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OldSouthwestInc.com
- Terms of Use and Rules of Conduct
Registration
to the online forums is open to all interested parties. All forum posters
must be registered users who have agreed to comply with forum Rules of
Conduct and Terms of Use. Old Southwest, Inc., reserves the right to delete,
edit or otherwise alter/prohibit any user account for any reason. Decisions
of OSW, Inc administrators and moderators are final.
Your application and entrance into this forum is acceptance of the
disclaimer and rules of conduct as listed below. You further agree to hold
Old Southwest, Inc., its agents, officers, board of directors, and forum
moderators harmless for any damages you may incur as a result of
participating in this forum.
DISCLAIMER
The viewpoints, opinions, and/or situations represented on the message
boards are in no aspect shared, supported, or endorsed by the owner(s) of
this website. Although the administrators and moderators of this site will
attempt to keep all objectionable messages off this forum, it is impossible
for us to review all messages. If you feel that you have been unfairly
represented, or are offended by a particular statement, you may contact the
administrator via email and you concerns shall be addressed.
RULES OF CONDUCT
Old Southwest, Inc., allows and fosters academic/intellectual freedom. It
does not permit posts that are obscene, criminal, racist or vulgar. Keep in
mind that this website and it's forums are visited by people of all ages and
ethnic backgrounds. Your statements are a direct reflection of our
neighborhood and our organization. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE AND RESPECTFUL!!
Aside from that, all other views are permitted. A climate that allows
everyone to fully express themselves and follow their interests even when
those interests are controversial is the healthiest environment for
everyone. Challenging opinions and a variety of seriously-taken ideas
encourages questioning and intellectual growth.
WHAT ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH?
In tight crowded places there are always more rules about what people can
and can't say for the sake of friendliness, safety, and civility. Like Paul
Harvey once said “Self-government without self discipline, just don’t
work.” While the staff of oldsouthwestinc.com encourages open discussion
and the free exchange of ideas and opinions, there have to be some
limitation on what types of posts are allowed.
Any posts that are outside of the bounds of these rules will be edited or
removed at the discretion of the Lounge staff. The first amendment applies
only to the governance and regulation of speech by the government- not by
private organizations or individuals utilizing privately owned resources
such as this forum.
CURSING AND FOUL LANGUAGE
Language is a tool, and like any tool it can be misused. Cursing is
permitted as long as it is not excessive and it is not directed at an any
individual, poster, or admin/moderator. If the cursing simply serves to
provoke them the post will be deleted. If a post contains any particularly
offensive language then the moderator may edit out the words at their own
discretion. (NOTE: Most moderators don't have the time, nor the will to edit
out individual notes. If you cross the line, odds are your post will simply
be deleted).
In all cases use your discretion, I'm sure we can all deal with the
occasional swear word. However, using obscenities with references to other
users is unacceptable, and to be honest, I'm sure you can find more exciting
ways of insulting people than swearing. Offending posts, will at the
moderator’s discretion either be deleted, or edited.
QUESTIONABLE/EXPLICIT/SENSITIVE MATERIAL
Postings that contain questionable or explicit material (IE pornography, or
overtly sexual references) will immediately be removed. Please remember that
this is a public board that is accessible by minors. Before posting,
consider if you would want you own child to read what you are writing. This
includes text, pictures or other visual material, including avatars. Forum
Moderators will use their own discretion in this area. Additionally, any
post that is deemed by Forum Moderators to be sensitive in nature will be
removed from the boards.
Items falling into this category may include (but are not limited to):
Federal or State regulated materials regarding ongoing criminal
investigations, internal private documents of the corporation/organization,
and confidential materials. Finally, any post that contains "hate
materials" such as racial, ethnic or religious slurs (amongst others)
will be immediately deleted.
It is the desire of the staff that this site be an open forum where members
can come to exchange ideas and discussion without fear, bias, or attack,
regardless of their religious, political, personal or sexual beliefs and
practices.
POLITICS AND RELIGION
There are some topics that just get too heated for rational conversation.
While we have not instituted a ban on discussion of policital or religious
topics, we urge our membership to consider the wide diversity in our
neighborhood before posting. Obviously there are issues that affect our
neighborhood that fall into both of these categories, but let's all remember
to "tread lightly" when discussing topics that can elicit strong
emotions from both sides.
PERSONAL ATTACKS
Avoid personal attacks. If you don't agree with what someone posted, debate
the issue in the post... not the person that posted it. You may attack
specific points that the poster has made as long as the attacks do not get
too personal. Severe personal attacks or threats will not be tolerated and
are grounds for immediate expulsion from the forums. Once again Forum
Moderators will use their own discretion in this area.
BOARD DISRUPTION
Some examples of board disruption might be (not limited to): harassing other
members, advertising/spamming, flaming/personal attacks, or incitement
without cause. All are cause for deletion and/or banning from the forum. Any
posts made with the sole purpose of soliciting an emotional response will be
deleted or edited.
ARGUING WITH BOARD ADMINISTRATORS AND MODERATORS
DON’T BOTHER. If you don’t like the fact that your thread was deleted,
don’t bother arguing, because we can't get it back, it's gone, forever.
Same thing with edited posts, there is simply no way to undo it. There’s
no control-Z on this board. Sorry. If you feel you have honestly been
wronged, feel free to private message one of the forum moderators, or if
you’re in dire straights, email me at admin@oldsoulthwestinc.com.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the editing/deletion of
posts or, disciplinary action, including the termination of user accounts
without warning. Thank you for your cooperation in making the Old Southwest
Member Forums an enjoyable place for all residents. Should you have any
questions about these policies, please feel free to contact me directly by
emailing: admin@oldsouthwestinc.com
info@oldsouthwestinc.com |
