Why is it that you act so respectful when you are defending racism but can't manage it at other times? If you acted like this post reads we wouldn't have to draw lines in the first place. Sad...
Part 1Horns, I respect your thoughts on it. But I think you miss a lot of folks view on the matter. They are not wanting to defend racism. They want to defend the right to free chat. Because as mentioned many times, folks have been banned just because an admin wants to find fault. Folks have been banned for saying someone is ugly. An Admin just has to say... that's hate speech and ban someone. That's crazy!
Many of us are worried that Admins aren't policed. Each admin can act on their own will without consequence. Or at least that's how it seems.
And while I'm sure that if someone is banned for a ridiculous reason (like saying someone is ugly)... I'm sure they can simply make a post and be unbanned. But will that admin be reprimanded in any way? I think most of us think "no".
So for me... the way to avoid these poor judgement calls (over chat) by admins... is to totally free up chat! But that's just my opinion... and I certainly respect the rules laid out.
Part 2But on to your point on why I don't act so respectful all the time (only when I'm defending racism). Just because I defend folks right to say racist things... why do you assume I'm so dis-respectful in-game. I have never been banned. I may make the odd joke. But I've never tried to push things too far.
I have a my own sense of humor (as each person does). I find a lot of dark things comical. Does that make me a dis-respectful person? I don't know. Maybe. But is Blazing Saddles dis-respectful? Is Django Unchained dis-respectful? Just because one can find racist themes funny... doesn't mean they are a dis-respectful person. I'd never call an actual black person a derogatory term. Nor would I say to a handicap person a derogatory term. But I can find the humor in a joke that may be about black people or the handicap. Is that wrong... maybe? But if so... we'd not have any comedians in our society. To me... political correctness is not a good thing. It seems that nearly all comics agree. Why do I bring up comedians? Well, because I like to laugh. And who know more about laughter than comedians. If they think political correctness a negative to humor... well they should know. With that said... attacking a person is wrong. I certainly agree with that. But making a politically in-correct statement is not wrong to me.
Of course... that's just my opinion. Which I certainly know only goes so far. You devs make the rules... and I truly respect that. As I also respect all ya'lls hard work. And I believe I respect others opinions. But respecting someone doesn't mean you agree with them. I don't think you are dis-respecting me just because you dis-agree with me. Why would you think I dis-respec a group of people (maybe a race) just because I like to laugh and hear (and say) crazy funny things. I understand that some folks don't find it funny. But I also understand that many folks do find it funny. Who's right? Hell I don't know. But respect and being in agreement are two different matters. At least to me.
Personally, I will always pick the side of more open-ness and freedom... even if I disagree with the matters at hand.
In the end... the rules are set. I will be following them... or will gladly accept any punishment. But as mentioned above... I do hope that folks can keep openly sharing their opinions here on the forums... as long as they stay civil.
And lastly... if this is said enough... I do appreciate you guys bring this mod back... and all your hard work involved.