Playing Fast and Loose with the Rules!

As we approach Election Day, at least one Member has decided to use the Signature Feature to display a controversial, political, "Bumper Sticker" type slogan.

I cannot find any language within the Rules and Terms of Service that makes this practice outside The Forums Terms of Service. So, his message stays as is his right.

For me, as a Moderator, to intervene and delete the Members Posts would be a more serious Violation of an Individuals Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Expression.

Personally! I do not find the "Message" funny. I do not find the "Message" in good taste; either. Some, will complain saying that the "Message" is or is close to being Racist.

I'd be inclined to step to the side of the room with those who think that it IS racist or racially motivated!

Don't think this matter has gone overlooked by this Moderator.
It has not.
Unfortunately, as of this writing, it seems to fall within the rules.
Those same rules which apply to us all.
So, I'll use the Signature Section to express my opinion until Election Day or until the rules are changed limiting the content of the Signature Section to your signature and thumbs of your bike.

 

Personally, I couldn't disagree with your choice more...

BUT I would defend your right to express it it in whatever (legal) way you choose until I die...

 

You have already lost anyway.

 

Don't believe all the media hype supporting obama, he hasn't had his credentials checked, yet. :?

 

Not surprising coming from a phish head...

I'm interested to see where this thread goes by Sunday night...

 

"Badge? I don't need no stinkin' badge."
I'm votin' for... "Heck I STILL don't know yet."
*bah~humbug* :?

 

The Ticket for America.
Oh, you gotta be kiddin' me!

McCain picked someone totally unqualified to be Vice President. Over some of the best minds in the Republican Party; McCain picked the charismatic, good-looking, female, politico willing to do:
> The sleazy
> The lying
> The assassination of character
> The mud-slinging ... and, coming soon ... the playing of:
> The Race Card

... all toward helping him run, as his own Party''s Leadership embarrassingly admits, is the dirtiest Presidential Campaign ever run.
McCain can''t run on the Issues. The Issues he espouses are the ones that have placed the Country in the ever-deepening hole of Recession and are percariously close to placing The United States of America in a major Depression before the votes get counted and we replace the sitting President responsible for leading the Country right straight down the drain.

You call The Arizona''s Senator McCain, "The lesser of the evils"!
No.
McCain is NOT the LESSER of two evils.
McCain IS Evil!
You can''t get more evil than what that tired old man has been doing through the antics of his hate-mongering running mate and the recently employed smear-tacticians he hired despite them being the very guys that torpedoed McCains previous bid.

It''s time for the American People to do something about getting this Country returned to the status of greatness it was once known for around the World.
Casting a Ballot for that mean old fart, McCain to be President ... is the worst possible thing you''ll ever do!

 

And so the last place on earth that those of us who know where our convictions lie come election day could escape the campaign has now deteriorated into the same crap as the rest of the media.

This could continue on and alienate more xjbike fans or it could simply stop right now. In a draw. Both sides made their point, it's America' and we have a plethora of ways to express our political views outside of this forum.

This thread is over? Let's hope so.

 

Couldn't agree more - Politics and Religion are always flash point issues.

Rick I agree with your position on the signatures. How do the rules get changed?

 

I completely agree with wamaxim and Bill on this, this is a motorcycle forum and we'll be at this right up until election day if it doesn't stop now. I too had noticed the "bumper stickers" appearing in a NUMBER of member's signatures and while I disagree with their decision to put it there, as long as it isn't a violation of the rules then they have that right. SO LETS CHANGE THE RULES! Unless the political discussion is DIRECTLY motorcycle-related (anti crotch-rocket legislation attempts, for instance) it doesn't belong here, and neither do the "bumper stickers."

 

IBTL

(Oh, and lets keep this forum pure, please. Trust me, you don't want to go down this road.)

 

Rick, contrary to popular belief, the First Amendment does not apply in situations such as this. The Bill of Rights only sets forth things that may not be done by the government.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It's later been held to apply somewhat more broadly than written, but I'm not aware of any rulings where it's been held to apply to private citizens or organizations. That's why stores can prohibit soliciting or passing out of leaflets, etc.


In short, there's nothing legal (that I'm aware of - and I'm not a lawyer) to prevent you from prohibiting anyone from posting anything.

 

as i see it
Obama rides a Vincent, full helmet, full leathers
Palin rides a Vespa, 1/2 helmet, long scarf
Biden rides a Harley, without a helmet, t-shrit
McCain rides a Indian, leather helmet, leather goggles
there, finally something motorcycle related in this thread

"Introduce yourself and everything else motorcycle related..."

 

beat the lock...

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A MOTORCYCLE FORUM. come on guys, this is crazy...

 

Ahhh polock great assessment.
Your McCain description reminds me of the movie "The Fastest Indian", starring Anthony Hopkins. Which now that I think of it, Hopkins kinda looks like McCain. It's a pretty good movie I think.

There... now this is a movie forum. :lol:

 

I won't get into my personal opinions on the subject, but I will say that I, for one, am REALLY sick of all the political (and pardon my french) bull**** that's been going around, both in real life, and on various forums I frequent.

I work in a bank, and I really can't go an hour without having people ask me who I'm going to vote for, and questioning my motives behind my answer, when I answer honestly. It's gotten to the point that I've been telling people I'm NOT voting, just so I don't have to deal with the inevitable flow of complete and utter CRAP from these people's mouths.

I for one, do see this election as another example of the American public being forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. BUT, even with how much all of this upsets me any more, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and will fight tooth and nail to be sure that people ARE allowed to voice their opinions where appropriate. Which is in the voting booths, not in public forums and people's places of employment.

I cast my vote today. (Indiana is one of the states that's allowing early voting this election.) My choice is made, and I don't have to deal with it anymore.

I have to agree with Rick about Palin's horrible slander and smear campaign.... and I think it's a horribly sad state of affairs when that's what our presidential election process has degraded to.

It seems to be the "cool" thing to hate on our current president, but the sad truth is that the numbers WERE there (after all the ridiculous shenanigans during the last election) to keep him in office, and the ONLY thing that will change that is casting your vote for whomever you choose.

Rant mode off .... we now return you to your regularly schedule programming...

****Edited by Robert, Mind the language Please!****

 

All The Election BS has Finally hit this site. People here should grow up and keep it to them selves. Voteing is a personal choice for who you think as an individual would be best. BUT NO everyone has to get in each others face about this. I'm so sick of this election I could throw up. This forum is not the place for politics.
If you are pro Democtat or Pro Republican just VOTE YOUR CHOICE on election day and shut up and see what happens.

So Until then and beyond lets please just keep this motorcycles.

 

I wish there was a law that campaigning couldn't start until the 3rd Wednesday in November prior to the election year.
This campaign seems to have been going on for 2 years now. Way too long!
Just watch... candidates will start campaigning on November 5th, 2008 for the frekkin' 2012 election. I think in England they only have like 4 months to campaign prior to the election. I'm sure somone will correct me if not the case.

Stephen Colbert / Jon Stewart ticket anyone? :lol:

 

I must admit when i read the title of the topic "playing fast and loose with the rules" i thought it was about a guy riding on a learners permit without a licensed rider with 20" ape hangers ,no speedometer,no signals, no mirrors and one of those illegal beanie helmets. (hehe) And yes the picture is a picture of a picture.... on a easel. My next spring project is swingarm extension.

 

Being a voter is like being the unwilling participant in a gang bang and having someone ask you who do you want next. Same f**k, different partner.

 

Rick, please read this article and have a good, long think.

 

Aren't all politicians pretty much liars?

So it's like voting for the lesser of 2 evils. Sad, but true.

 

Thank you for that fine extremist article about Senator Obama. Sending it to me, to get a view of the candidate I intend to vote for doesn't change my mind about who I want driving the Bus after Election Day.

Outside interests have tried every imaginable stunt to sway the Voters from electing Barack Obama over John McCain. But, until one of McCain's hired-guns manage to link Obama to the Devil, himself, Obama gains support each day.

The Republicans message to the People, about what they intend to do with the Country is a hard sell as its Standard Bearer stands, in a freshly dug grave, at the shoulders of Uncle Sam, lying prone on his back, flopping to the jolt of a seven hundred billion dollar defibrillation, while all eyes watch the Wall Street ticker looking for a blip or two, to silence those on the window ledges screaming "Code Blue".

I represent only one vote.

To be elected; it takes earning several hundred million votes, like mine, and holding on to them, despite a "Fire-for-effect" barrage of negativity. Attacks that included using pre-recorded messages dialed by computers, actors chanting hate slogans, on-cue, at Palin events with reporters prevented, by Palin Staff, from establishing who the hate mongers were, labeling Obama as a terrorist and deliberately spreading lies about Obama's character and reputation.

A smear campaign so brutal and unfair that it has prompted top Republican voices for openly admitting it being so; prompting some, including former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, to endorse Barack Obama over the candidate of their Party.

When the computer calls you to ask you to think otherwise than what you know to be true; remember the state of affairs we are and just hang-up!

I think Computers shouldn't be allowed to make Political Telephone Calls.
I think after Election Day we should vote to limit the Signature Feature to
your Name and Thumbs about your Bike.

I have enjoyed the Political Discussion.
I hope we get it all settled real soon.

 

I am a firm believer in democracy & the right to vote for whoever one chooses, I just wish that you guys had a third choice. I just can't accept that Mrs Obama will be your first lady, just look at her history of preaching hate against the whites. It's so sad that America, with all it's millions, can't offer up two better candidates! The black Americans will look at electing a black guy as getting a huge one over the whites.
Let me give you some personal background, I, & my family are English going back to the doomsday book, so you might ask why would I choose to be domiciled in Australia.
Having lived through several left wing governments in the UK, it is proven that their policiy of "tax and spend" has brought the country to it's knees on each cccasion. The final straw, for me, was the election of Tony Blair, the great pretender & his chancellor, Brown, whose policy was to have 40% of the population on some form of means tested benifit, believe me, the man has been an over achiever. Couple that with an open border policy, that allowed the scum of eastern Europe to flood the country & cause the health & social services to collapse, you can see that a country with a strong conserative leader was appealing. (he has now been replaced by a Labour government, God help us.) So you can see why I have a keen interest in the outcome of your election. I see the signs.
As England was once the greatest power in the world, as America is now, one can't help but draw comparisons.
What happens in America affects the whole world.
I can't see the defection of Colin Powell as anything but a consolidation of the brothers, the leap in ideology was just too great.
Where has Obama's millions come from, Iran, arab nations?
He tricked poor old John into taking the government allowance.
You should also look at how Obama first made the Senate, by resulting to dirty tricks to get his opponents disqualified.
I could go on......

 

It has always been my understanding, even if it may not be explicitly spelled out in the rules, that this forum was a technical forum and discussions about politics and religion were frowned upon. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy debating the crisis du jour, but this forum, xjbikes.com, is not where I turn for politics, etc.

To support my belief that these topics are generally off limits, I give you:

In light of Sno's wishes, I move that we comply and [continue to] remain politically neutral. This means removing bumper stickers from sigs as well as avatars, etc. Can I get a second?

 

Sure, Don.

I'll second it.
I was hoping that somebody would find a good reason.
Thank you.

 

Thanks for standing up Wiz. I have deleted several responses to Rick's replies in fear of other members who are not interested. Much of what is going on here is fear mongering by obmaites who are deftly selling "change" as real. Its really heartening to me that there are citizens outside of our country who understand the larger picture.

What a shame this has turned into. Rick, I believe your original intent of this post was to ask for a sort of "virtual" permission to include a political image in your signature. If you would have left it at that all would be fine. For this reason I think it would be best that a rule be included that prohibits specific political discussion and/or indications of such in the sig/avatar lines. The problem lies not in "growing up" as one person mentioned its more about why were all here. In fact I think I might just go out for a midnight ride

 

fastest indian....i still have yet to see that movie.....i keep forgetting to rent it.

 

Thanks Zookie400 for commenting on my comment. I thought it went unnoticed.

Yea! It's a movie forum again!

 

No.
That was not the intent.

The intent was to remind others that they could place a Political Sign in their Signature, just as one Member did, with one that seemed to be racially motivated.

A spirited discussion followed.
Some rules will be adopted, shortly, and then they can be removed.
But, my reading of the Boiler Plate Rules as presently expressed only discouraged Child Pornography.

 

i just emailed my mom and told her to netflix it for me. (i steal all their movies before they send them back)


A man went in for a Brain transplant operation and was offered a choice of two brains by the surgeon. He could choose either the Architect's brain which would cost him £10,000 or the Politician's which was £100,000.

"Does that mean that the politician's brain is much better than the Architect's?" exclaimed the clearly puzzled man.

"not exactly" replied the surgeon, "the politician's has never been used."

 

i'd be afraid to put my political views here for fear that i wouldn't get the good help that i've gotten from here. i wouldn't know who i would offend and then they could/would give me the wrong advice or not help at all. but i will tell you that i win (though only for a short time) with whom ever gets in. i made a good bet with a co-worker that the one i don't want to get in will win. and if i lose that bet i still win.

 

Thanks, Rick, for leading by example.

Will there be any input from the masses on the new rule(s), or will it be left up to Sno? If I may make a suggestion that has helped in the past, add a rule stating something similar to, "Just because the rules don't say you can't doesn't mean you can." It originated in a racing club I was part of because those guys would find all sorts of "creative" ways to gain a competitive edge. This rule would give you blanket coverage to pass judgement on new and changing circumstances and conditions.

 

My two cents on this ... I for one will never hold anyone's political views against them in any other forum other than political discussion. You could be voting communist for all I care and I will still want to see your XJ get running right and back on the road.

I think I can safely say that most of, if not all of, the members of this board feel the same way.

Again, just my two cents.

 

I find that statement ironically amusing.



You know, since it's pretty much McCain selling the whole fear angle.

 

Lets use this space for what we came here for, XJ Bikes & leave the political idiocy to the unused minds of politicians.

 

Well, since it is obvious that I created this rediculous stir up, I will remove my signature tomorrow. However, I am apalled that someone would suggest that my signature post is racially motivated. My girlfriend is of a black father and white mother and absolutely agrees with my stance on Senator Obama. So let's be CAREFUL with what we assume...

 

And for those who noticed my signature before this one was of Kobe Bryant, who last time I checked was a black man...

 

Guys (and Gals as the case may be), as stated, the General Lounge is for general topics about motorcycles. There is nothing prohibiting polite discussion of any motorcycle topic here (keep it clean and you'll have no problems from me). If it becomes hateful, racist, off-topic or foul-mouthed, I am required to act, but that is the limitation.
I am not willing to debate this, if you have a concern about the issues covered, I suggest you PM the individual you wish to discuss this with.
I am locking this thread.