OK, folks, I WAS the temporary host of Creative Speculation.

[Bolo Boffin]

Last edited Thu Dec 15, 2011, 09:22 PM - Edit history (1)

And temporary means just that - once the site gets wiped clean, so do any of my super powers. I'll have to apply again to be a permanent host. From what I understand, this is mainly about working through bugs in the software and finding the best mix of forum and group topics. It is not about the direction the admins want the forum to go.

Creative Speculations is a group, but it welcomes posts from both the creatively speculative and those wanting to be constructively critical of such speculation. Civility is paramount in such a situation. Like E.T. said, Be Good.

Any regular in the soon-to-be-old September 11 forum know me as someone from the constructively critical side of most creative speculation about 9/11 and some other topics. As long as I'm temp host and if I'm made a permanent host, I promise that I will be as stubbornly committed to objectivity in forum matters as I am stubbornly committed to pointing out what I consider grievous flaws in the 9/11 alternate theories.

ETA: The beta test is over. No one currently is a host. We're talking about it right now.

[greyl]

1. Good Luck!

Are there any topics that used to be allowed in Sept 11 on DU2 that won't be allowed in this group?

edit: By that question, I mean how you think the following from the TOS should be interpreted:

Don't go overboard with the crazy talk.

Democratic Underground is not intended to be a platform for kooks and crackpots peddling paranoid fantasies with little or no basis in fact. To accomodate our more imaginative members we tolerate some limited discussion of so-called "conspiracy theories" under the following circumstances: First, those discussions are not permitted in our heavily-trafficked Main forums; and second, those discussions cannot stray too far into Crazyland (eg: chemtrails, black helicopters, 9/11 death rays or holograms, the "New World Order," the Bilderbergers, the Illuminati, the Trilateral Commission, the Freemasons, alien abduction, Bigfoot, and the like). In addition, please be aware that many conspiracy theories have roots in racism and anti-semitism, and Democratic Underground has zero tolerance for bigoted hate speech. In short, you take your chances.

[Bolo Boffin]

3. I don't know - I'm not permanent yet!

But that's never stopped me from rattling on before!

I think the admins have it laid out pretty well. This is not the Crazyland forum, it's Creative Speculation. As I recall, there wasn't a lot of the death ray or hologram stuff much tolerated by anyone in the old forum. And even those topics are not strictly verboten in a thread, as I read the TOS. A riff on a theme is one thing, but if it becomes your main melody, the admins would like you to find a different concert hall.

A very clear example of "kooks and crackpots" is Time Cube. If you've never wandered into the delusional world of Time Cube, grab a computer you don't much care about and Google that hot mess up. That's the kind of thing I see the admins talking about.

On the subject of 9/11, the admins explicitly mention death rays and holograms. I'd include any denial of the four planes hitting the buildings. I might be wrong and (as an example) Woody B's continued exposition on various plane scenarios at least is dealing with available physical evidence. Beyond that (who was flying them, who was paying them, controlled demo), 9/11 alternate theories would be allowed.

JFK assassination theories, the same way. Think Howard Hunt, the Mafia, Castro, Oswald or LBJ did it? Post away. Think the lizards or the Jews did it? The Internet is that way.

In other words, we aren't talking about a threshold of probability here in order to discuss the topic. The thresholds are "possible" and "unbigoted." It's possible that the WTC towers were demolished by human agency. That's something that can happen. It's also possible that the buildings fell down due to the stresses of fire, damage, and building design. That also isn't unthinkable.

So anyway, that's how I would interpret the TOS that relates to this group.

[Bolo Boffin]

4. OHHH -- and when I say finding the best mix of forum and group topics

I mean the left column there, what should be and shouldn't be forums and groups. By participating in this early version of the group (posting, chatting amongst ourselves, getting a host, etc.), we up the chances of this continuing to be a part of DU. That's all I meant by that, not legislating what we can and can't talk about.

[defendandprotect]

9. Obviously, if IKE were telling us today about the MIC ..

he'd likely be bounced from DU -- !! ROFL

[dmallind]

2. Oh Christ that's a job I do not envy. Brave fellow there.

R/T is a piece of cake compared to the CT dungeon, into which I rarely venture. I may pop in occasionally to see how long it is before somebody thinks you have taken the CIA dime and started suppressing the truth.... Good luck - sincerely!

[Bolo Boffin]

5. Heh!

Too late on when somebody thinks I've taken the CIA dime by about nine years! But thanks for the kind words.

[Bolo Boffin]

6. I would like to appoint a second Host

But I feel that the next person should be from the more creatively speculative side of the ledger. It might work out about as well as having Presidents and VPs from different parties. I still think it's worth a shot, though. Anyone who wants to be a host, send me a DU mail or respond here.

[Ohio Joe]

7. Cross post this request in the 9/11 forum

To be sure as many see it as can be. It might not be a bad idea to allow up to the 20 you can have so as many as possible can see what can and can't be done. People being able to see the discussions in the Host forum will also be helpful I think.

[defendandprotect]

8. Aren't you on my IGNORE list -- ROFL

[Bolo Boffin]

10. Ignore lists haven't been enabled or imported yet, AFAIK

I was the temporary host during the beta. I am no longer one now.

[defendandprotect]

11. Who's the host now --- ??

The way I look at this is that the DU administration is information

deprived on the conspiracy side --

As though this is "conspiracy-free America" -- ROFL


It's already been made a TABOO subject as administration tries to

separate itself from what they evidently think is an unwise connection

to conspiracies -- probably especially 9/11.

Given that, we should at least have a host here who is well informed on

conspiracies -- and open minded about them all.


We've had too many conspiracies in America -- and US/CIA has pulled off

too many conspiracies all over the world for anyone NOT to believe in

them. We're in two wars that are basically conspiracies -- !!

Our entire government right now is pretty much a conspiracy -- and OWS

is evidence of that!!


Rather anyone today who wants to suggest that we're not knee deep in

conspiracies doesn't understand capitalism -- doesn't understand elites

and their need for war -- doesn't understand the very nature of

corporate/fascism.


What the hell is the buying of our government and candidates except

bribery and conspriacy?



Sometimes the unreality of DU is mind-boggling!!


ROFL


Don't take it personally, Bolo ---

[Bolo Boffin]

12. No one is the host now, and we're discussing below whether we even need one or not.

And your comments here would help the discussion down there.

[fivepennies]

13. Creative speculation?

Is that something like negative patient outcome?

What are we supposed to be afraid of?

[Larry L. Burks]

14. Seakers of of Truth and Justic

How can you say things like "crackpot."

Prove the imposable.

There two things you can't lie about.

History and the phical restrants of the laws of nature it's self.

You can only do what the laws of nature will allow you to do.

It goes beyond what science can tells us.The Sept 11 forum was where the big dogs came to play.

If you are not at the top of your game on the subject matter.

You don't belong here.

We do.

This is our play ground.

Not yours.

It didn't take us long to smoke you out.

Your not one of us.

Larry L. Burks

[Bolo Boffin]

15. I didn't say crackpot.

But if you go to the relevant part of the Terms of Service concerning this group, you will notice that it does.

And if you check the Statement of Purpose of this group, you'll see that it's just as much my "playground" as it is yours. So like it or not, I most definitely am one of you.

[Larry L. Burks]

16. Sure. It’s true. You didn’t say “Crackpot.” Per say.

But you did say “ 9/11 Death Ray .”

That is a GOP talking point. “ 9/11 Black Moon Beam Death Ray from outer space.”

And when ever they say it. They also say “Crackpot.”

Same difference.

It’s called a DEW. Based on the technology of worm holes and curved space.

Worm holes are seen as being black. We got pictures.

http://www.ufoworkshop.0catch.com/black%20lines.html

In 1986 they funded the program to build our DEW. 250 Billion dollars of tax payer money.

Back in 1986 they said it could curve space to the point that building would turn into dust.

They showed a video clip of it turning a building into dust.

On 9/11 the building turned in to dust.

It is a holographic technique. It will cause the lite to become polarized when used.

Any object that has parallel lines on it will forms a fringe pattern See pictures of fringe pattern in building as it turns into dust.

http://www.ufoworkshop.0catch.com/black%20lines.html

They also told us that it could fry the electronics of a craft and bring it down.

Just last week. Iran brought down one of our Spy Drones.

The craft did have any damage to it. Who did they do that?

They used a DEW just like the ones that we have. And fried the electronics of the Drone, And it came down in tack. As a whole.

What this is telling us is that they also have DEW bases on the technology of worm holes and curves space.

Just like ours.

Why is it that you had to come here to get that kind of Info. And it can’t be found on any other place on the Net.

We need our freedom to speak freely about the things that only we know about.

Don’t block us out.

If you are thinking about being our Host. You need to get up to speed.

Larry L. Burks

[Bolo Boffin]

17. It is really time for you to read the Terms of Service sections that relate to this group.

Yes, I said "9/11 Death Ray" because the Terms of Service say that.

Here's the pertinent part, Larry.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

Don't go overboard with the crazy talk.
Democratic Underground is not intended to be a platform for kooks and crackpots peddling paranoid fantasies with little or no basis in fact. To accomodate our more imaginative members we tolerate some limited discussion of so-called "conspiracy theories" under the following circumstances: First, those discussions are not permitted in our heavily-trafficked Main forums; and second, those discussions cannot stray too far into Crazyland (eg: chemtrails, black helicopters, 9/11 death rays or holograms, the "New World Order," the Bilderbergers, the Illuminati, the Trilateral Commission, the Freemasons, alien abduction, Bigfoot, and the like). In addition, please be aware that many conspiracy theories have roots in racism and anti-semitism, and Democratic Underground has zero tolerance for bigoted hate speech. In short, you take your chances.

Larry, you and I both agreed to these Terms of Service when we brought our membership over from the old DU. There was a box you had to check, saying you agreed to the terms of service, before you could complete that process and begin posting here.

That paragraph in italics is what you have agreed to abide by. I didn't write it. The admins did. I didn't require people to check that box. The admins did. I didn't make you check that box. You did that.

As you can see, all of the language you object to in my post is coming directly from the terms of service. As I read the terms, these passing references to the "Crazyland" topics are all right, but it's not ever meant to be a focus of the group.

People do gloss over those terms of service all the time. But I think you need to sit down and think about what you've agreed to here.

ETA: I'm currently not trying to be a host of the group. Right now we are discussing whether we need one or not, or if we can even come to an agreement on who a host might be. I'm not saying I wouldn't serve, but a time for everything and everything in its place.

[libodem]

18. Nice to meet you Bolo

I have grown fond of conspiracy theories over the years as the official versions seem lacking. My dad would disapprove so I try to stay as rational and objective as possible. Get me my tin foil hat, please.

[Bolo Boffin]

19. This is a post from the beta phase. After DU3 went live, all temp hosts were released. n/t

[The Doctor.]

20. And should you fail the test of 'objectivity', what then?

[Make7]

21. See Post #19.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113566#post19

[The Doctor.]

22. Yeah, I caught that after I posted.

Just didn't bother editing it. (Posterity and all)

Thanks for pointing it out anyhow.

[Make7]

23. No worries. As of right now there is no Host for this Group.

Bolo Boffin started a thread to get people's opinions on if we need any Hosts at all - and if we do, how many and who should we nominate. Feel free to share if you have an opinion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1135145

[Mist]

24. The term "crazyland" seems over-inclusive. JMO. nt

[zeemike]

25. Based on what you have seen of me am I a crackpot?

Because I am new here and don't want to overstay my welcome....well there was no welcome but still
The real power lies with those able to define you.

[Bolo Boffin]

26. I'm no longer a host here, zeemike.

We're talking about getting a host or hosts now that the final beta test is over.

All I see is someone who believes what he or she believes and is stubborn about being pushed away from it. I am, too. Your welcome here has nothing to do with that. As long as you can abide by the Terms of Service, you're welcome here. And I've seen nothing from you that makes me think you can't do that.

I hope that you're getting involved in other places here at DU. Almost all of us here may disagree strongly in this group, but there's a great deal more accord on political issues than we sometimes like to admit. How Building 7 came down has very little to do with the Republicans trying to decimate Medicare, for instance.

[zeemike]

27. Oh hell yes we are far more alike than diferent.

And if you were not I would likely not wast my time with you....I guess I like the chalange in dealing with stuborness because it strokes my own.
But I have been here on DU sense the beguining....I actualy saw the first post on DU that said "Nice board...there is no one here"
And so I mostly participated in the political side...it is only with this change I decided to try someplace new...with no home page that had any worthwhile content I was left homeless...

Boy I hope they hury up that spellchecker

[Remember Me]

28. And so that means what, exactly?

As Host of a GROUP, you have expanded powers:

Group Hosts perform a similar role to forum Hosts, but they have additional powers. 1) They can lock threads which they believe violate their group's stated purpose; 2) they can pin threads to the top of their group; 3) they can block out members whom they believe are not adhering to their group's purpose; 4) they can make other members Hosts of their group; and 5) they can remove any Host of their group that became a Host after they did.

If a group already has Hosts assigned, members who wish to become a Host must contact one of the current Hosts. Current Hosts may select any other member to become a Host, without restrictions. If a group does not have any Hosts assigned, members who wish to become a Host of that group must contact an Administrator for approval. Before assigning a Host, the Administrators may post a thread in the group asking for member feedback.

Since you have identified yourself as an avowed naysayer, I'm frankly concerned, given the extra powers you have. How do you plan to be fair and evenhanded in exhibiting your skepticism? Will you be blocking people who don't toe the line on what's "acceptable" to discuss in your opinion?

Perhaps this Group should ask an Administrator to post a thread asking for member feedback -- ??

[Bolo Boffin]

29. You noticed the word "temporary" in the title?

That was during the beta testing a couple of weeks ago. Now that the site went live, I and all other temporary hosts were decommissioned.

We're now in the process of discussing whether we need a more permanent host and how that would work. As someone interested in the discussion, your input there would be welcome.

[Remember Me]

30. Yeah, I saw it. Did you not also indicate in interest in permanent status?

And go on to talk about how you would comport yourself?

If you have ANY interest in the "job" or any inclination to pursue it, I'd appreciate a response to my questions. Otherwise, what's this OP DOING here??

[Bolo Boffin]

31. This OP was here to explain what was going on then.

Don't vote for me, please. Thanks.

[Remember Me]

32. Okay, I'm going to ask you to

forgive me for my over-reaction.

I have some very bad history elsewhere that I'm dragging along with me here where people were expected to be objective and even-handed and decidedly were NOT, and .... on and on.

I've since seen your other posts about whether or not this group even needs a host, and several other places, and my post above was simply out of line -- mostly ill-informed, but out of line nonetheless.

I apologize.

[Bolo Boffin]

33. Thank you.

No problem, and I hope you'll join in the discussion.

[Remember Me]

34. Well, I already have, haven't i?

[RZM]

35. I think you should post in the host application thread and become host here

I think you have the 'consensus' that Skinner requires.

[Bolo Boffin]

36. Thanks, but

I was going to post a host voting thread after the weekend is up. We already have a few names, but we're not getting a lot of participation in the discussion threads here. There's no rush to get a host here, and it's too sensitive a group for me to do something like going to claim it.

[RZM]

37. Compared to some of the other groups

It seems to me this one is doing pretty well. Very well, actually.

[Lithos]

38. FYI, I have asked to be made host

Skinner had said he was going to do so... No idea of the delay...

[maddezmom]

39. looks like you are now

if you need any help, I'm happy to cohost as well.

[Bolo Boffin]

40. Well, looks like that vote thread will be unnecessary. n/t

[BeFree]

41. well

You could always resign.

Do you really want to be the host?

There has been no consensus about this action and there is a thread discussing the action.

Do we really need to jump the shark and start off right where DU2 left off?

Or can we now have a group that is a really fresh start?

And... can we now question you as we would any other member?

Thanks. You being a mod at the old was a tough job. But a job I would have done very differently. Is it ok to say that now?

[zappaman]

43. "everything the mainstream media and government agencies say is fact"

Who thinks that?
Who has ever said anything even remotely close to that?