Someone Is On A Power Trip

I was right about the hardam bill

Niki confirmed that it was a hardam bill and my comments (all be it jokingly) were correct.

I guess I should have made it more clear.

Right?

Those who go straight for the jugular are stifled here. Lately, it has been with greater frequency. It's backwards. The comments should not be more restricted than the guidelines to delete. The way it is now is counter to the concept of an open exchange of ideas and thoughts. There will never be an article or blog or comment where everyone, readers and writers alike will be in agreement. And it should never be that way.

I'm not asking for anyone to take my opinions or comments as something that is etched in stone. I don't like puppets and I have nothing but contempt for sycophantic ass kissers who are incapable of formulating their own independent thoughts.

As long as the posts are not abusive or threatening, let them stay. Relevance? What's so relevant about a picture of a plate of kababs or adas polo that you see on almost every thread containing photos taken during visits back home? Nothing. But they are harmless pictures, so they stay. What I'm talking about are equally benign words and thoughts. Not the kind that advocates or cause harm or pain or are malicious. Let people choose what's obejctionable for themselves. If you have the guts to post an opinion or idea, you have to be able to accept the inevitable backlash. But let the backlash happen, don't just delete it wholesale and without consistency.

No matter what, someone will always disagree or be offended by something they see, hear or read, no matter how innocuous it is. Let them! They're not kids.

I was right then!

Kaveh, while some Iranian people like to beat around the bush, in this website there is no beating around the bush.  People go straight for the juggernaut without any taroof. Same goes for moderation policy.  Comments can be deleted for any reason and as long as JJ is doing it, I'm ok with it.  But read Niki's comment and see what a hardam-bill we were living under!

Niki, that whole "moderation policy" was such a sham that it can be made into a comedy like "Samad and company become editors". It is just amazing to me how JJ did even consider such an operation.  Knowing how we Iranians are and feel and do about censorhip and cutting each other apart! It was funny and I am happy it did not go to grave without a proper funeral!

Response

To JJ: Thank you for clarifying this issue and for posting it again under another blog, without which I would have never even checked this thread.

To Anonymouse: You are correct that I did not feel good about deleting. Very Big Brotherish. I deleted some comments from my own blog from time to time and then only because they were repeatedly abusive (stuff like you are a mean and nasty bitch, posted over and over, stuff like that). I never deleted anyone else's comments on other articles and blogs.  Even when the comments were super nasty like the people who were harassing those two poor hapless girls who made a stupid youtube video, I never deleted those comments.  I only brought them to JJ's attention and I blogged about the issue in a separate blog.  I actually approved a couple of comments on other blogs only to see them mysteriously disappear a few hours later.  I was so disappointed in that system that I stopped altogether meddling in editing.  I had many of my comments deleted by other moderators and I don't know who they were nor am I interested to find out.  I let my concerns known to JJ and I am very happy he made changes.

To samsam: I don't know what you are talking about.

Anyway......

The relevance of either a comment or a the article/blog entry itself is entirely subjective. There is a clear lack of consistency in enforcing any set of guidelines or standards. Samsam's comparison to the hejab rules are spot on. 

I know that I speak very bluntly, which is contrary to the Iranian custom of beating around the bush, and I know that it rubs some people the wrong way. But I won't make any apologies for it.

It just doesn't make sense that if I call someone out on their false data or the fact that they have manipulated the system by posting under multiple screen names, my post gets deleted, while the person who is actually abusing the system operates with impunity. Or, if I question someone's character or values, I can be deleted, while others can refer to some people as "retarded" and it's nothing. It makes it very difficult to know where you stand.

Niki btw is ur blog the one hoder links in his site under niki?

I checked that blog...pretty pro mullah....I hope you are not the same Niki who told hoder to censor "SamSam anti regime comments" on his site...if true! and you are an editor too ,I might as well forget about comments here :)))..Just to clarify thx!!..cheers!

JJ ! Are you telling me some bloggers have the option to delete

comments on their blogs or all blogs? uhmmm...last night I left a very polite but kinda sarchastic comment on Observer(Ms sanaii) not vulgar,abusive,insulting yet it got deleted.It,s okay but the rules are kinda vague....like hejab rules in Iran , it,s up for interpretation by individual editor..So are these "DMC super delegates"  charged with deleting comments? What if they are ideologicaly inclined? ...it,s pretty odd...A lively site is the one that has comments from all groups(minus satanic and adamkhors)...A one sided site will become boring...yep,, my 2cents!

cheers!

Finally

Thank you JJ for changing for the better, if you do 90% of the moderation and deleting.  I can live with that.  Giving editorial powers to strangers was a big mistake and I was really surprised to hear about it.  It is water under the bridge now.

Do some contributors, other than the 5 or 6 chiefs, still have the options to turn comments on and off on their contributions? If so that would be so unfair.

My other and last suggestion would be to go to an all registered forum for a while, to test it.  It may reduce your need to moderate as much as you do now and people may eventually get used to registering.  All of your contributions are by registered users anyway.  If someone has a dire need to make a comment, they can register.  Again to test it for a while.

Nazanin, Hajiagha has left the building! I hope you are feeling better now and wish you good luck in your new job on Monday.

Blame me

No Anonymouse is just playing with you. He does not have editorial powers. Neither does Niki Tehranchi or N. Canadai. They and many others used to but because of abuses by a few (not Niki or Canadai), I had to modify the powers of the editors and pick a few "chief editors". These number five or six people (who's counting?) who can delete comments, but that's not necessarily their job. Only of half them actually spend time moderating comments from time to time. I'm responsible for 90 percent of the comment moderation. If you leave hateful, abusive, vulgar, or irrelevant comments, they will be deleted. Civil conversation people... civil conversation... give us something that would add to our knowledge, correct mistakes with kindness and generosity. Mean, sarcastic remarks... don't need them.

Thank you

for setting the record straight. I have been suspicious of the whole thing from the beginning.

I wish you the best on your upcoming venture.

Anonymouse,

Anonymouse,

Stick to your Haji Agha interest.

And when the heck did we negotiate this dude's comments? Are you sure it was me? I've been in the hospital the past week so it's possible that my memory has gone down the crapper but I doubt it.

Just to set the record

Just to set the record straight.

I am not a volunteer editor. I don't edit nothing for no one unless it's emailed to me. I have NO recolection of the incident anonymouse is referring to.

I am trying very hard to stay out of bache bazi. To learn a thing or 2 about writing. On Monday, I start a new contract and you will see less and less of me. I will use that time to reflect and write. I can't wait.

Word

Ask them? Puhleeze.

Don't bring other people into it. This isn't about any other people. Nazanin and Niki have absolutely nothing to do with it. It's about you and what you say are the motivating factors that compelled you to delete my comment. A comment that wasn't offensive, and did not contain any threats or objectionable language. You deleted it because, in your words, you think it sucked. By suggesting I ask Nazanin or Niki, you further weaken your already lame argument, and prove that you're incapable of responsibly handling your editorial powers with the minimum degree of impartiality and objectivity that's required.

Don't try and sell me the idea that it's not personal, either. If it wasn't, you wouldn't have "negotiated" with Nazanin to preserve my other posts in exchange for keeping this particular one deleted. Each post stands on its own merit. Even the ones that you think "suck". Deleting whatever you want, whenever you want, and for whatever reason you want, in an editorial environment that by your own admission has no rules, is purely personal.

But it's all good. I don't harbor any grudges or ill will. I've already proven my point to be valid. Rather, you've proven it for me.

Thank you.

Nazanin Canadai and Niki Tehranchi have editorial powers too

Ask them too.  Niki Tehranchi is actually a little gun shy about deleting but they can provide some feedback too.

No Training? No Wonder!

Souri khanoum, you made an excellent observation!

If there is no training, the result is a total absence of standards and guidelines. But, why should anyone be surprised? This is typical standard operating procedure whenever a group of Iranians are in any real or quasi-management situation. Just another example of Irani-baazi.

This problem will continue as long as this "shoot from the hip" mentality exists. Changing the rules along with the change in the direction of the wind will ultimately lead to catastrophic failure. 3,000 years and nothing has changed.

This is just another example of someone who is corrupted by "power". Usually people like that have never been in any position of authority or management of any kind, and in the case of so many Iranians, will only wield that power against other Iranians in order to fulfill delusions of superiority.  

Yes, I'm sure it's intoxicating for you. 

I delete because I can

As I said there are no rules.  When JJ gave us the keys there were no training, just delete at will so to speak.

This is not a personal thing, I just go around and any comment that I find sucking I delete.  I delete and then haggle with other editors later.  As I said there is a lot of fun going on behind the scenes.

I feel sorry for those of you who are normal users and don't have all the benefits that we have. It is intoxicating!

Re #2

Anonymouse

What you said is very interesting.

If my comment sucked, well, you are indeed entitled to your opinion. But I am curious to know at what point were the guidelines amended to reflect that comments may be deleted not only because they are offensive and threatening but also on the grounds that Anonymouse thinks they "suck"?

Then, after it was put back on by another volunteer, you take it upon yourself to delete it again, and threatening action against my other posts in the bargain. Sounds like petty bitterness.

I can only conclude from that second paragraph that you have personal issues against me specifically, and perhaps others as well, which is perfectly alright with me. I never was and I still am not interested in participating in any kind of juvenile popularity contest. No one has to like what I have to say. But to deal with it by deletion of a comment on one thread then threatening deletion of other comments solely on the basis of who the author is is a clear indication of a character weakness. If you don't like what I say, no problem. Be mature and say so in front of everyone.

Another thing: don't insult my or anyone else's intelligence with the nonsense that you took on the task of being a volunteer editor because editor because JJ insisted. I seriously doubt you were coerced even remotely. You admitted that you were the one who deleted me, and you showed your hand that you want to delete all of my comments entirely. Now it's time for you to admit that you truly coveted the idea of having so much power and that you are relishing your position. That's much more believable than the false modesty.

The truth shall indeed set you free.

There is no "training" Souri

When JJ gives us the new powers there is no training.  Just here's the key and good luck!

JJ is a good Editor himself but I constantly run into problems with other behind the scene Deleters that JJ has selected based on their apparent or alledged political affiliations or views.  He wanted to make a melting pot and make Iranian.com like when Clinton wanted his administration to look more like America.

Nobel idea but who are we kidding we can't get along, we are never going to get along.  Is everyone getting along in America? No.

This is JJ's website and the basic rule is that there is no rule until someone creates one.  So don't complain about deleted comments.  We know better than you on whether your comments are worthy or not.  If not us then who?!  Why does our answer have to make sense? I don't even understand why does JJ take time out of his alledged busy schedule, and answer people's questions?!

Anonymouse

I deleted your comment

Couple of weeks ago JJ asked me to become a volunteer Editor because he had to fire someone and someone else had quit.  I said no I don't to become a Deleter and he kept insisting and offering it to me until I relented and said ok.

I thought your comment sucked so I deleted it with my new powers.  Then Naznin Canadai who is also another volunteer put your comment back.  I deleted it again and told her I won't delete your other comments if she doesn't put that comment back again.

To make a long story short there are many people who can delete in this website and we know some of them by their own admissions.  To be honest, sometimes there is more fun behind the scene about deleted comments than the public comments.

Sometimes there is a feeding frenzy about several comments or articles and we fight over them.  It is funny because we know who the volunteers are and it's like a whole new commenting stuff going on separate from the public version.

Now I am going to have to fight with my fellow volunteers behind the scene about giving up too much information.

Re: Kaveh

I wouldn't worry about perfectly fine comments getting deleted (they do here and there), or even this blog getting deleted (it probably won't). However, I would worry about your account getting closed all together (it may, if you don't behave.)

I recently called IRI supporters "traitors and debased individuals for supporting a regime that supresses its own people's rights and hopes."

It got deleted. I reposted it because there was nothing wrong with it. It got deleted again. So I posted a complain in the same thread. That got deleted too. I emailed Iranian.com in order to complain, and my ACCOUNT almost got deleted!

Deleting a comment is one thing, but closing an account is another entirely different story.

I almost forgot to tell you that the thread was "Iranian of the day - Trita Parsi". Wouldn't you know...

But more power to capitalism. When you owne a car, a home, an internet site, you are entitled to do whatever you want with it. I am all for that.

But then I would change the site's motto to something else in order to avoid false expectations.