ConradPark Report post Posted February 29, 2016 So it's accepted to brandish the 'southern flag' on this forum? I'm just wondering if it's then ok to brandish the German WW2 flag too, if my great grandpa fought for the motherland? Or any other racist political side that eventually lost their conflict - just for people, generations later, to complain about it - even though they clearly benefited from it - growing up in a safe conflict free environment, so they could voice their freedom of speech and god given right to idolize a movement that values ignorance and narrow mind views. Wish the admin would dare to make a more modern and up to date stance on what is racist or fascist symbols - regardless if the people behind putting them up as their banners think so or not. Regardless if I'm fine with nakedness, I can't expect everyone else to be fine with me having a banner that shows my BLEEP, so why does everyone on this forum have to put up with peoples racist and fascist banners? Be aware that I am not accusing anyone or any certain member for being racist or fascist, nor do I even believe that all those people are (well, I do have seen a few white supremacist banners). But it still doesn't answer my question. Is this a forum that tolerates these symbols and flags in all the forms or just the ones from American history? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted February 29, 2016 I have noticed this issue as well. Can't say the imagery sits right with me either. This is a site about working with leather. It is not a site for promoting politics or religion. There are plenty of other places for that out there. Discussion of politics and religion and their relationship to crafting with leather would of course be excellent topics, or points on topics. Relevancy is the key. This is different from having a political or religious ad banner showing up on every one of a users posts, whether relevant or not. I know, I know, free speech and all.... I see free speech being a situation where, in context, each and every opinion should be heard equally. If you want a civilized discussion with me, ask. I will listen to your side and would hope you reciprocate in and listen to me in a civilized manner. Walking up to me when I am doing something else and yelling your opinion in my ear is going to get you a fat lip. I see these banners as sitting somewhere in between these two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted February 29, 2016 What really brought this subject up? I guess I haven't been looking for anything to antagonize about. I have lived through five major wars the USA was involved in, some much worse than others. I try real hard to find good in most everything that happens. I agree that is difficult at times. ferg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted February 29, 2016 Ok, the imagery sits wrong with you. Maybe someone else gets really offended when someone signs God Bless. Long ago, I stopped signing A Dios, I liked to do that, now just my name. What you are vaguely proposing is the ultimate slippery slope, and is why we have the first, hell not just the first but ALL the amendments. If someone wants to fly a flag, as long as it is not pornography, (and the moderators will know that when they see it) it is just a flag and sometimes one that flies over a country or state. As far as Nazi symbols, the swastika was used for millennia by a lot of Eastern and then Western communities. If you don't like the symbols, simply stop reading their posts. There is a button for that. Art Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) Thanks, Art................ Just too many folks today getting their bloomers in a wad for someone else's decision or choice. They need to take a chill pill.......... especially those who have no first hand experience with the issue they are complaining about. May God bless, Dwight Edited February 29, 2016 by Dwight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted February 29, 2016 What really brought this subject up? I guess I haven't been looking for anything to antagonize about. I have lived through five major wars the USA was involved in, some much worse than others. I try real hard to find good in most everything that happens. I agree that is difficult at times. ferg There are old posts from inactive users that have confederate flag stuff in their tags and banners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted February 29, 2016 No-one get me wrong, I really could care less personally, in this thread i am kinda playing devils advocate: What if someone was offended?.........interesting material for discussion, where the boundries on free speech should be set........Now that I have stirred the pot, I got sheitte to make..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) Well, if it seriously offensive, the moderators take care of it. The moderators can ask someone to tone it down via a private message, give a warning, or drop the ban-hammer, so I don't worry about that too much. I may ask a mod if I feel a signature is going to cause problems, but ultimately, they make the decision to have it removed--if they feel it doesn't warrant removal, that is that. (Edit--It's not my website, I don't get to set policy, and I'm ok with that.) However, I also have my own options that I can implement as needed. If it is a picture I personally have issues with, I have ad-aware, and can right click on the picture and block it from showing. If it is a signature I don't like (too big and I'm tired of scrolling past it, too wide and it's stretching my screen, too political/religious/anti-religious/whatever), I can block individual picture elements with ad-aware or use the forum's tools to block the signature or even all signatures (just under the signature line on the right-hand corner, if you hover your mouse there, there is a gray X--click it to ignore a single person's signature, or all signatures). If it is a user I have issues with, I can use the forum settings to ignore the person entirely (http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=core&module=usercp&tab=core&area=ignoredusers). Edited February 29, 2016 by WinterBear Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerseyFirefighter Report post Posted February 29, 2016 I still cant believe so many people jumped on this confederate flag = nazism/kkk bandwagon. Im from one of the most liberal states in the US and ive never considered buying a confederate flag until someone told me I shouldn't. All of the options presented are viable ones akin to the "you dont like the program, change the station" ideology. But for arguments sake, nudity portrayed in the Renaissance is considered art, and the majority of people cant tell the difference between a swatstika and a bhuddist symbol that predated it by centuries. Why so serious over something so trivial? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwican Report post Posted February 29, 2016 This is a slippery slope indeed and a sensitive issue also I think. For me, simply someone being “offended” by a word, a thought or an image isn’t enough of a reason to stop that thing or word being spoken or shown. Being “offended” by something doesn’t make you right, saying you are “offended” or “shocked” seems , these days to announce to the world that you are right and correct and that your opinion is more valid than someone else’s merely because you uttered the “o” word. Both of my Grandfathers fought in WW2 one against the Nazis and the other in the Pacific against the Imperial Japanese’s Military. I find it odd that someone could be offended when the Nazi symbol is flown and yet not bat an eye lid when the symbol of the Rising Sun is shown; surely these educated and enlightened people who find issue with the Nazi symbol must also find issue with the Japanese flag? Hmmm, haven’t read much or seen much about that and yet the atrocities committed must also be treated as equally horrific? Hmm makes you think really. Some people just love to be PC without looking at all the facts. As for the Southern flag? Well once again where were these people speaking up before it became a popular to do so? Wal-Mart and other stores only came on board with “banning the flag” when it became popular to do so and in the mean time they were making money from the sales of products baring the flag. You can’t tell me that they didn’t know the flag was associated with slavery. Which they choose to ignore as long as they were making money on it. How far do you want to take this? What if Dylan Roof had been draped in the American Flag, would you be pushing for the removal of that flag because of his actions. Hmmm some might think the American flag is a symbol of racism, being that all men are created equal ...but only once the race riots of the 60’s shone further light on the issues of racism. I see that the original poster is from the UK , my Scottish, Irish and Welsh friends have issues with the English flag and what it represents to them, namely the attempted extermination of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish cultures by the British, should we ban the Union Jack? Be offended as much as you want, it doesn’t make you right (the universal “you” not so much you the individual). It doesn’t make your opinion any less valid or any more valid that anyone else’s. Don’t like it then don’t look at it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickdroid Report post Posted March 1, 2016 Why don't you join "Trolls Are Us" and take your little hate game there. Really don't need your brand of sickness here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted March 1, 2016 Moderator steps in, locks door, throws away key. Since moderators are omniscient, moderator can take secret passage to the library where he will find Colonel Mustard slain with a lead pipe. Art Moderator Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
