Should threads be closed with no discussion?

[Casper]

Hi guys,

I am interested to ask if threads that still have a way to go should just be closed with no questions asked? I find that a little bit dictatorial.

I'm referring to ''Should British Troops Be Pulled Out Of Afghanistan''.

This thread was a really useful one with a range of views expressed. However, I did ask if anyone (ideally in the UK militiary currently) had any views.

There were one or two ex - military views (thank you), but personally I felt the thread did have a bit more mileage. No one was trading insults and there were valid points on either side.

Why was it closed?

Casper

[HiDesert]

I'll leave thread-specific comments to the moderator in question, but I will point out in general that it's not practical to have a survey every time we're considering closing a thread. Of course, unless a thread is permanently deleted, it's always possible to reopen them.

Unless you see a systematic problem with the moderating, it might be better to ask these sorts of questions directly to the mods involved in a PM, but we aren't going to insist on that by any means.

[fivehundo]

Originally Posted by Casper

Hi guys,

I am interested to ask if threads that still have a way to go should just be closed with no questions asked? I find that a little bit dictatorial.

Some of them, yes...

Especially when the discussion moves away from civilized discourse (which it has, in some recent cases).

At the end of the day, were all here because of Triumph motorcycles. When the topics start to divide us, its not really a good thing. Also, keep in mind that a mouthy, obnoxious member can also leave a bad impression on a prospective Triumph customer, who might pass judgement on the product based on the conduct of the owners. To a certain degree, we are representing Triumph, whether we (...or Triumph, for that matter) want to admit it, or not...

I used to be a little more "Rowdy", when I first joined. I'd like to think I've matured a little, in my old age but I definitely see both sides of the argument.

For future reference, the topics will stay open as long as the conversation is civilized. Once it gets out of hand (or if the subject matter is something that the moderators know WILL get out of hand), it will be locked. If you keep it nice, they won't be locked...

[gn2]

He who pays the piper calls the tune.

It's up to the owner of the board to decide what the rules are and up to the owner to appoint moderators to act on their behalf.

If you don't like the decisions of the moderators, you do not have to participate in the forums.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by fivehundo

Some of them, yes...

Especially when the discussion moves away from civilized discourse (which it has, in some recent cases).

At the end of the day, were all here because of Triumph motorcycles. When the topics start to divide us, its not really a good thing. Also, keep in mind that a mouthy, obnoxious member can also leave a bad impression on a prospective Triumph customer, who might pass judgement on the product based on the conduct of the owners. To a certain degree, we are representing Triumph, whether we (...or Triumph, for that matter) want to admit it, or not...

I used to be a little more "Rowdy", when I first joined. I'd like to think I've matured a little, in my old age but I definitely see both sides of the argument.

For future reference, the topics will stay open as long as the conversation is civilized. Once it gets out of hand (or if the subject matter is something that the moderators know WILL get out of hand), it will be locked. If you keep it nice, they won't be locked...

Thats all good stuff and yes if its getting out of hand close it.

But as I understood it ''Biker Hang Out'' is just that, an opportunity to talk and discuss all sorts of things; I'm a biker, but I am also a British person, a parent, a house owner, a voter etc etc. When i get on a bike I don't forget all the other things I am.

I'm in a local West Sussex bike site (Bury Hill Bikers) and as long as we don't get abusive the moderators treat us like grown ups and we discuss a thread until it naturally goes off the interest list naturally.

I was asking if we had any current Brit. military who'd like to comment and persoanlly IMO this thread still had some way to go.

Just seemed a little heavy handed that was all and I am not a naturally bolshie person but I was surprised when the thread was unilaterally ''closed''.

Casper

[spank86]

I'd say that one shouldn't have been.

Now if there was a thread full of inappropriate material then yes locked and deleted immediately, or one that is just a slanging match locked.

AS long as the mod locking it posts you can always take it up with them.

[gn2]

Originally Posted by Casper

~ I was asking if we had any current Brit. military who'd like to comment ~

They're not allowed to

[Casper]

Originally Posted by gn2

They're not allowed to

gn2

could they post using an anoymous name or anything? I know verbally in my bike club military folk talk off the record (certainly they have done to me).

To be honest I've spoken to probably 2 or 3 service people (about the Iraq war primarily) and they made it clear that they felt (in their opinion) it was a hasty ill thought out operation (after a first rate active battle phase in 2003 ) post 2003; then it was, by and large, a complete shambles.

I felt we had a way to go on this debate and regarding Afghanistan I would be really keen to hear what any current (British) military have to say as this would really inform the debate I think?

Casper

[saphena]

I'd echo HiDesert's comments above.

I don't know why this particular thread was closed but three things:

1) In my experience, the forum mods tend not to be heavy-handed and I'd err in favour of their judgement (excluding me obviously)

2) Political threads tend to need [a lot] more moderating than other threads

3) It's always open to arguers to start a new, more focussed, thread

[Skye]

There were a couple of threads that were closed. I have no problem with either of them. There were alot of points made, and sometimes, there is a point where I'm not going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mind. It's not a bad thing. It's how society works.

Maybe there was further to go, maybe not. It's a judgement call that I wouldn't want to make. Sure, it was all civilized (I expect no less, since you can't judge a person by politics or religion), but everyone had their opinions.

If I was still on active duty, I wouldn't have been able to express my opinion. We have no opinions in the military, only duty.