SSV's Political Platform

[Travis]

We are heading into a political season here in the US. I'm sure it's not surprising to you that politics is a seriously divisive topic. I just want to remind everybody that political discussions and debates are not allowed on SSV. Politics is the quickest way to ruin friendships we've tried so hard to create.

If you want to ruin friendships, Facebook is the place you want. If you want to talk about making sawdust, SSV is the place to be.


Here are a few things that ARE NOT allowed:

• Inflammatory patterns/cuttings
• Political soapboxes discussions
• Political hot-button topics
• Political Jokes/Cartoons
• Political Internet Memes
• "I can't believe..." discussions.
• (c'mon...you know it when you see it)

Here are a few things that ARE allowed:

• Respectful cuttings
• Respectful portraits
• Respectful patterns
• (seeing a theme here?)

This certainly isn't an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea. Here are the rules regarding politics and religion found in the User Guidelines:
 

Quote

Political and religious discussions are not allowed on this website. If it is believed that the end result of a discussion will be political or religious, the post may be removed. Likewise, strong political and religious sentiments should be kept out of profiles, signatures, and other content.

 

If you have a question regarding the appropriateness of a pattern, cutting, or discussion, let me know. If you see anything that you feel is inappropriate, please flag it and a moderator will take a look.

 

 

More Scrolling!  A political platform I can stand by.  

[Travis]

I'd also like to followup....dealing with political posts, either explicit or subtle jabs, is my LEAST favorite chore in running SSV.  If anything, please make my life a little easier and refrain from politics.  It will really help my stress levels.  

 

[dgman]

Thanks for the reminder Travis!

[OCtoolguy]

Yes, thanks Travis. I know I'm the biggest offender. I'll try to watch myself a bit closer. Maybe we need another icon that is a slap to the side of the head just for me. Sorry everybody.

 

[Norm Fengstad]

Thanks for keeping the scroll site clean , 

[Fedido]

On 3/3/2020 at 3:18 PM, Travis said:

I'd also like to followup....dealing with political posts, either explicit or subtle jabs, is my LEAST favorite chore in running SSV.  If anything, please make my life a little easier and refrain from politics.  It will really help my stress levels.  

 

@amazingkevin, thank you for all you do here in SSV and due to this policy, it makes scrolling more enjoyable and this site a cut above the rest. Thank you to all! 
 

Hendo

[baggetta]

Bravo!

[spirithorse]

Thanks for trying to keep the site friendly, Travis,

Spirithorse

[Jim McDonald]

There goes my plan to announce my candidacy for "Earth Czar" and base my campaign on more scrolling--less stress. 

[lawson56]

Thank you Travis!!

[Scrappile]

Thanks, Travis,,,, let this be a political free place.... Some where to get away from it all!!!!

Edited March 13, 2020 by Scrappile

[Jim Finn]

No:  Facebook is not the place for political comments.  I know!   I was just kicked off of there for not agreeing with them.

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, Jim Finn said:

No:  Facebook is not the place for political comments.  I know!   I was just kicked off of there for not agreeing with them.

Yeah, they put me in FB jail for 30 days because of a meme that I shared. Others did the same but I got suspended.

[SteveS]

Yes, a politics free zone! Hooray

[Travis]

I didn't say FB was a place for politics...I said it was a place to ruin friendships.  

[Frank Pellow]

I understand the political rules.

But, I don't understand the religious rules.  Many religious items are posted and accepted.  Is it just that we get to look at them but that we are not allowed to comment on them with a different point f view?

[Scrappile]

Frank, you can comment on the work that went into making it even though you may not agree with or care about the message.  There may be things posted here that I don't agree with the message or content, but if I like the work and craftsmanship I will comment on that, or just move on. No requirement to comment on everything... I have never been on any forum that I totally agreed with everything posted,,, but that is life.   I hope you don't take offense to what I am trying to say here,,, not my intent.   If someone is trying to preach or whatever about religion, than I understand your point, this is not the forum for that and I would move on also....  I am not against religions, fact I am a believer,  but this is not the place to discuss beliefs,,,, well beliefs not related to woodwork/scrolling anyway.

Edited March 16, 2020 by Scrappile

[Frank Pellow]

So:

Showing something that one has created that has a religious point of view is allowed.

Showing something that one has created that has a political point of view is not allowed.

That is inconsistent but so be it.

 

[Travis]

Heh.  I shouldn't have poked fun at Facebook.  I really didn't want to turn this into a thing.

 

It basically comes down to this:  SSV isn't a debate club when it comes to religion or politics.  Everybody has different opinions, and emotions rise when defending our beliefs.  These things spiral out of control very quickly.  I've been doing this for a very long time (I used to run a BBS, which is a precursor to the internet, if you remember such a thing....LOL)  I've seen way too many communities destroyed over stuff like this.  I don't want SSV to fall into the same trap.  We're here to talk about our hobby and share our work. 

You can post a political or religious project.  The discussion needs to be about the project, not the sentiment behind it.  If the project or pattern is inflammatory in nature, don't post it.

It's OK for a person to post a cutting or pattern of a political figure and show off their work.  However, if they post a pattern or project that is meant to get a rise out of folks, that is not OK.  OK for a portrait of Trump.  Not OK for a portrait of Trump high-fiving terrorists.

Same with religious stuff.  It's OK to post a religious icon.  It's not OK to post inflammatory religious projects.  OK to post a portrait of Mary.  Not OK to post a sign saying death to Christians.

Remember, nothing is ever black and white.  Let's keep in mind the intent of the poster and not get all riled up over something silly.  If you're Christian and see a pagan pattern, just because you're offended by the pagan pattern doesn't warrant removal of that design.

Here's a few important things from our User Guidelines:

Quote

Political and religious discussions are not allowed on this website. If it is believed that the end result of a discussion will be political or religious, the post may be removed. Likewise, strong political and religious sentiments should be kept out of profiles, signatures, and other content.

 

Quote

Respect is the name of the game. You must respect your fellow members. Please refrain from inflammatory and defamatory comments as well as flaming, taunting, and general disrespect.

 

I think we all know what appropriate content and discussion looks like.    

I encourage everyone to read through the User Guidelines that everybody agreed to when signing up for SSV.  I really use that as a guide while running SSV.  There's a lot of "judgement" calls that I have to make, which is the absolute worse job to do.  I want to keep the peace as best I can so we can focus on what brings us together, instead of what tears us apart.  So please do me a favor and don't put me in those stressful situations. 

[SteveS]

Thank you, Travis.

 

[Bill WIlson]

Thanks Travis.  Good explanation and I think a very common sense approach.

[Frank Pellow]

Travis, thanks for the clarification.

If I understand you right it is OK to post a pattern or a photo of a project that says something positive in either religion or politics.  But it is not OK to post something that has a negative connotation about either politics or religion.

So, a plaque that says:

• Allah be praised

or

• Trudeau for Prime Minister

is OK.

But one that that says:

• Hindus, see the Light and Convert to Christianity

or

• Vote Trudeau Out

is not OK

 

[Sycamore67]

I think any political statement should be avoided.  You might like a candidate and I might hate them.

[Travis]

I wish I had a list.  I really do.  It would make things so much easier.  

It's all in the User Guidelines.  But we can look at these individually:

Allah be praised  - (Result:  OK)

• Inflammatory:  No
• Defamatory:  No
• Flaming:  No
• Taunting:  No
• General Disrespect:  No
• Vulgar language:  No
• Strong political or religious sentiment:  No
• Intended to incite political or religious debate:  No
• Racist, sexist, sexual orientation/identity intolerance, religious intolerance or other offensive comments:  No

Trudeau for Prime Minister - (Result:  OK)

• Inflammatory:  No
• Defamatory:  No
• Flaming:  No
• Taunting:  No
• General Disrespect:  No
• Vulgar language:  No
• Strong political or religious sentiment:  No
• Intended to incite political or religious debate:  No
• Racist, sexist, sexual orientation/identity intolerance, religious intolerance or other offensive comments:  No

Hindus, see the Light and Convert to Christianity - (Result:  Probably not OK)

• Inflammatory:  Probably - You're implying that they're wrong and you know the true answer.
• Defamatory:  No
• Flaming:  No
• Taunting:  No
• General Disrespect:  Yes - You're singling out a specific group
• Vulgar language:  No
• Strong political or religious sentiment:  Maybe - Not strong, but it's there.
• Intended to incite political or religious debate:  Not really
• Racist, sexist, sexual orientation/identity intolerance, religious intolerance or other offensive comments:  No

Vote Trudeau Out - (Result:  OK)

• Inflammatory:  No
• Defamatory:  No
• Flaming:  No
• Taunting:  No
• General Disrespect:  No
• Vulgar language:  No
• Strong political or religious sentiment:  No
• Intended to incite political or religious debate:  No
• Racist, sexist, sexual orientation/identity intolerance, religious intolerance or other offensive comments:  No

 

A little story time:

My aunt and uncle have strong political and religious beliefs.  I know what they are, and for the most part I disagree.  They're unlikely to change my mind.  I'm unlikely to change their mind.  When I go to their house for dinner, do you know what we talk about?  Mostly fishing and camping, and that time all us cousins ganged up on Grandma in a game of Aggravation marble game (but we're pretty sure she let us win).  Why?  Because I value our time together and our relationship. 

If you think it something will cause problems or ill will, don't post it.  Again, I think we all know it if we see it.  If it was me, I wouldn't post anything political, but as you can see, there some wiggle room.  We're here to talk shop with our friends, not spiral into a black hole of debate where nobody wins.

 

[dgman]

Travis has spelled it out plain and simple. We are here because we like the friendship and camaraderie here. This is a forum for Scroll saw enthusiast. If we keep it friendly, all is well. If you want to discuss politics or religion, find another place to do it. Plain and simple!