Why DTN is a Politics-Free Zone
by Seth C on Jan 16, 2012 7:14 AM CST
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PrintI put this in the comments of a recent FanShot, but I was asked to make it a FanPost so that everyone was clear as to the rules and my rationale for a politics-free zone on DTN.
1. I’ve always had a no politics rule. The article posted is from the DMN sports page, but the author is from the Austin bureau of the DMN. The article is about James announcing his senate bid. I also have a no name-calling and no racists or homophobic comments on DTN. James blurs the rule a bit because he’s also a sports figure and associated with TTU. I get that. I’m not going to ever ask that you not mention his name at all, but linking to an article about James’ start to his political career is political.
2. I only have so much time. If I do allow it then I have to spend my time reading comments and making decisions about whether or not something is political or not and I would rather spend my time writing. Call me selfish, but I would rather spend my time writing and not moderating.
3. I’m really the only one left that moderates. Tech92 occasionally does (thanks!), but almost all of the other contributing authors don’t moderate at all, and that’s fine. They may not feel comfortable doing so, but moderating requires quite a bit of my time. Again, I’d rather spend my time writing.
4. I don’t read any political blogs, but I do subscribe to the RSS feed of Dallas Magazine’s Frontburner blog. This is just one example about a place where you could discuss James and make comments if that’s what you want to do: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2012/01/12/craig-james-confesses/ I am sure there are places to comment or post if that’s what you want to do, but I don’t want to do it here.
5. If there is something about James and Texas Tech, sure, whatever, I don’t care. If you want to comment about the internet meme, fine, whatever. I just don’t want FanShots or FanPosts related to his political career.
I hope everyone understands the why. It's a strain on me to try to write and moderate potentially political FanShots or FanPosts.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.
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Thanks, Seth
Appreciate your work pn DTN. As someone who has in the past commented on Mr. James, I have no desire to think about him in light of so many other issues at Tech.
But I have to admit, sometimes it’s awfully tempting.
Patience grasshopper.
Thanks for the clarification, appreciate all you do!
Die-hard Texas Tech girl & new Cougar (fan)! Bring it!
I've personally crossed the line
too many times in the recent past with inflammatory and emotional comments (none political, though…local politics don’t hold my attention) that for me to moderate regularly would be hypocritical. I have purposely stepped back a little bit on the commenting, but do look things over. Once enough time has passed, I’ll get back to helping a lot more. I just feel like I wouldn’t have been doing a good service to concurrently be a pill and also moderate. Abuse of privilege, some might say. And I would agree.
11/12/11...66-6...I once was blind, but now I see.
Wow - what an honest & balanced viewpoint!
Come back soon though, you are missed and there is only one Tech92!
Die-hard Texas Tech girl & new Cougar (fan)! Bring it!
I'm very involved in politics, myself
Have been for many years, and have worked in several campaigns over four decades. But, one of the things about DTN that I love is being able to leave all that stuff behind when I read and post here. It’s so nice to come here and talk sports without getting into the divisive stuff we get with politics—we’ve had enough issues to deal with that have been divisive enough among us Texas Tech fans! Seth, you are running one hell of a fine blog and I support what you are trying to do here at DTN (although I know I’ve tried your patience sometimes). Keep it up, and I think this thing is gonna keep growing and prospering. GREAT JOB!
As far as Mr. James, he’s gonna fall off the radar screen pretty quick. I’ll be glad to not have all the James drama to hear about anymore—I’ve had enough of it.
Shockingly, I would love to see one more addition
to the, “no name-calling and no racists or homophobic comments on DTN” rule. ( I think I’ve seen somewhere before religion included on that list which makes a lot of sense too.)
Are you sitting down, Seth? Because I think you’ll be so surprised you could be knocked over with a feather… :-)
I found this language on a website and thought it said it well:
“Stop degrading women by using female body terms or other gender-associated slurs. Sexist insults have an impact on all women.”
I know it’s hard for you to draw a line it just seems like an obvious area that’s not on your list (certainly not with any intent – I want to stress that). Also don’t want to suggest anyone here uses these slurs directed at women on DTN – I have never seen that – some of the words get thrown around in other contexts (you have done a great job keeping one word in particular from being used…thank you).
I’m not looking for a response here & now – definitely don’t want to start a debate about it – just something to think about. And it seemed appropriate to mention on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. :-)
Die-hard Texas Tech girl & new Cougar (fan)! Bring it!
Ha - this just came to me!
It could be a “no below the belt or above the knees” rule for both genders!! Ha, ha!
Die-hard Texas Tech girl & new Cougar (fan)! Bring it!
would that apply to anatomically related pseudonyms?
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
by Nm RaiDer FAn on Jan 16, 2012 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly!
Dang it Nm RaiDer FAn, I think I’m developing an anonymous intellectual internet crush on you! Of course being enlightened with a good sense of humor & a Tech fan doesn’t hurt either. But don’t worry, I don’t stalk like Haboob…
Die-hard Texas Tech girl & new Cougar (fan)! Bring it!
While we are on the topic ...
What the hell is with your profile pic? I note that you are recently star-blocked, and thank goodness for that!
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
by Nm RaiDer FAn on Jan 16, 2012 5:35 PM CST up reply actions
Ohhh...I JUST changed it...
…check it out!!!
I commented on PBK’s pic – a woman with A LOT of cleavage. I said fair is fair so I was going to make mine a risque picture showing off man parts…so I did. He is HAWT!!!
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
go back to the Star - PLEEEEEEASE
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
by Nm RaiDer FAn on Jan 16, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
Nope - it's all about equality baby!
My man has cleavage…just probably not in the places normally expected…
And after that, “thank goodness” that I’m star-blocked comment I don’t think so!
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
I take it back !
you weren’t being censored (Blocked) you just graciously posted a few comments when your profile pic was momentarily unavailable . . . or between pics as the case may be.
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
by Nm RaiDer FAn on Jan 16, 2012 5:48 PM CST up reply actions
Not good enough, sorry...
…I’m high maintenance, remember?! (Just like you…)
I had the star because I took my pic down when I was on hiatus and never put a new one up, so I was never actually blocked.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
Plus...
…I happen to think my man & I make a great couple – he’s funny, sweet, smart, good-looking, – the total package!
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
You win!
I’m running for cover over at CougCenter
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
by Nm RaiDer FAn on Jan 16, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions
Nm...you know I'm on CougCenter too, right?
You can run my friend, but you cannot hide!!! ;-)
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
Gotta love a woman that knows what she likes. Who are we to judge.
Simple rule of thumb: Everything before the but is BS.
by FriscoRaider on Jan 16, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
Thank you, FriscoRaider!!
I wouldn’t make rude comments if y’all posted pics of your wives/girlfriends.
He may not be my man yet, but I’m dang sure going to work to remedy that… ;-)
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
Wait just a minute there...
…thank goodness that I’m star-blocked? And just what do you mean by that?
I’m sure it’s that my own photo would be too pleasantly distracting. That’s what I’m going with anyway!!
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
Is it just me, or does this new profile pic ruin the Haboob image ?
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
by Nm RaiDer FAn on Jan 16, 2012 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
How?
Do you mean you prefer Haboob?
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
I agree with pleasantly distracting.
And Austin is a really cool person.
"Oh, yeah. We don't even talk about Bowls much. We're so far away from being a team right now that can have a chance to compete in a Bowl." HC Tommy Tuberville.
Thank you, Btech!
On both counts! Sometimes I feel like the odd man out around here!
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
That picture you're covering up...
…is really a photo of me…
Who ate your bowl of sunshine this morning, thundercloud?
I read your post
and knew I shouldn’t look. I looked. Haunting. It’s like telling someone on a cliff not to look down.
If this is about the taco or burrito thing, I asked my wife, again, last night if she was offended. She said that the reference was stupid, but that she wasn’t offended. She’s my litmus test. That’s the only thing I allow, otherwise, there is no reference to male or female anatomy, mainly because people use those terms in reference to calling someone a name.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
by Seth C on Jan 17, 2012 5:13 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs
Actually it is not specific to the taco reference
It’s about gender being distinguished from race & homosexuality. I’ll send you an email. No point discussing here.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
I love your enthusiastic me too, me too!
But what are you me too-ing?!
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
the email
about the definition of the slang. just tryin to stay up to date on what phrases all the kids are throwin around
by Jameson Vernon on Jan 19, 2012 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
The fact that your comment got 4 recs speaks volumes...
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
I am not going to change my mind. I cannot and will not please everyone.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
by Seth C on Jan 18, 2012 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, I picked up on that a while ago...
I was just asking you to think about the reasoning behind singling out “no racists or homophobic comments” in your rules and excluding that same courtesy towards gender/women.
This is not an effort to change your mind – you get to decide and you have. I know these comments make me unpopular. But you know what? I don’t care.
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. -Mark Twain
Self explanatory, Seth
Thanks. We all needed that. Some other blogs seem to thrive on combative posts about all the no-nos you have mentioned here and before. I am happy to be able to visit here and read about Texas Tech football, and those other sports in between football seasons. At least two former Red Raiders are on my radar right now bwcause they have a chance to line up against one another in the Super Bowl. That is the type things I like reading about. So, here’s to FOOTBALL!
TTpilk
"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill
Seth, appreciate your work and moderation
I definitely think it is time for Red Raider football fans to move past Coach Leach. The only problem is when I focus on Coach Tuberville, I miss coach Leach. I’m confused!
"I didn't come to Texas Tech to win seven or eight games... I could have done that anywhere." Tommy Tuberville
DTN is an escape for many of us
It is a place where we can just learn more and discuss more about our favorite team and sports.
Seth, the rules you have set are why this is the place we all check on everyday or most days. It is just about sports and especially about Texas Tech and the Red Raider teams.
Respect the site and the other DTN members and follow the few simple rules and we all win and we all continue to enjoy DTN.
_____________________________________________
"I was taught to fight, taught to win" .... "Don’t Give Up"
Thanks very much ...
If most of the good folks here heed this request and work within the parameters you’ve outlined, this will continue to be a fun, interesting place to interact with other Red Raiders.
"Fearless champions ever be; Stand on heights of victory"
The new site avatar is super sweet.
"There's a lot of comedy on television.. Does that cause comedy in the streets?" - Dick Cavett
saw that this morning, thought i was late to the game
super sweet love it
"Oh, yeah. We don't even talk about Bowls much. We're so far away from being a team right now that can have a chance to compete in a Bowl." HC Tommy Tuberville.
I'll bet
he used Roy and Soapsuds because Austin wouldn’t go royalty free on her American beau-hunk
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx
Should this include TTU and their admin?
Because I have read a lot of political talk about Texas Tech on here. I just want clarification.
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips."
by westtxscrub on Jan 18, 2012 12:47 PM CST via mobile reply actions
mmmhmm indeed,
we like to bash em don’t we? just my take, but it seems to me Seth doesn’t mind the Tech political stuff, although i’m pretty sure he doesn’t like us doing it and wishes we would all get over ourselves and move on to more important things. sorry if i totally got that wrong Seth. anyway, talking about that stuff often times leads to talk of the other type of political stuff, so it’s a slippery slope i’d say. one that’s pretty fun to slide down sometimes, though, i must admit
by Jameson Vernon on Jan 18, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
Love The New Logo
What could be more iconic of the Tech campus than seeing the beautiful statue (is statue the correct word?) of Will Rogers and Soapsuds when entering the campus?
And what can be more iconic than Lubbock’s glorious sunsets?
Trivia question (and I hope this isn’t considered political because it isn’t). Where and when did the phrase “trickle down economics” come from?
You're making miss west tx bad.
The sunsets 4 sure, and even the sandsets were good.
trivia question; Walter Mondale of Ronald Reagan?
"All I wanted was my icream cone and my little cream soda, oh well, oh well, oh well" White Stripes
Never mind.
That was voodoo economics. My bad, I give up.
"All I wanted was my icream cone and my little cream soda, oh well, oh well, oh well" White Stripes
Maybe the trivia question gets a pass because of the WR connection.
Simple rule of thumb: Everything before the but is BS.
by FriscoRaider on Jan 21, 2012 8:09 AM CST up reply actions
well shoot,
isn’t that just pretty interesting. no sarc here. i find that to be very cool, the history of that saying
by Jameson Vernon on Jan 23, 2012 2:11 AM CST up reply actions
Good guess but not correct.
I’ll wait until either Sunday morning, I get ten guesses, or someone gets it right to provide the the answer. But I think everyone in the Red Raider family will be surprised.
What is somewhat amazing is I just learned this from my boss and he is a frickin’ UConn grad, meaning I have to put up with his UConn and Patriots crud all the time (though I consistently remind him Welker is a TTU grad).
Wazzu, You Are 2/3's Correct!
He did indeed coin the phrase “trickle down economics”. And it was during the Great Depression . But where did he first use the phrase?
You should use the reply button below comments you want to respond to.
It makes the conversation flow a lot better (even though in this case I know you were responding to me), and creates a true thread.
To answer your question I don’t know without consulting Google, but if I had to guess I would say on the campus of TT.
Ok, is this the correct way to reply just to your comment?
Bingo. You are correct. Will Rogers coined the phrase “trickle down” economics while giving a speech at Texas Tech.
by RdRdr19881991 on Jan 22, 2012 8:37 AM CST up reply actions
we'll need,
references and citations, and a link to the actual newspaper article and/or speech transcript. thanks.
by Jameson Vernon on Jan 23, 2012 2:15 AM CST up reply actions
No
The “Red Raiders” nickname was given us in the 1930s during Pete Cawthon’s coaching regime, when he had the teams dressed in bright scarlet unis and going around winning games right and left. One news account noted that “Tech’s Red Raiders swooped down on the UNM campus” (leaving with a victory, etc.). Tech’s teams were known as the Matadors, but soon the Raiders nickname became official.
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