(May 16, 2013 at 1:54 am)whateverist Wrote: I have to admit I don't see much difference between flaming and personal attacks. Also, is it still a personal attack if the person you call an asshole is in fact a flaming asshole? I find myself .. expressing myself .. more lately when people are offensive. Like that MoFo666 with his sexist comments on a recent thread. Is there ever a case when providing unasked for character analysis is actually considered a public service? Just wondering.
It's admittedly pretty subjective - which is one reason why I think requiring a quorum before action is taken is a positive thing. In my book, calling a flaming asshole an asshole is non-actionable - it ain't a personal attack until it gets, well, personal. I'd give a real historical example were it appropriate, but I'm not comfortable that it is.
I'll use myself as an an example instead. I happen to have a physical disability. Were a member to leverage that fact in an insulting / disparaging / hurtful manner, it might be actionable, for example. Calling me an asshole? Probably not - particularly if I am, in fact, being an asshole (pro-tip: I am).
Each individual staff member has his/her own opinion on where that line lies, of course.
More or less clear now?
