Banning and Free Speech

[bth9461]

I am new to this site and am not sure, on what stance the site owner(s) has on Banning members that may not agree with them or some of the Moderators or major players on here.

From what I have seen so far, Admin seems to have a laid back attitude on heavy moderation. I hope that continues. I have always believed that Posters need to be free to post their thoughts even if it hurts someone's feeling. Abuse of other posters is another thing. Here I trust admin will use Common Sense in running the site.

I have seen sites ruined by over Moderation and limiting Free Speech when it questions the PTB.

I my opinion all Posters/Admin need to have thick skins when you enter a Public Forum. Stand your ground and don't cry foul when you get challenged.

Banning is bad for Business. If you want a dynamic Forum. That will grow over time.

Brian

[Tosch88]

Very little moderation unless spam or its a personal attack that is completely un founded.

[Brisco]

Let me expand a little on Brians thoughts here......

I was about to start a similar thread regarding a problem I have been having, as well many others here have been having, with another discussion board we all are, or were, a member of. I had checked with "THE" power that be HERE about starting such a "Rant" and HE said to "go ahead, most of us know what/who the problem is and on what board I would be referring to."

But, I have since come to my senses and am not about to go on an all out rant over what's been going on on that other board. Instead, I'm just going to come out and say what's on my mind in a civil manner and try not to bring out any anomosities that may be harboring within.

Some of you guys I've been around for years may have noticed the "Banned" tag under my name over on our Hotshothauling board here recently. I have been banned from that board for what was said in "Private Messages" and not for what was said out in the open on the board. Admin and Moderators over there have crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed. Not only are they "over-moderating" the "Open Discussions" on the board, they are now moderating what you guys are saying in Private Messages to each other.

Problems have been arising on HotShotHauling for quite some time(2-3 years) due to one over-zealous "Moderator" that pushes his thoughts and opinions upon every single member that has something to say on that board. We, us old timers, know who I'm speaking of and I'm coming right here and saying who it is because quite frankly, I don't give a shee-it anymore. It's RickG, the same guy who's had a lot of problems with other members too over on the truckersreport.com discussion boards.

Most of us here have had a run-in or 2 with RickG at one time or another. I for one have always been the one to "stand my ground" as Brian mentioned above. When I stood my ground, it was because I knew that what I was speaking of was correct and could be found factually truthful with just a little researching done by the one challenging my thoughts or opinions. RickG has a one track mind and will PUSH his opinion, whether it be correct or not, upon any members post he disagrees with over at the HotShotHauling board. He pushes his opinions so hard that arguments ensue, things are said that shouldn't be said, and then when his pannies get all wadded up, he goes to Black asking that the thread he's in a deep argument in gets either editted, locked down, or deleted. I for one grew tired of RickG's ilk, and stood my ground to great extremes when dealing with him over there.

These last couple of weeks many PM's and E-Mails were exchanged between Black, Myself, and another well respected board owner over just how bad HotShotHauling.com has become, over what could be done to help it recover (the board has gone to sheee-it in a lot of peoples minds), and who needed to go to help in it's recovery, mainly GETTING RID of RickG as a "Moderator". Our discussions, our thoughts, our ideas just went in 1 ear & out the other with Black. Black just will not accept the FACT that HotShotHauling.com has now become the worst "open discussion board" for people seeking information about what it takes to get into the HotShotting industry. Hell, you can't even find that board anymore doing searches on Google, Bing, or any other search engine when looking for "Hot Shot" related links. (Only one way to find it is by looking up "HotShot Hauling" or "HotShothauling.com") Every other variant of "Hot Shot", NOTHING.

And this saddens me in a sense. Why?? Because I was about to enjoy my 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY posting over there. Over these last 6 years I have always called that board my "Home" board. I promoted that board for years, I invited people to that board from other boards for years, I watched that board like a Hawk helping every chance I got, it was "MY" board so to speak. And now Black, who I considered a friend, has chosen to take the LOW ROAD and suspend my privileges for a while, maybe permanently, over issues I was having with a "Moderator" who has had problems with everyone over there at one time or another.

Yep, really really sad situation with that board. I have never never ever been "Banned" on any "Trucking" board I have participated on over the years. Many here, and on other boards shown respect towards my time on these boards. For me to have that "Banned" mark under my name on my "Home" board is just ridiculous.

Now, with that said, Thanks to the many members here who I have been PM'ing and E-Mailing here recently. I tried to Help with the problem over there at HotShotHauling, I tried to no avail. I have all your "thoughts and opinions", most of them Negative towards that board, and will keep them "Private", OK. Just do me a favor and "Boycott" that board as some of you said you would. But, if you choose to keep posting there, BE CAREFUL, OK!!! I say be careful because not only do you have to deal with RickG's assholey ways "on the board", you have to be careful what is being said in PM's too because Black is now moderating the hell out of those also.

What Brian said right here is the absolute truth:

I have seen sites ruined by over Moderation and limiting Free Speech when it questions the PTB.

A boards survival is contingent on how it is "moderated and adminned". On top of that, one has to have the right personality to be put in such a position to moderate and admin the thoughts and opinions of many. IMO, the HotShotHauling board lacks personality in it's Moderating choices and I hope it goes down in flames before any more damage is done to another well "Respected" member as was done to me.

[haulin rv]

Ahhh rick strikes again.

But don't forget about the know it all ass that runs the other hot shot board. I got kicked off there simply because I haul cars.

[bth9461]

Ahhh rick strikes again.

But don't forget about the know it all ass that runs the other hot shot board. I got kicked off there simply because I haul cars.

Thats Cold:confused:

I thought that (cars) was part of the program, why run a Lowboy with drive over fenders if you don't haul cars. Has there been a change in trailer recomendation? Or am I mistaken.

[bth9461]

That is the way I see it Brisco, you are spot on.

Rick, you ruined the site. I once had a High view of you. On a par with TC,TG,Dennis, and all the rest of the old gang.

Black what are you thinking Banning Brisco?

[Brisco]

Ahhh rick strikes again.

But don't forget about the know it all ass that runs the other hot shot board. I got kicked off there simply because I haul cars.

That's where some of us disagree........

1st off, that other board is not a "Hot Shot" board, it's an LTL Freight Hauling board. Right now, it is the #1 board on the internet for information on how one can get into hauling LTL freight, and for that matter, Hot Shot freight, when it comes to information concerning how to go about getting ones authority, their own insurance, the right equipment in the 3500 to 5500 range, and a full support staff that will help those new drivers out whether they use their dispatch service or not.

Remember, his "discussion board" was never meant to be an "open" board. He has always said that his board was part of his "business plan" and what went on on that board could have, and might have, effected his business overall. I say at least give him credit for allowing us to have the time there that we all had, but a "car hauling" or "hot shot" board it never was or was it meant to be. Yes, some were upset when he made the choice to rid all members that were not part of his business, but if things that were said here were not said out in the open, then those few would probably still be there posting with his current members/drivers. Look at me, I've never hauled cars before, nor have I ever ran LTL Freight with my own authority, but I'm still there posting with the friends I've made over there. He sent out the message saying the board was getting cleaned up, was getting rid of all the "Non LTL" forums he allowed us to have there, and what did a bunch of members here do?? They got offended and said some things that shouldn't have been said, so he decided to rid the board of a few members too. Now, if those things hadn't been said here "out in the open", and the changing of the board had been accepted, I'm quite sure each and every one of the members he rid the board of would still have posting privileges there. See what I'm getting at.........

Now back to "Rick", Yes, that "Lone Asshole" (a name given to him by another member in an e-mail that others agree with also) did Strike again. Although, I don't believe it was my dealings with Rick that got me either temporarily or permanently banned for now. Ricks been on Vacation for a few days and hasn't been on the HS board. Last week I went through and deleted a bunch of back and forth BS that the Lone Asshole and I were having. I did this out of respect to Melvin who asked me to just give up on Rick. I had not posted on that board since last Tuesday/Wednesday. I was just going to let it blow over and walk away for now. Over the weekend I sent out a couple of PM's (PRIVATE MESSAGES) to a couple of friends over there saying "Hey, ya know what, I'm fed up with this bullshit going on with Rick and with Black refusing to do anything about it, aren't you fed up with their BS too??? If so, e-mail me at this addy and let's meet up on our new board".

Well, I got a couple of e-mails Sunday asking where this new board was. Monday, Labor Day, as I was looking over the HS board to see what was up (nothing as usual, they've only got 4-5 members left posting over there) and noticed that my "PM" link above said "disabled". Thought "HUH???" So I went to a recent thread, clicked on a reply link, and got the message that said "Admin" has blocked my privileges to post on the board. I then went to an old post of mine and saw the word "Banned" under my name. To me, to "Ban" Brisco, is absolutely absurd, especially with the way the Lone Asshole is towards people over there. Now, I had not posted on that board since early last week, and I had deleted those posts all together. That right there tells me straight out that Admin (Black) is MODERATING AND OBSERVING Private Messaging over there too. In my opinion, that's the lowest form of chickenshit there is when it comes to Moderating or Adminning an "open discussion board".

So again, if any of you here are still posting there, Be Careful what is said "on the board" and when "PRIVATE MESSAGING" anyone. You will be held accountable if it does not fit the opinions of the Moderators and Admin over there.

[tbc27143]

I also was on that board until about 3 years ago. I was banned twice because I was outspoken. Talking to Black or Blue did nothing to change anything. RickG had become a moderator and then it got worse. I went back under another name for a short time and did all I could to not give my identity away and still ended up being banned when RickG figured it out or thought he did.

I left and have not been back. Brisco and Brian are correct.

I was known as TC over there.

[LBZ]

Hey TC, good to see you here.

Stick around & stop in often.

Did you get your dually sold yet?

[Haul-A-Round]

Ahhh rick strikes again.

But don't forget about the know it all ass that runs the other hot shot board. I got kicked off there simply because I haul cars.

I got kicked off of there for explaining the differances and weights of 3 different trailers I BUILD ! who would know them better ?

[tbc27143]

No I didn't. How did you know it was for sale?

I bought my son's crewcab 06 so I now have 2 dually's with the Dmax setup.

[bth9461]

I also was on that board until about 3 years ago. I was banned twice because I was outspoken. Talking to Black or Blue did nothing to change anything. RickG had become a moderator and then it got worse. I went back under another name for a short time and did all I could to not give my identity away and still ended up being banned when RickG figured it out or thought he did.

I left and have not been back. Brisco and Brian are correct.

I was known as TC over there.

Who do you think you were fooling? We all knew it was you. Rick baited you just like he tried to instigate stuff with Brisco recently.

What pissed me off was that your mild response was given as justification for the second banning. I will always believe that Admin (they had the power), did not want you back. Your first banning was only for a month. You were gone longer than that. How many of us tried to get you to come back. I wish Admin had just come out a said that you were not welcome back. Because that was what the deal was. They did not have the guts to.

I am not sure but, I bet I was not the only one who tried to get you to come back. Many wanted you back.

The second banning was not justified, we all knew it was you.

Nobody on that site worked harder than you to put things together in a logical manner, your work is all over that site. If they delete your posts, a ton of stuff goes down the drain. You deserved to have some slack cut your way. Some might say that is not fair, but I say you need to use some common sense. You left in a heated way, but admin desreved some of the heat. They should have let you back in, and told Rick to back off.

Hey Blue and Black started it all, but you and many others help make it bigger and better.

Brian

[Brisco]

Hey Blue and Black started it all, but you and many others help make it bigger and better.

Yep....and I was what, their 5th or 6th member to join after they started it all. Black and I were the 2 longest continuous members posting over there.

I remember the days when the board was hoppin', 20-30 of us posting in and out daily, and many "phone calls" were made amongst all active members just to "shoot the shit". I used to talk to Richard/Robert(??) (Blue Dually) all the time on the phone. I'd be running down 55 through Illinois, phone would ring, I look down, and it was Richard/Robert of all people. In that backwoods Texas draw he would say "where ya at??? I've got something I'm working on, you interested"??? Of course I always said Hell Yeah, but out of all those phone calls, we never managed to get any "work" together. Still, the comradery(spelling???) was there.

Seems like the board really started going to shit when Blue decided to lay off the board for a while and Black decided to add a couple of Moderators to help with the board. Poor poor choices Black has made. And, all the troubles anybody and everybody has had there points to 1 person. Sad that Black has turned a blind eye towards it, know what I mean.

[bth9461]

Yep....and I was what, their 5th or 6th member to join after they started it all. Black and I were the 2 longest continuous members posting over there.

I remember the days when the board was hoppin', 20-30 of us posting in and out daily, and many "phone calls" were made amongst all active members just to "shoot the shit". I used to talk to Richard (Blue Dually) all the time on the phone. I'd be running down 55 through Illinois, phone would ring, I look down, and it was Richard of all people. In that backwoods Texas draw he would say "where ya at??? I've got something I'm working on, you interested"??? Of course I always said Hell Yeah, but out of all those phone calls, we never managed to get any "work" together. Still, the comradery(spelling???) was there.

Seems like the board really started going to shit when Blue decided to lay off the board for a while and Black decided to add a couple of Moderators to help with the board. Poor poor choices Black has made. And, all the troubles anybody and everybody has had there points to 1 person. Sad that Black has turned a blind eye towards it, know what I mean.

When I first started, I lurked for 2-3 months before posting. I read all the old Posts. I could tell by the banter (off topic stuff), that you guys really knew each other, and gave a a rats ass about each other to. The off topic stuff never got in the way of me finding info.

I wonder who the piss ant(s?) was, who complained about that to the Moderators? Talk about about making a mountain out of a mole hill.:p

Know what I mean?

[tbc27143]

Brian several people did try to get me to come back. I was waiting for the "powers" to ask me back but that wasn't going to happen. That is why I went back under a different name. I managed to copy the startup info from HS and post it on HS Connect.

[bth9461]

Brian several people did try to get me to come back. I was waiting for the "powers" to ask me back but that wasn't going to happen. That is why I went back under a different name. I managed to copy the startup info from HS and post it on HS Connect.

I knew of at least one other and suspect a few more. Some more involved with the PTB than me. Many of us knew that Mohawk was you or strongly suspected.

I still remember the way Rick baited you, and your response was not as stinging as he deserved. They used it as a reason to boot you again. I feel they were not honest with us, they said it was a 30 day ban. I believe they never wanted you back and they should have told us that.

Oh well it is what it is.

This site has some great potential. Time will tell. I like what I have seen so far.

Brian