Offensive, Fraudulent, and Politically Tainted User Names
gandalf1936
REGISTERED
The world is too full of lies and otherwise offensive material. I believe the users of this site would appreciate any effort its controllers take not to permit user names running afoul of normal good taste, truthfulness, and the use of this much-appreciated pastime for political messaging. Mr. Trump is NOT President, and the user name advancing the documented fraud at the Democratic Vice Pesidential candidate's expense would be examples of such misuse of privilege.
Comments
Hi @gandalf1936 if you see an offensive user name then you can message the Green Felt Guys @david or @jim directly and, when they’ve got time away from their day jobs, I’m sure they will help out.
In the meantime here’s a thread where David explains GF’s position on this matter
https://forum.greenfelt.net/discussion/12629/remove-user
Here are two more examples of objectionable 'handles' seen this morning (tRumpSuxDik K♥m♥l♥ th♥ h♥) Establishing and implementing a policy for your approval of the use of made-up handles that have given or are likely to give some users offense is NOT censorship, It is defining the conditions for use of a public site that you have created and operate. You are not ''burning' (censoring) the play; you are establishing the rules for player identification purposes on your site.
I can go elsewhere to play but have found your site the best for my purposes. But I will cease play here if you cannot oblige users of the space you've created to make clear you will not support users incurring other users' offense by fabricating and using 'handles' failing to follow decorum in a public space for which you are responsible. I don't have to be part of contribution to the further deepening of the diminution leading to the demise of the Commons.
@gandalf1936 - Have a nice day, play on or leave is your choice. Look around, there are people who want to do exactly what you imply/suggest - RULES - NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!! Sorry but the first amendment protects free speech no shouting FIRE etc, but some people are going to say things you don't like, or print things that are truly
nasty TO YOU. This APP is run by 2 excellent, kind, thoughtful, generous humans. They are attempting the impossible, making everybody happy. Enjoy Greenfelt
Well @gandalf1936 given your ultimatum, it seems your departure is self imposed.
As mentioned earlier, if you see an offensive user name you can message jim or david directly. It will mean some effort on your part.
This is not a First Amendment issue. That amendment protects U.S. citizens from the government limiting speech. As a privately managed website, Green Felt is free to censor user names however they wish. Or not.
Jim and David have opted to exercise a light touch. I respect that. If I were in their position. I sure would not want to police such nonsense.
It would be nice if each of us could hide the names of other individual players, kind of like Facebook allows hiding all posts by other members of a group. But as a software professional I know that would not be trivial to implement. So each of us is left with the choice of enduring/ignoring the boors in our midst or not using this fine, free site.
I agree with I.am.Deus that it's not a First Amendment issue. I also understand why Jim and David want to keep a light touch on their creation and minimize interference in their day jobs.
Candidly, I use Green Felt as therapy; I've been a high energy public servant for over sixty years since the 1950's. Making contributions of one sort or other to the Commons has kept my mind sharp and in service to MLK, Jr.'s "moral arc of the universe bending toward justice . . ."
I neither expect nor want the pissants of contemporary "culture" to intrude on the benefit I derive from Green Felt or contribute to the growing offense I find over the boorishness daily visited on us by people who persist in verbally assaulting us all rather than just putting a sock in it.
I'll try to do two things. One, I'll continue to call out, by handle, those I find particularly offensive. Two, I'll set aside some time to imagine the elements of a simple system to accept or delete Green Felt 'handles' that might be devised. I use computers, obviously, but do not consider myself computer literate.
I've already spent several hours on this. Part of my problem is I have long COVID; it makes linear thinking, writing, editing, task sequencing, etc. exceedingly difficult for me over the past six months. Part is that those same cognitive potholes have prevented me from figuring out how to send messages directly to @jim and @david; any help on how I can do so would be much appreciated. Thanks.
I love DEUS (GOD) & GANDALF (GREAT WIZARD) pontificating on the 1st Amendment which is indeed, as written,
protection from the GUMINT but as treated in latter years it trickles down to the use of language by EVERYMAN.
Greenfelt can censor anything they wish but they choose not to. Your original postings called it "good manners?"
Have either of you, the afore mentioned GOD & WIZARD, been to an NFL (Football) game? Or any major sports event? A corner bar? Been in an automobile accident? In an inane argument with someone who knows they're right?
I paste @fingsaint's note: "Well @gandalf1936 given your ultimatum, it seems your departure is self imposed"
Nothing wrong with being correct and using "good manners" it is a pain in the ASS to be lectured by GOD and GANDALF ( The greatest wizard in Hogwarts history ) AND in this INANE argument - I may not be right but I know neither of you are either.
Hi @gandalf1936 to contact jim or david outside of the forum, you can correspond using the ‘message’ feature. At the top of the page you will see an ‘inbox’ icon. If you click on that and then select ‘new message’ this will give you the option to send a private message to any Green Felt recipient.
Here’s a screenshot
Thank you, fingsaint, ;-) I appreciate your instructions.
@Ptownpapa: Watcha smokin’, Shermie? If you had asserted that this was a “freedom of speech” issue, then your “language of EVERYMAN” argument would have flown well enough. But no. You specifically cited the First Amendment. You and others who assert the First Amendment as if it protects free speech in all contexts are simply wrong. Indefensibly so. If you think being called on that constitutes pontification, then you must be a treat at parties!
What in blazes are you on about here?: “Have either of you … been to an NFL (Football) game? Or any major sports event? A corner bar? Been in an automobile accident? In an inane argument with someone who knows they're right?” No clue what your point is, but since you asked: yes, yes, yes, and yes (the last as recently as yesterday day, except in that bizarre case the other party acknowledged they’re full of pooh…)
As to your repeated references to my user name, “I.am.Deus” is simply a reference to my regular moniker on this site, DeusExMachina, which for some reason has not worked reliably on the forum side for a couple of years. Referring to myself as God would never occur to me since I do not believe in any deity. (No offense to those who do!)
Oh, and by the way, at the risk of pontificating again, Gandalf is from JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth. He has nothing to do with J. K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter/Hogwarts world.
GEE GOD, you're RIGHT.
Vicisti, Galilæe.
Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean; the world has grown grey from thy breath;
Holy Dooly, I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but that rant is totally confusing. Wow - If greenfelt is unable to suit your needs then that's an ISH-You. We love it and we know that those who run the site do their best, and we are thankful for them. Please be mindful that you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time. There will always be those that try to disrupt and try to get others to react, no matter how hard we try to stop them there are always more to take their place if they move on. Try have a nice day everyone and think kind thoughts!
AMEN to you @jabba,
As @graeme says - PLAY ON
Enjoy the day all
Ptownpapa.Yes,we will always have this problem.I never let it interfere with my play.Just play on and enjoy the game.Take care.
FWIW, both of the names mentioned so far have been censored—censored names have cute little hearts instead of vowels (you'll notice one of the names @gandalf1936 pasted in was already censored). Our policy for censoring is a bit nebulous since it's very hard to have precise guidelines for this kind of thing unless we spend way too much time thinking about it and discussing and drawing up documents… Ugh. That's not on my list. Our general guideline is "words you can't say on US broadcast television in prime time" get censored. But it's also got a flavor of "I know profanity when I see it" mixed in there, too.
Ultimately, wherever the line is drawn, someone is going to think we went too far and someone else is going to think we didn't go far enough. Though to be honest I don't think I've ever seen someone complain about being censored or complain about us censoring too much.
One thing Jim and I have discussed is making it so users have to the ability to censor any names they don't like (for themselves only, it wouldn't affect what other people see). Actually I think the idea was to rename them. So you'd click on some name you don't like and type "FluffyLittleBunnies" or something else innocuous and from then on that user is shown to you with that new name. There's a lot of behind the scenes stuff that would have to happen to get that to work well, so no promises…
That's some interesting thinking, David. Humorous, even.
My problem with it is (very reluctant nod to those who don't like words with which they're unfamiliar [that's what dictionaries are for]) that substituting hearts for vowels is solipsistic, satisfying only the individuals who cared to do it, works only for them, and doesn't protect the the Commons at all. Until I saw this explanation I had no idea that hearts in place of vowels was a censorship strategy..
The American assault on manners and good taste is ubiquitous. (Look it up, Trumpists!) After last night the almost overwhelming irony for TFG is that he coined the term 'Fake News' and then we all (well, those of us who watched!) witnessed the fantastic irony of the greatest instance of 'Fake News", FOX, deliberately distort the material Harris was asked to comment on in hopes that she would fall for responding to a censored reality. She hung the silly dude out to dry for all the world to see! Thank YOU, Madame Prosecutor, BIG TIME!
Changing what only the individual offended sees doesn't address the negative impacts on the Commons.
Now if you could empower the offended to delete an offender permanently...........? Oh, wait! That wouldn't work at all, of course. Everything we've seen and know about MAGAts suggests such people would almost surely retaliate on all the rest of us who've enjoyed this pastime, either randomly on sweepingly. .
I'm afraid that addressing this is a burden that accrues, finally, to the founders/creators. I regret my computer illiteracy effectively prevents me from offering any actionable suggestions. I've enjoyed the design, the stimulation, the friendly rankings that came to be despoiled by political bullshit. If this were my creation, I'd seriously entertain adopting a policy which clearly states that "the privilege to use it is not unlimited, and that the designers reserve the right to exclude for cause, any user who. in the designers' eyes, abuses its privileges."
Thanks, David. for your response here.
Sheesh, gandalf1936....between you, Ptownpapa and I.am.Deus, my dictionary is getting dog-eared! LOL. Learning a lot, though. Solipsistic....whew, that was a good one.
I'm sorry I got involved in this. The OBVIOUS answer was right there - GOD and WIZARD would appreciate it if Jim and David set them up as arbiters of good taste, fraud and political correctness with all powers of censorship, modification, and probably issuance of AVATARS. That way we would only have ANANYMOUS and CORRECT names.
Play on and enjoy the day.
I'll second all that.
gandalf1936
appreciate your openness and, spare yourself the grief here! most all of us ignore the "noms de plume(s). "Pseudonyme choisi", is more a refection on the user absent the purpose or "intent" either negative or positive. my opinion, as neither party reflects a real interest nor concern for the well being of their said constitsuency
obviously emotional blackmail doesn't work around here, nor should it, but i just gotta know, gandalf, how long can u hold ur breath?
I'm not sure what tucsonsky means by emotional blackmail or who ts thinks is perpetrating it.
My immigrant parents taught me to pursue and respect knowledge, modeled their hope for them and theirs by upheaving their own lives and allegiances to come here from France and the Netherlands, Every time I hear the vicious tone of DJT's irrational and hateful take on immigrants, it strikes me to the core. My parents epitomized the worth of learning in service to democracy. I did not fall far from their tree. Knowing things that could benefit the lives of others and not acting on it is crazy-making for me. Just because I'm now 'living independently' with others my age doesn't mean I can stop following that star. E.g. when I began to suspect last June that the fire safety protocols here had at least some problematic shortcomings, quiet pursuit of same ultimately clearly demonstrated not only that there were serious problems, but they went beyond the protocols revealing incompetence and absent empathy in the facility's leadership. Subsequently, I found myself being treated to the same kinds of pressure and threats that public servants often trigger from the inept and the hateful. When I said some posts ago that Green Felt was therapy for me, that's the kind of struggles I have often found myself in and was what I was referring to.
When I play solitaire, it's because it is, or at least should be, neutral ground. Being reminded of precisely the insanity that I want a break from by people who clearly choose to irritate and provoke, it makes me sad. Jesus, tucsonsky, what does any of this have to do with holding one's breath?? Give us a break!
from ur 2nd post in this thread .. .. ..
But I will cease play here if you cannot oblige users of the space you've created to make clear you will not support users incurring other users' offense by fabricating and using 'handles' failing to follow decorum in a public space for which you are responsible
that's what i mean by emotional blackmail, like when a child holds his breath in an attempt to get his way .. .. .. as for the rest of ur comments and because its friday, here's some free advice .. .. .. all people have faults and flaws, to dwell on them will cause u nothing but grief, learn to build mental filters and use them for ur own peace of mind, ur welcome
'Emotional Blackmail'??? That's BS pure and simple. It's consequential thinking. If something doesn't happen, something else will happen. I'll leave and never recommend it to another, for cause, if asked to steer someone to a site. If care about an issue or a phenomenon or a condition, I'm going to be as consistent in any related behaviors asked of me.. Take a look at your Tucson Sky, brother/sister, and mellow out! Care about the Commons!
[sheesh]
My friends,the sun is shining here,may well be a nice day.Surely it's time to move on from this and enjoy the games offered.Take care.
GOD and WIZARD would appreciate it if Jim and David set them up as arbiters of good taste, fraud and political correctness with all powers of censorship, modification@Ptownpapa: I won’t presume to speak for gandal1936, but as to myself you could not be more mistaken (as usual…). I would not act as moderator here on a bet, on a dare, or for a paycheck. Perhaps you misinterpreted my wish for the ability to hide individuals in my own view? Even if I were somehow compelled to do it, I doubt I could do as good a job as David and Jim. In all the years I’ve frequented this site, they have consistently impressed me with their light touch and the way they model civility and patience.
They even put up with me - Pease forgive my misinterpretation of your postings. In my mind the world around us is losing sight of one of the keys to civility and respect - "live and let live" lower case but vital to a civilized society.
Play on Mac greenfelters
Came to the comments to find help with the game, instead found @karen1936 🤦♂️
@Harris = Death
For god's sake, shame on you and your viciousness, each and all who contribute to the present rock bottom skid ss of American politics, corrupting Green Felt, embodying the deterioration of our Nation, and allowing it to despoil our benign pastimes. If you would serve the Commons, don't let the hatefulness of the disgusting common despoil it.
I live five miles from Lexington's Battle Ground Monument, It cradles the blood of America's first martyrs. In a far less bloody way I've fought for the people for dozens and dozens of years. I'm doing it still in a seniors' facility displaying disregard for important fire safety protocols for its residents by refusing to even formally address accommodate the needs of those of us who use walkers and can't manage having to use stairs in the event of worst case scenarios. (Yeah, you read that right!) Its "authorities" have poohpoohed arguments to me and the institution's residents very publicly that Massachusetts officials excuse them from any obligation to do otherwise. (Yeah, you read that right, too!) You can't fight City Hall goes the American political mantra. B S, I say!
I feel savaged by the hurt and viciousness of our politics and the pure hatefulness of any jerk who would assault us all by labeling him/herself in this disgusting way. I feel savaged by its appearance and display and the deterioration of our politics which makes it permissible. Green Felt is culpable, especially after all the dialog shown above. In a week I'll look at any additions to this thread and take my next step accordingly. Heal yourself, David! Figure it out, Green Felt! I cringe at the current hurt from the cast of our politics and Green Felt's willingness to aid and abet it..
Hi @gandalf1936 your most recent diatribe is no different from your previous concerns so you have created a circular debate. Angry repetition will not advance your cause.
Other than that, I can’t comment on your perception of your nation. Greenfelt has a global reach. I’m not American.
On a separate note, I hope you are recovering from your bout of long covid.
@fingsaint The parochial in me won out . Sorry. Too many battles at once. I'm done . . .
That is why I call myself Lissie-Love! I project love to as many people as I can, by active listening, and non-judgement, and allowing people to express themselves, and by letting them know I understand how they feel, even if I don't agree. Everyone needs love and acceptance. Most everyone, that is. Some, of course, need adoration and the right to be king, and the right to be right - always. But the energy that really works is to simply love others, and help them to survive, and help them to get through this difficult life, where one must work unrelentingly to pay all the bills, even the unnecessary ones. That is why I love me some Greenfelt, because it gives me a chance to leave the world, and win some games, and problem-solve, and take a break from this crazy world that men have created. Not God, but men! And I still love you, men!
Thank goodness Gandalf's written onslaught is over. Gandalf says "I'm done". I sincerely hope so. All that was needed was a simple protest and David and/or Jim would have taken care of the problem as they always have done in the past. So we have suffered through pontification, self promotion, political jabs and needless stories of Gandalf's past, present and future.
This is and always has been a happy place. Please let it stay that way.
David and Jim, you bring much joy into many peoples' lives and a multitude of thanks to both of you.
Where on earth has all this come from! This is not the place for political belligerencies.Behave yourselves.This site is for relaxing and enjoying 'friendly games' not tearing the hair out of each other.For heavens-sake leave all that and enjoy a nice game of solitaire.Life is to short for this type of behaviour.Have a nice day...........if it's at all possible
Amen. graeme.
Thank you, @graeme
MEA CULPA, I am sorry I got caught up in this hash, please greenfelters, forgive my intrusion into our
peaceful community.
Play on
Thank you, @graeme for your words of wisdom, in this matter.
My suggestion is that if the thread is unpalatable then don’t engage.
From the limited personal information gandalf supplied they find themselves, amongst other things, in an institution where safety has become an all consuming issue, and that ‘linear thinking, writing, editing, task sequencing , etc. had become exceedingly difficult over the past six months’.
I gather that gandalf finds him/herself engaged in a number of struggles. Life in the current climate is becoming difficult if not intolerable, and this triggers distress.
Did they set out to cause such a fuss? I doubt it. And if I found myself in their circumstances then peace and a quiet mind would be nirvana amongst the angst.
I’d say count your blessings. I may be misinformed, but hey 🤷
Yes....thank you, fingsaint. My thoughts, also, but I was unable to express them.