I personally have no opinion or emotional attachment to the fate of WreckWriter.
If, however, the Board moderators decide that, in their wisdom, the purposes of the Board will be better served by discontinuing WreckWriter's tenure here, I would hope that they at least clarify the nature of the specific infraction(s).
We're all intelligent adults...let's deal with specifics so that we can reach a reasonable and intelligible solution.
Let's look at the Terms of Service (
ScubaBoard Terms of Service)
Arguably, the only pertinent section is as follows:
Although the administrators and moderators of Scuba Board will attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible for us to review all messages. All messages express the views of the author, and neither the owners of Scuba Board nor the moderators will be held responsible for the content of any message.
By clicking the Agree button, you warrant that you will not post any messages that are obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientated, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws.
OK. The first paragraph makes clear that the Regulators of this board are absolved of any responsibility associated with the content of a post...clearly, there is no need to ban WreckWriter in an effort to reduce their own liability.
Looking at the second paragraph...hateful? Obnoxious, overbearing, rude...yes, but hateful is a very strong word and I don't know that anyone could reasonably cite
hateful behavior on WreckWriter's part.
OK, the second paragraph also includes the catch-all phrase
otherwise violative of any laws.
Interestingly enough, the FAQ provides some insight into which kinds of laws might be applicable in this situation:
Are laws regarding defamation applicable to Online activities like Forums, Chat or even email? (FAQ).
Quoting from the same source,
Absolutely! If a person commits libel against you through e-mail or other online activities, the publisher, and any re-publisher, of the offensive statement can be held accountable for damages.
So the only real question that remains is whether the content of WreckWriter's posts constitute libel. Further down the page, the authorities of ScubaBoard clearly answer this question
What about insults and epithets? are they defamatory?
Generally, no. Usually they are seen as outbursts of emotion, with no real substance, except to show intense dislike.
Again, help educate me and all members of ScubaBoard so that we may regulate our own behavior in the future. Why the potential ban? For violation of the terms of service? If so, which part? If not for a Terms of Service violation, why is an action that can result in your being banned from the Board not included in the Terms of Service?
Again, I could not care less as to the fate of WreckWriter. I am trying to understand if, when I decided to accept the Terms of Service of ScubaBoard, I was being presented with all the rules of conduct.
Just an opinion. Commence flaming.