I’d really much rather post about Star Wars and not about people posting here, but I guess I have to.
To clarify for all of you, I don’t regard SWPAS the same as any other site where it’s an open soapbox. I do that and I know what will happen to this site in a hurry. My biggest irritation with other sites–including non-Star Wars/non-fandom ones–is how they can be lousy with trolls, endless arguments, and spammers. I don’t want SWPAS to a battleground where there’s an endless pro-PT vs. anti-PT war. I think we’re all sick of that.
I view SWPAS the same way I view my other accounts; it’s like my home and I expect guests in my home to behave. I don’t want you to come into my house and start berating me or pick fights with my other guests. Maybe it’s a different concept from how younger people view internet sites, but you’re going to have to live with the way I do things here.
I hate being an enforcer. I often start second-guessing myself and wonder if I’ve been too harsh. But I guess from now on I’m going to have to be a hard@SS. Below are the rules of the site again. They’re also at the link way off to the right of the page. Take the time to read them, please.
This site is about one thing and it’s about celebrating the Star Wars prequels and the saga as a whole. In order to accomplish this goal, please keep these rules–created by endless Senate committees–in mind:
1. No bashing or excessive criticism of the films.
This includes but is not limited to the quality of performances, writing, direction, story, etc.. If you don’t like the movies or want to use this as a soapbox for your gripes, this site is NOT for you. Gripe away on your own site or where they allow it; don’t do it here. No insults directed at the cast either.
2. No bashing or excessive criticism of George Lucas and his family.
This includes but is not limited to referring to him as “greedy,” “a hack,” “a lousy director,” etc. or cutting comments on his appearance, his family, or anything personal.
3. Commenters must be polite and civil.
There is to be no flaming, trolling, baiting, insults, excessive nitpicking, contrarianism, and all-around smarta–ery directed at other commenters or the webmiss. Save it for Sheldon and the Comic Book Guy.
Even though with Star Wars, it’s inevitable religion and politics will come up, please use common sense when discussing these issues and keep it relevant to the Star Wars universe. There are going to be people of all kinds of beliefs here and we don’t need to be smashing chairs over each other’s heads. If I link to a politically-tinged piece, I will pre-warn you.
There is to be no racist, sexist, or other demeaning language. Keep it clean; use asterisks instead of spelling out f-bombs or something. Do not swear at other posters or the webmiss.
Threats of violence, rape, murder, or other criminal activity posted on the site or sent privately will be reported to the authorities.
4. No spam or sales pitches
Spam will be instantly deleted. No one is to use comments to sell products/services or to contact commenters privately to sell products/services. If you want to promote your site, make sure it’s relevant AND friendly to Star Wars.
5. No Off-Topic/Irrelevant Posts
If a discussion goes off-topic, I will ask that the conversation continue elsewhere. Off-topic comments/thread-jacking will be deleted.
Facebook Rules
Facebook comments and posts must meet all of the above rules or they will be deleted. If you want to promote your group, run it by me privately first. If it’s not relevant to SWPAS, it will be deleted.
Facebook repeat offenders will be banned and reported.
The webmiss is final arbiter of what she considers acceptable and unacceptable and her decision is final.
IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, ASK!
Tags: SWPAS housekeeping
June 18, 2012 at 7:34 pm |
You are absolutely right to do it this way. It’s very hard to have good conversation about the PT without some hater getting in the way. It’s good to have a place where you can talk to people about the cool stuff that’s in there.
June 19, 2012 at 4:08 am |
Indeed. This is, sadly, the rarity. I’m slowly learning that defending on other sites is absolutely pointless and actually provokes more bashing. Safe Haven here.
June 19, 2012 at 7:16 am |
As Jar Jar would put it:
“Yousa point is well said.”
Love, Love, Love, the site!
June 19, 2012 at 11:12 am |
Those should be the rules on every SW site. The main problem with the Jedi Council forums back in the day was that they didn’t include George Lucas attacks as ad hominem, ya know? I think that would have cleared up a lot. Anyway, good rules and thanks for keeping us in line.
June 19, 2012 at 5:30 pm |
Thank you so, *so* very truly, deeply, profoundly and sincerely much, LP, for making this our true safe-haven site and cozy, comfy prequel and CW-lovin’ home besides!
Anything and everything necessary you do to continue to make it so – most excellent, absolutely and fully justified, perfectly reasonable – and we’re behind ya all the way! 
*hunting like mad for “Love” button for LP’s post*
June 19, 2012 at 6:47 pm |
I agree. You must do what you feel is right of course.
Thank you for this site.
June 20, 2012 at 4:11 am |
I can’t help but be curious as to what brought on this repeat of the site rules, but I know confidentiality and all that. By the way, you have my full support.
June 20, 2012 at 5:37 pm |
I’ve deleted or edited the comments, which came later to a couple of posts.
June 20, 2012 at 10:55 am |
I agree with Lin, saying anything positive on most other sites just usually provokes more bashing. I wish more SW fan sites would put down rules like this but sadly I think many SW sites are ran by bashers.
June 21, 2012 at 7:31 pm |
LP, you’re more than generous with people’s posts–I’ve seen multiple occasions of you giving somebody a chance and approving their questionable post, and then they squander your goodwill.
I also don’t get why people don’t familiarize themselves with a site before they comment; at least read the “About” section! It’s like entering a foreign country without doing ANY research on local laws, and then at best, ending up in customs for hours…and at worst, rotting in some hellhole of a jail!
You’re not harsh at all, everything I’ve ever seen you do here has been extremely fair and consistent. Thanks for providing the central location for enlightened SW fandom!