I believe this is the best way to resolve these issues. I thought that's how we set things up, but after reading the Constitution I am to find that this isn't the case. Perhaps that's something that should be made clearer.
hmmm, you're right. Its in bylaw A. Which can be modified by a authoritative directoral vote. Obviously leaders are intended to be able to move threads, but it is not clearly stated. Without this authority the forums would be a total disaster.
We're sure to find more errors in the constitution/bylaws as time goes on. The authors weren't gods, and since most of them are still here I'm sure they'll agree. There is a process in place to correct them.
I happen to agree. Threads like this take away from both the Institute as a whole and the time and energy of the Navigators and Directors who work for the Institute for free.
I think there is a huge difference between the Constitution of the United States and the bylaws/Constitution of the Institute. Some sort of mixing of the two is delusional at best. Private organizations, companies, etc are under no law forcing them to offer free speech areas or un-moderated zones, etc. The servers are paid for and run by the Institute--end of story as to how they are used. For all those so hip to protect the "freedom of speech" of the Institute, you are grand-standing: Your activism would be better served battling censorship with the United Stated government itself or any of its many, many violations of the Constitution. Sitting around here, protesting for freedom of speech on here just come off as childish and immature in comparison.
The only leg any of these advocates have is the actual wording of the bylaws of the Institute. Personally, I'd like to see the bylaws modified to reflect a more stringent set of policies for the forums. There is so much garbage on here these days, with so many nutjobs and crazies. Are we looking to advance the Institute out of the shadows? Are we looking to gain a modicum of respectability? To gain some sort of mainstream acceptance? Or do we just want to sit in the shadows, giving the finger to everyone and complaining how "the man" doesn't get us. Please.
It is time the Institute cleans up its act and imposes a stronger set of laws on the forums. Will the Navigators and Directors overreach sometimes? Sure. It happens. But when called on it, other Directors and Navigators tend to step in. It is a self-correcting system. But enough of our tolerance of the detritus of the internet. It is time the Institute moved past its infancy and act with a little more maturity. If you so desperately need some "freedom of speech area", host your own site, put a link to it in your profile and have at it.
And for the record, I've been subjected to edits of my posts and requests via PMs to change my tone more than once. Each and every time, such action was warranted and I did not mind. I think the only times I was annoyed was when my threads were moved/edited without notification via PM; even then I figured out what had happened and that was that (though I do think an uniform policy of informing via PM is important).
So in closing: The authors of the Institute's Constitution were not gods and flaws were part of the process. Time to correct it so half our staff, who work for free, aren't sucked into this nonsense.