I thought this was America, Land of the Free!

[startrekstuntman]

First off, I was just expressing my opinion and so were others.

Then you decide to close the thread?

I didn't see someone put up a porno picture, did you?

One mention of the word God and you shut it down Toyranch?

I got news for you pal, our leader Terry Ingram is very spirtual and a great person to boot.

I have spoken to him on the phone and he believes in a higher power.

Now watch, this thread would probably get locked too!

[monsterphile]

First off, I was just expressing my opinion and so were others.

Then you decide to close the thread?

I didn't see someone put up a porno picture, did you?

One mention of the word God and you shut it down Toyranch?

I got news for you pal, our leader Terry Ingram is very spirtual and a great person to boot.

I have spoken to him on the phone and he believes in a higher power.

Now watch, this thread would probably get locked too!

We've tried to stray away from discussions on religion and politics as much as possible.  This has been our policy for years.  Why?  Because things happen just like they did in that thread.  One person says black, the other says white.  It goes nowhere.

Many of us know that Terry is very spiritual, but it's a rule that he agrees with.  Bobby knows Terry well also.  Heck, he just spent the weekend with him. 

There is a lot of leeway here at the UMA, but there are also limits and we mods have all agreed that they need to be there.

Rob

[Wicked Lester]

Some boards are stricter than others when it comes to religion and politics. AND said boards seem to have their own view on it.
I'm a member of X board that has a thread about Pastors and god calling you to service. I am a Neo Pagan. My response got a moderators warning, The thread continues even tho it is a board that has NOTHING to do with religion because they let it. I was PISSED. It is was it is. If you are unsure the best bet is anyone that responds to a "touchy" topic go thru PMs or E-mail.

Peace Bro.

[startrekstuntman]

I am on my way out the door to see Terminator Salvation.

Have a good night.

Later.

[Mike Scott]

I thought this was America, Land of the Free!

No, this is the Universal Monster Army. A privately owned message board that is not associated with the federal government. You have no constitutional rights, here, but you are also not being prevented (by the UMA) from expressing any views you wish, at your own privately owned message board. End of civics lesson.

[startrekstuntman]

No, this is the Universal Monster Army. A privately owned message board that is not associated with the federal government. You have no constitutional rights, here, but you are also not being prevented (by the UMA) from expressing any views you wish, at your own privately owned message board. End of civics lesson.

One day I hope to run into you my friend and I will teach you some civil lessons!

If you are ever in the LA area or going to Monsterpalooza, please pm me.

I like my lessons taught in person and not through a monitor!

[Mike Scott]

One day I hope to run into you my friend and I will teach you some civil lessons!

Here's something you may want to read, then.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

[Elizabeth]

Just a gentle suggestion here...

Perhaps the best way you gentlemen could express your love for this community, and your respect and appreciate for General Terry, our host  -- which I know you BOTH feel deeply, from observing your participation here-- would be to not let this exchange escalate further.

This is becoming really unpleasant, and is just going to create further strife; it hurts people beyond the two duking it out, as it makes additional work for our host, a man we all have such love and respect for.  (And it's painful for people observing this exchange.)

I believe, in internet etiquette, when a thread is locked (by a moderator appointed by the head of the community) the discussion is considered to be at an end.  PERIOD.

Starting a new thread is not in good form.  If one has a concern about how the discussion was ended, they should contact the moderators to discuss that.  Starting a new thread means the moderators are simply going to have to lock that one too... and it ratchets the whole thing up and up, and brings a community down.

When moderators tell posters a discussion is at an end, folks always have the option to continue a spirited debate off list, via email or private message.

[toysoldierman2001]

May I ask why my post was removed that I made earlier this evening?
Thanks

[typhooforme]

What Elizabeth said is correct.  When a thread is locked by a moderator, the topic is closed.  Starting a new thread to argue is more than just bad form--it's callous disrespect to the moderator and to the board as a whole.  Going on to make threats against a member, however vague or specific those threats may be, is beyond disrespectful.  Very thin ice, indeed.

Elder Robert

[startrekstuntman]

Thank you for lesson.

Now, I want to welcome you to my world which started way before my stunt career did.

After seeing this movie and getting my second degree black belt at 24 I realized something about people.

Laws, signs, don't say this, don't say that, and so on and so forth make for a very dull life.

I am my own person and will never be a follower.

Does it make me a rebel, most definitely.

Do I work well with people, well that all depends who the person is.

The problem is that there are way too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.

This movie changed my life because it showed me that the Police, Government and Authorities can be just as crooked as anyone else.

Look at the expression on the chief of police wearing the white hat....Cocky, Self-Righteous, thinking he's above the law...

I have met many people like that in person and because of them, it has helped my training immensely.

and yes, I can perform this kicking technique even faster than Tom now.

Knowledge is power, not using it is a waste!

You can go through your life reading and quoting legislation, but I prefer to do things my way and I do.

If mentioning God gets me banned, then so be it.

I still walk away the man I am!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v325wdgoFH4

Here's something you may want to read, then.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

[packy120353]

Aaaah Weedwhipper, Inside Crescent Kick taught at the Gold belt/green stripe level. Here anyway. Now snatch the pebble.

[ChattyLMS]

Elizabeth -
You are very right my sister.  
Let's all get back to being friends.  There's room in the swimming pool for all of us.

My hat's off to all the moderators.  Their job is not easy.

[Anton Phibes]

Wow. What in the world.....

Dear members, it takes all kinds to make a world.  You don't have to respect each others point of views, but at least attempt to respect each other.

That being said, I have my own beliefs.  They are founded in Judeo Christian principals,  Much like the laws that keep us civil in America do. I realize there are people who believe we came from monkeys.  that's their call, if that's what they want to believe.

I would much rather come to a Monster board and talk about monsters though.  I realize that other topics will come up...but do we really need to regress to veiled threats?

If my fellow peeps wanna argue, argue about something else.  Like Escos.  I hate those things. There's gotta be somebody out there who loves them...so lets argue about that instead.  It would be wise IMHO to lock this thread down too, just because its bound to become a figurative sack of burning feces.  

[typhooforme]

I can't believe this "conversation" is going on.  But I'll say this:  God is mentioned many times.  When a UMA member is ill, or has family illness, when there is a death, when problems strike a member--many and many a time God is mentioned and prayers are offered.  Once again, what is NOT encouraged is creating a thread that leads to discussions of religious beliefs.  Ditto for political ones.  It is not done.  It leads to---well, look at this mess!  Time to chill.