Hell of a Way to Start a Day

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I went out and played hockey late last night, crashed about 3 a.m. and didn't check in on Inline Hockey Central before hitting the pillow. Big mistake. I woke up to a disturbing phone message about a certain topic on IHC and several e-mail messages letting me know that there was a big problem.

Anyway, let's all calm down here, if possible. Last I checked, inline hockey was a game. People had fun playing it. Now, at least in certain areas of IHC's Forums section, it's a war.

Controversial topics can be very fun and interesting to read. Personal attacks, accusations of computer hacking and threats of lawsuits are not.

I created Inline Hockey Central with Jon Niola in 1998 because I'd spent nearly a decade playing inline hockey and writing about the sport. I thought that without the printing and distribution costs of a magazine, I could make a good living off the site and have a lot of fun. For the most part, I've had a lot of fun.

Whether it's because I'm not a salesman, or because the hockey industry in general has not supported Inline Hockey Central in any reasonable degree (for whatever reason), IHC has been much more of a hobby than a way to make a living.

I'm an editor, but I've become a babysitter, and I don't like it. I miss being an editor. I miss making a decent living and writing freelance articles in my spare time about other topics besides inline hockey that I care about. Instead, I spend my spare time putting out fires on a message board and fending off lawsuit threats.

I believe in free speech, but I simply refuse to put myself or people I care about in legal jeopardy because irresponsible (and anonymous) people think that poking a stick into hornets' nests is fun.

I will be monitoring the Forums section very closely, deleting any threads or messages that I feel might get out of control. I will also take the extreme step of banning certain posters if that becomes necessary

To all of the many IHC readers who post responsibly and fairly (and even have the courtesy to spell check), I thank you.

For those few irresponsible others, please do us all a favor. Pull on your skates, grab your stick and go play... and turn off your computer for a while. It will do all of us a world of good.

[overridex]

Well put. I think it's fair to say that the majority of us that use this board really appreciate having such a central and well known place to discuss our favorite hobby, and certainly don't want it to become a chore to run.

Every forum has it's trolls, the people who only post with the intention of stirring the pot and seeing what kind of chaos they can create. Not only do we need to try and weed out posters like that, though, it's everyone's responsibility to just not bite when they're trying to provoke something and let it get out of hand.

[quick_dry]

couldn't those threads have been edited so any legal issues are avoided - and delete the posts where people carry on like idiots? (I'd be happy to edit the posts down if teh thread hasn't been completely deleted)

I think the deleted threads had some valid questions and good discussion - unfortunately they were also full of other crap. I know when I post on sites that are frequented by my ice leagues fans, officials, etc I moderate my posts a little bit more since whether I like it or not, they do reflect on my team/organisation. Perhaps some should also reflect on the idea that "pro' can not only mean 'in level of play', but also 'in manners and behaviour' ;)

(PS Richard i'll get that address in Texas for teh jersey soon, haven't forgotten, my mum knows the address but has been incommunicado the last week)

[RichardGraham]

With all due respect, Quick_Dry,

Are you insane? ;)

First, Mike and I don't have the time or desire to constantly edit posts, though we do it where we can.

Second, I don't have a background in law. I can't tell for sure what statements are actionable, and which are not. Hell, I don't even know which statements are true, and which are lies. I can only use my best judgment.

Third, people have been warned often enough to keep the discussion reasonable. Like I said, I'm not a babysitter and I refuse to be made into one. If people can't discuss things in IHC's Forums reasonably without making personal attacks, accusations, lawsuit threats, etc., then they can go to some political blog and attack each other all day long.

As for the jersey, I might have to put your order in later -- people are waiting for their jerseys, and I can't put in the order until everyone has paid up. If we're shipping the jersey to Texas now, and not Australia, you can forget about that expensive shipping charge. Just send in your payment as soon as possible. OK?

[ACCCT2]

First off, Richard (and Mike), I myself apologize for anything I might have posted that caused "the baby to be thrown out with the bathwater" as you like to say. While I never ever am the first "stone-thrower", I never should have allowed myself to get dragged into such name-calling nonsense (like a championship boxer getting goaded into a streetfight).

We already "Know" who the person was who decided to take a stick and whack the "hornets nest" -- sad commentary on his supposed smarter-than-thou "intellect". He "Knows" virtually nothing even remotely meaningful of my professional business background, experience, "circles" and/or acumen (or "FLATBALL39's") and yet insidiously and dangerously insinuated otherwise.

Personally, I think there were some great issues, arguments and counter-points brought up in the thread -- "valid questions and good discussion" as "quick_dry" so accurately put it -- especially I think by "FLATBALL39", and it's a shame the good stuff got flushed with the bad (Thanks for the offer to try and edit/save them, "quick_dry"). Ah well, "C'est la vie", eh...

Once again, my sincerest apologies to you and Mike for my being any part of what caused such "Hell" at the start of both of your days.

Thank You for all of your efforts, patience and occasional forbearance on behalf of all of us passionante "puck-pushing-posters" here on IHC and for most of all providing all of us with IHC in the first place. I'm taking Richard's very sound advice and if the weather holds I'm enjoying some "pick-up" in Cental Park to chill me out!;)

Best Regards,

ACCCT2