point out where I have been confrontational. I noticed straight away who you were from arrse and have just pointed out your point about freedom of speech is not really valid as outside of the NAAFI there are rules. I also pointed out that the rules here are almost identical to those used on arrse but because there is no NAAFI equivelant there may appear to be more moderation in your view. I notice from your post's in arrse you tend to post mostly in the NAAFI so it is unlikely for you to need moderating in there. I too have never had a post edited or deleted and have been able to express myself freely, if the need occurred I'm sure the moderator's would also use a PM to explain why. If you have come here to enjoy the different enviroment of these forums then I'm sure you will be made welcome.

[druadan]

Christ, ladies! I read here a lot though tend to keep my posts confined to the Joining Marines bit as that's what I know about; but reading this is just winding me up! Covered in a bit of fancy language, this has turned into the pet hate of all forums, the 'who's best' question. Aside from this thread (and even in parts of it), BBC has expressed his (her?) opinions well and without causing offence (unless you're reading something the wrong way), especially compared to the others who've decided to come and make twats out of themselves from arrse. I think this is a slightly more serious forum, and it doesn't have any equivalent of the NAAFI, but each to their own. If this guy has good input then don't judge him by the cover (by the way, I'm not a member of arrse, I just read every now and then).

I know we want to keep this forum how it is, but some of the new members are genuine and have a decent input, don't shoot them down in flames before giving them a chance.

Equally, BBC, maybe you could've made a point of showing that you realise the difference in this forum compared to arrse and that you are going to participate in the relevant manner.

I feel like a bloody mod. Rant over.

PS. I'm not here as of tomorrow due to certain commitments (Lympstone here I come ), so don't take a lack of reply on my part in any other sense. Arrse has some nobbers, but hey, we get them here too. Doesn't mean a decent guy can't post acceptably in both 'worlds.'

[BBC]

BBC

I notice from your post's in arrse you tend to post mostly in the NAAFI so it is unlikely for you to need moderating in there.

If you have come here to enjoy the different enviroment of these forums then I'm sure you will be made welcome.

I'm a non-mil body with no knowledge of the subject other than an educated one. I think if you have little to no practical knowledge of a subject best to leave it to those whom do to post on the topic.
Equally I'm a tad restricted on comments I make on political issues as I am not able to comment as freely as I'd like as an individual who should be viewed as 'A' political.
You are, however correct, very few posts are moderated upon in the NAAFI, be it blood guts are something more offensive. There is little other than what is deemed abhorrent that would be edited or deleted. Freedom of speech.

I have been made to feel welcome by many, thank you for your PM's, and no I have no idea either... but I have a good idea.

druadan BBC is a she, old short round and up way past her bedtime, and you, for one, made sense... Thank you for that.


BBC

[Dave.Mil]

BBC wrote

I'm a non-mil body with no knowledge of the subject other than an educated one. I think if you have little to no practical knowledge of a subject best to leave it to those whom do to post on the topic

Not sure what your trying to get at here?

To go back to your original post

Hello!!!!!

As I’m new and not sure where I should post this I’ll try here and see how long it lasts.

Is there a freedom of speech issue on this forum? No

I was told if you post drivel it is deleted? Probably
That there was a sense of humour by-pass issue. False
Is it not a good thing to make funny comments? False
Should I remain serious and levelheaded at all times? Up to you

Well what is the done thing here in your cyber world?

Clarification please...

[BBC]

BBC wrote

I'm a non-mil body with no knowledge of the subject other than an educated one. I think if you have little to no practical knowledge of a subject best to leave it to those whom do to post on the topic

Not sure what your trying to get at here?

That's easy, as rightly you pointed out I tended to stay in the NAAFI on ARRSE, that was my explanation. Why would I post elsewhere...?
I have no need to ask the boards for information and I've never been in the situation so can't really offer any to those that do ask....
I have posted outside the NAAFI, but generally on Current Affairs....

All clear now inquisitor?

BBC

[Hyperlithe]

BBC,
non-aggressive question, just curious...

If you have no military connection how did you end up at a military forum?
I got here through a search for info on OASC.

[BBC]

I'm a little mil sister.
Big bad brother pointed me in direction of ARRSE.
All the better to know him? NOT!
Clarification complete?

BBC

[Hyperlithe]

I've got a big mil brother too, aren't they a joy?

[bigbart]

On the subject of "freedom of speech" though.. (this is not intended as an attack on tha ARRSE forums) I notice that on ARRSE, forums are locked when they stray off topic. That's something that wouldn't happen here.

[Rug Rat]

Anyone for tennis?

Sorry, just curious...I wanted to throw the direction of the thread to see if it gets locked. Experimental mind......

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