Starrsville
 

I've been terribly dismayed by Starrsville's banning last night. She's a valuable poster and I'll miss her. This instance is especially unfortunate as it was the result of a very sensitive subject being insensitively bandied about, toes being not just stepped on, but trod on, and not just Starrsville's. In very typical Starrsvile fashion, she had the gumption to say what I would have loved to (but have already been banned once for speaking my mind so now I'm a wimp. :) )! Good for her.

I hope others will take the time to drop the editors a line at [email protected] and express your feelings too. This was a very unfortunate incident and my sympathies are firmly in her corner.

What the heck happened? Was this over the "I was scolded by my houseguest" thread?

I think so, Suze. It's just too bad, and I read most of the thread, and didn't see anything "offensive"...

I see it is now a locked thread. I'm not sure if it was edited or replies deleted but hardly seemed offensive. Just the usual when someone starts sharing too much personal information (not the OP) and people respond with their thoughts.

((*)) Twinkle, twinkle little Starr, how I wonder how you are ((*))

I, too, am mystified by the banning of Starrsville.

Wow, I am shocked! I was reading that thread and found nothing offensive.

I just found out a little while ago that patrick was also banned (I know it was a long time ago). I was so surprised as he has always been so informative and helpful.

How and why and how are you notified that you are banned? It seems a little crazy to me...I liked Starrsville

Wait a minute. Please someone explain to me what's going on. I was an original poster of "I got scolded by our house guest." How Starrsville's statement can be a reason for her being banned from this board? She never said anything offensive.
I always admire Starrsville for her very helpuf messages. How do you know she is being banned?
If my original post has anything to do with it how can I reverse this unfair and unjustified decission? I just reread her input and still don't see any reason.
Malesherbes, thank you for taking time to post this information. I'm trying to figure out why my post was locked. I found nothing but very interesting and varied opinions and expriences. I did not feel there was any reply that would be offensive to anyone. Actually I really enjoyed reading such different opinions and as I stated I respected all of them and appreciate every post.
Starrsville, if reading this please accept my sincer appology for my post being reason for this unjustified decission.
I contribute often on topcics regarding Alaska, North Carolina, Adirondacks, Seychhelles and other places visited but until I get an anwer

Somehow my message got posted before I finished typing, proofreading, etc., So I am reposting one more time.

Wait a minute. Please someone explain to me what's going on. I was an original poster of "I got scolded by our house guest." How Starrsville's statement can be a reason for her being banned from this board? She never said anything offensive.
I always admire Starrsville for her very helpful messages. How do you know she is being banned?
If my original post has anything to do with it how can I reverse this unfair and unjustified decision? I just reread her input and still don't see any reason.

Malesherbes, thank you for taking time to post this information. I'm trying to figure out why my post was locked. I found nothing but very interesting and varied opinions and experiences. I did not feel there was any reply that would be offensive to anyone. Actually I really enjoyed reading such diversified opinions and as I stated I respect all of them and appreciate every post.
Starrsville, if you are reading this please accept my sincere apology for my post being reason for such unjustified decision.
I contribute often on topics regarding Alaska, North Carolina, Adirondacks, Seychelles and other places visited but until I get an answer


Anyway, until I get a satisfactory answer from the editors I won't be contributing on the above topics. I know it won't be a big loss but I feel I need to express my feelings to editors.

Starrsville, until then my thoughts are with you.
Pat

Oh Gawd - I sure hope they aren't on another banning binge!

The last big clearance when several members who have been around the longest were banished - I don't think the site has recovered yet. Some of them are back w/ new screen names but many just moved on and never came back.

such a shame . . . . . .

Starrsville, if you see this please email OneWanderingJew and ask her to forward your email to me..my hugs to you!

Some posters who were banned last fall have thankfully returned w/new names. And one tries not to make a fuss over that, because we are just ahppy to have them back, and mostly they have tempered their tones.

While we are mourning the "lost ones", one person I really do miss frequently is chicgal. I do not think she was banned, but mysteriously all of her posts were deleted about 18 months ago. By this I mean that all of her posts were just wiped out within each thread she had ever posted on, for no apparent reason, no infraction of any kind that was apparent (she was an upbeat and helpful poster), and you can still see the responses to her postings addressing her posts, but her actual posts are just obliterated out of the posts.

I had a kinship w/her on this board, as she went to Sedona every Sept. and always stayed in the separate cottage room at the Best Western Arroyo Roble in uptown Sedona. It is strange, but I knew that she was a fodorite who also enjoyed Sedona enough that she also went there every year in addition to her other travels, as I do. And we chatted back and forth on those Sedona postings.

Hers was an unusual demise on here, and there were many musings at the time on why it happened...people finally decided to let her RIP as it did not seem to be driven by the editors and we thought maybe she had gotten in some kind of work or legal or other trouble over her posts.

But I have never forgotten her. I know that probably seems stupid, but I still miss her.

I was thinking of her tonight as I bought the summer '06 Sedona magazine at Borders and as I was pouring over it I saw an ad for Best Western Arroyo Roble and the first thing that came to my mind was chicgal.

People come and go in cyberspace. But I have never stopped wondering what happened to her and I still think about her whenever I think long on Sedona (which is fairly frequently, like tonight, it doesn't take much to prompt me in that direction-- a post from a couple who stayed there for only a few days, and my newly purchased magazine).

But if she is out there, I'd really like to meet up w/her for coffee in Sedona some Sept., and in fact I will be there this Sept....

so, how does one tell when one has been banned? I read her post and didn't see anything offensive. I don't get it?!?! Is she posting under a new name? Has anyone been in contact with her? She was recently very helpful to me with my upcoming Paris trip. Someone please keep us posted!

When was is banned from Fodor's they can still read Fodor's, but they can no longer post.

I hope Starrsville reads my posts to her.

And emd, I miss chicgal too! That was so sad.

I feel like I just dropped in from another planet! This is tough to take, folks. I suddenly feel like a guilty kid who doesn't know what they are guilty of but I better be on the lookout because it could happen to me (not sure what IT is, but I better be on guard).

I have been quite active on this board for over a year. I consider myself to be a newbie, but in that time I have also began to establish some Fodorite friendships . . . Starrsville being one, Pat2003 another, etc., because we frequent a lot of the same forum areas. I have always found Starrsville to be quite helpful, informative, often injecting her own brand of humor--which we all know makes some Fodorites so much more delightful than others. I just don't get this. I don't see where her posts are any worse than many others. Heck, when I first started posting, some people attacked with such furiousness that I almost left this board had it not been for Fodorites like Starrsville who encouraged me to continue in spite of some rude people here.

I just don't get it. Do the editors ever step in to explain any of this? I have to admit, this REALLY makes me wonder if I want to stay on this board.

Whatever was offensive would have been removed from the thread before it was locked. Certainly, you cannot go back and read what got someone booted.

Malesherbes, how did you know you were banned? Do they explain why when they tell you you're banned? Thanks!

Dreamer2, I am an OP of <I got scolded.>
Last night after posting my previous message above I and checked it out again. I didn't noticed anything was removed and Starrsville's messages are still there. I do not feel there were any statements that should lead to such harsh decision.

BayouGal, I feel the same way and also wonder whether I'm saying too much right now.

emd: she is still here.

Oh my gosh! Thank you thank you thank you, I am toasting the news w/my coffee! Now I have to figure out where. That part took me awhile w/another (hurricaine state) poster but I finally figured it out.

well, that didn't take long- got it, w/your help.

Wait - so Starrsville got banned, but others who are consistently sarcastic, rude and nasty are allowed to go on (and on, and on . . )? It just doesn't make sense!

What's the purpose of banning someone if no-one, even the banned, knows why? Malesherbes, how does one know they are banned? Do they get an explanation? It is Fodor's site and they can and will do as they please and we will just fall in line or leave, but I hate the fact that Starrsville, and all those banned before, were bumped off.

Gee, go out of town for two days and look what happens!
I can't imagine that Starrsville wrote anything offensive.

Loveitaly, I suppose if you were banned anyone could be! I may have disagreed with you upon occasion but you have always been polite and poised.

I will drop a line in Starrsville's behalf in hopes that our voices will be heard.

Well I had a nice long post written and ready to hit "post my reply", we had a thunderstorm, lost our electricity and the post along with it of course. Haha. Do you think Fodors is that powerful? :D I've been without power for an hour and a half.

You notice you are banned when you have to sign in, then you get the message: "Welcome to Fodors. (ironic, huh?) Your screen name has been blocked on Fodors.com Travel Talk. Please review the Subscriber Conduct section of our Subscriber's Agreement". No...they don't say another word to you aside from that computer generated message. That screen name was unblocked after 3 or 4 weeks, but it seemed tarnished so I never used it again. OO. I tend not to be a rabble rouser, but I'll be damned if I'll sit on my hands when someone is treated unjustly, as I felt Patrick was (my banning was a result of my reaction to his), and as I feel Starrsville was.

Starrsville's post is still there. My thinking is that "someone" (ahem) complained about what she said, and said with justification I might add, and the editors blocked her for that, that it would not have happened had a complaint not been lodged. No, it was hardly worthy of banning, IMHO, and they needed to take a look at everything that was said.

I hope you all will register your feelings with them. Good grief, this feels so like grade school!

By the way, I lost a brother to the disease that was under discussion, which contributes to my feeling that Starrsville was absolutely justified in what she said and the other poster was totally out of line. One could run and exercise and talk until he was blue in the face and it would not solve that problem. X-(

Malesherbes, am I understanding you correctly. If so, I didn't realize that was you! I've been wondering where OO went too! Two of my fodors buddies who have a Sedona connection have been resurrected in one day. Hallelujah.

Hopefully we will get starrs back as a rebirth too. It seems the protests to the editors do no good- maybe make people feel better for making themselves heard but it doesn't reulst in any editor action or reaction.

What is weird is the need for the secret code on who the returned banned posters are when they come back. Obviously I have missed several of my fovorite people who came back and I had no idea they were back among us.

<<<<several of my fovorite people who came back and I had no idea they were back among us.>>>>

Can't blame them. No matter how much they vowed never to come bacj and post again, this board is just too good to stay away from.

To me, Starrsville is to Fodor's as Old Bay is to Maryland seafood!!! Just wouldn't be as good without it (her)??? :D Love ya, lady! ;;)

Hi emd...it feels like a family reunion, eh? :) I really have made no effort to hide who I was, but the other name had been around for years so became known, and this one is relatively new, so not much history. Yet. ;)

Spicy is good Bonniebroad...I agree.

Amen, grantop--my thinking exactly!

Malesherbes, what was I thinking when I decided to drive downtown this morning! Thank goodness my vehicle is equipped with an in-board / out-board motor! ;-)

The "I was scolded" post took a slight turn with TxTravelPro discussing her son and his taking of prescription drugs...I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Hi dear friends. I was asked to tell you that Starrsville will be allowed to post under her screen name Starrsville after this weekend is over. At least that is what she has been promised.

Oooops, I forgot the balance of her message to her friends here..she thanks all of you for the support you have given her. It is always wonderful to know who your friends are! Take care

Only just came across this thread.

Although I'm delighted to hear that Starrsville is returning I'm also annoyed that she was banned in the first place. She's consistently one of the most thoughtful & helpful posters here.

LoveItaly - if you (or anyone else) is in contact with Starrsville, please pass on my regards to her.

Thanks,

Jim

Hi Jim, I will but also know that she can read the threads she just can't post under her screen name Starssville this weekend so she will see your thoughtful post to her.

And I certainly agree with you, Starrsville is quite an asset to our Fodor's community.

I'm so glad to hear that Starrsville will be back with the same screen name. But certainly agree that she should never have been banned in the first place.

LoveItaly, the fact that Starrsville knows she'll be allowed to post again after the weekend sounds like she may have actually had contact with the editors. Do you know if that's the case? And, if so, do you know whether they told her why she'd been banned (or I guess I should say, given a "time out")? Or did they just give her the "refer to the rules" routine?

I'm asking because I find it a little disturbing to think that the complaint of one poster can get another long time poster banned that easily. Especially in a situation like this.

I am certainly glad to hear such a good poster and cyberfriend is returning after her time in the penalty box. But like CAPH and others I cannot for the life of me understand why she got banned. She is a spirited poster with a great deal of good travel knowledge to share and we are the poorer for her absence.

Hi dear CAPH and cmcfong. I don't know if it is appropriate for me to post any information here so I will let Starrsville do that, I am sure you understand. I will say again that all the support so many people here have shown towards her certainly means so much to her! Best regards and have a lovely weekend.

I am going to watch the Italy/US soccer that is suppose to be on TV in a few minutes. Ah those good looking Italian soccer players, LOL ;;)

How stupid. I cannot believe Fodors banned Starrsville.

Someone correct me of I'm wrong but I thought we were entitled to our own opinions.