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The Rules of Pacers Digest

Hello everyone,

Whether your are a long standing forum member or whether you have just registered today, it's a good idea to read and review the rules below so that you have a very good idea of what to expect when you come to Pacers Digest.

A quick note to new members: Your posts will not immediately show up when you make them. An administrator has to approve at least your first post before the forum software will later upgrade your account to the status of a fully-registered member. This usually happens within a couple of hours or so after your post(s) is/are approved, so you may need to be a little patient at first.

Why do we do this? So that it's more difficult for spammers (be they human or robot) to post, and so users who are banned cannot immediately re-register and start dousing people with verbal flames.

Below are the rules of Pacers Digest. After you have read them, you will have a very good sense of where we are coming from, what we expect, what we don't want to see, and how we react to things.

Rule #1

Pacers Digest is intended to be a place to discuss basketball without having to deal with the kinds of behaviors or attitudes that distract people from sticking with the discussion of the topics at hand. These unwanted distractions can come in many forms, and admittedly it can sometimes be tricky to pin down each and every kind that can rear its ugly head, but we feel that the following examples and explanations cover at least a good portion of that ground and should at least give people a pretty good idea of the kinds of things we actively discourage:

"Anyone who __________ is a liar / a fool / an idiot / a blind homer / has their head buried in the sand / a blind hater / doesn't know basketball / doesn't watch the games"

"People with intelligence will agree with me when I say that __________"

"Only stupid people think / believe / do ___________"

"I can't wait to hear something from PosterX when he/she sees that **insert a given incident or current event that will have probably upset or disappointed PosterX here**"

"He/she is just delusional"

"This thread is stupid / worthless / embarrassing"

"I'm going to take a moment to point and / laugh at PosterX / GroupOfPeopleY who thought / believed *insert though/belief here*"

"Remember when PosterX said OldCommentY that no longer looks good? "

In general, if a comment goes from purely on topic to something 'ad hominem' (personal jabs, personal shots, attacks, flames, however you want to call it, towards a person, or a group of people, or a given city/state/country of people), those are most likely going to be found intolerable.

We also dissuade passive aggressive behavior. This can be various things, but common examples include statements that are basically meant to imply someone is either stupid or otherwise incapable of holding a rational conversation. This can include (but is not limited to) laughing at someone's conclusions rather than offering an honest rebuttal, asking people what game they were watching, or another common problem is Poster X will say "that player isn't that bad" and then Poster Y will say something akin to "LOL you think that player is good". We're not going to tolerate those kinds of comments out of respect for the community at large and for the sake of trying to just have an honest conversation.

Now, does the above cover absolutely every single kind of distraction that is unwanted? Probably not, but you should by now have a good idea of the general types of things we will be discouraging. The above examples are meant to give you a good feel for / idea of what we're looking for. If something new or different than the above happens to come along and results in the same problem (that being, any other attitude or behavior that ultimately distracts from actually just discussing the topic at hand, or that is otherwise disrespectful to other posters), we can and we will take action to curb this as well, so please don't take this to mean that if you managed to technically avoid saying something exactly like one of the above examples that you are then somehow off the hook.

That all having been said, our goal is to do so in a generally kind and respectful way, and that doesn't mean the moment we see something we don't like that somebody is going to be suspended or banned, either. It just means that at the very least we will probably say something about it, quite possibly snipping out the distracting parts of the post in question while leaving alone the parts that are actually just discussing the topics, and in the event of a repeating or excessive problem, then we will start issuing infractions to try to further discourage further repeat problems, and if it just never seems to improve, then finally suspensions or bans will come into play. We would prefer it never went that far, and most of the time for most of our posters, it won't ever have to.

A slip up every once and a while is pretty normal, but, again, when it becomes repetitive or excessive, something will be done. Something occasional is probably going to be let go (within reason), but when it starts to become habitual or otherwise a pattern, odds are very good that we will step in.

There's always a small minority that like to push people's buttons and/or test their own boundaries with regards to the administrators, and in the case of someone acting like that, please be aware that this is not a court of law, but a private website run by people who are simply trying to do the right thing as they see it. If we feel that you are a special case that needs to be dealt with in an exceptional way because your behavior isn't explicitly mirroring one of our above examples of what we generally discourage, we can and we will take atypical action to prevent this from continuing if you are not cooperative with us.

Also please be aware that you will not be given a pass simply by claiming that you were 'only joking,' because quite honestly, when someone really is just joking, for one thing most people tend to pick up on the joke, including the person or group that is the target of the joke, and for another thing, in the event where an honest joke gets taken seriously and it upsets or angers someone, the person who is truly 'only joking' will quite commonly go out of his / her way to apologize and will try to mend fences. People who are dishonest about their statements being 'jokes' do not do so, and in turn that becomes a clear sign of what is really going on. It's nothing new.

In any case, quite frankly, the overall quality and health of the entire forum's community is more important than any one troublesome user will ever be, regardless of exactly how a problem is exhibiting itself, and if it comes down to us having to make a choice between you versus the greater health and happiness of the entire community, the community of this forum will win every time.

Lastly, there are also some posters, who are generally great contributors and do not otherwise cause any problems, who sometimes feel it's their place to provoke or to otherwise 'mess with' that small minority of people described in the last paragraph, and while we possibly might understand why you might feel you WANT to do something like that, the truth is we can't actually tolerate that kind of behavior from you any more than we can tolerate the behavior from them. So if we feel that you are trying to provoke those other posters into doing or saying something that will get themselves into trouble, then we will start to view you as a problem as well, because of the same reason as before: The overall health of the forum comes first, and trying to stir the pot with someone like that doesn't help, it just makes it worse. Some will simply disagree with this philosophy, but if so, then so be it because ultimately we have to do what we think is best so long as it's up to us.

If you see a problem that we haven't addressed, the best and most appropriate course for a forum member to take here is to look over to the left of the post in question. See underneath that poster's name, avatar, and other info, down where there's a little triangle with an exclamation point (!) in it? Click that. That allows you to report the post to the admins so we can definitely notice it and give it a look to see what we feel we should do about it. Beyond that, obviously it's human nature sometimes to want to speak up to the poster in question who has bothered you, but we would ask that you try to refrain from doing so because quite often what happens is two or more posters all start going back and forth about the original offending post, and suddenly the entire thread is off topic or otherwise derailed. So while the urge to police it yourself is understandable, it's best to just report it to us and let us handle it. Thank you!

All of the above is going to be subject to a case by case basis, but generally and broadly speaking, this should give everyone a pretty good idea of how things will typically / most often be handled.

Rule #2

If the actions of an administrator inspire you to make a comment, criticism, or express a concern about it, there is a wrong place and a couple of right places to do so.

The wrong place is to do so in the original thread in which the administrator took action. For example, if a post gets an infraction, or a post gets deleted, or a comment within a larger post gets clipped out, in a thread discussing Paul George, the wrong thing to do is to distract from the discussion of Paul George by adding your off topic thoughts on what the administrator did.

The right places to do so are:

A) Start a thread about the specific incident you want to talk about on the Feedback board. This way you are able to express yourself in an area that doesn't throw another thread off topic, and this way others can add their two cents as well if they wish, and additionally if there's something that needs to be said by the administrators, that is where they will respond to it.

B) Send a private message to the administrators, and they can respond to you that way.

If this is done the wrong way, those comments will be deleted, and if it's a repeating problem then it may also receive an infraction as well.

Rule #3

If a poster is bothering you, and an administrator has not or will not deal with that poster to the extent that you would prefer, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, one that has recently been upgraded and is now better than ever: The ability to ignore a user.

When you ignore a user, you will unfortunately still see some hints of their existence (nothing we can do about that), however, it does the following key things:

A) Any post they make will be completely invisible as you scroll through a thread.

B) The new addition to this feature: If someone QUOTES a user you are ignoring, you do not have to read who it was, or what that poster said, unless you go out of your way to click on a link to find out who it is and what they said.

To utilize this feature, from any page on Pacers Digest, scroll to the top of the page, look to the top right where it says 'Settings' and click that. From the settings page, look to the left side of the page where it says 'My Settings', and look down from there until you see 'Edit Ignore List' and click that. From here, it will say 'Add a Member to Your List...' Beneath that, click in the text box to the right of 'User Name', type in or copy & paste the username of the poster you are ignoring, and once their name is in the box, look over to the far right and click the 'Okay' button. All done!

Rule #4

Regarding infractions, currently they carry a value of one point each, and that point will expire in 31 days. If at any point a poster is carrying three points at the same time, that poster will be suspended until the oldest of the three points expires.

Rule #5

When you share or paste content or articles from another website, you must include the URL/link back to where you found it, who wrote it, and what website it's from. Said content will be removed if this doesn't happen.

An example:

If I copy and paste an article from the Indianapolis Star website, I would post something like this:

http://www.linktothearticlegoeshere.com/article
Title of the Article
Author's Name
Indianapolis Star

Rule #6

We cannot tolerate illegal videos on Pacers Digest. This means do not share any links to them, do not mention any websites that host them or link to them, do not describe how to find them in any way, and do not ask about them. Posts doing anything of the sort will be removed, the offenders will be contacted privately, and if the problem becomes habitual, you will be suspended, and if it still persists, you will probably be banned.

The legal means of watching or listening to NBA games are NBA League Pass Broadband (for US, or for International; both cost money) and NBA Audio League Pass (which is free). Look for them on NBA.com.

Rule #7

Provocative statements in a signature, or as an avatar, or as the 'tagline' beneath a poster's username (where it says 'Member' or 'Administrator' by default, if it is not altered) are an unwanted distraction that will more than likely be removed on sight. There can be shades of gray to this, but in general this could be something political or religious that is likely going to provoke or upset people, or otherwise something that is mean-spirited at the expense of a poster, a group of people, or a population.

It may or may not go without saying, but this goes for threads and posts as well, particularly when it's not made on the off-topic board (Market Square).

We do make exceptions if we feel the content is both innocuous and unlikely to cause social problems on the forum (such as wishing someone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Easter), and we also also make exceptions if such topics come up with regards to a sports figure (such as the Lance Stephenson situation bringing up discussions of domestic abuse and the law, or when Jason Collins came out as gay and how that lead to some discussion about gay rights).

However, once the discussion seems to be more/mostly about the political issues instead of the sports figure or his specific situation, the thread is usually closed.

Rule #8

We prefer self-restraint and/or modesty when making jokes or off topic comments in a sports discussion thread. They can be fun, but sometimes they derail or distract from a topic, and we don't want to see that happen. If we feel it is a problem, we will either delete or move those posts from the thread.

Rule #9

Generally speaking, we try to be a "PG-13" rated board, and we don't want to see sexual content or similarly suggestive content. Vulgarity is a more muddled issue, though again we prefer things to lean more towards "PG-13" than "R". If we feel things have gone too far, we will step in.

Rule #10

We like small signatures, not big signatures. The bigger the signature, the more likely it is an annoying or distracting signature.

Rule #11

Do not advertise anything without talking about it with the administrators first. This includes advertising with your signature, with your avatar, through private messaging, and/or by making a thread or post.
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Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

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  • Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

    http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...enassentencing

    Wizards’ Arenas gets 30 days in halfway house

    By JOSEPH WHITE and MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writers 23 minutes ago

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    Buzz up! 112
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    WASHINGTON (AP)—No jail. But no round-the-clock freedom, either, for Gilbert Arenas(notes).

    The judge found a halfway point—literally—between prison and probation Friday when he sentenced the three-time NBA All-Star to 30 days in a halfway house for bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room.

    Arenas remained expressionless as District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin described a litany of conditions associated with the sentence— two years of probation, a $5,000 fine, 400 hours of community service that can’t be done at basketball clinics—then turned to his lawyer for an explanation of what it all meant. After several minutes discussing logistics, Arenas eventually cracked a smile while talking to a court official.

    Arenas made no comment leaving the courthouse, but his lawyer Ken Wainstein released a statement signaling his client considered the outcome a victory.
    Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas, left, arrives with attorney Kenneth Wainstein, right, at D.C Superior Court on Jan. 15, 2010.
    (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

    “The result was a sentence that serves justice very well,” the statement said. “Mr. Arenas is grateful to the court, and looks forward to serving the community and once again being a force for good in the District of Columbia.”

    The halfway house was an unexpected resolution to weeks of suspense as to whether Arenas would be sent to jail. Prosecutors wanted him locked up for three months for the felony gun possession charge, while Arenas’ lawyers had sought community service and probation.

    It will be at least five days before Arenas begins his time. Halfway houses provide a structured environment with nightly curfews and other rules, but residents are not locked down. They usually feature a community-living environment.

    “It is not a jail,” said Edmond Ross, spokesman for the federal Bureau of Prisons. “They do have to abide by the rules and regulations.”

    Addressing the judge before sentencing, Arenas sighed heavily and apologized, saying, “Every day, I wake up wishing it did not happen.”
    Wizards' Javaris Crittenton leaves D.C. Superior Court on Jan. 25, 2010.
    (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

    He then explained several of his actions that have come under criticism, including evidence that he tried to cover up what happened by getting teammate Javaris Crittenton(notes) to change his story. Arenas said he was just trying to get Crittenton off the hook.

    “I thought by lying and screwing the truth I could protect people I consider family,” Arenas said. “I figured I could fix it by taking the fall.”

    His voice cracking, Arenas disputed claims by prosecutors that he did not take his crime seriously, reiterating the “I’m a goof ball” defense he used with reporters in the days following the incident. He specifically referred to his gunslinging pantomime before a Wizards game at Philadelphia, when he pretended to shoot his laughing teammates during a pregame huddle.

    “I like to make people laugh, to make people smile,” Arenas said. “For everybody else, I’m taking it lightly. I’m looking at a picture where 14 or 15 guys are laughing together for the last time.”

    Arenas’ arrest arose from a dispute with Crittenton over a card game during a team flight on Dec. 19. It escalated two days later when Arenas brought four guns to the locker room and set them in front of Crittenton’s locker with a sign telling him to “PICK 1.” Crittenton then took out his own gun.

    Arguing for jail time, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said Arenas had made “a mockery of the judicial system” by treating the criminal investigation as a joke. He pointed out that Arenas initially lied when asked why the guns were brought to the locker room, and said any other defendant with a similar criminal record would have received jail time.

    Morin listed several factors for not sending Arenas to jail. He noted that Arenas’ prior guns-related conviction—a misdemeanor in California in 2003— was a nonviolent offense. He pointed out that Arenas’ guns were obtained lawfully in Virginia, where Arenas lives, and were not loaded when brought them to the locker room. The judge emphasized that Crittenton—who has “not the same celebrity” as Arenas—was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor rather than a felony and received a year of unsupervised probation.

    Morin admonished Arenas and Crittenton for committing a “stupid and immature act” and failing to act “like mature adults,” but he also cited Arenas’ devotion to community service and said he was satisfied that Arenas understood the seriousness of his actions.

    “You are genuinely remorseful, and you get it,” Morin said.

    While the sentence offers some legal closure, Arenas’ future with the Wizards remains unclear. The NBA has suspended him for the rest of the season. His misdeed has helped contribute to the precipitous decline of a franchise that is headed for its second consecutive last-place finish after several years of regularly reaching the playoffs.

    The Wizards have indicated they would like to have him back, and Arenas has said he would have no problem playing for the team again. Complicating matters is the fact that the team’s ownership is in flux following the death of longtime owner Abe Pollin.

    The Wizards could attempt to void the last four years of Arenas’ six-year, $111 million contract, although the NBA players’ union has vowed to fight such a move. Notably, the team did not address Arenas’ future in a statement released after the sentencing.

    “Gilbert has admitted his mistakes and will now pay his debt to our community,” said the statement issued by president Ernie Grunfeld and Pollin’s family. “We are confident that he has learned something significant from the experience and we now look forward to moving on and focusing on building this team into the contender that our outstanding fans deserve.”

  • #2
    Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

      Hahaha, I remember just a few short years ago when Arenas-Butler-Jamison was the next big thing, the Wizards were destined to be a perennial 50 game a year winner, supposedly about to take over the Southeastern conference...

      Their fall gives me joy. The need to get rid of the guy tomorrow and finish their transformation. They already moved two big contracts in Butler and Jamison, so moving Arenas would really allow them to start making some moves and start all over again.

      Weren't the Wizards supposed to be pretty good this year?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

        MONEY TALKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
        I'm not perfect and neither are you.

        Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim,
        Ephisians 4: 32 And be kind towards one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as Elohim also forgave you in Messiah.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

          I think this is fair. What Arenas did was stupid, but it wasn't atrocious enough to warrant a significantly larger punishment.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

            Originally posted by Shade View Post
            I think this is fair. What Arenas did was stupid, but it wasn't atrocious enough to warrant a significantly larger punishment.
            I think that depends on the specific law of the state it happened in. I though the laws and their associated punishments there were a little more strict.

            Money = no jail time. Any other conclusion is ............... wrong.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

              Plaxico Burress gets 2 years in Rikers Island for illegally possessing a gun and Gilbert Areans gets 30 days in a halfway house for bringing FOUR guns to his workplace. Get outta town
              Larry Bird and Ryan Grigson- wasting the talents of Paul George and Andrew Luck

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

                Well, one key difference being that Plaxico's gun went off and if it hadn't hit Plax, it could have hit and killed another person. All of Gilbert's guns were unloaded and he had no intention of using them for anything other than as a prop in a poor attempt at humor.

                Which case poses a bigger threat to the community? The one loaded gun in a populated club that went off or the 4 unloaded that lay on a chair in a locker room?
                2015, 2016, 2019 IKL Fantasy Basketball Champions - DC Dreamers

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                • #9
                  Re: Arenas to spend 30 days in halfway house and 2 years probation

                  Originally posted by Kuq_e_Zi91 View Post
                  All of Gilbert's guns were unloaded and he had no intention of using them for anything other than as a prop in a poor attempt at humor.
                  He said.

                  Could there have been rounds in his locker ?? Somewhere else accessible to him ?? Or might they have actually been loaded ?? We don't know. Either way - stupid is as stupid does. Arenas fits the stupid profile quite well. And the average Joe in the same situation is doing jail time. The beat goes on ..............

                  Originally posted by Kuq_e_Zi91 View Post
                  Which case poses a bigger threat to the community? The one loaded gun in a populated club that went off or the 4 unloaded that lay on a chair in a locker room?
                  I say the threat lies in the ignorance/arrogance of the person that treats them like they're toys - or props for a joke. Ask a few kids up at Purdue about joking with guns. Oh, they were unloaded - or so they thought. Happens ALL the time. "I didn't know it was loaded." Yeah, tell THAT to your dead buddy.
                  Last edited by PacerDude; 03-28-2010, 04:07 PM.

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