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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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RI Swap yankee,
You are absolutely correct, we have a difference in opinion. I absolutely feel there is no place for censorship, especially on this forum. I can't imagine that if you feel differently that you will be able to change my mind. I feel the freedom to express one's self is at the core of our nation"s strength. As for the webmaster, removing whole or partial posts, I would disagree with that practice as well. |
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#2 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dover, NH
Posts: 1,615
Thanks: 256
Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts
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Quote:
This website is a private domain, the exclusive property of the "Don". The only individual that has the right to free and total expression, as guaranteed by both the NH and Federal Constitutions is the owner of this property...the "Don". Anyone that wishes to express their first ammendment rights is free to do so, simply by creating a website of their own. However, whenever we peruse or post to this particular website we do so clearly as guests of the owner, and are subject completely and only to those thoughts and expressions that the owner wishes to convey through his property. I like being one of Don's guests, and when I am visiting in his "house", I obey his rules. If I don't like his rules, then I am simply and utterly free to leave his house anytime I wish, just as he is free to show me the door when my welcome has worn out. It's as simple as that.... Oh, thanks for letting me visit again today, Don!
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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Skip,
I usually find your posts very informative. I never said that my rights were being infringed upon due to 1st amendmant protection. I simply said that this is where our nation derives it's strength. I also try to instill this in my open family discussions, as well as in my business. I feel that this is why I have been successful and have been open to quaility feedback, solicited and unsolicited. I realize that the webmaster Don, can do whatever he would like since it is his forum, but I am also free to disagree with it as well. We have no protection here as we don't on many website and forums. I just personally feel to stifle any discussion (whether it is through censorship or not), is in poor judgement and will leave this forum weaker in the long run. |
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#4 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dover, NH
Posts: 1,615
Thanks: 256
Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts
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Quote:
But I will respectfully bow out of this thread as it is clearly starting to deviate, with the following observation: As a long time member and clear supporter of this site and it's webmaster, with close ties to many other long time members, I clearly point to the "speed limit thread" as a clear and perfect example as to why Don has to carefully control and fairly and consistently moderate discussion on this site, to keep the site's mission within Don's original vision. I think Don has clearly censored posts in the past, including (deservedly)some of my own, and has at times found it necessary to stifle discussion. His ability to do so, and do it in a fair manner, is clearly one of the reasons that this site remains so succesful, has grown so large and remains a credible, important and powerful Lake Winnipesaukee region resource. 'Nuff said by me.... Thanks Don! ![]() Skip |
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#5 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Meredith
Posts: 353
Thanks: 45
Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts
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This is interesting... but IMHO, that's why we have the number of posts a user has contributed VISIBLE. So, we can "consider the source". I think that a user with many posts holds more credibility than a 'newbie', as they have more experience posting, and probably also hold good intentions of supporting our local lifestyles, even if reviews reflect a diappointing experience at a restaurant, perse.
I can see the point, some newbies just pull the pin and throw it in, and the forums explode with debate. Bottom line for me... with experience comes credibility. We can see how many posts they have... It's up to us to 'take it for what it's worth'. It's just good judgement. just my 2 cents |
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#6 |
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Senior Member
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This might work..
I have read in the past that Don reads every post...and I'm pretty sure no new account is open until he reviews the information (I think). So, although it would be more work for him, perhaps Don would consider having every new memeber on moderation, until say 10/12 posts. Meaning he would have to clear their first 12 posts, before anyone could view them. If someone is just looking to make trouble, it would be a much longer process for them, and they would have to come up with 12 reasonable/meaningful posts. |
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#7 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Laconia/Ft Myers Beach, Fl
Posts: 184
Thanks: 57
Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts
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I came on this site to vent on a situation and went about it the wrong way, It was removed and I have been on moderation since then (which I totally desrved) I might add. Don's job is not an easy one he has to weed out the truths or falsehoods and he basis his decisions on what he thinks is best for this forum. I've found that sometimes what we are trying to say may not come across the right way or we might not have the knowledge or resources to go along with our comments, that's when the moderation comes in. It's easy to come on here and throw in a comment or two but it's facts that people want to read and not just false accusations. Sometimes things turn out to be true, sometimes not, sometimes people come on and pretend to be people they are not for instance ..say a guy comes on and say's he found the best shoestore in the region, cheap prices great service and so on and he ends up being the owner, you never really know. We depend on the moderator to help us through, and he will....my point being if we all use common sense and good judgment we will know what to listen to or what to toss out in the trash....thats my 2 cents...if I may
__________________
"If common sense was common,everyone would have it" ![]() Ironhorsetim "Always do sober,what you say you'll do drunk, That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" ![]() Ernest Hemmingway |
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#8 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Effingham
Posts: 408
Thanks: 37
Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts
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I was one of those whose initial post was a very negative review of a very popular (to some) restaurant. I had been reading the forum for some time and had friends rave about this establishment for years. We finally went and had poor food and poorer service with exorbitant prices. It was then that I decided to actually join the forum. Some took me to task over my comments but others, interestingly, confirmed similar experiences.
From what I am now reading this restaurant read the reviews and I have seen no negative comments lately. ![]() Maybe it takes an experience like that or a run in with a Captain Bonehead to get someone motivated enough to post. Obviously I don't agree with a requirement of X# of posts in order to post in the review or any other forums. Seeker |
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#9 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 498
Thanks: 62
Thanked 71 Times in 32 Posts
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Quote:
When I sarcastically congratulated the "experienced" poster for chasing my husband away (he hasn't even read it since), this poster proceeded to question my husband's manhood because I stood up for my husband instead of him standing up for himself. Luckily, several other posters got on and basically shouted this guy down. I don't know if he continues to post...if he does it's under a different user name. I do know that I don't want anyone who is relatively new to be pushed off because they feel like they're providing an informative post and get grief for it. And perhaps some of them don't follow up because, like my husband, they feel they'll probably get more grief if they continue. Like Skip, I'm going to bow out of this thread, and perhaps the forum for a while. When I find that my informative to contentious post ratio going down, it's time to give it a rest for a while. |
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#10 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Alton
Posts: 1,908
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 533
Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts
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Rose.... Skip.... and others....
The heart of this thread isn't to create a "big brother" or some utopian forum with lots of censorship but to look at the integrity of the information we're putting out here in cyberspace. The heart of it is to examine what can be done on a personal or collective level. I am very sorry that you feel you can't be a part of this thread. I sincerely hope that you weren't offended by my initial post and my counter posts and at the same time, I also hope that others posting on this thread will be considerate in their responses. It is my experience that communication on a forum, in writing, is flat - you can't see my face or hear my voice and know that I'm discussing this as an angry person or as a friendly person. There's a lot missing from communication via this medium, I'm afraid. I honestly take this as a solid debate of the issue and I'm not bothered by people not agreeing with me. IN NO WAY am I saying my idea or notion is the answer - not at all. Some of you posting against the idea have given some good input as well - certainly food for thought. Peace.
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#11 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moultonborough
Posts: 2,937
Thanks: 349
Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts
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Now,now,everybody.....no need for anyone to leave.Sometimes conversations get "spirited".....I haven't seen a lot that were downright nasty.As long as there are two people left on the planet,there will be disagreements over something and that is fine as long as they are not insulting or disrespectful.
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#12 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton
Posts: 1,476
Thanks: 68
Thanked 265 Times in 182 Posts
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It would be best to moderate ALL posts from ALL posters. All of my posts are moderated. After awhile, this muzzle starts to feel normal.
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#13 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 60
Thanks: 7
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
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Quote:
but back on track.. to expect Don to moderate every post is a bit much.. The expectation is that we will act like adults and post pertinent and factual information regarding restaurants or anything else on these forum... Yeh there are some of us that get out of hand but like anything else we have to use our own judgement and decide for ourselves what information we absorb and what we disregard. |
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#14 | ||
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Moderator
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Quote:
"Brat" is not what I was thinking at the time .Quote:
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| The Following User Says Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post: | ||
Pineedles (08-27-2008) | ||
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#15 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Moultonborough & CT
Posts: 2,550
Thanks: 1,072
Thanked 672 Times in 369 Posts
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I've never put anyone on ignore before but I am totally blown away by this. The Nazis were and still are a stain on humanity. To equate them with anyone else other than other genocidal murderers is tatamount to either complete ignorance of what the Nazi's did, or well.... I just can't think of any other reason. Very sad.
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#16 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 60
Thanks: 7
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
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Quote:
and I know you will not allow this post to go in the forum so I guess your accusation will stay there for all to see. |
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#17 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 60
Thanks: 7
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
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Quote:
I just spoke with the culprit. It wont happen again. My sincerest apologies for being out of line and allowing that to happen. A young impressionable member of my family heard my frustration with my posts being removed and decided it was there place to take matters into their own hands. Kat |
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#18 |
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: With the Old Man
Posts: 31
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
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Yikes! And to think that all I did to earn a "double secret probation" was to use Mr C's wifi connection.
![]() BTW, thanks, Don, for letting me off the hook after 3 years. Now, would you please let GTO off too? He's really not such a bad guy. |
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#19 |
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Moderator
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Apology accepted but since you again tried to post the same comment that started all this I guess I have to continue the moderation
.Sorry for the hijack. Please get back to the comments related to restaurant reviews. |
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#20 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 60
Thanks: 7
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
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Quote:
I couldnt figure out how to PM you so I posted it to the forum knowing you would get it because i was moderated.. UGH! ![]() ![]() I cant win
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#21 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Kensington, NH and Paugus Bay Marina
Posts: 656
Thanks: 323
Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts
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I have found this thread very interesting, with a lot of good input. I agree with some points made, and disagree with others. Personally, the way I handle things (for lack of a better way to say it) is when I see someone with relatively few posts slamming an establishment or complaining about something, I click on their name and look at other posts they have made. If that person is routinely slamming and/or complaining, I choose to ignore any further posts from him/her. Does that mean I give more weight to people with a high post count? Apparantly so. I don't even know what my own post count is, I would guess it's not as high as I think it is because I quite often compose a post and feel I am not as eloquent in it as I am when talking, so I just plain don't post it. As Argie's Wife said (and I paraphrase here), this is a flat medium and intonations and facial expressions do not play a part in what one is saying.
On another note, Don does do a fabulous job -- I cannot even imagine hosting a website like this, and moderating same all by his onesies............I sure couldn't do it! And I doubt a lot of other people could, either.
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On the boat is always waterfront! |
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#22 |
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Senior Member
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SA brought up the most valid points. It hasn't been that big a problem with most posts, only on a couple of threads. When I read such negative posts, of course, it gives me pause. But I'm quite familiar with boards, so I like to investigate.
On many reviews, things were found to be true, and some didn't like the fact that a place they frequent was not perfect. Some posters have commented on positive changes, maybe as a result of the negativity, maybe just a coincidence. Possibly, a drop in business doe sit. I've been online for some sixteen years now. By and large, including professional reviews, I've mostly been disappointed by the positive ones with no cons to point out at all. Beware the rose colored glasses. Also, beware the troll with an axe to grind. PS: I'm still on course to visit the Lobster Pound, and something tells me it's a great place to hang out and eat. |
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#23 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Bow
Posts: 1,874
Thanks: 521
Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts
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I think the best course of action when you read a negative review is to wait. I will use the Waldo Peppers thread as an example. Someone posted a pretty negative review, and right away the guy/girl who wrote it got pounded on. Turns out the review was backed up by subsequent negative reviews.
Personally I would never not visit a place based on one single bad review. If there were multiple bad reviews, then I might not go. Read the review threads as a whole, rather than in bits and pieces. It is a lot easier to form an opinion on multiple posts, rather than just one. Of course, the best opinion is formed by your own personal experience...
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Getting ready for winter! |
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#24 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ruskin FL
Posts: 1,027
Thanks: 188
Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts
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Argie's Wife,
Let's get to the meat of this discussion. Is it your opinion that a poster's opinion is of no value based solely on the number of posts he/she has posted? My opinion is that the term FORUM indicates that opinions from ALL are considered and discussed. Is it your opinion that those of us who have not reached the "maturity" of 25 posts have no valid input into the discussions and questions that are brought forth in this FORUM? Should we all have to embrace your opinions in order to be taken seriously here? I have hardly ever read anything so ludicrous on this or any other FORUM. Perhaps you are suggesting that before one is allowed to post that he/she complete a questionnaire to make certain that their opinions are in total agreement with those who are more "experienced" on that particular forum? I have read many of your posts in the past, and have generally opined that you are of sound mind and generally a reasonable person. Your more recent postings cause me to rethink that opinion. But hey, I don't have 25 posts yet, so i guess it doesn't matter. |
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#25 |
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Senior Member
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Phantom Gourmand...
That's bit strong of a response, no? I mean, a 25 post limit may not seem like a good idea to you, but, really, I think anyone would have to be blind to at least not see Argie's Wife point a little bit. New posters have jumped in, with the intention of never coming back. That is indeed a fact. The first (or second) post could, in reality, be anything. It could contain lies, swears, pornography...anything. She (Argie's Wife) is clearly a reasonable person. I did not see her post as an attack on you...in fact, I sort of agree with "the spirt" of her post...Although I don't think the one hit wonders have been a huge problem. Let's play nice.... |
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| The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to sa meredith For This Useful Post: | ||
jeffk (08-26-2008), Newbiesaukee (08-26-2008), Resident 2B (08-26-2008), RI Swamp Yankee (08-26-2008), SIKSUKR (08-26-2008), twoplustwo (08-26-2008), VtSteve (08-26-2008), Waterbaby (08-26-2008) | ||
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#26 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ruskin FL
Posts: 1,027
Thanks: 188
Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts
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Maybe my response was a bit strong. I apologize to all concerned.
I do, however, stand by the part where I feel that censorship for "new" forum members seems inappropriate. This is after all a FORUM where all opinions should be accepted as just that...opinions. As a reasonably intelligent individual,(some may not agree ) I think it is pretty easy to weed out those who post with intended malice. I don't feel that one should ever be judged based on the number of posts they may or may not have posted. This rings of censorship at any level and I strongly disagree that it should be condoned. Our webmaster does an impeccable and thankless job of moderating this forum. As it is his, we must all either abide by the rules and regulations he sets forth or move on. It wasn't really my intent to attack anybody, but as I reread my post, I can understand how it was taken that way. Again, I apologize. |
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#27 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Alton
Posts: 1,908
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 533
Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts
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For the record...
In no way did I say that because you have less than 25 posts that your opinion or post does not matter or count. I do take issue with the few "hit and runs" we've had here lately by people who cry about how they were treated but then it turns out that there was a second "dark side" of the story. You can apply my initial post to yourself as well as you'd like but I don't think the shoe fits you, does it? It's not a personal attack on you. As it has evolved, this is more a thread about posters having integrity on a personal or collective level. I think that if you had, at first, read what I had written and what others had said you (a) wouldn't have repeated the sentiments of others and (b) wouldn't have posted something you had to apologize for later. Case in point.... having a keyboard and the First Amendment rights doesn't give anyone the right to be irresponsible in their communication. I was forewarned about you, by the way. ![]() Your apology is accepted.
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#28 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moultonborough
Posts: 2,937
Thanks: 349
Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts
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Phantom apologizes.....and continues to rant.I agree with Argies Wife that every now and then someone appears out of nowhere with an agenda,viciously attacking a business or individual and then they disappear.I think she just means that it's good to keep a wary eye on posters that follow this pattern.Phantom ,for example has posted nothing but restaurant reviews in a brief period and wants us to believe,by the choice of his screen name that he is an expert. Time will tell.
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| The Following User Says Thank You to SAMIAM For This Useful Post: | ||
Waterbaby (08-26-2008) | ||
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#29 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Kensington, NH and Paugus Bay Marina
Posts: 656
Thanks: 323
Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts
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Quote:
At any rate, I'm rambling, and I still think you need to calm down a bit. 'Nuff said, it's just my opinion. AND, has anyone ever noticed that this is one of the most contentious threads on this forum? Where someone can post their opinion on a restaurant and get attacked for voicing their opinion?
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On the boat is always waterfront! |
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#30 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Moultonborough
Posts: 3,644
Thanks: 1,718
Thanked 1,662 Times in 861 Posts
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Quote:
I think it is important for all of us to read our posts a second time before hitting submit, whether it is a rant about a restaurant, about speed limits etc. It is easy to hide behind computers and the anonimity of the 'net. As it has already been said above- one poor review will not stop me from checking a place out but a bunch will, I always look at post counts, and I usually check past posts when a negative review is posted. Please be cognizant that resaurants live and die by their reputation and reviews. Try to be fair and not only post the bad that you experience but also the good. It seems to be human nature to talk about the bad more than the good. Happy eating! |
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| The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post: | ||
Winnigirl (08-27-2008) | ||
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#31 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Kensington, NH and Paugus Bay Marina
Posts: 656
Thanks: 323
Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts
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Quote:
I'm going to assume only the first sentence/paragraph of your post was addressed to me and the remainder was to "ALL" , but I WOULD like to say this -- I myself read my posts not twice and not three times but usually four before hitting the submit key, and quite often I will just plain delete because I've lost my train of thought by then. I like your suggestion however, and that's one of the reasons I don't like the i'net. Then there are "pros" to it, of course........And I could go on and on with this post, but I won't! (And PS to ALL: I have been on moderation myself in the past, I'm not on it now and I hope I never will be again! Being on moderation certainly taught me a lesson, so those of you who are -- I only have one thing to say: take that lesson to heart, be nice and play nice, and have compassion even when you are hiding behind your computer screen. The poster you are posting to is a real person, just like you are, not an anonymous 17" or whatever screen, so again, play nice.) And let's all thank Don for the job he does, he could just shut this site down in about 5 seconds if he wanted to.
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On the boat is always waterfront! |
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#32 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Moultonborough
Posts: 3,644
Thanks: 1,718
Thanked 1,662 Times in 861 Posts
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WB you understood it correctly. I was merely pointing out that PG had apologized.
The rest of my post were just my musings to the Winnipesaukee.com community- myself included, because I too want this site to stick around. Thanks for your great advice!! |
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