Lets not get into a argument about this, again, because BOTH sides constantly beg us moderators to censor the other when we allow differing points of view to remain.  Then the personal insults ensue when the topic is played out and no one can come to an agreement. 

People should do the ADULT thing, and WALK AWAY, agree to disagree, and walk away. 

All I know is some, who many complain about to be banned and censored, I have actually seen, in real life, boots on the ground doing SOMETHING to further 2A in Hawaii.  And others, who make a lot of noise, preaching to the choir,  seem to know a lot about the know, I have never seen nor heard of doing any real life furthering, and heard the excuses, when ask to. 

Just Sayin

exactly....

What’s the genera rule? If you have to reply more than 2 or 3 times, you should walk away.

People should do the ADULT thing, and WALK AWAY, agree to disagree, and walk away. 

All jokes aside you and the rest of the moderators need to come to a decision about what you are trying to accomplish here. If it's a boys club with shit smeared all over the walls then great job. If it's advocating for 2A rights and trying to bring people into the community then it should be obvious to everyone with a minimum third grade education that the current moderation policies are highly counterproductive. 2Ahawaii in its current state drives away normal people and rewards trolls for their hostility, effectively giving them a soap box as long as their views meet some unspoken right wing litmus test. You can justify it by "free speech" etc but it's like trying to have a business meeting with spoiled angry children throwing temper tantrums.

We should make a poll to decide what the goals of this site are, and then have another one to decide what kind of moderation policy would be most effective in achieving those goals. In other word have an actual plan

Reminds me of my BT company commander who we called Captain Steroids. Big guy with a high voice complaining to us about too much swearing in the barracks.

don't feed the trolls
if you feed them, they grow bigger and keep trolling
negative posts don't bother me.  I don't let those posts bother me.
there are those on this forum that I don't agree with on some issues.  if they want to argue about it, I just don't respond.
its like any other thing in life:  you can't control what others do or say or believe.  the only thing you can control is how you react.

What’s the genera rule? If you have to reply more than 2 or 3 times, you should walk away.

And you realize that no one else is posting in the thread.

All jokes aside you and the rest of the moderators need to come to a decision about what you are trying to accomplish here. If it's a boys club with shit smeared all over the walls then great job. If it's advocating for 2A rights and trying to bring people into the community then it should be obvious to everyone with a minimum third grade education that the current moderation policies are highly counterproductive. 2Ahawaii in its current state drives away normal people and rewards trolls for their hostility, effectively giving them a soap box as long as their views meet some unspoken right wing litmus test. You can justify it by "free speech" etc but it's like trying to have a business meeting with spoiled angry children throwing temper tantrums.

We should make a poll to decide what the goals of this site are, and then have another one to decide what kind of moderation policy would be most effective in achieving those goals. In other word have an actual plan

or you could make your own site and set the rules...

The concept of free speech is great as an individual.  However there is always rules and a level of moderation when working in groups.  Moderation can help with encouraging more discussion, getting more people involved, and allow for different points of view.  Also keeps things productive.  Moderation doesn't necessarily mean censorship.

Ever had to run a meeting with two opposing sides with no rules?  You could allow everyone to have absolute free speech and no rules but everything would turn into chaos for many reasons.

I actually have done such a meeting. I ran it, and for the most part got something done.  It was tough.
most people are not too smart, but when it costs them money they start to pay attention.
I posted Liens against several properties.  They payed eventually.

or you could make your own site and set the rules...

Indeed, as those with "right wing" ideas are apparently anathema to him  It is a truth that 2A supporters tend to be more conservative and typically seen as enemies to the left. 

No shock that sort of outlook predominates here.  This is NOT "Mother Stoned" or whatever, after all.  You are not going to change members fundamental political outlook.

I say deal with reality, or as you suggest, go create your own left-wing 2A site equivalent.  I believe there are some antifart types that imagine themselves as combat troops that would join in.

I've been confused on what the purpose of this website is.  The purpose determines on how the website is run.  Currently, it's very open like a boys clubhouse where people can say just about anything they want.  If it's meant as a discussion forum for a wide audience, then you need more moderation and rules.  If the goal is focused on activism, technical, and gun rights then it has to be further moderated.

Websites like AR15.com tend to be more toward discussion for a wider audience.  Technical websites like anandtech (for techies) are heavily moderated where you can't go off topic and you can get suspended easily.

I suspect there is a lot of venting here due to our general feeling of being stigmatized by the overwhelming liberal bent of state gubmint, and the mindless liberal obeisance of too many citizens.  I posted  the comment from a liberal in my local rag that wanted to bury firearm owners in a landfill.  This is the environment we deal with.

Everything about preserving our 2A rights is framed by the democrat controlled gubmint.  No way to get around that.  We are not after their rights, but they sure as hell are looking for ways to deprive us of ours.

Makes for a polarized community.  That at least one member here has engaged in what i would call "agent provocateur" type postings in the past, and insists on concealing his employment makes a few of us hostile and suspicious of anything posted.

We feel watched and hunted enough as it is, now some want to cry they are being set upon?  How do you separate these things to make is all antiseptic.

If that was not coherent, am in a hurry.

or you could make your own site and set the rules...

You are avoiding the issues I raised, but then again some people probably don't want to effectively organize and would rather complain instead. That's your prerogative.

The problem with "blowing off steam" is that it might feel good but accomplishes nothing. Actually it accomplishes less than nothing, because normal people are getting turned off and walking away and they aren't coming back.

And then you're left with Right Wing Fred. Yeah he shows up to the meetings but what about the 50 other people who he alienated? You and Fred may agree on some things but is it making a difference? Is anything being accomplished besides lots of shit talking about liberals and feeling sorry for yourselves?

Do you want to put up a serious challenge to the status quo or not?

You are avoiding the issues I raised, but then again some people probably don't want to effectively organize and would rather complain instead. That's your prerogative.

The problem with "blowing off steam" is that it might feel good but accomplishes nothing. Actually it accomplishes less than nothing, because normal people are getting turned off and walking away and they aren't coming back.

And then you're left with Right Wing Fred. Yeah he shows up to the meetings but what about the 50 other people who he alienated? You and Fred may agree on some things but is it making a difference? Is anything being accomplished besides lots of shit talking about liberals and feeling sorry for yourselves?

Do you want to put up a serious challenge to the status quo or not?

ok, let's see what you organize to challenge the status quo...

And then you're left with Right Wing Fred. Yeah he shows up to the meetings but what about the 50 other people who he alienated? You and Fred may agree on some things but is it making a difference? Is anything being accomplished besides lots of shit talking about liberals and feeling sorry for yourselves?

This alienation is not limited to just the organizing of 2nd Amendment initiatives in Hawaii, but can be seen in the absence of postings from long-time members in this forum as well as active participation in HDF/HRA.

How about a group hug at the range. We can form a perimeter around the entire park. With empty holsters by our side and arms open wide - love on one another.
Because not everyone loves each other on 2ahawaii.com but Jesus loves each and every one of you 

On second thought...
EEF vs. Flapp

ok, let's see what you organize to challenge the status quo...

I run BarterTown!

But in all seriousness

Looking for something we can rely on
There's got to be something better out there...

We don't need another hero,
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond 2ahawaii.com

I've been confused on what the purpose of this website is.  The purpose determines on how the website is run.  Currently, it's very open like a boys clubhouse where people can say just about anything they want.  If it's meant as a discussion forum for a wide audience, then you need more moderation and rules.  If the goal is focused on activism, technical, and gun rights then it has to be further moderated.

Websites like AR15.com tend to be more toward discussion for a wider audience.  Technical websites like anandtech (for techies) are heavily moderated where you can't go off topic and you can get suspended easily.

All jokes aside you and the rest of the moderators need to come to a decision about what you are trying to accomplish here. If it's a boys club with shit smeared all over the walls then great job. If it's advocating for 2A rights and trying to bring people into the community then it should be obvious to everyone with a minimum third grade education that the current moderation policies are highly counterproductive. 2Ahawaii in its current state drives away normal people and rewards trolls for their hostility, effectively giving them a soap box as long as their views meet some unspoken right wing litmus test. You can justify it by "free speech" etc but it's like trying to have a business meeting with spoiled angry children throwing temper tantrums.

We should make a poll to decide what the goals of this site are, and then have another one to decide what kind of moderation policy would be most effective in achieving those goals. In other word have an actual plan

Maybe posting the TOS? If not, then my man mentions facing the wheel...

ok, let's see what you organize to challenge the status quo...

Are you willing to have a conversation or is this about practicing your one-liners?

One thing I'm really curious about is the conversion rate. There has to be some way to track how many people participate in testimony or show up to events because they found out about it here. It would be wonderful to establish a baseline and then keep records over time as we try different ways to improve that ratio of clicks-to-action. That's probably too much to ask for now. A much easier solution would be surveys. Voluntary participation has it's own issues but it would be worth it to find out what people are doing now and what kind of approach would encourage them to do more. Throw in a couple p-mags and make a contest out of it.

This alienation is not limited to just the organizing of 2nd Amendment initiatives in Hawaii, but can be seen in the absence of postings from long-time members in this forum as well as active participation in HDF/HRA.

Have you been actively participating in HDF or HRA events?  Other than providing criticism.

I haven't been as active as I would like, but in the events that I do attend, both groups seem to have decent participation.  Could it be better?  Sure.  People have lives to live and understand that these events can take up a lot of time.  Yeah, some folks stop coming around, for a variety of reasons and feelings of alienation could be one of them.  However, I often see many new folks coming in as well that contribute greatly.