ostarella | New place!

Current Mood: cheerful

New place!

Okay, now that the dust has settled... ;-)

One of the consequences of the debacle on DS is that, even though another ban is in place, no one can really be sure how long it will last, and many people have already left for good, not wanting to deal with it any longer. Well, a new "Dirky place" is starting up, an informal "watering hole" where people can join in and relax, chat, laugh, joke, discuss, toss in some pics (can never get enough of those, right?) - all the good things from DS, in other words - and not have to worry about a certain troll coming onboard. Ever. So come on over, take a look, give it a shot - let people know it's there so they can do the same and hopefully meet up with old friends and new. :D

http://dirkbenedict.proboards55.com/index.cgi?

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I think people will admit that there are things you just *can't* say or do on DBC ;-)

Yeah, well, it's the official site, so I don't feel comfortable getting too "cheeky". ;-) I do get a little defensive when people say you can't disagree with Dirk's writings or opinions on there, because that just ain't true - but yeah, the new place is strictly for having fun and joshing around, so I hope it takes off.

'Yeah, well, it's the official site, so I don't feel comfortable getting too "cheeky"'

Exactly.

'I do get a little defensive when people say you can't disagree with Dirk's writings or opinions'

Yeah, I know what you mean. But you certainly can, some of his opinions are very controversial. I don't think he expects people to agree with him blindly, he wants people to think for themselves and probably doesn't care much whether they agree with him or not. I take some of his comments as demand to stop taking everything you're told by the media or 'public opinions' as the only truth, and to start going to the bottom of things and find your own truth. And with that he's certainly right.

With his firm opinions and his way of voicing them he is very much like a friend of ours, who's also Pisces and about the same age. Maybe that's characteristic for that sign?? ;-)

'...so I hope it takes off.'

Me too!

some of his opinions are very controversial. I don't think he expects people to agree with him blindly, he wants people to think for themselves

Oh yeah - there are a couple of things he's said where my immediate thought was "Okay, that *had* to be a brain fart" LOL but they still make me think about them.

to start going to the bottom of things and find your own truth. And with that he's certainly right.

Agree again - I don't think he wants people to follow his lead - he wants them to lead themselves.

I think people will admit that there are things you just *can't* say or do on DBC ;-)

You have no idea how much this statement saddens me. :-(

I think that's the impression left by a certain someone, and unfortunately, some have carried that to the point of thinking posts truly are censored for "PC-ness". As I said, there are limits I feel comfortable with, because it is the official site, but those are limits I place on myself. The only thing that could even be considered "placing limits" I have ever seen placed by the admin are that we treat each other (and Dirk) respectfully. And I don't think that's unreasonable at all. And as I say, there are some limits that *I* think just come "naturally" considering the circumstances, but I also think, as certain people gradually disappear (due to lack of sites that will accept her), that idea of "censorship" will start disappearing.

Well she cast a pretty wide net, and misconceptions about the site, and *me* have been made and there are those that *do* believe what she says. There's really nothing I can do about that.
Before she came along, modding wasn't even considered. It wasn't needed. Free speech has always been paramount, but the personal insults got *so ugly* that the staff and I *did* have to put our foot down. IF that's censorship, then I'm guilty of it. I'd rather be called a *dictator* then to allow Dirk and his fans be treated so badly by someone who has some serious issues.
Having said that, I do have obligations to DB himself, free speech is paramount, but red circles are not. Or anything of *that* nature. Anywhere else is up to everyone else, but as you said because it's "official", there are certain boundaries.
It's simply out of respect for him because it's his place. If we got all full out silly with red circles, or blue squares or innuendos etc, we risk him withdrawing his support. And understandably so.
So, I have rules to follow too. Guidelines that are not strict of course, but courteous. I am in that precarious position of being in the "middle". And DBC isn't the only place out there and it's *not* for everyone. Variety is the spice of life and if DBC isn't your taste, there's a whole rack full of others ;-)
The Lounge is just another place to BE silly and relax and have fun. :D

'I do have obligations to DB himself, free speech is paramount, but red circles are not. Or anything of *that* nature. Anywhere else is up to everyone else, but as you said because it's "official", there are certain boundaries. It's simply out of respect for him because it's his place. If we got all full out silly with red circles, or blue squares or innuendos etc, we risk him withdrawing his support. And understandably so.'

That's exactly the point. But sometimes girls need to be a little cheeky ;-)

...this has nothing to do with a certain 'troll'

Well, you must be doing something right or you wouldn't have so many members, gaining new ones, and everyone seeming to enjoy themselves there. And for some strange reason, the people there seem to like you an awful lot. Hmm... LOL

But I think we all agree - it's like walking into someone's house and making the same kind of jokes in front of their family that you would if you met them alone at the local watering hole. There's a place and time for everything, but not every place is that place, and not every time is that time.

"I think that's the impression left by a certain someone, and unfortunately, some have carried that to the point of thinking posts truly are censored for "PC-ness". As I said, there are limits I feel comfortable with, because it is the official site, but those are limits I place on myself. The only thing that could even be considered "placing limits" I have ever seen placed by the admin are that we treat each other (and Dirk) respectfully. And I don't think that's unreasonable at all. And as I say, there are some limits that *I* think just come "naturally" considering the circumstances, but I also think, as certain people gradually disappear (due to lack of sites that will accept her), that idea of "censorship" will start disappearing."

Very well said. *two thumbs up* ;-)
I really enjoy DBC and feel like it's a second home.
I've gotten email friendships with some of the members there.
I'm also really delighted with the DB Fan lounge too. :-D

I never meant that because of censorship, Tracy. Just as Ostarella said, it's Dirk's official site and aside from the fact that everyone should respect each other anyway, some jokes or cheeky remarks just don't belong in such a place - out of respect for Dirk. Things you would maybe say about someone on a girl's night out, when joking around, but never when that person is around. At least that's how I see it, as a question of manners and politeness. So don't be sad, it wasn't meant negative at all. It's just that most of us know how to behave...

Mossy I understand what you mean it's just that even now I feel like I have to keep defending myself because *she* HAS done so much damage to my reputation. To the point I almost considered packing it all in about a month ago. So I took a mini break and had to weigh if this was all worth it. And you know what? IT IS. Dirk has alot more coming and ALOT more to say, and I really want to be there to share it with everybody.
*I* want to have fun. *I* want to be educated. *I* want the freedom to act, be, silly if I want to, without reprocussions.
I want people to get to know *me*, not what they've *heard* about me from some $%^&.....argh!

Oh Tracy, I can certainly understand your way of thinking, but she is not worth it, don't surrender to her! She's alone while we're all supporting you - and I think I can speak for everyone, when I say we love DBC and don't want to lose it! Don't give her the satisfaction and surrender! We're all with you and we certainly want to know what else Dirk has to say - if he'll ever manage to say something on DBC at all (uh, sorry, I just can't leave it alone *blush*)

I made a firm decision that I'm not about to let her tear asunder all that's been built. So she can try if she wants to, but people are smarter than she is ;-)

I know Dirk and that blog. I can say for certaintly he's had one heck of a busy summer, and since I can't keep up with my *own* blog, I can't fault him for putting it on the back burner. He's leaving for London tomorrow, so all the lucky UKers watch out...cuz he's comin'! ;-)

Just ignore my poking, it's his business and I surely accept that, even if it doesn't sound like it sometimes ;-)

"I made a firm decision that I'm not about to let her tear asunder all that's been built. So she can try if she wants to, but people are smarter than she is ;-)"

Bravo! Bravo! *two thumbs up!*

Argh, I wish it was possible to edit these posts!

'*I* want to have fun. *I* want to be educated. *I* want the freedom to act, be, silly if I want to, without reprocussions.'

That's the necessary attitude to deal with her crap. People who care enough, can find out from all your comments that you are not what she says you are (uh, what a sentence. Does it make sense??). I think her reputation is ruined a lot more than yours.

"Mossy I understand what you mean it's just that even now I feel like I have to keep defending myself because *she* HAS done so much damage to my reputation. To the point I almost considered packing it all in about a month ago. So I took a mini break and had to weigh if this was all worth it. And you know what? IT IS. Dirk has alot more coming and ALOT more to say, and I really want to be there to share it with everybody.
*I* want to have fun. *I* want to be educated. *I* want the freedom to act, be, silly if I want to, without reprocussions.
I want people to get to know *me*, not what they've *heard* about me from some $%^&.....argh!"

You have got a lot of people behind you, including me. ;-)
I'm so glad you didn't pack it in.
I think you're one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure to get to know. :-D

Thanks Anne :-)

"I think people will admit that there are things you just *can't* say or do on DBC ;-)

You have no idea how much this statement saddens me. :-("

Please, don't be sad about that. There is no need to be. ;-)
DBC to me is one of the nicest/best sites I've ever been on.
I'm very, very proud to be a member there. :-)
I feel very relaxed/comfortable there and also feel at home.
Everyone, is so nice there! :-D

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