READ AND HEED!


(1) Members get ONE (1) warning in a 30 day period.
Let me repeat that..... ONE WARNING.
If they are seen as being out of line, they will be told to stand down, both in the thread, and via email. There will be NO FURTHER WARNING, no more chances, for the next 30 days.

(2) Any member who is WARNED to stand down has one option, and one option only. That option is to stand down. If you disagree with the warning, you can make your case, CALMLY, through email to ME. Your email will normally be read within 24 hours. In almost all instances, it will be read within 48 hours.
Any Member who is SUSPENDED has the option of emailing me, and making their case CALMLY, explaining why they feel their suspension is unwarranted. Again, your email will normally be read within 24 hours. In almost all instances, it will be read within 48 hours.

(3) When the email is read, you will receive a reply with my decision.
If you disagree with my decision, your only option is to appeal to a Chief Moderator or above and their decision is final unless new evidence is presented through the chain of command.
Anyone who argues the warning in the thread, starts a thread to argue the warning, or who flames the Moderator giving the warning, whether in thread or via email will receive an automatic suspension.

(4) Suspension lengths are now TWENTY (20) DAYS and FORTY (40) DAYS. This is solely at the discretion of the Moderator!
After a suspension, the member must REQUEST reinstatement from LEAD MODERATOR or ABOVE. There are no automatic reinstatements.
There is a limit of TWO (2) suspensions. If a member is suspended a THIRD time, they will be submitted to the Chief Moderator or Forums Administrator for consideration of a permanent ban.
Attempts to circumvent suspension by use of alternate Screen Name will result in a permanent ban. NO EXCEPTIONS!

(5) There have been concerns voiced about Moderators baiting members.
If you feel that a Moderator is baiting you or another member, the CORRECT answer is to notify me via email.
Do not go off on the Moderator. Email me, and ignore the provocation. It will be looked at, and if it is determined to be true, it will not be tolerated.
The accusation of baiting, if made maliciously with no basis, will also be addressed.


That is it. Simple, hopefully easy to understand, and capable of being enforced. If anyone has any doubts about any section of this, I highly suggest you seek clarification. Ignorance of this policy, or a misunderstanding of it, will NOT be an excuse.

Obey the TOS, follow Moderator guidance, and you will have no issues.

Zack

Silent_Surface
Lead Moderator
Hot Topics Forums.



The Following Is An Addendum To The Forum Read and Heed
19MAY2008


DISRESPECT Towards, Or DISPARAGEMENT of, Another Members SERVICE or PATRIOTISM....
IS NOT ALLOWED ! ! !

Let it be known that attacks on another member's service, lack of service, patriotism, or accomplishments, are NOT allowed.

Whether you are Liberal, Conservative, Independent, Libertarian, Gay, Straight, or whatever political or sexual persuasion that you endorse, be warned that attacks on anyones Service to this Country, or attacks on their Patriotism, or their Character, are NOT acceptable.

It is understood that some in these forums have an adversarial relationship that both enjoy. This is generally evident, and will be taken into account.

The Hot Topics and Current Events Forums are"open" forums. They are open for ANY member to post or debate.
What is allowed here are topics that MEMBERS want to discuss. If you come in to these Forums, you will conduct yourself in an appropriate manner. To be short, it is called posting as an adult.

Respect other Members! ALL other members.

Respect Veterans and those who have served their country, whether in peacetime, during wartime, or in combat. There is no difference in honorably discharged VETERANS!

No disrespect towards Veterans will be tolerated from anyone. Period! Not from other Veterans, and not from those who have not served! No one's service is any more or less important than another's!

While the Service that was rendered, and the experience gained in doing so, CAN legitimately be used as a basis for a point or counterpoint, NO AMOUNT of service, of ANY type, gives one the right to disparage someone else's service.

Service and experience CAN be used to back up a point, it can NOT be used as a basis for questioning someone else's RIGHT to their opinion. If the difference is not clear to anyone, PLEASE email me for clarification, I will be more than happy to help.

If you can not post intelligently, as an adult, without resorting to personal attacks, blatant disrespect, degrading names, or all the other forms of argumentum ad hominen , then you may wish to sincerely consider ignoring those who ignite your passions.

If this is not acceptable, there are many other forums on Military.com. It is doubtful that they will accept these antics either, but you are welcome to try them out.

All who enter Hot Topics Forums are welcome, but all will be held accountable to the same standards.

These standards will be applied at the Moderators discretion. If you disagree with a Moderators actions, you have the same options that are laid out above in the Read and Heed


Zack

Silent_Surface
Lead Moderator
Hot Topics Forums

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