Political and Military Posts on Hammock Forums [Archive] - Hammock Forums - Hammocks and hammock camping

Just Jeff

12-03-2010, 15:33

Friends,

Hammock Forums has always had a strict rule against political and religious posts. This has normally applied to issues that most members can agree are contentious...gun rights and carry laws, differences in religion, political elections and candidates, etc. As we've said several times, this isn't about First Amendment rights but about keeping this particular site respectful and on-topic.

As the site has grown, however, other topics have begun to generate more political posts...particularly the military appreciation threads. I'm a veteran and I've volunteered to deploy again this summer, so I appreciate the support on a personal level as well as a patriotic level. However, the military's role in society and the proper level of support for its members are certainly political viewpoints. In the past, most HF membership was American and had similar views on the topic, so we had no contentious threads about it. Today, we have a growing international membership and a wider array of political opinions.

If we allow HF members to post support for the military, it would only be fair to let the differing opinions be posted as well...and that would quickly degenerate into political discussion, and probably result in a heated and emotional thread that would spill over into the other subforums (as we experienced on whiteblaze.net before starting this site). Since HF's mission is to provide a friendly community to discuss hammocks, discussion of the military detracts from our primary objective. From this point forward, we will consider threads about the military to be political in nature, and will remove them accordingly.

As I've said several times in similar posts, such policies are not geared toward restricting anyone's freedom of speech, and they're not made from any sense of political correctness. We started HF to discuss hammocks and we plan to maintain that singular focus as much as possible. All of Hammock Forums' mods are in agreement - no matter what we think about the military or its members, HammockForums.net is not the proper place to discuss it. Please cooperate with this new policy.

Thanks,

The HF Mod Staff

Syb

12-03-2010, 15:45

Leave all that others stuff at the door. Let's get our hammock on!

Syb

Beast 71

12-03-2010, 16:30

Can we still discuss G.I. ponchos and poncho liners? ;)

Trooper

12-03-2010, 16:33

Thanks for your Service...to this forum.

Danalex

12-03-2010, 16:54

:thumbup1:

JayS

12-03-2010, 17:04

Well said, Jeff. I am sure that was a hard decision to make but I think it is the right decision. I appreciate the moderators taking the lead on things such as this before anyone gets offended.

seuss

12-03-2010, 17:10

Thanks for leading from the front.

gunner76

12-03-2010, 17:14

As a retired military person I have no problem with the decision

Sailor

12-03-2010, 17:18

Did JJ just leave the door open to talk about the Navy?

nacra533

12-03-2010, 17:25

I am as patriotic as the next guy and support your decision.

Poppabear

12-03-2010, 17:56

Jeff you and the whole Mod team do a great job. As a HF member and retired military. I support this action and applaud your efforts to keep the focus where it should be.

pedro

12-03-2010, 17:58

Did JJ just leave the door open to talk about the Navy?

I think that we can talk about the use of hammocks in the Navy.:rolleyes:

Seriously, good call Mods!

Dutch

12-03-2010, 18:00

JJ you are the perfect person to mention this

krugd

12-03-2010, 18:12

Thanks for the great job that you and the other mods do. Sounds like the correct decision to me. :thumbup:

joggerjohn

12-03-2010, 18:17

I use my hammock in the woods to escape from the world of global politics.

waddy

12-03-2010, 18:30

Vietnam era vet here. Bravo on your decision!!

islander

12-03-2010, 18:38

Great job all around, Moderators & Forum members.
This is the reason I enjoy the forum so much. :thumbup:

BlazeAway

12-03-2010, 18:47

Finally some sense. Well spoken Just Jeff. May God bless and protect you on your coming deployment.
And a big, big thanks to you guys running HF and to all those contributing to the sharing of hammock related issues.
So lets keep up the steam and stay on course.
In gratitude
I remain
Blaze

Law Dawg (ret)

12-03-2010, 18:51

Finally some sense. Well spoken Just Jeff. May God bless and protect you on your coming deployment.

Great, more tea on the monitor. :rolleyes::laugh:

Rain Man

12-03-2010, 22:35

Did JJ just leave the door open to talk about the Navy?

No. He made an "admirable" decision and announcement! :lol:

... which took a lot of bravery and character, IMHO.

I salute the good call.

Rain Man

.

Browny

12-03-2010, 23:35

As usual, the HF folk have taken steps to minimise possible future issues with some polite yet decisive action. Forethought and (not necessarily so)common sense in good measure.

This place is one of very few on the interwebs, Thank You.

rip waverly

12-03-2010, 23:41

i come here for the relaxed learned community. politics is not relaxing. the hammock is.
THANKS JJ

mountain_man_mike

12-04-2010, 00:23

I must have been asleep and not noticed the off topic posts (and I do hope I was not a part of that), but thank you mods for keeping the focus.

Happy Trails to all... this is one fantastic forum filled with a mess of smart, friendly and funny as can be folks.

Shug

12-04-2010, 00:32

Good call Jeff.
Lets talk hammocks and where we hang them and what we do when we are hanging and hanging stuff we make ourselves and hammock adventures we dream of.
Shug

Bradley

12-04-2010, 00:47

i come here for the relaxed learned community. politics is not relaxing. the hammock is.
THANKS JJDit . . . Dit . . . Dit . . . Ditto

. . . this is one fantastic forum filled with . . . funny as can be folks.
I kinda agree . . . 'cept I'm thinkin' some could be a little more than;
Funny As Can Be . . . I think there are those that are holding back a little . . .:D

Good call Jeff.
Lets talk hammocks and where we hang them and what we do when we are hanging and hanging stuff we make ourselves
and hammock adventures we dream of.
Shug
I dream of cool sunny days . . . nar'y a bug nor a mean critter . . .

a place where everywhere you went you could have a campfire and no forest fires . . .

Around every bend another water way, with an awaiting canoe for any who'd please to use . . .

Warm waterfalls with clear pools for bathing . . .

A place . . . a place . . .

with a different fruit tree beside each of those canoes . . .

And every second day we would come across an esspresso cafe . . .

:scared: . . . Whooa Buddy quick stop me . . . :lol:

Hangin' Burrito

12-04-2010, 05:15

Jeff you and the whole Mod team do a great job. As a HF member and retired military. I support this action and applaud your efforts to keep the focus where it should be.

i come here for the relaxed learned community. politics is not relaxing. the hammock is.
THANKS JJ

Well spoken guys!:thumbup1:

Veto 65

12-04-2010, 06:15

I'm glad I missed the thread that triggered this thread. Thanks JJ for the "Guiding us back to the right trail" thread.

Self discipline is what is needed here, so we all can enjoy things that we commonly enjoy on this forum.

Debi Jaytee

12-04-2010, 06:23

i come here for the relaxed learned community. politics is not relaxing. the hammock is.
THANKS JJ

exactly!! Thanks on the good call Jeff!!

Peter_pan

12-04-2010, 08:04

The decision is fine...

Somewhat ironic that the most significant portion of our history... hammocks in the woods.... is in no small amount pioneered by the military with the development and wide spread use of jungle hammocks and use of hammocks in the pacific community of WWII and the jungles of VN...And as in all transitions back to peacetime, the military brought their hammock experiance to the world at large...

Tom Hennessy tells the story of his early use of military jungle hammocks.... then loosing his hammock... Then the quest to improve on its design... and finally the HHAsyms that we have today.

In 2003 I used a modified and lightened M1965 Jungle Hammock on a AT section from Springer to Hot Springs...Because it dropped me in 6 inches of snow in Low Gap, the night of the storm (cord broke) it was replaced by a HHBULA in Hot Springs.

Heck... Among my hammock collection I still have a M1965.

I assume that as long as the discussion is on topic of the hammock, factual stories that military hammocks or the military applications of hammocks are still fine.

Please delete this post if it misses the mark.

Pan

MacEntyre

12-04-2010, 08:50

In 2003 I used a modified and lightened M1965 Jungle Hammock ...

Heck... Among my hammock collection I still have a M1965.
That was my first hammock in 2007, and I have mine as well!

Perhaps I will set it up next weekend when some of the Triad NC hangers visit.

Thank you for your service... to the hammock community, Pan!

Just Jeff

12-04-2010, 08:52

Historical posts about hammocks are fine...it's the posts that generate political discussion that don't belong.

Outer Island

12-04-2010, 09:02

I couldn't disagree more.

MacEntyre

12-04-2010, 09:04

I couldn't disagree more.
Please don't leave because of that.

We are all visitors here. We must respect the hosts. :cool:

[Now and then, we can kid them, but it has to be funny!]

canoebie

12-04-2010, 09:57

We have been hearing a lot in our national political discourse recently about finding "common threads." As one who has been involved professionally in mediation training I know how important this is to successful problem solving in marriages, organizations and institutions. HF is no exception.

I know because of my particular perspective on a lot of things that are discussed here outside of hammocks that I am in a minority on a lot of issues. I don't want those issues to interfere with my ability to learn, discuss, and engage other members in dialog that will result in my skill enhancement when it comes to all things hammocks. The common thread is hammocks.

That common thread does not negate in any way the positions, feelings, perspectives of anyone on the forum. There is the win. By focusing on our common thread, we respectfully learn from and support one another.

Thanks mods, this position is very helpful to my feeling a part of the forum community.

Redoleary

12-04-2010, 11:16

Good call Just Jeff.
If this were "What's your opinion on Politics, the Military and Religion? Forums.net" then maybe I could see allowing it. But as Canoebie put it Hammocks are the common thread here and that should be maintained. There are, in fact, other venues for expressing opinions on those subjects, wherein it would likely be viewed just as off topic or inappropriate to discuss hammocking.
Thanks for the preemptive strike and for such a fine Forum. :)

poker88

12-04-2010, 12:18

i come here for the relaxed learned community. politics is not relaxing. the hammock is.
THANKS JJ

Thanks mods, this position is very helpful to my feeling a part of the forum community.

+1

I think this is a great decision.

joggerjohn

12-04-2010, 12:24

Historical posts about hammocks are fine...it's the posts that generate political discussion that don't belong.
That is a wise decision.

Bearpaw

12-05-2010, 16:02

I hate this decision. That's my freedom of speech.

I still respect the folks that run the site and I'll abide by their decision. That's the self-restraint that makes freedom something worth having.

Tjalling

12-05-2010, 16:18

Jeff I totally agree and I hope this is not considered political statement.:unsure:

Tjalling

Law Dawg (ret)

12-05-2010, 22:46

I hate this decision. That's my freedom of speech.

Hoo boy do I have a great answer for your 1st Ammendment POV...but it would definately be political. Cause a bunch of heat and no light too. :lol:

joggerjohn

12-05-2010, 22:52

Jeff I totally agree and I hope this is not considered political statement.:unsure:

Tjalling

I don't believe that hanging around on this forum or hanging in your hammock would ever be considered as being a political statement.

Agfadoc

12-05-2010, 23:23

While I didn't see the initiating debate, as an Ex Marine, I sometimes have an overly aggressive personality... I do agree with this decision though, I have learned so much from everyone here and would hate to close any discussions from people that otherwise I could have learned from.

Besides, when I feel the need to play tag with my rabid opposition, I get much more satisfaction ripping them to shreds in their own playground.. but that's me.

This forum and it's subject matter happens to be my escape from that side of me, so I like to see it calm and friendly.

I think it's a good call.

mbiraman

12-06-2010, 01:30

Good job as usual Jeff. Thanks to you and all the Mod's.

miboso

12-07-2010, 15:36

Thanks mods for the generally (can I use "general") great job here.

While I thoroughly enjoy a rousing intellectual discussion of the issues of the day, the "intelluctual discussion" part is difficult to obtain and sustain, and I understand the desire to keep focused forums er, ah, well, "focused".

For those of you thinking that this rule violates your "freedom of speech", you are wrong, but I can't explain without at least approaching a violation of the new rule.

Just accept the conditions of those who "own" this forum, and please enjoy the camaraderie and knowledge available here.

Big Papi

12-07-2010, 16:01

I will respect the wishes of this wonderful site, but I will respectfully disagree. I think open discourse can be good. I frequent another site for paddling (kayaks/canoes). They have a nice site, full of info, helpfull people, etc..... a lot like this forum. but they also have a sub forum called b&b (bicker and banter) where it is more of a free for all. I really enjoy it there too, gives you an interesting look at the "other side".

Could this site do the same? yes, however, its ok if you don't. I'm gonna come here daily, and post and learn, and all that stuff anyway.

babelfish5

12-07-2010, 16:11

I suppose I should keep quiet about that bar fight with the Royal British Marines when I was in the military. Very political discussions beforehand.

I can respect the decision and can understand. Hammocks are not political. Hammocks are a way of life.

Law Dawg (ret)

12-07-2010, 16:31

...they also have a sub forum called b&b (bicker and banter) where it is more of a free for all. I really enjoy it there too, gives you an interesting look at the "other side".

Often times those can bleed over to the rest of the site and it definately makes things more difficult for the moderators to herd stray cats. There are plenty of sites where one can blast away and more then a few that wish it were not so...as in a site that got away from the mods. I am sorting out the limits here myself and it is not always so simple to do...I'll call this a good move on the part of HF mods with reservations. Reservations based on the mods being as consistent as possible.

Danalex

12-07-2010, 17:59

Excatly, there has to be consistency, not some posts being allowed to pass because a mod may agree with it.

Viewed in this light, this thread title may be pushing it a bit in a family forum, no?

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25522

muttly

12-07-2010, 18:16

Jeff, as I started reading you original thread, I was wonder where you were going with this. You followed on with sense and logic. I respect the opinions of those who may not totally agree. Respect has been a big part of why I enjoy this forum. I hope that no one feels disrespected and leaves this forum, it would a lesser place for it.

adkmcmahon

12-07-2010, 18:25

I'm proud to have served and proud to be a part of the forum, I support this decision.

BlazeAway

12-07-2010, 18:35

For those of you thinking that this rule violates your "freedom of speech", you are wrong, but I can't explain without at least approaching a violation of the new rule.

Its not a new rule. Its been in effect since at least 9/10/08.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4168

kc7fys

12-07-2010, 18:40

Hey. I'm a language instructor and that post was dang well written prose!
Tut tut! :cool:

Just Jeff

12-07-2010, 18:50

BEAS

12-07-2010, 19:08

I sure disagree with this one! I understand that there are rules and I will abide.
I completely enjoy this site and strangely find myself thinking of yall as friends. That is really weird since I have only met 2 members of this site in person. I find myself on this site numerous times a day. Most everytime I sit down at the computer I check what is new.

Thank you to any of you that may deserving.

Beas

oldgringo

12-07-2010, 19:38

I hate all of these rules. Almost as much as I hate talk radio foodfights.

It's all about degrees...

bigred72

12-07-2010, 19:56

If I agree with JJ, is that considered political? BTW I completely agree.....and I have some very strong opinions about many things and I served in the U.S. Army as well...yet I come here to talk about the greatest camping known to man (and women for that matter).....hammock camping and I leave 'it' at the door.

Hawk-eye

12-07-2010, 20:10

I hate all of these rules. Almost as much as I hate talk radio foodfights.

It's all about degrees...

Amen to that Dave ... oops ... I mean 10-4! ;)

GIDDYUP

12-07-2010, 20:26

Yeah leave all that stuff outa here!

Now on a more important note,
has anyone ever heard of Amway? :lol:

GOLFER

12-07-2010, 20:44

I will say I agree and will abide by the rules . honestly I watch and listen and pay a lot of attention to all sorts of news about politics and this forum allows me a much needed break from all that @#$^!!!!!
I changed wireless providers and now have the iphone and it allows checking this forum to see whats going on with other peoples adventures or trying to learn how to make something. For crying out loud I bought a thread injector because of this forum, (hahaha). Should see my wifes face when I open up the cabinet to start making something . She calls me Mr. Stewart.
What I'm getting at, is that this place is a great break for my brain to relax and chat with people whom i don't know, about things other than politics which usually turn argumentitive anyway.
so with that I bid adu

Danalex

12-07-2010, 21:54

Thank you to any of you that may deserving. Beas

Kind of backhanded compliment isn't it :rolleyes:

Kind of like what I used to tell the EX "I appologise for everything I've done wrong, real or imagined" :lol:

joggerjohn

12-07-2010, 22:28

Politics always turns me off. I run away from it and hang in my hammock every night.

jloden

12-07-2010, 23:06

When I first joined the forum I was surprised at how strictly moderated it is compared to most forums. I was a little nonplussed at first, BUT, it wasn't long before I realized that -likely due in part to this policy - this is by far the friendliest, most courteous and pleasant forum I've ever been part of.

I spend so much time on here not just because of the informative and entertaining posts, but also because it's just enjoyable to be around such a great group. I appreciate all the mods do to keep this site that way and I think that in context of HammockForums this decision makes a lot of sense. There are many other places to wax political, and I completely agree that keeping focus on our common interest(s) here is the way to go.

Thanks for a great forum - both the mods and the members!

miboso

12-08-2010, 02:24

Hammocks are not political.Except for the WBBB, of course, with their penchant to go only either left or right:lol:

Law Dawg (ret)

12-08-2010, 11:44

Except for the WBBB, of course, with their penchant to go only either left or right:lol:

Tea on the monitor!

With the WBBB you can go to the center but it is not comfortable and you won't stay there long. ;)

MacEntyre

12-08-2010, 19:14

...you can go to the center but it is not comfortable and you won't stay there long. ;)
Law Dawg, add "...in the garden" at the end, and that sounds like a Chauncy Gardiner quote. :lol:

eflat7

12-09-2010, 14:17

I love HF because it is neutral. I'm sick of hearing about it all. I just want to talk about fun stuff.

Winchester52

12-11-2010, 23:41

I love HF because it is neutral. I'm sick of hearing about it all. I just want to talk about fun stuff.

Funny, I read through the complete thread and it seemed like most all had my same thoughts. THEN, I get to the last post it was a perfect quote. With my exact feelings to the letter.

Thanks Mods and Members. This is a great venue to learn and make new friends.

SandhillsSR

12-13-2010, 19:39

MacEntyre

12-13-2010, 19:53

Welcome, SandhillsSR!

Thank you for your... presence!

Winchester52

12-29-2010, 21:07

I'm new to these forums but have 22 years active Army under me. Going to AFG in the spring and then retiring. I like these forums to get away from all the political crap and dissolve into the "Hammocking scene” If I wanted to rant politically, there are plenty of other sites that I could go to and type away. My .02 cents since this forum is someone else’s house and I'll be polite while I'm visiting.

I second that "Thanks for your presence" and thanks for your service".

Good friend of mine just retired 22 yrs Army at Ft Lewis on 11 Dec 2010 and took a contractor job in Iraq and left the 15th. He is training Ugandian Soldiers for security detail in Iraq. Skype is a wonderful way to communicate when your in overseas now. All we had was "Mars Station" and that was pretty good for that time.

Barefoot Child

12-29-2010, 21:49

After a few weeks of much thought...sounds like something taught in CI training. I hope I remained grey enough.

The only comment that comes to mind is...."I have no comment."

Red Wing

12-29-2010, 22:00

You a fellow Huachucanite Barefoot Child? That'd be weird considering I'm from Lansing and did three years in E.R.

MAD777

12-29-2010, 22:32

I cannot praise the mods on this forum enough! It is their diligence that has made this forum the friendly hang-out that it is. There are plenty of example of other forums gone wild after beginning with a specific focus. Even WhiteBlaze can be a bit rough & tumble for the thin-skinned.

Policies like this seem to have a natural tendency to cause the troublesome types to get bored and wander away, leaving the kinder, gentler folks behind to enjoy themselves.

In my opinion, there are no freedom of speech issues in this, as there are an abundance of places on the internet to discuss what one will.

Keep up the good work, mods.

wildcrafter

12-29-2010, 22:37

You a fellow Huachucanite Barefoot Child? That'd be weird considering I'm from Lansing and did three years in E.R.

and E.R. made you run all the way to Ohio :scared:

Red Wing

12-30-2010, 00:46

and E.R. made you run all the way to Ohio :scared:

haha, can you blame me? Honestly I was just tired of the goose crap everywhere.

Red Wing

12-30-2010, 00:50

Actually when I lived in E.R. it was rated the best town or second best town to raise a family in michigan, I was reluctant to leave but you gotta do what you gotta do. Some GREAT memories growin' up in E.R.

To be honest I'm amazed there's someone fromthere on here. I never run into people from there. I used to live on W. Plain st. and down across from the highschool inthose little crappy apts. Eaton Arms.

wildcrafter

12-30-2010, 13:03

well actualy i grew up in charlotte and while i have and er address i am closer to onondaga. Its not a bad place to be but you know how small towns are everyone knows everyones bussiness.

Just Jeff

12-30-2010, 14:06

Probably time to take that conversation to PMs...thanks! :jj:

mbiraman

12-30-2010, 14:14

mwig50

12-31-2010, 20:08

I am brand new here and really like this forum. I don't see how anyone can walk onto someones private property and claim Freedom of Speech. Your house, your rules, thanks for having me :D

Fishpig

02-05-2011, 09:37

New to hangin, new to the forum. No TV, No Newspaper, No radio. I don't see the need. But thats my choice. I just want to learn more about Hammock Camping. Thanx for the policy.
I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I'm not.

02-05-2011, 10:08

We like you anyway. Welcome. :)

Old River Rat

02-05-2011, 11:40

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I'm not.

It is my opinion that people who live by this are mostly loved . . . or at the very least, respected.

Welcome.

easyriver

02-05-2011, 20:08

Oh my, this forum is going to be such a joy compared to a certain motorcyle forum that I am a member of.

My first experience with a hammock (mick)was whilst in the Royal Canadian Navy, aboard HMCS Cape Scott in the late 60's. We used to think it was great fun to sleep on the open upper deck in the waters off Bermuda. Yep great fun til we got one of those middle of the night tropical rainstorms! Sure put a damper on that routine.:lol:

slowhike

02-05-2011, 20:23