Betty Schwartz 14 Apr 2006

Dear AW. If you wanted a response from EVERYONE, perhaps you should have sent all of us an email questionnaire, rather than posting to the boards and waiting for a definitive result. I notice that many have resorted to bickering and flippancy instead of giving a thoughtful answer. It would seem, therefore, that this is no place for a serious poll.

Judy Minderman 14 Apr 2006

in my opinion I think #1. There that is all I have to say :D

Laura Smith 14 Apr 2006

Betty, I am truly very sorry if you interpreted my post about using the "back space button" as "flippant" and I am sorry if it offended you.

I am trying very hard to convey that I truly believe wholeheartedly and with all due respect to you and everyone else that the solution lies within us.. and I meant no flippancy whatsoever in my suggestion. As one who has consistantly managed to stay out of trouble I use the backspace button.. sometimes often.. when I enter a thread that I don't feel comfortable reading.. or even find blatantly offensive.

I have NO PROBLEM backing out if such a thread and moving on. I use humor to present my very serious ideas to a)break the ice and b)so as not to offend.

I can understand those posting may find the humor on this thread a bit offensive but please understand that is how some of us deal with a touchy situation. ::huggs:: to you. I hope we can all find away to appreciate each other. =}

invisible 14 Apr 2006

Chris Hoffman 14 Apr 2006

Invisible what was that previous picture from is that Benson? Pretty funny...

Ric Strange 14 Apr 2006

peace

invisible 14 Apr 2006

(as in 'soap opera')

Chris Hoffman 14 Apr 2006

Awww okay I see now.I totally forgot about that show....

Sherrie Kostura 14 Apr 2006

As long as they are not deliberately being just downright nasty and rude to other members, I say let them voice their opinions. I try to practice what Mom always told me, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." On the other side of that coin, no one gets helpful suggestions if every opinion is sugar coated.

Heidi Olson 14 Apr 2006

While I don't reply to a lot of messages, I do frequent and read the message boards. It seems to me rules are broken when people are making derogatory remarks about the people ...let alone the artwork. I have yet to see a "bad" piece of artwork on this site..and I have spent literally days browsing. So, in my opinion..if one cannot simply keep their comments civil...name calling is not civil, derogatory and slanderous remarks are not civil. I have seen people accused of many things on this board...and so far with no proof of guilt..except for those that feel it necessary to make themselves look better by ripping on others...not even their artwork, but other artists! I tend to think that those that do this lack creativity. But..I won't make that claim without proof..because they may well be gifted with color, or pencil or what have you...those that must use derogatory comments to gain attention are not creative with words.

We are all artists right? Its pretty silly that all of us cannot agree that we should all be afforded the respect of artists. We make the world a more beautiful place with our art...if you cannot make the world a more beautiful place with words, that's fine..but one does not need to surrender themselves to hateful, and slanderous remarks. Slander by the way is a civil crime. You can sue for it...so those that make claims against others' artwork..saying its not real etc..better be able to prove it..those that say this person or that person is a fraud...better be able to prove it. I am sure that while we are all artists, none of us is qualified enough in all genres of art as to judge fairly. So, I suggest that if one is caught making "slanderous" or "accusational" remarks about someone's artwork, or their person...unless they have undeniable proof...they should be banned. Really..what else is there to do...if the rules say respect each other..that means in all aspects..not just artwork. We have people from all over the world here..and while it is a necessary right ...freedom of speech..it does not come without consequences. If you defame someone on this site..you should be banned...unless there is absolute proof..no argument available against the accusation. This is a forum..not a newspaper. It is not run by the customers but the purvayor of services. I think they made the rules very clear. I believe that the rules should be enforced as they are. If someone is making disrespectful and defaming comments about ANYONE without proof of cause. ....then I say ban them.

Heidi Olson

Chris Hoffman 14 Apr 2006

David Bass I never answered you,no I was not referring to you specifically on anything here,but...I have seen you argue and insult dear friends of mine who are some of the nicest people on earth,you and your little "band" drove them away.I buried the hatchet with you once,agreed to disagree,looks like it was a waste. About this old thread you keep posting a link to,I would do the same thing over in a second.If someone tells you your artwork is less interesting than the neighbors cat...how you going to take it? Would any artist care to hear that about their hard work?

david bass 14 Apr 2006

my bad dude i assumed you meant me and just wanted to clear it up with others that were thinking it was them. anyway i guess theres some truth to what they say about assumptions( ass-u-me ). hell the first rounds on me. what are you drinking?

Nea Fransson 15 Apr 2006

Chris: I know how the neighbors cat took it; he will never speak to me again!

About this thread: I can't believe that you actually are doing this; answering a poll about the best way to exclude other members!? Stalin smiles in his heaven!

And-Yes, I'm a "troll", using my daughters account to post. Gosh..what a troublemaker I am. /Bo

Chris Hoffman 15 Apr 2006

Well I knew we would see you again.God only knows why the cat really runs from you Bo... I actually chuckled reading your post how about that....maybe it's true absence makes the heart grow.....nah won't go that far.Take er easy Bo,leave that cat alone.

invisible 15 Apr 2006

...hey...i for one, miss Bo...i say we let him back in ...VOTE FOR BO! (he's not a troublemaker).

joan warburton 15 Apr 2006

Me, too. :(

david bass 15 Apr 2006

viva la BO!!!!

Kathi Perry 15 Apr 2006

Come back Bobo.....we miss you!

Cathie Brock 15 Apr 2006

Most certainly will vote for Bo to come back,

Could we vote for James McPartlin too!!

There are a lot of good artists that have gone, and really should never have left in the first place...

Cathie

Katerina Koukiotis 15 Apr 2006

So happy to read one of the biggest troublemakers (bo) are gone from this site .

Looking forward to good positive artists returning who left because of him and the same mentality many shared on this site.

It's very amusing to me reading all these posts and replies and how some of the posters twist around what AW originally asked - it's a simple question- what to do with Troublemakers? a simple answer: GET RID OF THEM . period. If they can't control themselves and go out of their way delibartely attacking and ganging up on fellow artists to get their little jollies and kicks they dont deserve to be part of this community or any community for that fact.

so please dont confuse freedom of speech and other subjects with what AW originally asked-

Having freedom of speech doesn't mean YOU have the right to use and abuse it and go after people because you feel like it and have nothing better to do.

I have every faith in AW that it can tell apart an opinion/debate/discussion from an attacker/bully

for those who are having trouble understanding what a troublemaker is or means...example:

Friendly artist(me :) ): Hi my name is katia, i want to share a beauiful artwork i did please visit my gallery and let me know what you think thanks so much :)

Attacker/BULLY/Troublemaker (take your pick): Your art is not good enough to post about, why are you here? so you can advertise you art? i do art too, and i'm so much better than you and your art sucks blah blah... BULLIES FRIENDS JOIN: Hey who do you think you are? posting here? are you a member? where is your art? just because you do realism in your art you think you are good? you are nothing, you dont belong in this forum,if you dont like it leave this is our playground etc...

end of an example i should say of a *real* example links to these attacks/ topics are all in the forums in case some of you forgot about them or cant find them or pretend not to know about them.

If i get attacked i have every right to complain and as an artist i expect the site which i upload my work in to protect me.

I wouldn't find my role reversed because i dont go attacking and ganging up on people and intruding people discussions with nasty comments ,-but some of you do and enjoy that -thats why you dont want anything to change so you can continue your little games,so dont shame AW - the shame is on you.

Although i never post as much at forums I'm so glad i stood up to some individuals on this site who think are the leadringers of AW-i won't let anyone bully me and i wouldnt give anyone the satisfaction of removing my art.

AW I'm so glad you are reading this discussion , i support option #2 all the way and if you cant pick option number #2 please chose something that will stop bullies from ganging up on people for no reason at all.I think every artist should have the right and freedom to post about their art accomplishments something they are proud of without having fear of inmature jealous bullies going after them because they have nothing better to do.

Mature people know how to debate and discuss numerous topics and inmature troublemakers dont and they need to be removed.

Thank you :)