Once the powers that be catch wind of it, usually the poster gets banned. Permanently. That's something that's just not tolerated around here. I've seen several good people over the last two years get banned because their temper got the best of them, and they posted a couple dozen one word posts just to close a thread.

You know guys...the last part of that thread (not sure you bothered to read it) was falling way off topic and getting pretty heated and accusatory in nature. If the OP (original poster) would like to resume that topic, they can very easily open a new thread.

By the way, I don't recall reading anywhere (check the Animal Debates main page) that it was against the rules to post more than once in a row to a thread. There isn't even anything about closing one out...huh.

If you would like to readdress the issue, please feel free to open a new thread.

I agree with moonie.
I would never take it upon myself to close a thread as webkat did just because I thought it was getting off topic or "heated"! That is the job of the "powers that be",in my opinion.You are correct webkat,there are no rules that say we can't post more than once in a row or about closing one out.You just did it in a rather rude and childish way,simply because "you" decided it was getting off topic and heated.Isn't that what this forum is about?
Ritamay-I would still like an answer as to why you were "hoping I would respond".I guess you can start a new thread for that one!........Lillie

IMHO it was very rude to end the other thread the way it was done. I have witnessed some control issues, but this takes the cake.

While I agree the thread was getting off topic, which topic doesn't? I have seen us go around the world on a post, no one slaps another's hand. If that person wanted to open the cat peeing in the box, the poster was technically doing it by the rules by scanning a topic before posting a new one.

The threads end after the cut-off number of posts. I am really shaking my head this morning. I didn't understand at first since I pulled this thread up and then the other to see what the fuss was. Now I know...

I will say it again, why can't we be polite? Maybe that could be something to aim for in 2007. I know I have offended, been offended and for that I am sorry. Hands started moving before good manners interceded. Bad habit I am working on. For most of us, this is the time of year when you may take a look at things from the year about to close and maybe make a change or two.

I just don't understand the need to be rude. When someone opens an old thread, its a dead giveaway to a new person who is scanning all of the topics, and I know I probably did the same thing when I started lurking here. Should we welcome new people or should we make them feel unwanted and stupid? I vote for the former rather than the latter. Any takers?

I don't know what thread got pulled, and have only been here for a couple of weeks. I always figure that if it comes down to name-calling, the person has lost the argument and is basically reduced to sand-box behaviour. I commented (politely!) about a sensitive issue some time back ("support our troops") on the Ponds Conversations forum, and was immediately jumped on with several nasty responses, including name-calling... "bed-wetter" was my favourite (I'm 51 and a mother of three! Many years since I've wet my bed!) Perhaps this is a new term of insult that I'm not familiar with. Anyway, I stopped posting and noticed that Gardenweb pulled the thread and reprimanded the other posters which made me feel somewhat better even though these posters were furious at me, assuming I was at fault -- although I had not complained, so someone else must have. All this to say, I think debate is great, but insults only make that poster look ridiculous. (I stopped going to that forum as it was hostile to others as well)

I don't know what thread you all are talking about but I sort of disagree. I think if you start a topic you should be able to say enough is enough if it gets out of hand. And that is always the reason someone wants to shut it down.
I started a topic not long ago in another one of the forums and it started to get rediculously off topic. It hit 150 posts and if anyone wanted to contribute to the real discussion they wouldn't be able to because they got locked out of the 150 message limit in the forum that it was in.
I wish there was a way to not only delete the topic you start but also edit your posts. These are basic functions that most forums have and for good reason.

Lillie1441,

Reread my post. I said "wondered", not "hoping".

That is a really good idea quirky...many forums have editing capabilities designated for the OP of a thread.

The OP for that particular thread had not been back to "join the conversation" since October.

It was unmistakably getting rude and accusatory (others have e-mailed me wondering why that was allowed to continue)...it really needed a good "splashing of water" thrown on it.

This is the holiday season, guys....shake hands and smile at each other... :o)

It was unmistakably getting rude and accusatory (others have e-mailed me wondering why that was allowed to continue)...it really needed a good "splashing of water" thrown on it.

Not your place to do it.

What praytell is the topic that has caused so much grief?

Nevermind I found it. LOL
That's one way to end it.

I think it is pretty normal for threads to stray off topic and that is okay. This isn't the big brother garden forum where every conversation has to stay on topic and every post has to be in happy agreement with everyone else. (If you want that type of forum it already exists and you can go there...)

I think it is rude for someone to take it upon themselves to end a thread. So what if its off topic and argumentative, just don't read it.

Even so, it was amusing...webkat must have a lot of spare time :-)

webkat, you're lucky to still be posting in here. I know of someone who did the same thing as you, for the same reasons, and got banned. For any of you who used to hang out in the kitchens forum, her name was elsiecat. Within 2 hours of closing out the thread, she was permanently banned.

Hmmmm, Bill, wasn't aware of that.

If it is against the rules, I sure can't find it printed anywhere.

Maybe that person approached the situation in an agressive manner?

I am glad, however, that it seems as though the spirit of this forum has changed direction somewhat... :o)

I wouldn't feel comfortable with someone getting banned for simply closing off a thread. It might not seem the right thing to do to some of us, but it sure isn't a major offense in my opinion, even though I don't like it.

The topic DID get heated and way off base, but new posters did come along and contribute from time to time. But, what's done is done and now I have to agree with webkat... let's shake hands and smile. :)

The pet and the debate forums are great.. the best I've come across, with terrific posters and lots of invaluable information, contributed by many different posters. Let's remember that and play nice.

I hadn't been to the forum in a couple days and was shocked to see the way that thread was closed. This is a great debate, but a needless one. People with common sense (and things to do... like a LIFE), would not have elicited this thread by engaging in the behavior that inspired it! How terrible. Someone who does that should be instantly banned! May it never happen again.

Reread my post. I said "wondered", not "hoping".
Sorry Ritamay,I did read that wrong,but still am wondering why you were wondering? LOL
I will be off line for a few days getting my computer worked on.Don't know how long it will take but if I'm not back before Christmas everyone have a blessed one!.....Lillie

Gee guys! i did'nt know you could close out a thread. Please!!! don't anyone tell me how,i don't want to know.
We are all very passionate about our pets and i've learned a lot here and i've ranted some but i never go back to that thread most of the time because i've had my say and someone else can rant and it won't hurt my feelings.
I 'm making a resolution to be much kinder next year.

I really like this forum.
oakleif

I read with interest the thread that was closed. That thread was a dead horse that was just still being beaten imho.
Had the rudeness and cruelty ben reported earlier, then who knows who might have gotten banned as a result.
imho several posters were out of line with there rudeness and cruelty and had the powers that be read or been aware of them probably the thread would have got chopped up and members would have been warned or banned entirely, just depending on their rap sheet here.
I have read a bit about that spike person and think he would have just sent a lot of members to Disney. He gave no warnings I hear.
Maybe the person who closed the post did a good thing for some members here.
Maybe it would have been better for someone to have reported all the rudeness and cruelty in the thread. Maybe members getting warned or banned would have been the best thing.
I won't be surprised if this is not the end of it, as heads roll.
maybe, maybe, maybe
just mho

Merry Christmas!
and
Happy Holidays!
to the rest of you
Steve

I wouldn't feel comfortable with someone getting banned for simply closing off a thread. It might not seem the right thing to do to some of us, but it sure isn't a major offense in my opinion, even though I don't like it.

moonie, think about it. On every issue, especially as controversial as some are that we address in this forum, there are going to be passionate views on both sides. What happens when every time someone doesn't like the tone of the way a thread is going, they go ahead and shut it down with multiple posts, or any other way, for that matter? The forum would go right down the tubes in no time.

Take the PETA thread, for example. A woman named Lily that comes in here is an advocate for PETA, and I'm sure she doesn't appreciate the way that organization has been bad mouthed. So now, (hypothetically) she closes it down with multiple posts. Maybe the same thing with the sheep thread. Can you see where this leads?

Then, I guess, more threads will open up.

Maybe they should list that in the instructions...I certainly wouldn't have done it if it were listed there...

If, however, the post had continued where it was headed, it could have been removed entirely. Now, as it stands, it is left to still be searched and researched.

As giterdun so elegantly stated...it was like beating a dead horse...no new info, just more of the same bickering back and forth.

"13. Posting merely to manipulate the position of a message is forbidden".

This is targeted towards "bump" to move a thread up, but it also could mean multiple posts just to close a thread...

If someone complains to GW staff, webkat would get a warning email with a copy of the user agreement.
GW staff just hasn't noticed it yet.

And technically everyone who posts on this thread has the potential to get a warning or a banning
" 24. Users disagreeing with these rules or wanting clarification of their meaning, or have other questions about the administration of the forums, should address their concerns directly to our staff. Anyone who wishes to make a public display of their unwillingness, or perceived inability, to follow the rules, or who wishes to use our site as a platform to protest any aspect of the site's administration, will be immediately banned from our forums.

25. Users objecting to another user's posting should likewise address their concerns directly to our staff."

I would not be surprised if this thread and the other thread are not deleted soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb User AGreement

I read the post you all have been talking about for the first time. It did kinda go on and on. ..The thing I got out of it..the woman with 80 cats and relatively few problems. It blows my mind. With eight cats, I sometimes forget their names when one is misbehaving, but do you have names for them all? When I do wet food in the morning with the eight, there is a protocol to follow. Two eat on the counter and are fed first. Third goes to old guy and he gets the most and then little guy and then mom and daughter who get less because they are fat and then Maddie who is 14 and gets more than the others and finally finicky Izzy who gets very little. Then I need to see who didn't eat it all so I can give to the two old cats. The rest of the time it's okay since they freefeed. I learned something from that extended posting. I should clean the upstairs big box more than once a day. There are seven more in the basement but this one gets the most use and one or two cats sometimes poop beside it. Maybe they want it totally clean at all times. Maybe they want me to be their slave??

joepyweed, where did you find this users agreement; I looked for it the other day and couldn't figure out where it was !!!

emma, I had a cat (a tortishell siamese cross, maybe some ragdoll thrown in) who if she went in her box one time it had to be cleaned or she would go right outside of it, the fix? one of those automatic cat cleaning boxes, expensive but worth it, cats happy, I am happy:)

Micke, A friend suggested the very thing you did, an automatic cleaning litter box. I have heard not so good things about them. I may do some research..

This is a debate forum; I found it quite ironic to see the thread put to bed in such an adolescent way.

That thread was no longer a debate, mitchdesj.

Almost finished with the thesis....

It still doesn't matter if it was or was not a debate, in YOUR eyes. It was not YOUR decision to close it. It was highhanded, and completely out of place for you to close it. I own several websites myself and your account would be long gone for your behavior. Frankly, I think you should be banned for what you did.

Webkat - Perhaps in the future you should report the thread to the moderators if you think it is out of line. They are the ones who own/manage this forum and ultimatly it should be their decision if a post should be allowed to continue.

If they agree with you, great! If they don't then don't view that thread anymore, perhaps after posting a final post that asks the other members to no longer reply to the post as it is off topic.

Either way, you do not own the forum and if those who do decide they want to allow people to use their forums for "off topic" discusion that is their decision, not yours.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

:-)

The point is YOU don't decide that; other people might have wanted to debate.
Threads often take a detour and come back on track, it's the nature of the beast.

Looks like the mods fixed the original thread in question -- the thread index still lists 150 replies, but if you go in and read the thread, webkat's responses have been removed.

Yes, it has been like that for a few days now...since the 21st.

Happy Holidays everyone!

May Peace and Joy fill your hearts!

Amen to that, webkat. Merry Christmas. :-)

Emma-My DD has 4 cats and one of the automatic litter boxes.Loves it! Never any "accidents" and more economical as litter doesn't have to be changed as often.Check out E-Bay for possible cheaper prices.