[Bob Kuczewski]

Ernie ("eagle") has flagged 4 posts in his Blog topic "the Eagle" as follows:

Bob's Post: https://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php ... 900#p36392
Ernie's request: take your crap off my BLOG you a** hole

Ernie's Post: https://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php ... 900#p36395
Ernie's request: BOB refuses to answer questions

Bob's Post: https://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php ... 900#p36397
Ernie's request: This is witness tampering

Ernie's Post: https://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php ... 900#p36404
Ernie's request: I would like to block comments from BOB K . stay off my blog

For reference, these are the current Blog Forum Rules (I've added numbers for reference in this discussion):

Blog Forum Rules

1. This forum is for Blogs related to the sport of Hang Gliding (please start non-hang gliding blogs in the Free Speech Zone).

2. Each Blog is a topic started by an individual and moderated by that same individual.

3. The first post in each Blog topic must state the purpose and rules of that Blog. Please abide by these rules.

4. If the Blog rules for a topic don't invite other people to post, then please don't post if you're not the person who started the Blog.

5. Any posts that a Blog creator wishes to have removed will be moved to the "Removed Posts" topic inside this Blog forum.

6. Bloggers, please contact me by Personal Message (PM) if you want any posts removed from your Blog topics.

7. Blogs may be moved to the Free Speech Zone if they are judged to be unrelated to hang gliding or if they are judged to be taking advantage of these blogging rules to make statements about other people without giving them a chance to reply.

Thanks for everyone's cooperation!!    

This particular Blog has only one rule defined:

"Spirit Hawk will be Posting Pics from Time to Time ~ Comments are Welcome ~ Enjoy ~"

So there is no violation of the third or fourth rules. However, the seventh rule is important in this case. Ernie has made statements about other people (myself) in his Blog and is asking to have my replies removed. According to the Blog Rules, this is not allowed, and Ernie's Blog should be moved to the Free Speech Zone if he is attempting to use the Blog the rules to make statements about others without giving them a chance to reply.

I think there are at least two alternatives that would comply with our rules:

1. We could move Ernie's Blog to the Free Speech Zone. This places certain limits on the visibility of his Blog which he may not like (search engines are discouraged from cataloging topics in the Free Speech Zone).
2. We could move only the offending posts and associated replies to the Free Speech Zone and issue a warning that the Blog Rules can't be used to say things about people without giving them a chance to reply.

I recommend option 2 since it is less disruptive to the Forum. But I think we should entertain discussions before any vote.

[JoeF]

Many healthy forums have learned that moderation is not censorship. It’s curating a space for productive conversation. Abusive posts erode free exchange rather than protect it.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Many healthy forums have learned that moderation is not censorship. It’s curating a space for productive conversation. Abusive posts erode free exchange rather than protect it.

Thank you Joe. Your post and your phone call has helped me make the appropriate decision.

Thanks also to Craig who also helped me by his time on the phone.

Ernie ("eagle") has made it clear that he is not posting about hang gliding or posting to promote hang gliding. He has stated very clearly that he is posting to "destroy" people and their reputations. This is evident from these text messages that Ernie has sent to me in recent days:

so it's fu** you Bob till you square up with me and I will come after your reputation and he want to get Friends Frank and Joe involved attacking me I will go after them too so fu** you Bob

You got x amount of time just straighten it out with me or I'm going to bend you over like a little bitch and butt fu** you in a court of law so you make up your mind you fu**ing prick you turn your back on me again and I'll fu**ing do everything I can to put you out of business you and Frank and your little gang of fu**ers fu** you Bob you fu**ing punk ... you want to fight me I will knock you fu**ing out

so fu** you I'm coming after your reputation you piece of s***

Your reputation in La Jolla is dirt it's going to be fu** you when I'm done with you I will destroy you and your bulls*** story motherfu**er

so fu** you Bob and I am coming after your reputation

The U.S. Hawks Board has subsequently voted that these statements by Ernie reveal a motivation behind his posts that is inconsistent with the goals and purposes of the U.S. Hawks forum. As a result of this finding, temporary bans have been instituted and all of the related posts have been removed which makes this topic moot.

Thanks for your time Joe and Craig.