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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.

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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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George Floyd Protests and Riots

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  • Not alot of young talent on the Right right now


    Comment


    • Originally posted by D-BONE View Post

      Do you remember the name of the documentary by chance?
      Nope, it might not have even been a documentary. Could have been some random 1 hour TV show on cable. I just remembered that it blew my mind at how far behind we were in the space arena.

      They interviewed some lady at a control terminal where they could beam into certain satellites and essentially maneuver them into position to watch and observe the unmarked drone satellites. It was all on video too. She mentioned that just repositioning a satellite to make your presence known was usually enough to scare off the drone. But for the previous year the activity was getting more brazen and aggressive. And she basically said that we have no defenses in space and that all our satellites are vulnerable, and that we are a good 5 years behind on this. I remember that she had to call up who ever was in control of the satellite that was being targeted and warn them so that they could out maneuver or power down, or stop transmission, etc.....
      You can't get champagne from a garden hose.

      Comment


      • Originally posted by D-BONE View Post

        I'm saying he manipulates fear of survival of the white nation (in White Nationalist sense) whether the followers consciously identify with White Nationalism or not. That manipulation spurred a mob that put itself and those at the Capitol in danger. And there was a threat to the political nation. So it's the intersection of the political nation and the ideological nation.
        Honest question. Does this also apply to any person of color that would have been there? I realize it was not a high number but there were at least a dozen POC involved in the actual storming of the Capital. Or are we going with the theory that they actually were members of black bloc (antifa/anarchist/whatever) that were there to sew trouble?

        Yes before anyone tries to say otherwise, I freely admit that there most likely were a very high % of people there that held racially biased beliefs.

        But clearly there were all types there that day. I saw several different races, not just white (again yes white majority without question) but where these few that were there motivated by keeping a white nation or something else?


        Basketball isn't played with computers, spreadsheets, and simulations. ChicagoJ 4/21/13

        Comment


        • I know we hate Rachel and Big Shume in here but it was a decent interview. At least he's saying the right things. Now get er done



          Comment


          • Originally posted by D-BONE View Post

            Oh, those were gestures. HBC funding, too. He would deserve more credit if it weren't for...

            "I am the least racist person there is anywhere in the world."

            "I've done more for the Black community than any other President since Abraham Lincoln."

            "I don't have a racist bone in my body."

            "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crimes. They're rapists."

            My paraphrase: Go back to your country! (to Tlaib, AOC, Pressley, Omar)


            And on and on.

            What Trump may well turn out to be is the catalyst for an anti-racist tidal wave.

            Hopefully that wave washes your President’s azz up to shore. You know the one who said he didn’t want his children living in a jungle and authored a crime bill to make sure they weren’t. This was before he scolded blacks by saying this:
            Biden: 'If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black'
            https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn...ack/index.html

            Now I could repost that dozen or so D@mning videos demonstrating that white hood fits nicely on Joe Biden’s head...








            Comment


            • Mom of 'zip tie guy' Lisa Eisenhart can be released from federal custody after Capitol riots

              https://www.tennessean.com/story/new...ot/4248209001/

              The decision was made by Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Frensley, who said while Eisenhart's involvement in the siege was "undisputed," she poses no flight risk or danger to the public while she awaits trial.
              ......
              Frensley repeatedly pushed back on claims Eisenhart made in a news article that she was willing to die for her cause. He also questioned Eisenhart and Munchel's motive in grabbing plastic restraints, asking if the woman could've grabbed them to prevent law enforcement from using them on the rioters. Her motive with them is "far from clear," the judge said.
              .......
              The judge also questioned Eisenhart's motive in wearing a bulletproof vest, saying that federal agents and even lawmakers sometimes wore tactical gear, and perhaps the woman wore it for protection from others rather than because she anticipated kickstarting violence.

              “Is it not possible, though, that someone could wear a bulletproof vest for their protection rather than to engage in (violent) conduct?” Frensley asked.
              ...
              According to federal prosecutors, Eisenhart said she'd rather die than "live under oppression." She viewed herself as a part of a new revolution, she told a Sunday Times reporter.

              "Same as our forefathers, who established this country in 1776," she told the outlet. "I’d rather die as a 57-year-old woman than live under oppression. I’d rather die and would rather fight.”

              Frensley said "maybe 'fighting and dying' is more hyperbole" and that the word "fight" has multiple connotations.

              “Not when you say you’re willing to fight and die, no, your honor," prosecutor Joshua A. Kurtzman answered. "She has told the public she is willing to fight at any cost, and she would prefer that than living under the current system. I am just asking the court to believe her.”

              Comment


              • Originally posted by Peck View Post

                Honest question. Does this also apply to any person of color that would have been there? I realize it was not a high number but there were at least a dozen POC involved in the actual storming of the Capital. Or are we going with the theory that they actually were members of black bloc (antifa/anarchist/whatever) that were there to sew trouble?

                Yes before anyone tries to say otherwise, I freely admit that there most likely were a very high % of people there that held racially biased beliefs.

                But clearly there were all types there that day. I saw several different races, not just white (again yes white majority without question) but where these few that were there motivated by keeping a white nation or something else?
                Could be either. Some thrill seeker or other ideologies looking to experience a wild/chaotic situation. Could have been pro-Trump narrative. In the latter case, that's supporting White Supremacy whether consciously or unconsciously.
                I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.

                -Emiliano Zapata

                Comment


                • Originally posted by BlueNGold View Post

                  Hopefully that wave washes your President’s azz up to shore. You know the one who said he didn’t want his children living in a jungle and authored a crime bill to make sure they weren’t. This was before he scolded blacks by saying this:
                  Biden: 'If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black'
                  https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn...ack/index.html

                  Now I could repost that dozen or so D@mning videos demonstrating that white hood fits nicely on Joe Biden’s head...







                  I've seen no substantial commitment to anti-racist policies by either party or any candidate in my lifetime. The status quo parties are all upholding systemic racism in that way. Biden has done/said some ugly racist things, but he's not overtly hostile, hateful, and bigoted to any level like Trump. Times change, sometimes people change. Our mentality surrounding racism is undergoing significant awakening and deeper understanding of what it is and how to work to reduce and eliminate it.

                  Biden could be responsive to that. The things you reference all happened nearly 30 years ago or more. Societies evolve. Trump devolves societies. Birtherism - the biggest, most blatant, toxic racist strategy in recent history was of his creation and diffusion. Openly courting White Nationalism in this era right up to Jan. 6th. His racist greatest hit list goes back to the 70s and has never let up.

                  I don't expect racism to realistically be dismantled any time soon, if at all. But there can at least be legitimate work done toward the goal - an honest start. Given the choices, the candidate who has said ugly comments over the years, but who's worst transgressions are 30 years behind us and who evinces empathy when appropriate is preferable any day compared to the Trump's consistently egregious manipulations, such as Make America Great Again (code for Make American White Again).
                  I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.

                  -Emiliano Zapata

                  Comment


                  • I completely disagree. Trump is not the white supremacist you think he is. You are confusing his whiteness, richness, maleness, arrogance, narcissism, nationalism, populism, lack of decorum, insistence on winning and being in charge with him being a racist.

                    Here’s the deal. Racism is rooted in people’s own insecurities not so much their feelings of superiority. That was the case in the south after they lost the civil war. Those men I know who are like Trump don’t even have time or interest for that. The fact Trump wanted to build a wall was because people wanted to enter the US illegally not because brown people wanted to enter the US illegally. He would oppose Canadian invading if that was happening. Have you not seen how he treats the white Angela Merkel and other white Euro politicians? He calls Ted Cruz lying Ted. He has a nickname for everyone.

                    But you are free to believe what you want and ignore the legislation he and Biden passed. I understand it is hard to be objective in these times.

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by vapacersfan View Post
                      Mom of 'zip tie guy' Lisa Eisenhart can be released from federal custody after Capitol riots

                      https://www.tennessean.com/story/new...ot/4248209001/
                      Zip tie guy may have saved lives by picking them up. You all know they were not his right? If security had tied up say the horned hat guy someone might have pulled a gun.

                      Comment


                      • Originally posted by BlueNGold View Post
                        Zip tie guy may have saved lives by picking them up. You all know they were not his right? If security had tied up say the horned hat guy someone might have pulled a gun.
                        I find it very interesting that was your takeaway from that article; my takeaway was that judge sounded more like a defense attorney for the mother and less like a judge. The second takeaway I had was I wonder if that judge (and others holding onto his every word) would feel the same way if the mom was not caucasian but instead a person of color

                        Comment


                        • Interesting read. This is obviously only one lawyers opinion and it sounds like this isn’t 100% defined either way

                          Will Donald Trump Lose His Benefits If He Is Impeached By US Senate?

                          The Former Presidents Act spells out the benefits ex-leaders are entitled to after leaving office, but notes that those removed from office through impeachment are not covered. "As used in this section, the term 'former President' means a person… whose service in such office shall have terminated other than by removal pursuant to section 4 of article II of the Constitution of the United States of America," it says. Matthew Dallek, professor at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, confirmed in an email: "Trump only loses those things -- the consequences only kick in -- if he is convicted in the Senate. My understanding is that just being impeached in the House without conviction in the Senate has no formal consequences." Below, AFP Fact Check compares the social media claims with the law.

                          Pension
                          "For those wondering if it's worth impeaching him this time, it means he: 1) loses his 200k+ pension for the rest of his life," the posts claim. The Former Presidents Act allots each ex-president a yearly allowance paid monthly that is equal to that of an executive department head -- the departments are listed here -- and the highest level does amount to more than $200,000 per year. Trump would still be entitled to the sum, according to University of Chicago Law School Professor Daniel Hemel. "A former president does not lose his post-presidential pension unless he is impeached and convicted *while in office.* If he is convicted after January 20, he remains eligible for his pension," Hemel said in an email.

                          Travel Allowance

                          The social media posts also claim that an impeached Trump would lose a $1 million per year travel allowance following his presidency. The Former Presidents Act says up to $1 million is available "for security and travel related expenses" to former presidents as an alternative to Secret Service protection.

                          Security detail

                          A 2013 measure ensures "Secret Service protection for former Presidents and their spouses and children… except that protection of a spouse shall terminate in the event of remarriage." Allan Lichtman, US history professor at American University, confirmed by email that Trump will retain lifetime Secret Service detail, should he choose to, regardless of whether he is impeached and removed. University of Utah political science Assistant Professor James Curry agreed. "My understanding is that an impeached and removed president loses their former-president benefits, with the exception of the security detail, which they keep," he said in an email.

                          Comment


                          • Originally posted by vapacersfan View Post

                            I find it very interesting that was your takeaway from that article; my takeaway was that judge sounded more like a defense attorney for the mother and less like a judge. The second takeaway I had was I wonder if that judge (and others holding onto his every word) would feel the same way if the mom was not caucasian but instead a person of color
                            He was defending her and it is not clear what he would do had it been a black mother but I hope the same. The problem with holding her is that you would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to convict and ahe was probably a local with a mortgage, etc. She is an older lady and isn’t a flight risk.

                            Comment


                            • Originally posted by Peck View Post

                              Honest question. Does this also apply to any person of color that would have been there? I realize it was not a high number but there were at least a dozen POC involved in the actual storming of the Capital. Or are we going with the theory that they actually were members of black bloc (antifa/anarchist/whatever) that were there to sew trouble?

                              Yes before anyone tries to say otherwise, I freely admit that there most likely were a very high % of people there that held racially biased beliefs.

                              But clearly there were all types there that day. I saw several different races, not just white (again yes white majority without question) but where these few that were there motivated by keeping a white nation or something else?
                              Sometimes just because a person is Brown or whatever that doesn’t mean they don’t feel white, I experience this bs with my people all the time.


                              And yes you are right I saw a bunch of people of color in that thing, that doesn’t mean they don’t support a white nationalist though, some of this people are fool enough they think they can hang out with the KKK and nothing would happen to them, because in their minds they are part of this group.
                              @WhatTheFFacts: Studies show that sarcasm enhances the ability of the human mind to solve complex problems!

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by BlueNGold View Post
                                I completely disagree. Trump is not the white supremacist you think he is. You are confusing his whiteness, richness, maleness, arrogance, narcissism, nationalism, populism, lack of decorum, insistence on winning and being in charge with him being a racist.

                                Here’s the deal. Racism is rooted in people’s own insecurities not so much their feelings of superiority. That was the case in the south after they lost the civil war. Those men I know who are like Trump don’t even have time or interest for that. The fact Trump wanted to build a wall was because people wanted to enter the US illegally not because brown people wanted to enter the US illegally. He would oppose Canadian invading if that was happening. Have you not seen how he treats the white Angela Merkel and other white Euro politicians? He calls Ted Cruz lying Ted. He has a nickname for everyone.

                                But you are free to believe what you want and ignore the legislation he and Biden passed. I understand it is hard to be objective in these times.
                                These qualities, especially in the extreme (Trump certainly qualifies), are precisely the things that engender and enable racism and a whole host of other negative energies/ideologies. In fact, can't you see that all those things are overlapping in terms of holding back equity? It's just not the type of people we should aspire to be. There's nothing wrong with most of those traits unless they are unhealthily unbridled.
                                I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.

                                -Emiliano Zapata

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