speaking of conspiracies, did anyone catch the Simpsons a few weeks ago... making preppers look crazy yet again.
Too bad they do such a good job of funny; it's hard to stay mad at them but I do my best!

More work by the networks to impeded self-reliance...

Dendrite, you have exquisitely phrased your post which I've quoted below. I'm pushing 65 and I've very rarely seen anything which has been more well-stated. It spoke so much to me that I quit reading the thread (having seen buckets of similar ones) once I got to this post. Not that it matters, but after this, I did not feel the need to read this forum further, because I've already witnessed enough forums breaking apart on account of a minority of the members being able to hijack the entire forum. Just like in real life. Truly, this is one of the best posts I have ever seen. Thank you.

It seems that some people have stomped their feet and demanded that censorship be instituted in order that this forum be shaped into something that more closely fits their belief system. Denob, I would suggest that those whose belief system causes them discomfort whilst discussing a certain prophecy, theory or other impending event that someone else feels important enough to prepare for, should just pass the topic by and not involve themselves with it. Nobody is forcing them to be part of every discussion. Why should the majority of us be censored and forced to conform to the comfort zone limitations of a select few?

Denob, I don't question that you can set the rules. Of course you can. It is your house. I simply question whether it is at all necessary to institute a new rule that starts us on the slippery slope of censorship - the thin edge of the wedge that chips away at free speech, open discussion and rational thought. I suggest it is very shortsighted and unnecessary to create a new rule that is likely to frustrate many in favour of satisfying a select few.

For many people, this is the only place they can go that gives them a way to hear other points of view on certain topics. It gives them some way to remain in touch with reality instead of being left with their own thoughts and fervent imaginations. God only knows that this forum for open discussion may be the only thing that keeps some people from losing their grip completely. Why can't this forum continue to be all of those things that it has been for so long? Why is it so necessary to change now? Oh, I should take the opportunity to ask the morally correct few if it was permitted to mention the word 'God'? I know that the word 'God' doesn't fit in with everyone's belief system. I didn't overstep the bounds by using that word, did I?

You say that those of us that are not happy with the decision to censor discussion can leave and find a new forum. Why not turn that around and tell those that demand censorship that they are free to go elsewhere and find a forum that meets their needs more closely if our topics disturb them? Why should the rest of us be required to conform to a minority? Consider that the reasons for prepping are every bit as important as the actual prepping itself.

Think about it. Suppose I were to open a topic about what equipment would be needed to survive an EMP burst. Would I need to worry that someone will vociferously complain that I am now discussing a conspiracy theory, an end-of-world scenario or a government plot to control/exterminate the masses? Should I consider the need to censor myself to avoid expulsion from the forum? Should I simply choose to implement some discretion and not post anything at all? Or, should I take a chance and make the post in the faint hope that common sense will prevail and temper someone's decision to expel me?

You know, society has a small number of people that are chronically offended for one reason or another. This minority constantly demands that the majority conform and censor themselves to avoid being politically incorrect. It seems it is a minority in each case that determines what is allowed and what is not only because the majority are afraid to speak up and demand that they be accounted for also. Almost everyone I speak with is frustrated by censorship and political correctness. Almost everyone seems sick to death of it yet few will speak out about it. Well, I, for one, am tired of being told what to say and what topics I am allowed to discuss, where I can go, how I must behave and being otherwise dictated to at every turn. I am considering leaving this forum now and I wonder how many more would make the same decision. All because of the unnecessary implementation of censorship. It might help to look at it another way. How many people would choose to leave here because of a lack of censorship?

You are right, it is not a democracy here but what would be the harm in holding up a yardstick to measure the wishes of those who are active here? Why not poll the masses to determine their response to the new culture of forum censorship?

I would suggest the question: "Do you feel that this forum should continue to allow free and open discussion of any scenario, prophecy, theory or situation that may give rise to the need for survival preparations?" The answer would be a simple "Yes" or "No". Of course, you are never bound to the results of a poll but to ignore the feelings of the majority might be considered somewhat imprudent.

I agree. Great post. For everyone 1 who is offended or made nervous by political conspiracy extremist type posts there are 20 who love it or just dont care. So... it's a numbers game. Cater to the 1 or to the 20? Simple math.

I like an open forum. Hope this one remains as such.

Perhaps this needs some discussion, so here is my point of view...
We all know, or should, that this forum is searched almost constantly by search engine bots.
Here are my concerns...
1) potential new members find us by using search engines. Many, if not most people who have decided to get better prepared are doing so because of the events happening around the world on a regular basis such as earthquakes, hurricanes, collapsing economies, that sort of thing, and not so much about intentional government poisoning, rogue planets on collision courses, alien experiments...you get the idea. If, when searching, potential members see this kind of thing being prominent on the site, they could very easily become discouraged, dismiss us and miss out on a lot of very valuable information that could one day save their lives.
2) not always, but sometimes, discussions of anti government agendas can turn into outright planning of revolution. Now I'm not saying that I have seen this type of thing on this site, nor do I have reason to believe that any member of this forum is heading down that path. However, I think it reasonable to assume that the government does monitor this site, and I would not want any overzealous "officials" to jump to any conclusions of terrorist associations or other such nonsense.

That being said, I also understand that there are members who do wish to discuss these, sometimes "out there" topics. So the other mods and I put our heads together and came up with a compromise. To open a section for these discussions, that will be hidden from bots, guests, and new members having less than 3 posts. To participate, you will have to join the FRINGE group, which can be done through your user control panel and does not require approval.

Those who do not join the group will not see this area. The same rules and code of conduct on the main forum also apply here and this area will be moderated just like the main forum. I hope this satisfies all concerns that have been raised.

Enjoy.

An excellent solution to a difficult subject. Thank you Denob.

Yup Thanks! If nothing else we can all tune in for our daily laugh of the day.

thanks for the work on this.

Democracy in action / I love it... 😀

Denob,

Thank you for The Fringe!!

Mountainman.

PS - I hope to see more of you there.

where is this Fringe you speak of?
I don't see it on the Board selections...

That being said, I also understand that there are members who do wish to discuss these, sometimes "out there" topics. So the other mods and I put our heads together and came up with a compromise. To open a section for these discussions, that will be hidden from bots, guests, and new members having less than 3 posts. To participate, you will have to join the FRINGE group, which can be done through your user control panel and does not require approval.

Those who do not join the group will not see this area. The same rules and code of conduct on the main forum also apply here and this area will be moderated just like the main forum. I hope this satisfies all concerns that have been raised

How delightful it's been reading through this thread and finding it come to it's reasonable and logical conclusion.
I too have seen the few overrule the many, far too often. How refreshing the gentle wisdom. Bravo! Thank you.

marrii,

Hope to see you posting down in The Fringe, in the near future.

Cheers,

Mountainman.