Unverified Members posting vile messages and responses. What can be done?

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:00:04 -0500

I don't want to single out any group or any member on RallyPoint, but I am not a fan of unverified members (or any members) blasting away at others. Freedom of Speech. You all have earned it and it is a constitutional freedom. HOWEVER, This is a closely monitored, privately owned and operated professional military forum. You will be in accordance with RP 3-1 especially when it comes to your treatment of other members. There is disagreeing with each other, and then there is calling others "inbred animal rapists." If you don't agree with someone, RallyPoint has given you the "down vote" option. If you find yourself in down voting battles, I AGAIN BEG YOU to take the following actions: #1: Never give someone power over you by letting them get you mad. Disengage! #2: Take a break from the thread. You don't have to get in the last word to be correct, nor is it your responsibility to force other people to see your point of view. #3: Act like the professionals that you are. If you slander everyone and down vote others (or continually get down-voted), feel free to email the admins about it, but you might not get the response you are hoping for. #4: Remember, we will not suspend another verified member for their point of view, no matter how ridiculous it is, as long as they are respectful of other members (again, see RP 3-1). Freedom of speech does not just include intelligent speech unfortunately....lol. #5: Please remember that not all members are as experienced, educated, or intellectually stimulating as you are. #6: Most importantly, continue to help policing up the site for the benefit of all of us. When you see those bogus member names continue to report them. Unverified members are usually legit, even after a year, and RallyPoint determines their access and posting/voting capabilities. Member admins enforce the policies in place, we don't make decisions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 5:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:55:13 -0500

To me, this is a trusted community, it's a shame that there are trollers like that here.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 5:56 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:56:13 -0500

The maxim I drilled my last LT on; he who gets angry first, loses.

(The corollary is that there is nothing wrong with driving your opponent to lose, but remember that you'll probably still have to work with that person.)

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 5:58 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:58:04 -0500

Excellent post, SFC Mark Merino. It's chock full of good advice. I especially like the part about disengaging. That simple act could end the back-and-forth of personal attacks.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 6:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 18:11:03 -0500

SFC Mark Merino, thanks for reminding me of #5!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 25 at 2015 7:38 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 19:38:44 -0500

SFC Mark Merino great post. We an all stand some civility and mutual policing.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jan 25 at 2015 9:11 PM

1SG David Niles — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:11:08 -0500

Get em verified, also think it is a little creepy havin anonymous service members checking me out

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Jan 25 at 2015 11:07 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:07:29 -0500

Mebbe being obviously old and obviously grouchy scares them off. Haven't had the problem on this system (yet).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 11:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:17:56 -0500

I feel like I've missed something and am very thankful for it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we've got some great admins volunteering their time to police this site. I may or may not have a slight RP addiction and as such check the site fairly regularly, so the fact that I have no idea what exactly catalyzed the creation of this topic speaks volumes as to how on point our admins are.

Response by SPC Larry Buck made Jan 25 at 2015 11:20 PM

SPC Larry Buck — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:20:08 -0500

Oh captain my captain! Well SFC anyway! Good speech & a commedation

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 9:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 09:28:40 -0500

Inbred Jed's animal raping ... at your service! Easy fix. Do not allow unverified, unknown infiltrators into this community! It was my understanding no one could view, post or engage without a verified DD-214 submission. If anyone can gain access, it's open season on all of us. THAT is unacceptable.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 10:21 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 10:21:17 -0500

I am a veteran and have seen this. You don't come out of a discussion forum talking about saluting LTs unscathed.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jan 26 at 2015 10:22 AM

SSG John Erny — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 10:22:40 -0500

Well, you can't fix stupid but you can hit them with the Ban Hammer

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jan 26 at 2015 2:04 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:04:37 -0500

I tend to look at any unverified as a guest. As a guest, they are entitled to their opinion but should realize that it is just their opinion. If the guest becomes unruly, impolite, or outright derisive I figure I am not obligated to respond and the door is just behind them, they can show themselves out without further issue. Professionalism within these walls is an accepted 'norm' for those of us who frequently comment, guide, listen, instruct, and commiserate here.

If they continue to act as a guest and refuse to be verified, I see no reason to feed their fifteen minutes of fame and move on.