auction forum innapropriateness

[silicosys4]

Hello,
For the past year or so I have used an auction website that i feel is very well run, offers great deals, and is mindful of the security of both its sellers and buyers.
However, I made the mistake of venturing into the forum section of the auction website, and was disgusted and dismayed by the discussions taking place there.
A sample of the active discussions happening there is the thread titled
"effin muslims, nothing but pure b@st@rds".
Normally I would just back out slowly and shut the door quietly, but the discussions taking place here are in a public forum, on a website that is publically endorsed by the NRA, and I fear that a few, maybe 20 members, have perverted the entire forum into a group hate discussion. It has gotten to the point that I have ceased doing business with that auction site, because they allow such publically viewable threads to exist on their forum, and I feel that it harms ALL gunowners to have an entire forum filled with hate speech, and conspiracy theories, where ANY opposing viewpoint is shot down with profanity and personal insults.
I suppose I have gotten to enjoy the open, adult discussions at THR.
Mainly I feel it is damaging to all of us, for such blatent misinformation to be allowed to spread,

But that is the 1st amendment.
Is this something that should be brought to the attention of the forum administrators, perhaps by a concerned coalition of pro gun owners who know the value of PR?
or is this the domain of the 1st amendment, and the forum owners, to run their site as they see fit, and to allow whatever discussions they see fit?
What would you do?

 

[Sam1911]

Well, first off, we don't do "forum wars" here, so let's everyone refrain from pointing out and ridiculing any other online group. (Thanks!)

As for "what can/should we do?" Well, contact their staff, for one. Express your views. Tell them how harmful and self-defeating such ranting is and ask them to do a better job of moderation and self-policing, for the sake of all shooters.

Unfortunately, not everyone will share that view. There are plenty of loudmouths who are just so happy to find a taller stump to shout from that they forget to think about whether their words make any sense, reflect well on themselves or anyone else, or help promote any positive change in the world. There are a lot of people in the world right now who REALLY wish people would understand that the most visible, notorious members of "their" affiliation do not actually speak for all or even many of them.

We "gunny" types are far from immune from that problem.

 

[45bthompson]

I guess you could try to be more active in the forum and try to steer things in a more positive direction. If anything it would show new people that come across the forum that there are decent people active there as well. Good luck. You'll need it.

 

[hso]

But that is the 1st amendment.

Ummm, not really. The 1A guarantees free speach against government interference. Just like this site, what is said on any website is subject to limitations based on how the site owner wants the site to operate.

We're happy you like the rules here that help keep the discussion civil and show us all in a better light.

When you see any problem here or on another site it is always good to let the folks responsible for operating the place know.

 

[medalguy]

I agree, join in the discussions and see if you can moderate the tone of the discussion. If not, heed the remarks that the forum will allow whatever the mods and staff are willing to tolerate. If you don't like the tone then, just "close the door quietly" as you suggested, and move on over here.

I am a member of quite a few forums, but I much prefer this one due to the tone permitted here. If I want to yell and scream, I can walk outside and do that all day long. I come here for knowledge and temperance, so to speak.

And remember, there are a lot of loudmouths out there, and they are certainly NOT restricted to gun forums. Read any of the remarks on MSM forums lately? You could start a thread saying the sky is blue, and within 5 postings politics will be brought into the discussion. Not good for my blood pressure.

 

[J-Bar]

You were able to figure out what kind of folks they are, right? Well, others can make their own judgements, just like you did.

I would prefer to risk being offended occasionally than to have someone else decide what I should or should not be reading. Unless there is property damage or physical assault occuring, I like the freedom to make my own determination about what to read or listen to.

 

[45bthompson]

J bar, that was the most intelligent thing I have read all day.

 

[silicosys4]

^^ if it were an occasional thing by the minority of participants...but literally every thread is a thinly disguised hate rant or conspiracy theory. Great, if you are into that.
Oh well, I emailed the site and told the I was ceasing to do business and why, would no longer recommend them as an auction site, and then emailed each of the sellers I had done business through on the website that I was discontinuing use of the website and why.
Thats my best solution.

 

[Akita1]

+1 hso - 1A does not protect hate speech either.