Rich Lucibella
Staff
To All:
Best grab a beer or a cup of coffee and relax. This is gonna be a long one.
The TFL Administrators have been in conference for several days now regarding the rapidly changing content on the site. Specifically, we recognize a much relaxed position regarding our language and content. We are reminded by a number of Members that threads which would have been closed or deleted a few short months ago are now permitted to remain. Posts which would have been deleted or edited now remain.
The Firing Line was opened to promote "the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership". Our internal motto has always been, "Take the High Road" .As time has passed and we've gotten to know each other, rules have relaxed somewhat. We've opened the General Forum and recognize that frustrations are extremely high due to the past year's spate of highly publicized shootings, renewed attacks on our civil liberties, revelations concerning Waco and other events. Our own success has worked against us here. The rapid growth in Membership has strained our own resources and limited our ability to handle these issues by email as often as we would like to.
Unfortunately, all this has taken us far from our roots and our Policies. I bear the lion's share of the responsibility for this gradual change. I bear full responsibility for the decisions we are making now. I ask that our Members read this entire post before responding. If you'd prefer to respond to me privately, my email is rluci@thefiringline.com. In any case, your input is welcome.
We have posted a link to our Policies on the forum summary page for quick reference. There are only four guidelines there. The last reminds us that common sense is required in interpreting the first three. All four of these guidelines are to be interpreted within the context of our mission to promote "the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership".
We've come to the see a growing use of TFL for discussion of armed conflict with military and Law Enforcement and as a soapbox for broad conspiracy theories. I'm sorry, but these types of threads and posts do nothing to advance "responsible firearms ownership".
Knowing how to survive an unconstitutional police raid has real value; but talk about shooting LEO's does not promote our mission and is extremely insulting to the average street cop, the vast majority of whom are staunch defenders of the Second Amendment. Similarly, New World Order discussions have real value; but not in the context of the stated mission of this site, unless specifically backed by logic and fact.
If you wish to discuss what you would do if a rogue LEO attacks your wife- it's fair game. If you wish to describe the weak points in his body armor- please don't.
Regarding conspiracy theories: Discussion of a conspiracy coverup surrounding Waco, at least has a factual basis. Black Choppers transporting UN troops to civilian holding areas in remote areas of Montana- you'd have to provide a bit of detail. TriLateral Commission's control of the water supply- unwelcome. Glib pronouncements of inside knowledge of the return of The Beast- sorry.
Again, we can't provide you hard and fast rules here. But common sense should prevail. We ask your indulgence in the coming days as we reimplement our original vision for this site. While these changes will be minor, for a few days it may appear that we are becoming involved in too many threads.
This is only because so many have sprung up in the past few days. We are well aware that these decisions will cause us to loose some valued contributors. We apologize in advance to all for that. We recognize your ultimate right to vote with your feet and we hope this will not take place. We also recognize that some will argue that we are "controlling" free speech. This is not the case. Free Speech is alive and well on TFL, but within the context of the Policies that you agreed to when joining. This is not a chat room, but a Membership Only site. Membership, like firearms ownership, demands responsibility.
Again, to those who may object to our format and goals, you may hold me directly responsible. Your input on these decisions is welcome. With best regards to all of you from all of us.
Rich Lucibella
[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited September 16, 1999).]
Best grab a beer or a cup of coffee and relax. This is gonna be a long one.
The TFL Administrators have been in conference for several days now regarding the rapidly changing content on the site. Specifically, we recognize a much relaxed position regarding our language and content. We are reminded by a number of Members that threads which would have been closed or deleted a few short months ago are now permitted to remain. Posts which would have been deleted or edited now remain.
The Firing Line was opened to promote "the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership". Our internal motto has always been, "Take the High Road" .As time has passed and we've gotten to know each other, rules have relaxed somewhat. We've opened the General Forum and recognize that frustrations are extremely high due to the past year's spate of highly publicized shootings, renewed attacks on our civil liberties, revelations concerning Waco and other events. Our own success has worked against us here. The rapid growth in Membership has strained our own resources and limited our ability to handle these issues by email as often as we would like to.
Unfortunately, all this has taken us far from our roots and our Policies. I bear the lion's share of the responsibility for this gradual change. I bear full responsibility for the decisions we are making now. I ask that our Members read this entire post before responding. If you'd prefer to respond to me privately, my email is rluci@thefiringline.com. In any case, your input is welcome.
We have posted a link to our Policies on the forum summary page for quick reference. There are only four guidelines there. The last reminds us that common sense is required in interpreting the first three. All four of these guidelines are to be interpreted within the context of our mission to promote "the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership".
We've come to the see a growing use of TFL for discussion of armed conflict with military and Law Enforcement and as a soapbox for broad conspiracy theories. I'm sorry, but these types of threads and posts do nothing to advance "responsible firearms ownership".
Knowing how to survive an unconstitutional police raid has real value; but talk about shooting LEO's does not promote our mission and is extremely insulting to the average street cop, the vast majority of whom are staunch defenders of the Second Amendment. Similarly, New World Order discussions have real value; but not in the context of the stated mission of this site, unless specifically backed by logic and fact.
If you wish to discuss what you would do if a rogue LEO attacks your wife- it's fair game. If you wish to describe the weak points in his body armor- please don't.
Regarding conspiracy theories: Discussion of a conspiracy coverup surrounding Waco, at least has a factual basis. Black Choppers transporting UN troops to civilian holding areas in remote areas of Montana- you'd have to provide a bit of detail. TriLateral Commission's control of the water supply- unwelcome. Glib pronouncements of inside knowledge of the return of The Beast- sorry.
Again, we can't provide you hard and fast rules here. But common sense should prevail. We ask your indulgence in the coming days as we reimplement our original vision for this site. While these changes will be minor, for a few days it may appear that we are becoming involved in too many threads.
This is only because so many have sprung up in the past few days. We are well aware that these decisions will cause us to loose some valued contributors. We apologize in advance to all for that. We recognize your ultimate right to vote with your feet and we hope this will not take place. We also recognize that some will argue that we are "controlling" free speech. This is not the case. Free Speech is alive and well on TFL, but within the context of the Policies that you agreed to when joining. This is not a chat room, but a Membership Only site. Membership, like firearms ownership, demands responsibility.
Again, to those who may object to our format and goals, you may hold me directly responsible. Your input on these decisions is welcome. With best regards to all of you from all of us.
Rich Lucibella
[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited September 16, 1999).]
