To John Flint from the Sunday Times

[Mr. Horse]

there is no need to blow all of this out of proportion.
After speaking to both bigtrancer and johnboy about this, I believe (thanks to the level-headedness of johnboy) that while this IS a reminder that we are being watched, not to get completly panicky about this.
Bluelight, as said before, is no longer a small profile board that goes unnoticed. Police do keep an eye on this board, they always have, and it would be completely ignorant to believe that they dont.
This big press debarcle has just given us a friendly reminder to not give out any personal details, keep to a minimum the social aspect of drug taking (at least in this forum) and basically exercise a little bit of paranoia.
There is NO NEED to go an delete all your posts because of a scare in Perth. I doubt VERY much that the police will take action here, and after consulting a lawyer about this, these people DO have a case against the police and possibly the publication if they do so desire (i'm simply saying you have a case, not that you would win, go see your lawyer)
There are fantastic posts going missing because of this recent event, and I would hate to see anymore go.
Yes, be paranoid, yes, the police are watching. So what? As long as we are careful with what we say (but not overly paranoid) this should blow over.
I'm glad this has come as a reminder to some people, but dont let this scare you off the board ok!
horse
[This message has been edited by Mr. Horse (edited 11 October 2001).]

 

[MíkeySåmmy]

yeah i think we're lookin into it.
BT, i totally agree. that momentum that this board has picked up brings with it an ever-increasing need to ensure the board remains intact, that the sole purpose of the board remains just that, and some liberties that have been widely enjoyed by those who have taken part can only go so far.
the internet has a tendency to bring with it the idea that we are operating in a vacuum, that we are out of the public eye, that we as anonymous users can share any info we like. its too easy to forget to take precautions.
BT's suggestions - to protect this information resource that we have developed - to be more professional in our posting - and to shield personal details - these steps really need to be taken, not just for our own good but also so that all those people who have gotten something out of this board, all those who do so now, and all those who will in the future also
.. we need to make some small sacrifices.

 

[NiQu3LorD]

Sounds like a letter of application biscuit, nice one, honestly, you'd fit the bill going by that.

You're an excellent rational thinker…But clearly a liar! Heheh jus' playin'
To clear up everything I've said
There was already a guideline in place concerning the disclosure of personal information, no? If your talking about the disclosure of names of reporters and columnists I can't agree with that, the only defense this site has against wayward blabbering in the media is through expressing discontent, hence one of the purposes of letters to the editor.
There is nothing wrong with this topic, he's angry, he's feels discontent because he believes that our perspective isn't being told of to a large extent and, while it's based upon emotion, emotion does have a place here since decision making isn't the task - opinions are based upon feelings and beliefs and not rationale.
Leave peoples opinions alone. You don't know what their perspectives are based upon…Whilst yours may have a positive spin put upon it concerning the same matter, which you may be unconscious of, in which case his opinion may seem totally irrationally based. If there are basic flaws on either side then they can't be addressed without discussion, can they?
The disclaimer is adequate, if someone wants to sensationalize, they can still with tricky wording and as BigTrancer put it well, to I suspect avoid the use of a cliché' "…misquoted / creatively quoted…"
Regarding the threat of monitoring. You are taking all the correct steps(IP User-level restriction for one) and, the message is getting through to everyone because of this tireless way you seem to have of sorting through the problems through discussion and constant reiteration. That's what's so great about this forum, you have set guidelines and everyone follows them because a distinct and true sense of community exists. But like you've all said, the next thing, which should be getting through to users is that conversation, which could once be regarded as safe place, can no longer be assumed so.
Keep up the good work with BL, and definitely consider adding some porn banners for the horny people!

(Overtired)
NiQueLorD

 

[Fry-d-]

.... so Horse are you suggesting I find a lawyer

So If the Sunday Times is still reading and wish to come to a settlement arrangement now to avoid me dragging you into a legal battle my email box is waiting

 

[Biscuit]

NiQu3LorD: if i was asked to become a moderator i would decline; i wouldnt have the time or the ability to do a good job.
So if anyone else considers it a letter of application, i'll delete it.
I am a bit bemused by the liar comment; even with the smiley faces and laughing, should i be offended?
I completely concur with not over reacting.
What i said was more to do with how we are perceived by others and the value of this site as seen by an innocent bystander.
The whole police aspect and legal threat to individuals is minor if people follow the guidelines which have been outlined sufficiently by moderators and others already.
[This message has been edited by Biscuit (edited 11 October 2001).]

 

[Pleonastic]

Is it even actually possible to have more than 4 mods per forum? I was under the impression that the board software was limited to only 4...
That said though, if it's possible it might be a good idea to put a couple more mods on in Drug Discussion - it would mean that any potential problems could be nabbed quicker because it's more likely one of the mods would be online...

 

[johnboy]

We don't need any more rules, as the rules we have (which are all common sense anyways) are all we need. We also don't need any more mods, as anyone of us is able to, and indeed should, pull up anyone who is not following these rules.
Bluelight has developed a consensual culture over time, that has been here long before it was ever formalised into "Posting Guidelines" or whatever. A large part of this culture has been looking out for each other. Mods are not authority figures, they simply have the power to do things like close threads etc. There should be no need for authority figures if all of us are looking out for each other.
Next time you see a post that is giving away more personal information than is needed, dont wait for a Mod to do something, just post directly in that thread and, politely of course, point out what the problem is and explain what the person should do.
If anyone then turns around and says "why should i listen to you?" say it's because that's just the way things are done around here. In most cases this should be enough. It should hopefully be a rare case when a Mod actually has to intervene.
We are all Bluelighters and this looking our for each other is all part of being a Bluelighter.
------------------
"i think i'll stick to drugs to get me thru the long, dark night of late-capitalism..."
Irvine Welsh

 

[Biscuit]

Well said JB esp about the looking after eachother bit; and putting it like that, more mods r not needed.
I agree our aussie mods do an amazing job and i hope what i said wasnt inferred to the contrary. Pom wouldnt want that inference made either i dont think.
Perhaps as BT suggested ensuring that only drug information and drug related concerns are what goes on the drug discussion board.
Any threads which are more about the subjective TAKING of drugs (especially in the past tense) belong in social.
Whatever monitoring occurs, its doubtful anyone is going to sift through the wealth of "(mis)information" on social

I am sure that rule would exist now, but just be more stringent on it. Basically keep the drug board free from any unneccessary drivel which does nothing to promote Bluelight's cause.
And as JB said we can all try and do that.

 

[NiQu3LorD]

Biscuit you shouldn't be offended by the liar comment. I'd say something which I thought that you may think was perhaps true if I wanted to offend, but I don't.
Johnboy, I'm glad I've been seeing bluelight the way it's meant to be seen, and not some nice idea I have of it in my head. I think everyone could learn from the way this place is run. Awes!

NiQueLorD