SITE NEWS: A Request For Some Civility
by Tim on Oct 4, 2011 5:00 AM CDT
in Site News
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PrintAbout a month ago, I updated the BRB Community Guidelines for new users. I also asked existing members of the community to read the newly amended guidelines. I did this because I (along with several other community members) had noticed a deterioration in the quality of the commentary here at BRB, and I hoped that addressing site rules/decorum/etc. before the regular season started would mean I didn't have to talk about that stuff for a good long while.
Judging from many of the comments and a FanPost or two I've read over the last week, that hope was totally misplaced and amazingly naive.
Being the heavy isn't my thing. I don't come to BRB to act like some sort of tyrant who's desperate to exercise an authority that's likely absent in his everyday life. Like virtually everybody who takes the time to read and comment here, I come to BRB because it's a great place to interact with other Texans fans. We're fortunate enough to have a staff of tremendously talented writers here, and they, along with countless other fans who chime in with their opinions and analysis, make this place very special.
Lately, however, I've noticed a marked slippage in the quality of what people are saying and how community members are dealing with others (both fellow BRBers and visitors). Stuff that just isn't tolerated anywhere else--like slurs, "jokes" about sexual assault, blatant personal attacks, name-calling, and so forth--has become increasingly prevalent, and I don't like it. At all.
I'm about the most hands-off guy around, but things have gone too far for even my taste. Some of the garbage has been so far out of line that I'm embarrassed to be associated with it. We've had to ban a handful of non-spammers, and that's something we'd never done until the last few weeks. I really, really loathe that development, and it speaks especially poorly of the current environment.
I've always said BRB isn't my blog. It's the community's blog. Therefore, how I feel isn't determinative on the issue. So I'll ask you: Do you folks think the level of discourse on BRB is where it should be?
Talking football doesn't require one to conform to Victorian etiquette, but I don't think it's asking too much to request some semblance of civility. I believe we can have productive discussion about the Texans without calling each other douchebags or wishing any players or opposing fans harm (even in purported jest). We can be passionate fans--interacting with fans of opposing teams, or in the game threads, or any other time--without devolving into complete buffoons simply because of the perceived anonymity and/or lack of accountability afforded by the internet .
I figure things can go a few different ways from here, depending on how you all feel. We can start enforcing the guidelines with an iron fist (e.g., deleting comments, warning/banning users with far greater frequency, asking users to flag comments that are out of line as soon as they read them in order to bring it to the attention of the moderators as quickly as possible, instituting a waiting period before new users can start commenting, etc.; basically, making this place a whole lot less of an open forum than it always has been), or we can all make a concerted effort to avoid the type of offensive conduct discussed above.
For what it's worth, I would really prefer the latter, because I have no real interest in doing the babysitting that the former would require. I've always said that I'll walk away from BRB when it becomes more of a chore than an enjoyable hobby, and I feel like I'm approaching the line in the sand on that front. I'm no more important to BRB than anyone else, however, so if the will of the community is such that the majority would like to initiate a new way of doing things around here, so be it. I can respect that.
Yours in the Comments, BRB. Where do we go from here?
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People should behave...
but they never will. Encourage the flagging if you have people enough to deal with it 24/7. I understand that this is a community resource in a way and I’m glad you see it that way but the bottom line is that everyone here has the choice to live by the rules you and the other managers put up or leave, you put more actual work into this and in an official capacity so it’s ultimately gonna be your call, your call imho should be based on how you want to spend your time on BRB.
A guy that likes the texans but live all the way over in Sweden
by Fredrik Nyman on Oct 4, 2011 5:40 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Well put, Tim
I’m not the most active guy in here when it comes to writing, cause it takes me quite a while to write anything in english. I do, however, visit BRB several times daily and read most of the posts and comments. It’s usually well-written, good analysis and a lot of fun. Thanks to all of you – both writers and commenters – contributing in making this the best site for news and articles about the Texans.
While I don’t agree on some points in Tim’s friend’s analysis, I think we are way out of line in a number of the comments.The pre-game thread with several personal attacks against Big Ben wasn’t cool either. It’s interesting to read an pre- or post-game analysis from whoever we’re about to play/ just played’s point-of view, but if we just bash the guys, it’s not likely that we will keep getting those analysis. It’s fair to point out if you disagree on something, but let’s keep it that way. If we’re right, we will be the ones to laugh, when we beat the Steelers again in january.
I know my voice is a small one and I’m not trying to say that I never get carried away when discussing theTexans, but I for one don’t want Texans-fans to be known as brutes and I most certainly don’t want to loose Tim from BRB.
by BrotherSalsa on Oct 4, 2011 5:42 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Agreed On The Crudeness
Tim,
I really enjoy this site as I am 10000 miles away and am not exposed to all the local tv and radio folk and there are not so many Texan fans here in Malaysia to talk shop. So This site is the first place I go to get breaking information and read everything Texans, some of the banter is great, some of the player and game analysis is fun to read as well. So I do find It quite pathetic what some will post and you or whoever the administrator of this site is should not have to put up with it. I would suggest to give a single Warning then give them the hook on a 2nd offensive post.
Texans Talk crowd
has slipped over here and brought their ugly brand of internet banter with them.
I haven't seen anything bad from the meat of the BRB community
Just from a couple bad apples that were dealt with. Then there is the visiting team thing. It can be hard to be mad at BRB members when the visitors have absolutely zero standards. Personally I think things are fine, the two recent bad apples were dealt with and everyone moved on.
Plus we got two new entries for the glossary out of it, so to me, its win win.
I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.
This is true
but as a community we have to avoid getting dragged into a war of offensive words.
It’s like that line about wrestling with a pig.
You can put lipstick on a pig...
But that don’t mean you should kiss it… or wrestle with it in bacon grease while having margarine and moulassis poured all over your hot sweaty body. Isn’t that how it goes?
The only thing anyone should be doing with a pig is this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc5wIpUenQ&hd=1
Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
"Fuck em all. Go Texans."
by The Night Owl on Oct 4, 2011 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm with you on this DaGoaT...
A lot of the visitors who come here from other teams aren’t always held to the same standards as those on this blog. There’s either that, or they feel like because they’re away from their home, they don’t care about our standards. I’ve seen a lot of quality posting here at BRB, but usually, the posts Tim seems to be referring to, are in defense of vistor’s attacks. Some, of course, are not. Those are the posts that should definitely be flagged.
I don’t debase myself to resort to douchebaggery or name calling. That’s for children. I hope people can learn to rise above that so we don’t have to turn this into Pre-WWII Germany with the Gestapo running around looking for posts to be banned(and I’m sure Tim doesn’t want to have to do that, either).
Civility… that’s where it’s at!
by Bennyscrap on Oct 4, 2011 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I volunteer
to caption the BRB SS! :goosestep:
I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.
caption=captain
I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.
I'd like to be in your army...
As long as you can promise 17 virgins when I die…
I'd rather have 17 disease free non-virgins
At least they know what they’re doing
Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
"Fuck em all. Go Texans."
by The Night Owl on Oct 4, 2011 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
done
you can have your choice of virgin goats, sheep, or cows
None of the above...
I would prefer nerf…
I agree with DaGoaT for the most part.
The worst of it has been dealt with and whenever someone makes some kind of racial or homophobic slur they get jumped on by either the mods or others in the community already (and rightfully so).
The worst things I’ve seen lately was the argument with LV-Steelerfan or whatever his handle is, but then I’m not usually around for the game threads.
I also don’t think joking about Ben Rothlisberger being a rapist is even remotely out of line. He’s been accused of it twice and will always have that red letter on him. Though the (alleged) crime itself is much worse, joking about it is no worse than someone saying Cushing is all roided up. Its not as though anyone is glorifying acts sexual assault, which would be repulsive.
I think the No Politics/No Personal Attacks rule is fairly well followed and when its not, its well policed. UprootedTexan does a good job of reminding us when something is getting close to the line.
With that said, I do echo your sentiments Tim, that we should strive for a higher level of discourse and try to keep ourselves in check. I, as well as others.
by WhiskeyR on Oct 4, 2011 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
Whiskey...
I politely disagree with you about the roids-rape relation. Roids only hurt the person that is doing them. Rape actually has a victim involved.
When joking about Ben and his alleged rapes, it’s wise to remember that there may be people in here(women DO visit this site and men CAN be raped… although it’s rare) who have experienced something awful like that. If you joke about roids, it’s funny because the only person you’re hurting is yourself.
Not saying that you’re wrong, that’s just my opinion on the subject. I don’t think rape is funny, at all. I can only imagine how it feels to be abused like that. It’s not really a laughing matter, in my mind.
I agree there is nothing funny about rape (see my comment under Rip's)
But I do believe Rothlisberger deserves to have that stigma attached to him and when someone calls him “Rapelisberger” I see it as a nod to deserving that stigma, not as condoning rape. I know others may see it very differently though.
If I never hear “Rapelisberger” again, that day cannot come soon enough. Everybody and their brother says it, and it is lame and played out. It was never particularly funny to begin with, yet we still hear it all the time.
I’m cool with Big Ben taking some heat for his questionable judgements in the past. I just wish people would find a more original way to express it.
The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.
by Stupendous Man on Oct 4, 2011 9:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Insert
/deadhorse.gif here
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
If someone has either paid their dues...
or their time or has been shown not to be guilty (even if it is by way of a settlement) I think they should be completely left alone about it. They have either atoned for their crimes per the strictures of society and potentially the NFL or they have never been shown to be guilty so they shouldn’t have a stigma attached to them at all IMO. Can anyone really say how many NFL players either of these situations would apply to? I would guess dozens and I, personally, would much rather spend my time discussing football and the Texans than trying to be witty and come up with new or old crime-specific nicknames for these players.
As someone who has been accused of a serious crime in the past which was completely untrue I can empathize somewhat with a lot of the NFL players who have made bad judgments and atoned for them or been accused of things and never proved guilty as in my case.
I say live and let live and let the past go. Go Texans; whoop some Raider ass!
If only that was the way the world worked
too often the past is apart of the way people view you and will continually view you.
Karate? The Dane Cook of martial arts?
Unfortunately you are very right.
I know first-hand that people are prejudiced against other based on past events whether true or fictional.
I havn't felt like things are too bad
but i’m sure i’ve missed some of this stuff. I think if the mods see something bad, they give it a verbal warning (like they usually do) and then take it from there.
Thank God for football!
Level of discourse should be higher.
It’s not that I’m asking people to be extra polite or whatever. It’s just that lately, it’s been going down the drain.
I’d love to see things go back to the way they were.
Capt. Nately: You're a shameful opportunist! What you don't understand is that it's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Old man in whorehouse: You have it backwards. It's better to live on your feet than to die on your knees. I know.
-Catch 22-
Agreed Tim
I think we self police (the latter in your options) to keep from adding a burden to the staff so they can focus on producing the great articles we come here to read and interact with, and because baby sitting is not fun for anyone.
We can post this thread as a link in a response as a nudge to folks who cross the line.
I think folks come here for many reasons, but they fall into two general categories:
1. To READ breaking news on the Texans and analytical articles produced by the staff and other members of BRB, and to then contribute real time with opinions, emotions and feedback.
2. To engage in real time threads sharing the ups and downs of live games with a more “Sports Bar” feel to it.
Agreed that category should include personal attacks.
I think its the natural product of the teams assumed "best season ever".
Assuming original percentages hold, more people gives you more rude people.
Law of averages...
If we only have 100 people here because the team is teh sux, and only 5 people are douchebags(which is easily contained), when 1000 people show up, there’s 50 douchebags… that’s not necessarily easy to deal with.
Opinion
It’s a football blog… Not a church blog. Keep the racist crap out of there, but who cares about the rest.. If you don’t agree with something, then comment.
It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!
by USMC_Texas on Oct 4, 2011 8:25 AM CDT via iPhone app reply actions 3 recs
but there isn't a need to attack someone if they don't agree.
and the clouds opened up and God said "I Hate you Texans Fans."
Our Andre, who art from Heaven, hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Canton.
Exactly.
We need to learn that its okay to politely disagree, and move on if things get ugly. It doesn’t make somebody less of a man/woman if they’re being civil. It simply shows that you are a reasonable adult.
The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.
by Stupendous Man on Oct 4, 2011 9:25 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
You shouldn’t have to have a watchful eye over everything here. We should be able to police ourselves. Unfortunately, sometimes you get dragged down to a lower level without realizing it, due to, mostly, visitors from other sites. I hope nothing has to change, because I love visiting this place as is. I wouldn’t want any of the writers to go, or even any of the regular commenters. So for that, I sincerely hope we can all get everything under control and hope that it doesn’t ever come to having to post one of these kinds of posts again.
This blog has become less fun
I echo Tim’s thoughts on the posting by the posters that is out of line. I have purposely stayed away because of it as have many other good posters. I think that is the last thing Tim wants to hear. The posters who have posted slurs and turned rape into a joke (yes, I said the word that Tim only alluded to) know who they are. If you don’t know they you are, let me know and I will take the time to reread their posts and post the names of the offenders. “What is that your saying, Rip?” you ask. This is the community policing itself.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
Having known more than one person who was raped I take it extremely seriously.
But I just haven’t seen any jokes about rape. I’ve called and seen Rothlisberger called “Rapelisberger” – is that what we’re talking about? The man has been accused of it twice. That is going to stick with him. That’s not a rape joke, its a Rothlisberger joke.
Maybe there is something else that I’m missing. Aside from one person I really haven’t seen anybody discount rape down to something to be joked about. Am I missing something or are we seriously talking about the “Rapelisberger” thing?
IIRC...
I saw some people saying stuff like “We’re gonna you at the game.” or “Your QB got ”. That stuff was flying around… not funny in my opinion.
Damn html...
It was supposed to say “insert word here” in between “gonna” and “you”… and also after “got”.
From what I saw, myself included, were referring to Ben and his despicable past
but some did get graphic on the rape topic and crossed the line of decency.
I tend to agree with you that most folks have no problem referencing something that an individual has defined from their own actions in the past (Vick w/ dogs, Ben w/ sexual assault, other players with drug abuse, etc). Tongue in cheek rips of a player, especially based on things that define them based on provocative facts, are a natural aspect of dialog in conversations (at the office, at the stadium, on blog sites, etc).
Condoning the actual activity (theft, assault, drug abuse, etc) is a whole other issue.
I don't come here as much as I used to
and when I do I skim the comments looking for a few specific posters and ignore everyone else. It is what it is.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Dos Equis?
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Dear all new and newish-type folks,
Battle Red Blog has managed to be the 1 (read: ONLY) sports-centric blog on the interwebz that not only gives us a fun place to discuss our favorite NFL team, but also provides an in-depth level of analysis and discourse that cannot be found in any other outlet.
And BRB has been consistently that for 4-5 years now, which is truly unheard of these days.
Some of us have been around for that entire time, and thus have become a very dysfunctional pretty close-knit community. And with that, comes an amazing amount of inside jokes and banter that new folks could mistake as some type of attack on each other.
For example, if someone asks Jordann if he’s still paying his way through college giving ZJs at the local truck stop, that’s just a way of checking to make sure he is still progressing in his higher education.
Or if I tell Beefy that he’s “a dirty goat-molesting Aggie”…well, that’s my way of saying “Hi, you dirty goat-molesting Aggie” or “I hope you enjoyed the Arkansas game this weekend”.
Hopefully you get the picture. Because you don’t really want to see the actual pictures. Ever.
I highly recommend reading the BRB Glossary to anyone who has recently joined the site, as it will give you quite an insight into the types of running jokes that are chased around this place. And that should give you a hint to the type of sarcasm and jokes that are posted daily here.
For all the old-timers (note: you do not actually have to be as old as BFD to qualify), I highly recommend using short & simple replies to try and diffuse any situations that pop up in the comments. Many times, a simple call for civility in the discussion will get things back on track. If someone still wants to run off-track, then hopefully nobody will take the bait and follow down that road.
In summary, please don’t turn this into another written version of sports-radio. Seriously.
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
by Shake on Oct 4, 2011 9:10 AM CDT reply actions 12 recs
^ This
Also, a good reminder to the old farts in these parts (present company included, literrally. I mean, what is that smell?) to not let this ship go down that path. Thanks, Shake!
Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC
Team effort
You know, like a circle jerk football game.
And my biggest fear is that we have no idea what all will come out of the woodwork if this team gets to a record of 7-3 or similar.
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
In a sense, it's good that we're dealing with this now
As for myself, I joined last season, but didn’t really comment as I had way too much classwork for me to fully concentrate on the Texans. Now that I’m done, I plan on being more active on BRB, and in some respects, I’m still feeling my way around here. I appreciate all the terrific insight on the Xs and Os of the game, and (most of the time) the repartee between other BRBers.
From my newbie-ish perspective, this is a very dynamic, knowledegeable, and passionate community that bleeds battle red. I’d hate for all this to be curtailed because we can’t (or won’t) take a deep breath and a second thought before we post.
As to last week’s debacle, I didn’t take part in the coarser and baser side of things, but I did get involved in other conversations in that particular thread. If other BRBers got annoyed because they wanted to focus on football with Jon at BTSC, I apologize for my role in getting somewhat off-topic.
No apology needed...
Drop the ban hammer on them. Some jackholes think that “free speech” applies to everyone personally in any situation. Not true. This forum belongs to SBNation, you’ve got stated rules, if they want to get “edgy” or “jerk some chains”, let’em start their own blog. If by some chance you guys start banning people unfairly (very unlikely), then you’ll start to lose readership and this place will dry up.
And no, I don’t want everything limited to Sunday school talk. I, and other people I know, can get very creative with language and references—but there’s a line to be drawn, and you’ll know when you cross it. Be fair, be consistent, and don’t apologize.
by Jeff S. on Oct 4, 2011 9:12 AM CDT reply actions 6 recs
I second this.
I’m all for giving people second chances. But guys like Bo$$man got too many chances. I say, if somebody is using slurs and making excessive personal attacks, give them a warning. If they persist, ban them.
This community has tons of regular posters (this has to be one of the most active blogs on SB Nation) who are capable of behaving. And new members drop by every day. Losing a few bad apples won’t hurt anything.
The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.
by Stupendous Man on Oct 4, 2011 9:32 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
In keeping with Shake's comments above
A subtle reminder of the few rules we do have around here often serve as an effective deterrent without having to drop the banhammer. The point Tim is trying to make is that it would be a better place if we policed ourselves. BFD does a fantastic job of this, and we could all learn a thing or two from him, including what is was like during the Black Plague. Cause, like, he was there.
(Note to new guys, this is an inside joke. Not to be taken literally. Please do not try this at home. He also knows that if he were there, I would have been too.)</em)
Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC
Question...
Which Black Plague? The one from 1660? Or 1325?
Self-policing is definitely the way to go. The only way when you stop and think about it, cause the site admins can’t play whack-a-mole all day. The ban hammer should be reserved for those hopefully rare people who get multiple chances yet keep shooting the finger at everyone else on the site.
Poor McClain, I almost feel sorry for him having to plead every few months with his commenters to behave. I haven’t read his site in months.
I do agree that BRB has taken a step backwards
and the clouds opened up and God said "I Hate you Texans Fans."
Our Andre, who art from Heaven, hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Canton.
I think I'm to blame...
I’d been lurking for a couple of years and came on board during “Asomougha-ganza”. It wasn’t long after that the shit started flying.
I’ll show myself the door in a self-deprecating manner…
\pukes on himself as he walks to the door…
by Bennyscrap on Oct 4, 2011 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Things have gotten out of hand a few times lately
I understand how – people are passionate about their teams and reading written comments is often more misunderstood than a spoken one.
There are times in one of those threads I tried to make them more civil, and I am sure I said some things I am not proud of either, mostly for succumbing to trolls.
Tim, more often than not you are the voice of reason (unless it involves Zima)
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
I think we have over-reacted to some of the comments made by fans of other teams
It should expected that they will have a different point of view than us…that is the point of getting them to comment here after all…to get an outside opinion.
The “homerism” comments I find very strange, since we are all homers. That is what a fan is…a homer….someone who loves and supports and defends their team. All of us are biased for the Texans in some way or another, whether that is an optimistic bias, or a pessimistic one groomed by years of disapointment.
At some point we have to just agree to disagree. When the other person is just unreasonable with their arguments, rather than get angry, I have learned to just let it drop. As someone once told me “there is never just one moron in an argument”. In other words, what can you hope to accomplish by arguing with someone unreasonable?
by BleachBum on Oct 4, 2011 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
I'd disagree on the homerism part.
Someone who shows blind loyalty to a team or organization, typically ignoring any shortcomings or faults they have.
That’s a homer, and a homer usually doesn’t add to the discussion. We’re all passionate fans who love the Texans, but we’re not blind. We’re able to talk about weaknesses and criticize players, schemes, and/or front office moves. Yes, we put our faith in their decisions…but we’re not homers about it and that’s probably something bred out of our mediocrity (as opposed to other fanbases whose past and frequent success has bred homerism and made it impossible to really discuss football).
"Lord, beer me strength."
Well based on your definition
(which is a fair definition) it did not seem to me that the people who were accused of being homers really did fit that description. In particular, the Steelers guy was very critical of his team. Ok, well the Dolphins guy was very set in his ways. But that is the sort of guy you just agree to disagree with. No point in arguing with a brick wall.
Do you mean Tim's friend?
He made homerish remarks (Hines Ward HOFer? LOL), but his problem was just not giving the Texans any ounce of credibility for fairly obvious things (like the running game or Andre Johnson being Andre Johnson).
"Lord, beer me strength."
granted
but Tim asked him for his comments, he didnt come here trolling. I wouldnt call one of my guests names. And it doesn’t make him more amenable to a different opinion. Just tell him where you disagree and why. If he can’t see your points, it is time to move on.
This is what bothered me
He came to our home via invitation. The comments board is here to discuss such opinions, and instead, it turned into a tasteless (at times vicious) backlash against someone else’s opinion.
I love the Texans just as much as the next guy. But all things considered, we’re a 3-1 team that has been traditionally ignored by the media due to our shortcomings. Believe me: I think we deserve more respect just like everyone else here, but I’m not going to get upset or angry when we don’t get it because this is something we should all be used to by now.
Our day is just around the corner, I’m sure of it.
by brightshinies on Oct 4, 2011 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
and he did say some good things about the Texans
he just seemed in denial that the Steelers were slipping off their pedestal this year
Here are two lists of things
One, a list of things that I like about BRB:
-Quality analysis (and by this I mean both well-written and insightful)
-Vibrant community
-Ability to take a contrary position and defend it with fact-based analysis
-Ability to attack said position with fact-based analysis and not attack the person
-Never taking oneself too seriously
-Even though I’ve never met any of the posters or writers on this site (seriously) there are several here that I would consider friends and love to spend time with in the real word
Secondly, a list of things about BRB that I don’t like
-Personal attacks
-Homerism
-Constant, repeated jokes about things like rape and sexual orientation
-Belittling someone by referring to them using the female anatomy
I understand that it’s the internet and some of this stuff is going to happen from time to time, but too much of it really diminishes the value of this blog.
I just feel like we can do better. This blog works best when we don’t step away from the things in the first list I made above. We should never compromise on the idea of being the funniest, smartest, most self-deprecating sports blog out there. And it falls upon the writers and the regular contributors to make sure it stays that way.
In my personal and professional life I have made it a mantra to always expect excellence and work towards it. BRB is what that looks like in the Texans blogosphere, and I hope it stays that way long after my association with it is finished.
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive where you can use the active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
-Orwell, Politics and the English Language
www.battleredblog.com
by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 4, 2011 9:47 AM CDT reply actions 7 recs
This...
-Even though I’ve never met any of the posters or writers on this site (seriously) there are several here that I would consider friends and love to spend time with in the real word
sounds like a desperate plea… If you’re suicidal or contemplating suicide, I’ll hang out with you to ensure you stick around. :D
I feel so empty inside
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive where you can use the active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
-Orwell, Politics and the English Language
www.battleredblog.com
by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 4, 2011 10:20 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
show me on the doll where he touched you
I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.
Damn you
/spewed drink
"The best thing about being a cynic......is that you are never surprised." ~Anonymous
"Don't get yourself a bunch of tricky plays.......get yourself a bunch of tricky players." `Paul "Bear" Bryant
by Christopher H on Oct 4, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Treat people the way you would like to be treated.
Or post using that same mantra. It seems to me that personal attacks, be they on other posters or on NFL athletes or anyone else, are done out of ignorance and hatred. A lot of the time it is done to try and prove one’s superior wit or maybe just for the shock value. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who put a lot of stock in such things. I think it’s ridiculous and, Tim, I would love to see it stopped as much as possible.
My opinion would be to use the standard 3-strike policy. First occurrence requires a friendly reminder of why we are here and that the poster has not been abiding by that philosophy. Second occurrence requires a stern warning that any further posts of that nature will result in permanent banning. Third occurrence results in permanent banning – no exceptions.
I understood
after the first strike that saying “first” on a thread was a bannable offense. I haven’t done it since then. It’s not hard to learn. And if it is, you definitely are American.
Can't say it at all in any context?
I wasn’t aware of that I just thought it was that obnoxious trying to be the initial poster that was the problem. I will use alternate terms from now on. {:={D>
do we have to post pics of boobies in every BRB thread?
if I want to see boobies I’ll go elsewhere. At the very least can we get subjects on them so that they can be collapsed? Please?
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
by nolander on Oct 4, 2011 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I thought this has been toned down quite a bit lately
are you still seeing that many? Maybe I missed some threads but I haven’t seen the onslaught of boob shots in a while.
Yes we do
"Lord, beer me strength."
by TexansDC on Oct 4, 2011 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 14 recs
/obligatory boobie rec
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
this is actually my backrond on my phone
OFFICIAL MARIO WILLIAMS 2011 SACK COUNT; (4)
Jason Allen > Kareem Jackson
by Carter Liles on Oct 4, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't mind...
My work firewall keeps most of the pictures from the site from showing up(except the damn adverts). It’s rare I see a picture, but I completely agree with you about too much bewbz… This is a football blog… not a pr0n site.
by Bennyscrap on Oct 4, 2011 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
if anything
I vote more boobies.
I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.
by DaGoaT on Oct 4, 2011 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
? Cant blame that one on me
Since I moved to austin back in late June, i havent had much time to post on BRB. I still read through the fine articles though. Though i thought all that had pretty much died down in the off season.
I read BRB site just about everyday
comments and all. The site is usually very fair with the arguements and discussions between posters, only thing that bothers me is race/slurs/politics. Those things did not come up as much un till recently. I think it all started with the free agency period when we got bombarded with new members and people from other teams visiting.I blame the NFL for the lock out and getting everyone all riled up about football. I suggest everyone steps up and make an effort to stop this from happening. This is a football blog/community and I would like to keep it from becoming just another NFL forum where people post just to troll. So I suggest as memebers we should take pride in our blog as we would take pride in our homes. Tim, BFD, UT, TDC, and all other admins of this blog should not have to police our comments, I think we are all old enough to know when someone is trolling and just ignore it, best way to get them to stop is by not commenting to their dumb statements.
I lurked for a year (or more?)
…and finally delurked about a year ago. The reason for that is not only because of the witty witticisms, and the banty banterisms on this board, but also because it’s the only place I can get reasonable facsimile of discussion about the team I support. I won’t go into naming names, but there are other options with regard to Texans fan forums and if you’ve visited any of them you’ll know they are rife with spleen venting and negativity. I come here because BRBers can in general, critique the team without sounding political and because the majority are here to have a laugh.
I realise I don’t post much but I do read everything. I guess in my opinion it hasn’t been too bad, but that’s primarily a comparative analysis to the aforementioned forums. So, for those looking for a pissing contest, please may I ask you to attend any of the several other forums dedicated to the Texans at your disposal as I truly depend on BRB for a semi-sane discourse on my team.
Kind regards,
H Jarce
PS – Not to be pedantic, but the Victorians were hardly champions of etiquette ;)
"Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway" - Ancient Chinese Proverb
by Hugh Jarce on Oct 4, 2011 10:56 AM CDT reply actions 8 recs
Goo'd
“banty banterisms” was gold.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter
Not to mention:
PS – Not to be pedantic, but the Victorians were hardly champions of etiquette
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
the rec's seem to take 'forever' to show up
"My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me." -- Benjamin Disraeli
"If you really want something in life you have to work for it. Now quiet, they're about to announce the lottery numbers." -- Homer Simpson
"There is no rehab for stupid." -- Chris Rock
Never try to baptize a cat.
They do
Now they do some “loading…” thing
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah I place the rec
and a one shows up next to the flag. Which has me going like, wait did i just flag this guy?
but... but... but...
none of this counts towards BE-SF fan’s. Right?
OFFICIAL MARIO WILLIAMS 2011 SACK COUNT; (4)
Jason Allen > Kareem Jackson
^Joke
OFFICIAL MARIO WILLIAMS 2011 SACK COUNT; (4)
Jason Allen > Kareem Jackson
by Carter Liles on Oct 4, 2011 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
When your teams is named for being BESFs
That kind of sets the bar low
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
right but it also confuses folks
that if “some” topics and teams are allowed to be blogged into oblivion packed full of vulgarity with a dark sexually oriented undertone, where is the line or bar really set?
We can type BE-SFs and laugh about it, even cut up about a really funny home made movie on the subject, but then have threads reprimanding any references to a player who actually has a public record of being a scumbag offender? Yeah some posts were seriously over the top and common sense should prevail. But the confusion comes more with this double standard of sorts.
/sidebar: is this Geico caveman staring at me or someone behind me?!!
by MeMongo on Oct 4, 2011 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Both
The one on the left is staring at you.
the one on the right is looking past you.
I see your point to a degree – but having a Team named “Titans” seems to violate the no religion policy :)
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
I have something planned for that week
Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
"Fuck em all. Go Texans."
by The Night Owl on Oct 4, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe she meant that the pancakes were insulted
by being a nickname for a certain “reporter”
Mario Williams and Antonio Smith on track for 16 sacks each this season.
by Barryfromtexas on Oct 4, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Long Time reader...rare poster
Like many of the commenters above, I live out of state and rely on BRB for educated discussions and analysis of my favorite team and our opponents. The writing is top-notch and until recently so was the majority of discussions that followed. It is unreasonable to ask the (staff ?) of BRB to moderate/edit every post. As a community we should demand more of each other to maintain a higher standard. I think we can all agree that slurs and personal attacks do not further a discussion…but beyond the specific examples referenced to rape and sexual orientation; I would agree with Tim that over the last four weeks the level of civility has really taken a hit.
This site has always been open and gracious to guests from other sites and opinions have been debated with solid arguments. Feedback on other sites regarding BRB was always that the commenters were well-educated regarding our team and gracious hosts. When the same issues we are discussing here have mired down other blogs it was a source of pride to see that BRB was operating at a higher level.
Prior to finding BRB, the Chron was the only source I knew for Texans’ news. Because the actual information in the articles was nonexistant – I began to read the comments. Unbelievably, they were as lacking in intelligence as Justice and Pancakes. I swear after having not read a (non-Stradley or Zierlen) article in at least two years – I saw a few weeks ago Pancakes telling his community not to call TEAL and COWBOY gay. I am sure everyone realizes how quickly the community can negatively effect the content of this type of forum.
This is not the Chron. We are not Cowboys fans. Please help keep this site operating at a high level. My thanks and appreciation to Tim, the writers and all of you commenters that have done that. It’s damn hard to be a Texans fan. We have learned to lose with a lot of class…let’s see if we can win with it as well.
by CTacc on Oct 4, 2011 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
Sam Wyche's "This isn't Cleveland" rant
Aggrees with this post.
Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC
Ah, good ol' Sam Wyche
The same kind old soul who ran up the score against Glanville’s Oilers just because he could.
I'm about to punch...
Kevin Gilbride. But seriously…sorry for the rant or if I got preachy. There are a lot of things to be excited about for this team. But it’s a long season…and to paraphrase Winston Wolfe …"Well, Let’s not start “congratulating” each other quite yet."
See, this could get me in trouble.
I watched that game and I’ve had nothing but extreme hatred for Wyche ever since. I’ll only say I wish for every evil that can be visited upon a human being (other than the death of loved ones) be visited upon him a thousand fold. Fuck him.
The only thing I have noticed
is during the discussion with the other blogs needs to be kept under control.. This last week was just so ridiculously out of hand. Maybe it was just the steelers fans. Their lack of taste for humor and not seeing what was wrong with their own hate filled racist post seemed to be the reason for most of the discourse. Just hope that level of ridiculousness doesnt happen again. Also the amount of new posters is giving the blog some growing pains in the discussion department. Things should level out on that front as long as Chron.com never links to us in their comment section.
Karate? The Dane Cook of martial arts?
maybe i dont get on enough..
because i honestly don’t have a clue. maybe it’s because i gloss over the threads instead of reading every comment, but i only post on two blogs. this one.. and the joe rogan forum board. and this one is a MILLION times more civil. someone alluded to the fact earlier in the preseason that with success comes more people, and i’m fairly certain that this is just growing pains being experienced by BRB in relation to the team. personally i could care less about internet gangsters or “holier than thou” type folks who feel the need to go to war with folks via the computer. i ignore the dumb stuff, post on the funny, and rec from time to time.. same as i always have. i think you come down on the troublemakers with a iron fist, call em’ out and get rid of em. people should be able to post what they want but not at the expense of others.
"my momma was the Mike Vick of ass whuppin. side arm delivery, no wasted motion.. and very mobile." - @doobieman21
youtube/chrisdogan
by chrisd21 on Oct 4, 2011 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Nothing I could add hasn't already been said, so I'll just say this.
Being hyper-sensitive and preachy about this sort of thing is nearly as off-putting as the actual comments themselves.
That doesn’t apply to this post, it’s just a general statement. Take it how you will, considering the source.
GET A SILK BAG FROM THE GRAVEYARD DUCK TO LIVE LONGER.
by Synchysi on Oct 4, 2011 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Awesome.
What a terrible night to have a curse.
The dismal translation makes it one of the more quotable games in the NES era.
http://www.zanyvideogamequotes.com/castlevania2/index.html
GET A SILK BAG FROM THE GRAVEYARD DUCK TO LIVE LONGER.
Personally, I teach my kids
that there is virtually no words that can come from somebody’s mouth that are worth fighting over. The principle of “agree to disagree” is something I work heavily on with them. The same really applies here.
Since the time that I de-cloaked and began participating occasionally here, I have noticed nothing but goodness out of nearly everyone here, and the 1 or 2 exceptions seem to have been dealt with. I feel like we have been somewhat unlucky of late in our dealings with some particularly zealous and sensitive fanbases, and some of us allowed ourselves to become a bit sensitive as well. Objectivity and perspective are hard to maintain in such situations. I see this as an aberration, not a trend, although I totally understand why Tim might be concerned.
"The best thing about being a cynic......is that you are never surprised." ~Anonymous
"Don't get yourself a bunch of tricky plays.......get yourself a bunch of tricky players." `Paul "Bear" Bryant
by Christopher H on Oct 4, 2011 1:48 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The messsage I'm getting from this thread:
its all the OTHER teams fans that are the problem, it couldn’t be us!
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
/is certain he is being objective concerning his own objectivity
"The best thing about being a cynic......is that you are never surprised." ~Anonymous
"Don't get yourself a bunch of tricky plays.......get yourself a bunch of tricky players." `Paul "Bear" Bryant
by Christopher H on Oct 4, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
That's not what I took from it at all
I think most will admit that it got a lot worse when we allowed ourselves to be brought down to a lower level with this latest round of opponent blog interaction, but I’m not getting the sense that people are simply pointing the finger in the other direction.
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
For myself
I know that I have a tendency to get a little sharp with my comments from time to time, and I will admit that occasionally I have crossed the line into personal attack territory. I have no good excuse other than to chalk it up to being a hot headed, middle aged Jarhead.
The latest episode being with that specific Steelers fan who went out of his/her way to convince everyone that racism is something to be shrugged off. As a multi-racial person with other family members in long standing interracial relationships, I am highly offended by the type of discourse I witnessed this week. And although I don’t condone my behavior I do feel it necessary sometimes to speak out harshly towards those that are so blatant with their hateful ways. I apologize to anyone that may have been offended by my language, but I don’t feel sorry for what I said. IMO some people need to be put in their place.
For the most part, I try to keep my comments directed at the subject matter but occasionally I stray. That being said, I am always willing to accept responsibility for my actions, so if anything I say crosses a line I fully expect to be notified and reprimanded accordingly by the admins of this site, and I have no doubt that they will be fair in their judgment.
.02
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
I agree that this place
is not as enjoyable as the 8-8 era.
I think a bigger problem than all the irresponsible comments is the slowness of the site. This site is bigger (520k) and more bloated than ESPNs homepage (440k). I haven’t loaded Chron.com out of principle, but friends that went to that site a few years ago tell me its terribly slow as well.
As we move into the realm of more and more bandwagonners, I think we should self police, and let Tim keep his minimalistic role. If its our site, then let the posters tell the community what pisses you off. If you don’t like it, say something. If it continues, change the channel. Its the american way.
my Z key can't take another free agent flurry
Saying something doesn't accomplish anything
you tell any commentators you don’t like how they go about their business and you aren’t a mod, they just tell you to fuck off.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Yeah it really has gotten a bit out of hand on load times as well.
What do you think about it, Ashton?
Sorry guys, I need one more chair that looks like this!
- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | Football Outsiders | Battle Red Blog
The surprise to me is that it went so well for so long with so little policinf
My two cents: overall the regular threads here have been fine. The ones that have been out of hand have been the “meet the neighbors” tnreads. The Steelers one in particular should have been locked or just taken down IMO. I understand (and agree with) the laissez faire rE style around here, but once we get to the point of personal attacks AND NOTHING ELSE, it is time to shut it down.
On another note, the Miami thread seemed largely to consist of “here’s why we’re going to win” comments, which are not so much inappropriate as pointless and off putting.
I guess what I’m getting at is that the people from opponents’ blogs are our guests, and I don’t feel we’ve always been the most gracious of hosts. After all, they’ll be having a bad week after the Texans own their crappy teams anyway. Bannable offense? No, of course not. It’s just my preference to represent our team and our hometown in a respectable way. rrepresent our
by JBal on Oct 4, 2011 4:25 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I thought the Miami thread wasn't that bad
At least from what I remember, but I tend to tune them out after the post count gets so high because it takes forever to load. I remember having several civil football related conversations though.
The Steelers one got out of hand quick because one of the first things brought up was the hate filled racist rant posted on their blog. After that it was almost pointless to try and discuss football. And I had no idea about the buddy’s email thread until just about 5 mins ago….now I can see how things have reached this point.
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
No,miami one wasn't too bad
I must have missed the othee one too, but not sure I want to know now
by JBal on Oct 4, 2011 4:39 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The Miami one wasn't bad once we got rid of Bo$$man
Trying to clean up after Bo$$man was like trying to clean up after a nuclear explosion
Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
"Fuck em all. Go Texans."
by The Night Owl on Oct 5, 2011 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
WOW!
How did I miss that buddy’s email post? I assumed all of this was about the one where they all came over and tried to condone the racism stuff. Now that I’ve gone back and found the email post I see what all of this is about. It’s pretty shocking.
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
i agree with the general premise
I love this blog, in fact this blog is practically the sole reason that i came to love football but where do you draw the line?Wouldn’t calling a reporter who has weight issues Pancakes be a personal attack? I mean its not exactly a loving name. I understand that he isn’t a good reporter anymore but to constantly joke about how he is bad because he’s constantly eating not an attack in some way?
Also, what about the titans being called BE-SF’s i mean thats 2 insults rolled into one.
Anyways, hopefully this community will continue to be a classy place and the bad eggs are hopefully weeded out.
Go Texans!
ironically this has made me decide to start commenting more, and I think i will keep my insults to team X or Player X are/is “the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked”
by TiEaB on Oct 4, 2011 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
This isn't a golf blog, it's a football blog!
We talk shit here! Man up!
Kidding, kidding, kidding.
Remember a troll saying as an excuse to troll. Thought it was amusing.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
Ya know...
He looks an awful lot like
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter
by MDC on Oct 5, 2011 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Poor judgement
Poor judgement on my behalf is partially to blame for the way things went last week, I could not find a mop big enough to clean up my mess, I tried. I removed my tasteless comments, albeit way too late, I also issued apologies to everyone I offended with my fan-post, even Texans fans. In that post I stooped as low as I will go. although I never got into the discussions aside from the ones about football I feel slightly resposible for Tim’s call for civility. I just read through the buddy email thread and I felt sorry for the guy, it must be hard to have your team go to the superbowl, lose, and begin the following year in a lackluster fashion. some of the comments I read were way out of line.
In the future I will do my best to use better judgement when I post. thank you for bringing this to my attention, again
(Bud Adams middle finger picture post—FAIL)
did I type that outloud? oops.
Guidelines!
I’m glad you’ve stepped forward and told people that we aren’t going to deal with that here. I may have only just joined the BRB, but i’ve been an avid read for over a year now. We don’t need this childish behavior here, and I hope that if it does continue, those causing it are simply banned so that we don’t have to deal with them anymore…
GO TEXANS!
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