Moderator Guidelines for Closing a Topic/Moving to Trash

First of all I would like to give a big applause for all the moderators at LTB for a job well done- thanks so much for your help in keeping the site welcoming and fostering an environment for spirited Lakers discussions.

I would like to add a few guidelines as to when a thread should and should not be locked and/or moved to the trash bin. I've realized that I have not provide any guidelines regarding this before so I would like to do so now.

A thread should be locked and moved to trash if:

1) it is spam

2) troll thread started by a troll

3) it is a duplicate thread that has only the originating post (only 1 post in the thread); for a duplicate thread that already contains more than 1 post, merge the thread instead

A thread should not be locked/moved to trash if:

1) posters are bickering amongst themselves in the thread; actions should be taken against the members breaking the site rules instead

2) the title is not descriptive; instead the title should be edited

3) it does not belong in the correct forum; instead move to the right forum such as the NBA forum or the Everything Else forum

Thanks guys and please let me know if you have any questions!

Sup Dave how you been man? Hope you have a nice time during the holidays. You should really tell your dogs to mellow out a bit though. You cannot have friendly banter in these forums anymore. No offense but this site isn't what it once was. Sports fans are candid and spout ridiculous things that usually don't make much sense. LTB feels more like going to court, or Christmas in a white suburban house with the 2.3 children and the housewife complete with botox. Right now, if LTB was a human being, he would use the term "African-American" when talking about black people. LTB should be a beer drinkin, flag wavin, LAKER fan. This used to be a Laker fan site but has slowly transformed into a United Nations discussion panel.

I posted for the first time in a long time today and a member sent me a pm asking me to be more active here and why I haven't been posting much. I know I'm the extreme opposite of this site but I hope you choose to meet halfway on this subject. Somewhere in the middle of the 2 extremes would be nice. For now, I feel like I don't belong till I go out and get a face lift, a retirement plan, some life insurance, own Hall n Oats Greatest Hits, and have seen the entire Twilight series.

With all that said.. I'm an LTBer for life... It's still the best place to be for a Laker fan. It just feels like going somewhere you used to love as a kid only to find out its not really as tight as you remember it.

Well, grizzly, I havent seen any overreaction decisions by mods, while I have been on.

Maybe I need to be more active, and its been going on while Im off. But I agree with what you're saying. Im obviously a mod, and dont make the rules, but I do believe we should allow some flexibility here, if what you're saying, is indeed going on.

As long as no personal attacks are directed, and derrailing threads, its ok by me. Wonder what's Dave's take on this.

Hello everyone! I just wanted to stop in and say Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's to everyone here on LTB. You are like brother's from another mother to me and I appreciate the opinions and conversations we all share together. Through thick and thin, we all remain friends in the end! I love you guys! Here's to a lifetime of happyness, good health, and a prosperous life!

Thanks for feedback Grizz- you've been a valuable long time member and yes I definitely remember those times when I had to, er, remind you about the personal attacks, heheh. But yeah as R3P says- I have no problem with cussing or whatever as long as it's not directed at another LTBer. So please feel free to voice yourself- that's the atmosphere I want to have here. If you or anyone feel uncomfortable about something here please PM me and let me know the specifics- I'm all ears!

And Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you Spankees and all the members of LTB and your family- you guys rock!

thanks for the info dave that's what the **** i'm talking about:)

I love you too Spankees.

Hey fellow mods- just in case you missed thread- I'm bringing it to your attention again because I saw some threads that were closed/locked that did not adhere to the new guidelines. Thanks again!

Dave.....I just wanted to clear one thing. Is it against the rules to appreciate Laker ball but believe others are better and start voicing your opinion and start arguing with other members???

For example : I love X team's game. I start a thread stating that X team's game is waay better than ours. And start a debate? Does that make me a troll?

If you're on a Lakers forum and start a thread claiming that team X is "waay better than ours", then that's pretty obvious trolling there.

^^Yep couldn't have said it better myself.

Time to banned mr. Clippersfan86.....Moderators must agree on this... his an irrelevant program that's why he has to be deleted dz week..

Or you could just use the ignore feature if you don't like his posts...

Right...but the best action that should be done by dz week is to evaluate and then ban Clippersfan86..

The best action would be for you to ignore CF86 if you don't like him and then go and play some 1st person Tetris. Have a good night

http://www.silvergames.com/flash/first-person-tetris.swf

Mojo,

I second this!!!!!! CF86 is harmless ;]

we've got bigger fish to fry....jaja

If you're comparing a player of one team with that of the other??

Wanted to do a comparison thread of all the contenders. Wondered if it concluded that any other team is better, would I be a troll or not. Thnxs for the heads up.

First off, I wanna apologize for not being around on LTB to moderate much of anything. Been kinda busy.

But I do wanna echo grizzly's sentiments about how things around here have changed. LTB has been getting way too fickle about where the lines are drawn. There's a line between politically correct and overly sensitive; hell, people are getting banned for their differing opinions, members are complaining to moderators about issues they have with other members before even trying to sort it out amongst themselves (or using the damn ignore button), and reports are being made about some of the most trivial issues here.

Also, things here tend to get a little clique-y, and for a while I blamed the repping system, but now it just seems that some people here like to jump into camps or whatnot. Not sure if that's even an issue, just something I've noticed. If anything, what gets annoying about this is the constant repetition of the same ideas/opinions, plus the brown nosing that goes along with it.

But I guess I shouldn't talk, since I've been a pretty lousy moderator as far as my attendance record goes. I'll try to check back more often.

Well, I have not seen particular grounds for banning CF86, unless I wanted to use the unfortunate allusion to an oscar-nominated film having an alternate lifestyle sexual theme. He might want to watch that!

Personally, I am not a censure-happy person. I like freedom of speech. I only have a quick trigger when I come across an obvious subterranean troll, or flamer. I have a lot less problems when I know that I am dealing with a person having his primary allegiance elsewhere, but that openly declares that allegiance.

For me, it sort of comes down to where do you draw the line. If anybody has followed my postings, then they know that I am hypercritical many times of our players, of our lack of chemistry, and all sorts of other things regarding the Lakers, that surely piss off the kool-aid Laker fans, and for which I would surely be banned were I not so obviously a Laker fan! Other than the annoying to some tendancy to talk about Clipper players, in his analysis many times of the Laker players, well, I could say some of the same things, and probably have! For this reason, it seems to me that it all boils down to choosing to censure an openly declared non-Laker fan. Therefore, if he is respectful, he is entitled to his opinions in my book. If he crosses the lines of what is not allowed for anybody posting on this site, then that is another question, and it will be dealt with.

For my money, those not wishing to view his posts, should just push the "ignore" button. If there is a use for this button, then this should be it.

I agree with everything you said, Cuckoo.

There have been people asking for the ignore button, now it´s the time to use it if needed.

I think your analysis of CF86´s posts is pretty fitting, he´s been stating what team he roots for, he´s been stating that he also like the Lakers and as long as he keeps his language in check and contributes to this site in Lakers Threads, which he does, why ban him?

Jonathan David said it correctly: We got bigger fish to fry.

We have another member that is an obvious Non-Laker fan. His user name is Kuberski and he is a Celtics fan. He is allowed to debate with fellow Laker fans here, too. He´s always been nice and a friendly guy to have a discussion with. He stated that he is a Celtics fan, from the beginning.

CF86 did the same thing. The only thing that he had done was to post more, to post on a daily basis and to post Clippers-related stuff in the GameDay-Thread. I can understand when there is too much Clipperstuff going on here and it annoys people here, but he used the GameDay-Thread which was only used by Mojo, CF86, VS, BLF, me and some others here and there.

When CF86 started to post he brought new life to this site, as every poster that posts valid posts and discusses with a love for the game. I saw he got banned anyways, now given a second chance. Let´s just hope he makes use of this second chance and see if things go the right way. That´s what I would do.

Yes, I know Kuberski. Nice guy even though he was born under a bad sign. I think he saved himself because he lives in China, sort of subtracting himself from the malevolent influence of too much Leper proximity that infects those living too close to Cesspool City

Wait, hold up. Kuberski has NEVER engaged in the type of behavior that 86 has. Kuberski has not had SEVERAL members of this site angry with him in unison. Kuberski and 86 are not even close to the same type of poster. I am not trying to sound righteous here, as I have probably broken site rules more than anyone. However, Kuberski has nothing to do with what happened with 86. Kuberski doesn't inundate this site with Pro Celtic rhetoric. Trust me when I say, living amongst the irritating Celtics fans, I honestly hate that team so much. My point is, while I can not stand Boston, the Clippers are inconsequential, and I would have more of a problem with a Celtics fan than a Clippers fan.

That being said, Kuberski ( to my knowledge) has never "trolled" has never insulted another member(or several other members), has never made homophobic remarks.

Comparing Kuberski's actions on this site to 86's would be akin to comparing Laker_Joseph's posts to SPQR's or cuckooroller's.

I certainly mean no disrespect to you, Mamba247 as I find you one of LTB's best and most cordial posters, and you and I have been in accordance more often than not. However, I feel you are very much in the wrong even bringing Kuberski into this.

Thanks Mamba247

You have a point, lakerfrommass. I don´t think I was specific enough. I shouldn´t have compared them par for par as I did. All I wanted to say is that some of the posters here would wanna see CF86 go for being a Clippers fan alone, which, in my opinion, is wrong. When I compared Kuberski and CF86 I meant it in the way that both of them show their love for a different team than the Lakers, but should be welcomed here by everyone since both of them are also sharing thougts on the Lakers. Of course, Kuberski and CF86 have been doing that in a total different way, so I apologize for not having been clear enough. I hope you get my point, lakerfrommass.

You have to admit though that CF 86 also has his friends here and people that love to discuss Lakers or NBA-related stuff with him here. I know you and him are never going to be best friends in this life or another, but I just suggest you keep using the Ignore button for his posts and you should be fine. The last thing I would want to happen is that either you or CF86 calls it quits herebecause you are not okay with a decision being made on that subject. We are family here and this is really the only Laker site I´ve ever encountered that is full of friendly, respectful posters who I enjoy to have discussions with.

Thanks, JD.

Glad to see you around here more often again.

yeah well I asked for less hours at BestBuy

and got extra weekly gigs booked all year at the clubs here in Texas

so I make more $$$ without having to slave away 40+ regular weekly hours...just a few nightly hours on weekends :]

when most ppl are asleep or partying anyway

check out my website

http://valleyxclusive.com/

SEE THE LATEST ALBUMS @

http://www.facebook.com/valleyxclusive

& see the older site albums @

http://www.myspace.com/valleyxclusive

Personally, I think it's very discouraging to hear so much lack of support from other moderators on this site. I may need to renounce my status as a moderator. Maybe I'm just not the right person to moderate this site anymore. Very discouraging.

Lakeshow, I support you but sometimes you are too hard on CF86

he really is harmless and the Clippers are a total JOKE so try to see his views that are annoying to you as just futile efforts from a misguided L.A sports fan.

Dave I would like to take this oppurtunity to congratuliate on this kickass forum!

I have been following up this forum every day since I registered, I would like to thank all the members for contributing to this forum!

This forum has saved me lots of time since I don't need to search online for news and updates,

because I'm positive i'll find about it over here, and helped me live the news since I can't watch most of the games :S

My best regards from over the seas,

and hopefully another 3peat! Enjoy... In the end this is what gathers us from all over the world

I don't want to be the type of moderator who causes controversy or is viewed as someone who abuses his privileges. I've already sent a PM to Dave, requesting that my moderator status be revoked immediately. The lack of support from my fellow moderators is evidence enough to prove that I am no longer fit to moderate this site. I'll be just fine with being a regular LTB member again.

Hey lakeshow, don´t leave us! It´s only one freaking subject we have to discuss together and we could find a solution for.

That's what I'm saying too Lakeshow

don't do it!!! you always make tons of great moderator decisions,

I've seen them and they are fully noted.

I would like to say that I supported Lakeshow's decision- it was too much Clipper talk going on in the Laker forums. If it was happening in the NBA game day thread I wouldn't have mind as much but it was too much in the main forums.

But Monk, Cuck, and Mamba247 you guys make very valid points. I definitely want to see more respect amongst members and less of the "if you don't agree with you than there's something wrong with you" type of talk. And if you really think another member is just full of non-sense, the ignore button is there for you to use instead of always needing to have to get last snipe in.

As far as I am concerned, you are one of the best mod's on this site and I hope that you continue as a Mod.

Mamba247

Yes, I agree with the above. Yes, you're right about 86's friendships over here. I even considered 86 a friend at one point. However, he knows what he did by insulting my integrity. We have both said foolish things to each other on a personal level. Therefore I say we are equally wrong for that.

You have very admirable qualities about you Mamba. I will also like to add, that 86 was always welcomed here with open arms by pretty much everyone. 86 does have a very good knowledge of the current NBA, and for a guy as young as he is, he has a pretty good knowledge of the past NBA greats. However, once the season started, it became a Clippers forum. Nobody EVER asked him to not talk about the Clippers. I think the quantity of the posts had a lot to do with it. I also can see why 86 was so excited. If we had Blake Griffin on our squad, we'd all be quite ecstatic too.

As far as the ban goes, I was given a second chance (or 3rd if you ask the administrator) too, so I can not and WILL not argue his reinstatement.

I do think that Steve (lakeshowsd) had every right in the world to ban him. Not only for the "trolling", but for the inappropriate remark about Brokeback Mountain. That said, we're all human, none of us are infallible, and we're all worthy of a second chance.

I honestly think LTB will be better in the long run after what has happened recently. I think everything was handled very well, from Steve acting to ban 86 all the way through 86 issuing an apology as a condition for reinstatement.

I also would like to thank you for clarifying what you meant in regards to Kuberski. I do apologize if I did misinterpret the gist of your post. That being said, As much as I dislike the Celtics, and as much as Kuberski probably dislikes the Lakers, I have never, not once, seen Kuberski have it out with a member of this site, make "trolling" type comments, or be disrespectful towards anyone. That is why I was taken aback by his name being mentioned.

Other than that Mamba seems like all is well, aside from Steve making a rather snap decision about his moderator status.

Thanks for the time Mamba, always a pleasure discussing anything with you my friend.

Steve

I suggest you take a night or two to reflect upon this decision. IMO, you're a fine moderator, and a fantastic member of this site. Before you really decide to do this please give it some more thought.

You also have to be aware, that at times there is very little activity of the moderators on this site, so getting mod support on ANY issue might be tough, because at times there aren't any mods to be found.

I PM'ed the administrator about this fact many months ago, long before I was banned. There seemingly are more moderators that are inactive VS moderators that are active. I was told that I'd be interviewed for a moderator position down the line, but upon my banning, and mod status being stripped away on Dodgers and Raiders topbuzz sites, I guess that is out of the question. Not as though I am b!tching about it, as the administrator had every right to do as he pleases.

Anyway Hermano Steve, please give it more though. This site is better with you here, I couldn't care less who disagrees with that. You're one of LTB's most knowledgeable posters, a valued contributor, a great moderator, and more importantly a good cyber friend.

Please take the time to reflect on your decision, and perhaps change your mind.

John I've extended my hand to you in peace and I'll happily do it again. I still to this day will tell you I enjoy your posts. I even enjoy Lakeshows. I just feel I've kept my word to you guys about cutting Clippers talk WAY WAY down... almost posting no Clipper topics in the non Laker section and even almost no posts in the non Laker gameday thread and it wasn't enough. The minute someone like Purple would bash on me being a Clipper fan and I respond to it.. it brings out the wolves lately. I hope you all see how much I've cut down the random Clipper and Blake Griffin talk because I have. I just feel like the minute I finally do say anything I'm attacked. I feel like a few of you guys have had me on your **** list for a good month and every time I post... It leads to a dramatic fight in the thread. I'm sure I've been condescending and disrespectful at times in the past on my rants or responses and I apologize for those times. I can't do more than that besides not doing it which if I must say my improvements have been noticeable. Even a few of the posters like Lakersbiggestfan or w/e.... admitted my Clipper posts are way down since my promise. I know I come off strong and abrasive at times and It's something I work on..... but I feel I've earned my keep here by trying my best to post logical and knowledgeable basketball things. I think lately this forum has gone downhill quite a bit with the constant fighting to the point to where I notice some of the best posters aren't even on here much anymore because it's me and someone else going....

I couldnt agree more and to be completely honest its starting to ruin the forum for me. Ive had to use the ignore button on a few members who are actually very good posters but posts just irk me so much that I cant even read their posts to each other without wanting to make a snide comment to one of them. Also, I feel like some mods, not going to mention specific members, seem to really take advantage of their abilities and want to just close down a thread or ban a member simply because they stir up a little controversey.

Do I think Lakeshow should step down as a mod? No, I think everyone's making this into a bigger deal than necessary. I mean come on guys, its a basketball forum, not the white house. If you wanna be a mod still then be one, if not, then don't.

Well said lakerfrommass. You have very good points.

Lakeshow,

please know that I think it´d be sad if you decided to leave your moderator status behind. I think you are, as I am sure most people think here, a very valid poster who should continue moderating and having a say on this site.

Just because not everyone can agree with everyone else all the time doesn´t mean you don´t have the support of your fellow moderators here.

Not sure if I'm one of the people on your ignore list and you can't see this but really nice post. I hope this isn't taken as sarcasm but this thread is starting to get therapeutic. In a good way. Everyone is being honest and clearing the air. I think this is good for the forum.

Well said lakerfrommass. You have very good points.

Lakeshow,

please know that I think it´d be sad if you decided to leave your moderator status behind. I think you are, as I am sure most people think here, a very valid poster who should continue moderating and having a say on this site.

Just because not everyone can agree with everyone else all the time doesn´t mean you don´t have the support of your fellow moderators here.

Hey, I live 50 miles south of "Cesspool City". I think I've turned out alright. Minus that little secret I told you in a PM, LOL.

Previously banned members definitely make me think twice about making them a moderator. It's a loss of trust. Plus I'm definitely more wary of someone who PM'ed me and threatens me that he has all the top members personal contact info and that I will "lose many valued members" if I piss him off.

...this part makes me feel comfortable.

Haha, no you are definitely not one of the members on my ignore list. On the contrary I think you're a great poster and didnt understand why you were ever banned or threatened of being banned.

Why? You're not a top member. kidddding! Yeah thats pretty eery though.

lol well I'm used to no privacy so this doesn't bother me one bit!!!

but anyways CLIPPERFAN86

I have nothing against you bro, just bring back order by being a good active productive member and I'm sure all this b.s will blow over soon :]

How dare you lol. That's right...you hide behind that winky face. 8)

David

I think perhaps you misinterpreted the meaning of my post. I was not asking to be a moderator here. I simply made reference to the PM I sent you many months ago when Laker_joseph was running around the forum, about a lack of active mods. The reason for my statement was to try and mitigate the frustration of my friend Steve(lakeshowsd) had about "lack of mod support". The sole intent of my words were to help Steve understand that there are many inactive moderators on this site, and it might be a little hard for him to garner support of mods who have no idea what's going on, due to being inactive.

I took my punishment from you Dave. You stripped me of my mod status on the other sites, and according to what I posted above, I clearly am understanding of why it was done. I haven't asked you on this site, RTB or DTB any question about it, or tried to get it back or anything. Quite simply I made no reference to it at all.

Again, I would like to reiterate. My above statement, attempting to mitigate Steve's frustration, is the singular reason I brought up a lack of active mods. I wasn't asking to be a mod whatsoever. I didn't ask to be a moderator on the Dodgers site, and when you opened the Raiders site, you said you needed Mods, and I opined that I thought Nick (MrMojo) and Jeff would make great moderators, never mentioning myself.

I quite enjoy my privacy thank you very much!