..but what is the Eric Schlange's decision? It's his site. Only banjo related subjects are fine with me, but it's not my website either.

How much I enjoy posts depends on how they are written. If it represents a view contrary to mine, no problem so long as the post presents accurate certified information and not invalid information from a BHO member. I think exchange of valid information is beneficial.
They don't have to agree with my beliefs, Finally, I think the general publics is fed a lot of "BS" from many sources and in all types of media. Documentaries are full of mistakes. I sometime wonder if this results from incompetent proof reading or an attempt to shape the public's attitude about historical events.

I think everything is fine, just as no one brings up the terms: Libertarian, Democrat, Republican, Independent, voting/vote, and that's about it :-)

If folks want to discuss "banned" topics, head over to reddit, or Slashdot.

There are other places to post besides BHO.

quote:

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Originally posted by OldNavyGuy

If folks want to discuss "banned" topics, head over to reddit, or Slashdot.

There are other places to post besides BHO.

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Exactly.

quote:

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Originally posted by OldNavyGuy

If folks want to discuss "banned" topics, head over to reddit, or Slashdot.

There are other places to post besides BHO.

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Just that I am more interested in the specific demographic I find here than in what I would find on those sites. So, yes, I will miss those discussions, I learned a lot.

I agree with the moderators,its the banjo hangout,not the political hangout

The reason for the limits on topics (even in the “off-topic”) forum is to preserve civility. Too often controversy leads to personal sniping and worse. Politics, religion, and more recently Covid 19 and vaccination have invited personal snipes and lots of snark. It would be nice if people could agree to disagree without personal attacks. That does not seem to be the case.

I am glad someone is putting a damper on controversial topics, there is plenty enough sniping, and trolls who just love to stir up stuff, even when it is a banjo related topic.

I get sick of it, and it is one reason I don't post on BHO as often as I used to.

If someone really enjoys controversy they should join one of the religious forums, man those pious people are vicious with each other.

quote:

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Originally posted by dawgdoc

Hey, Ken,
As you probably remember, back in the day, Richard and I argued like wildcats about that topic of which we don't speak. If he is literally RIP, my sympathies. He was a fun soldier.

kindest,

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Hello Doc!   Figmo just emailed me about bagels, so I figured I would pop on for the first time in many years.   It is great to see that SO MANY of the folks I knew are still on here.  
 

Sorry to hear about Richard.  We all had lots of fun licking horns about his "hockey stick".   "A fun soldier" is a great description. He will be missed. 

My banjo playing still needs work.   The struggle is real.    I recently was in Port Clyde, and asked a couple people about Steve Davis.  No luck.  I didn't ask too much, for fear of looking like a stalker.   I very much would have liked to beat him in a game of pool!  :).  You have a nice town, Steve.  
 

I wish everyone on here well. 

Eric doesn't answer email.

If anyone wonders, that goes for the moderators too, as Keith knows.

I have mixed feelings. But these type of posting are like drugs. No member is forced to participate or view a post they do not like. Many subjects can become controversial. So if a posting about which type of banjo is best, flathead or archtop creates postings that create controversy, will there be a ban on postings about banjos ?

Of course not, though individual posts would be hidden and overly snarky threads locked. The main reason for banning topics is the moderator time involved to sort through a plethora of personal attacks and just plain nastiness. We are volunteers and moderating BHO is not how we spend most of our time. If mods were paid at a living wage rate and guaranteed full-time work and benefits, then moderating would be much more thorough and precise. That’s an economic impossibility, so we go with an imperfect system. Not exactly a surprise.

I just hid a post that violated the rule on criticizing moderators. If you have a beef with a moderator, contact the moderator.

I merely said everybody sees things through their own paradigm. What to you may seem true may seem utterly false to another as seen through their particular paradigm and vice versa. No criticism intended. No politics or religion. The closest it comes to is psychology. Just a little clarification as to the difficulty of being entirely objective. Shouldn't pick on judges. They are human and humans are not wired to be totally objective. It would be impossible to learn anything useful otherwise. You can do your best to be objective, but it isn't possible to be entirely objective. Even Walter Cronkite couldn't do that. Note I did not use the m-word in this post. Merely pointed out the impossibility of pleasing everybody if you are a human. You can erase this one too if you find yourself offended. It was not intended to be a criticism of anyone, unless someone fancies himself or herself to be God-like. I shall fade away now....

I think this is a step in a good direction for the site. These topics are incredibly important to discuss, learn about, and act on, but using a banjo website? Not the best place for it. We have a great community of wonderful folks who play and love the banjo, and if the rules can keep it civil and supportive, they're good rules.
Given the urgency of the topics being banned, it's unfortunate it had to come to this. I wish we could talk about the topics without flaming each other, because it's important to put ideas out there and to educate people who might not get a lot of exposure to ideas that conflict with theirs.
Still, the rules are definitely for the best.

I have often wondered if it is OK to take on the general discussion of people who own/drive Chevrolet cars?
(asking for a friend) :)

Id like to talk about Heart Attacks, I had one in 2018 , is that ok or do

I have to clear it with a Moderator thats currently trolling me?

Of course you can write about heart attacks. FYI, the mods do not troll members.

@Eric-Johnson

quote:

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Originally posted by Helix

Mike Gregory is from Fre Shair

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I don't know what Larrys talkin about.......again..... ;)

just kiddin   Love ya Larry  

First, I'm very glad that some made it through to 2024.

Very nice to hear from you Rodney of the Durst people.
Keep going, don't look down and don't look back.

It's an expanding universe of decreasing radius.

Mike Gregory is not from Fre Shair, he IS Fresh Air, get it?

All things all banjo is wider than the Missouri River. Some are less steady than others, should we then leave them behind on the shore?

" She's loaded deep as deep can be, but not as deep as the banjo I'm in, I know not if I sink or swim."

To save us you may have to paddle with whatever you got including water proof aluminum and AC-1.

Buckle up.

Dark on the Mountain, play boys play

I’m sure the mods here know their solemn responsibility in safeguarding this site for future generations—this is a digital link between the past and the future at this point—it’s an important cultural resource.

I just hope that folks remember that the banjo is a central emblem of American creativity, ingenuity, and adaptation.

The topics listed are now themselves an important part of the banjo’s modern history.

The banjo has already been an endearing and durable symbol for refugees and nomads for its entire history—do you think that won’t endure global climate trends, for better or worse?

How would you feel saying “no climate talk” to a dust bowl refugee with a banjo?

How much of an impact did the Covid saga have on the banjo community and market? Huge. Historic. And that’s honestly more about the economy of time than anything political…

As a big history and culture nerd—and someone who happens to live in the climate, thank you very much—I’m offended, but I accept the changes and look forward to seeing how history unfolds with them looming as it were.

My political activities and inclinations are much more important to me than the banjo and the banjo is pretty damned important to me.  I spend much more money and  time on them than I do on the banjo. 

In any of the online activities and discussions I engage in concerning my political concerns,  I would be rightly kicked out  if I launched  such vital questions as what are  the best  strings for my Tubaphones.  Friends and long term colleagues would probably also suggest mental healthcare available from my insurance to get me out of such notions. 

Banjo Hangout does heroic work for the banjo.  The information on picking, instruments, and the history of the banjo it provides is priceless.  It does offer a way for people who play the banjo to connect,  Any banjo related writing or performing or research that I do,  I start out by going on Hangout and searching for the information.  If I am looking for information on advancing my own playing, or trying to learn to play a tune or working oin a presentation for a banjo history event, or working with a record company on liner notes or promotion for a recording, the first place I check out is the great resources on BHO.   I stay in contact and make contact with pickers around the corner from me and all the way around the world from me because of BHO.

I support this decision  and think it is good!

Please keep Banjo Hangout Banjo Hangout.