I remember her. She never got nasty to me so I didn't have to block her, although I did consider it. Blocking someone at the individual level is fine (we can't like everybody) but banning someone from this platform because they have different views from yours is another matter.

I agree that a person should not be killed off for their ideas if they follow these posted guidelines:
*"A note about etiquette

We are doing our best to keep this a safe, troll-free community where people are free to express themselves. As you can imagine, many people in our crowd are passionate about facts, truth, and some even like a good debate.

Our #1 guideline is simple: let’s just keep it respectful.

On that note, we should tell you that a small percentage (about 2%) of members claim to be Social Justice Warriors. Yeah, we realize that they might not want to engage in serious discussions, but let's refrain from incivility. Please be nice.

No worries though, we have your back if you ever get harassed in any way. Just click on the “flag” icon on a post or profile page. We’ll take care of it.

Oh, and we’ve also built in a magic blocking button. On a member’s profile page, just click “block” icon and poof they will disappear and you’ll become invisible to them, too. Who doesn’t believe in magic?*

Dealing with others at the individual level by blocking them or telling them off like you do is fine. Banning someone from this platform because of their alternative views is another matter, I think, especially when we support free speech.

Hello. I remember that you used to put up with HighQ rather well. As a moderator, when you consider banning someone from your group, do you consult Admin?

@Naomi I did reach adulthood a long time ago. So no... I did give highq many chance to stop abusive language toward pretty much every one he crossed path with. I did ban him for a month than reinstate him and he just continue his way. I did ban him again for good than. But I continued to talk to him in other groups to see if he would reach adulthood too eventually. He did not and finally left. This is still my group.. The admin of this site has other responsibilities.

@RemiDallaire Most of us know that HighQ was a "first class" troll (as WorldSigh puts it. Lol) and no one was surprised that he was banned from this group and eventually from this community. But how about the other person? What did he/she do to deserve a ban? I understand that this group belongs to you since you are the originator. I think it would be honourable if you disclosed the rules according to which you determine who should be banned from your group. What do you think?

I don't think there is a clear definition of troll. Some are very quick to call others trolls when their opinions are challenged or when they are losing an argument.

Remi says he banned two members from this group in his comment.

The only member I have ever blocked from my personal account was HighQ. He insisted on inserting himself into too many of my threads, and was a first class troll: someone who is not only verbally abusive, but also madly and exclusively in love with their own side of every conversation. Imagine the legend of Narcissus with the addition of a ponderous portion of pseudo intellectual prattle and infantile swearing.

I don’t mind some polite, passionate, even heated, debate. That is how we discover new ideas, other viewpoints, we may not have previously considered. However, when someone consistently and completely, ignores all opposing arguments, is mean spirited, foul mouthed, and petty there comes a point when you realize that no mutual understanding will ever be found.
I have never banned anyone from The Culture War Group. Of course, the day is young...

First class troll - he was indeed. Lol!
Thanks for your response. X

Hello. I think it would be honourable if Remi, the originator of this group, disclosed the rules according to which he determines who should be banned from this group. I suggested that to him. We'll see.

So you're happy that anyone gets banned from this group because they have different opinions from yours. Is that what you're saying? You don't support free speech then?

@Naomi I think he's as shocked as you are. As we all are. I figured it would take something illegal for someone to get banned. I'd like to know, too, wha can get someone banned.

@coalburned My bad. I misunderstood John's comment in that case. I have no problem with blocking someone at the individual level. We are not obliged to like everyone. In fact, I'm blocking someone forever because he trolled me like a dirty old man in the past. Lol Banning someone from this group or this community is a different matter, though, unless there is a very good reason, and Admin should be the one who makes the ultimate decision.