Topics That Get Deleted

[76eldo]

Recently there was a topic relating to the Self Starter that got deleted as it was deemed to be "disparaging".

All I can say is that on occasion things need to be brought up that may not be pleasing to all concerned.  This is a discussion board.  Sometimes discussions go in all different ways and as long as there is no foul language (there wasn't) and no disparaging remarks directed to a member or a member's car (there wasn't), I think that the moderators should relax a bit.  After all, if things are not brought to someone's attention how will they know that there was an issue that bothered a member?  Don't we want to retain members and bring in new members?

Just for clarity, I did not start the thread but I did make a few comments.  Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to send a message directly to someone at the Self Starter but there was nothing wrong with the post in my opinion.

Brian

[Scot Minesinger]

I agree

[johnregrus]

A moderator is a thankless job and I wouldn't want it. That said I agree with your statement that they should lighten up.

We have lost some great contributors to this forum when they have gotten angry over a moderators decision to delete posts.

Lou C. was one of them who left and self deleted most of the posts he had made over the years and I miss his knowledge. He has helped me a lot.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Lou C left the Forum, and removed his posts simply because he didn't want to comply with the Rules of Posting.

He figured that with everything he was posting, especially the restoration pictures of his car, there was a possibility that some heinous person could locate his residence, and steal his nearly-completed car.   He stated this at the time he departed.

The International Membership has almost all the Members names and addresses, and what vehicles they own, including telephone numbers, listed be State and Country, so it wouldn't be hard for anyone to find out where someone lives.

When the Moderators are informed that "Posts" are of a concern to another Member, then we are obliged to consider the notification, and address the situation.

Yes, we have a thankless job, yet sometimes we are congratulated for what we do, and yes, we have received positive messages for removing the SS thread.

Bruce.

[Jeff Wilk]

So then where on this Forum are members allowed to voice opinions?  What section?  How phrased?  Or is a different view simply not wanted. I’ve recently seen this on another Club site where a fairly significant Club change was made and the membership base was not widely asked for input.

The whole thing makes one question what to do. I fully agree with keeping language clean, keeping photos and graphics the same way, and not attacking anyone (look how many times Ive stood up for the craftsmanship of restomods). But why in the world does a posting asking why a customized (even if only slightly) ‘70’s Cadillac belong as a cover car get deemed to have crossed the line and thus removed?

[cadillacmike68]

OK, before this one gets flushed as well.

I, for one, Liked the picture on the March cover (had to wait a week to see what the fuss was all about because mine was late in arriving).  To be honest, when I first bought my 1970 Fleetwood Brougham back in 1980, it had that Same strip with stand up ornament and not knowing any better back then I thought they All came that way. It also had a right side mirror which I also thought was the norm, because all the then current Cadillacs had both stand up ornaments and dual outside mirrors, and who was I, then a sophomore in college, with not even enough money to step in a yugo dealership (yeah, there were no yugos back then), let alone a cadillac dealership, to figure out what was going on.

Well, 18 years later when I bought the 1968 DeVille Convertible and saw that had neither a right side mirror nor a stand up ornament, I decided to rectify both of those wrongs forthwith.

And I just applied a brushed stainless rectangular DeVille script (from 1967 I think) on the dashboard above the glove box. I have a similar item for the 1996 Fleetwood Brougham, off of my 1970 FWB.

[mario]

He figured that with everything he was posting, especially the restoration pictures of his car, there was a possibility that some heinous person could locate his residence, and steal his nearly-completed car.   He stated this at the time he departed.

And therein lies the reason many did not want to use their real names. But that didn't matter to the powers that be. They said, "their way or the highway."

Ciao,
Mario Caimotto

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello ,
   I am the guy that started that post . And i was disappointed  because i looked forward to seeing the 50 year anniversary .  And hoped i would see a stock Coupe De ville in the article . The first reply was aggressive  towards me Personally . As if to say how dare you question what was on the cover of the self starter. Then it went into how i was using this platform to criticize another members car . And how i am rude and mean .  I Didn't see the Self Starter  defending me when i was attacked by another member .  And Bruce your responce Defending the Self Starter just a few post before was 90% on why Lou C. left .  You didn't touch base on the question at all .  And the question is how come our opinion doesn't count when we see a huge mistake made by the Selft Starter .  I have been on this forum for 14 years and enjoyed ever minute of it until i questioned  why wasn't there a stock 1970 Coupe De ville in the issue . And why  this car with numerous  modification was on the front cover .

      Bill Balkie

 

[cadillacmike68]

Hello ,
   I am the guy that started that post . And i was disappointed  because i looked forward to seeing the 50 year anniversary .  And hoped i would see a stock Coupe De ville in the article . The first reply was aggressive  towards me Personally . As it to say how dare you question what was on the cover of the self starter. Then it went into how i was using this platform to criticize another members car . And how i am rude and mean .  I Didn't see the Self Starter  defending me when i was attacked by another member .  And Bruce your responce Defending the Self Starter just a few post before was 90% on why Lou C. left .  You didn't touch base on the question at all .  And the question is how come our opinion doesn't count when we see a huge mistake made by the Selft Starter .  I have been on this forum for 14 years and enjoyed ever minute of it until i questioned  why wasn't there a stock 1970 Coupe De ville in the issue . And why  this car with numerous  modification was on the front cover .

      Bill Balkie

Why was it a mistake?? What Numerous "modifications" There was a standup on the hood, so what??? It makes the car look Better.

[76eldo]

Here’s why.

The CLC has standards for judging of stock original cars.  Members that participate in the Grand Nationals go to great lengths to research authenticity and restore their cars for competitive judging in the various classes.

No one is knocking what an individual does with their own car but of you are doing an issue on the 1970 model year and since there are so many 1970’s out there it was felt by many members that a more original or authentic car should have been used.

By stating an opinion on this I don’t think it’s being rude or disrespectful to the owner of the car or the editors of the publication. It’s just giving them feedback and something to consider going forward.

[Highwayman68]

When the Moderators are informed that "Posts" are of a concern to another Member, then we are obliged to consider the notification, and address the situation.

Bruce.

Hi Bruce,

I think that it would help tremendously if you explain how the Moderators are "informed" that a post is of concern to another member.

Are you contacted directly by a member? Is this simply a Moderator making the personal decision that they see another member has a concern with what others are posting and that in it's self is enough to make the decision?

Please do elaborate so it will be clear to all how this happens.

[druby]

The CLC has a Modified Chapter and has their own class for awards at the GN’s since 2017. Rarely does it publish these vehicles in the SS magazine. I myself love both stock and modified vehicle and can appreciate the work put into both. My question to Bill Balkie is, would it of made any difference to YOU, if the cover vehicle was featured in the center pages of the magazine or not. Seems like your biggest hang up is over the added stainless on the hood, but no complaints on the added stainless molding added to Scot Minsinger’s red 70 Convertible that was featured in the line up. Many in this club have different views on said topics, we all should respect that. A ton of work goes into selecting topics, writing articles, editing and getting the SS magazine out in a timely fashion. With that being said, can’t we all just get along !

[Bill Balkie 24172]

The March Self Starter was wonderful , I loved every thing about it . Have a nice day

[76eldo]

I started this topic only to look for a little more leeway in having discussion that may have a dissenting opinion, not to reopen the debate on the particular cover of this month's publication.

That is all I was trying to bring out.

Brian

[wrench]

The March Self Starter was wonderful , I loved every thing about it . Have a nice day

See? Torture is effective in eliciting a confession!

Darn, and I swore to myself I wasn’t gonna post on this topic.

I avoided it at least 3 different threads.

Although when someone posted the pic of the sawzall, I was gonna thank them for the idea on how to get rid of the redundant standup ornament someone put on my ‘69 Eldo back in the day...

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Most of the time, we (the moderators) are contacted by members who think (sometimes rightly, sometimes ) about a post. Sometimes it's as simple as a post being in the wrong section, others have a real concern.

To try to explain how the car might have gotten on the cover... (As one of the very few who have been responsible for an issue of the S/S, I think I'm entitled...) Jeff and Tim don't live their lives like you and I do. They might sneak a day off now and then, but most of the time, they juggle days, hours, and possibly even minutes in the present, and much of the time, days that are months in advance of the present, they have to remember what they did a year, or even three years ago.

"Did we have an article about this recently? When was the last time we featured a 1941? Has Joe Blow's car been on the cover before?

As far as the lack of a 1970 CDV in the copy of the article, it most likely was SPACE. Editors live and die trying to fit all they can into a magazine and still have room for ads that pay the bills.  Very likely, you guys with 1970 CDVs may not have sent enough "good" pictures in for them to use. But who gets blamed for that. THEY DO!

They may have had enough pictures, but all of them were of gold cars. Or white ones. Or pink ones. There are two of them and thousands of other members. Now and then, they're going to goof.

Why don't you guys with 1970 CDVs that are unaltered send enough pictures in to the Forum to satisfy Bill and we can go on to something else.

[druby]

You are so correct Barry, not to mention many complaints come from members, not all come from those who just sit around and think it’s the next persons responsibility to volunteer information or time. This includes participating on a regional level as well.

[Scot Minesinger]

It is impossible to make everyone happy all of the time - previously famously quoted with different phraseology.

Opinions cannot be exchanged without some offense because they are different.  It should not get caustic.  Moderators do have a tough job, and thank you for doing this most often thankless task.

This is the best SS ever for me since two of my 1970 Cadillacs are in it - thanks you SS staff!

I posted last year when the SS featured 1969 Cadillacs and showed a 1970 Fleetwood, and that was not deleted.  Going forward, probably is best if possible to only feature cars that are owned by members rather than brochure type pictures of the era.  That is not always easy though and we need members cooperation.

[wrefakis]

I am not aware of any true totally original 70 coupes in the club

I confess in 76 I had a 70 coupe with emblem and Fleetwood rocker while I waited to get my 76 Fleetwood

this authenticity issue is a waste of time, enjoy your car the way you like it

As an aside I think the moderator has a continental kit on a 72 Eldo?

I know the owner of the cover car,
nice guy long time in the hobby

myself, yes they have to be untouched originals that I do not drive


live and let live

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Hi Bruce,
I think that it would help tremendously if you explain how the Moderators are "informed" that a post is of concern to another member.
Are you contacted directly by a member? Is this simply a Moderator making the personal decision that they see another member has a concern with what others are posting and that in it's self is enough to make the decision?
Please do elaborate so it will be clear to all how this happens.   

G'day Mark,

In every post on the Message Board, at the bottom right corner, there is a couple of words, saying "Report to moderator".

When a Member, for any reason, has an issue with a post, whether it be a complaint about it being in the wrong place, being of an offensive nature, Questioning a Judge, or whatever, they simply have to "hit" those words "Report to moderator", and then type in a message as to why they were reporting the "thing" to the Moderators, and press "Send".

This generates an instant email to each and every Moderator and Administrator bringing notice that that Member is advising of their reason for needing the Moderators to see something that they haven't seen.

The first Moderator that opens up the email usually handles the issue that was brought up, and in some cases, collaborates with fellow moderators before making the decision on which way to "handle" said issue.

We Moderators and Administrators, take our designated task very seriously, and endeavour to uphold the Forum Rules, which are simple and basic, and whenever we make a decision, our name is there for all to see as to who actually hit the right buttons and caused the "edit" or whatever the result was.   There is no mention of names on our back and forth discussions to indicate the said discussions, just one name.

Nobody apart from the person Reporting to the Moderators, and the Moderators/Administrators, is made aware of who the "Reporter" is, and that is how it will always remain.

Lastly, Moderators do not make "personal" decisions with regard to posts.   As I said before, we have rules to follow, and if these Rules weren't followed, then we soon wouldn't be doing what we are doing.

Now I am going to go into my garage/workshop, and complete the repairs on a '71 Cadillac Steering Column, and possibly replace the front Calipers and hoses in my '72.

Bruce.  

PS.   I hope I haven't left anything out.