Itchmo Is Starting To Censor their Forums

[Perseus]

I saw the "clarification" on the forum rules posted the other day, and found it funny that they copied almost verbatim the forum rules from thecatsite.com.  Of course with their own weird twist on censorship.

[GreyGhost]

Thats exactly what it looked like. I guess they couldn't figure out how to write their own rules. Oh well. Its way too communist over there now. People are afraid to post. They might get banned for nothing like a few long time members did.  This is a much better place. Less riff raff and at least you can post without fear.

[GreyGhost]

Is there some posts missing from this thread  I thought it had more posts when I posted.

[Perseus]

The posts that I see missing are from "Samantha" or JustMe from itchmo, one of the main moderators there.  She must have just deleted them because they were there yesterday.  Do you see others deleted? 

[mainecoonpeg]

You are right, the Samantha/JustMe post is missing.

[GreyGhost]

Well, I guess she didn't like the topic.  Oh well. I thought it was Justme posts that were missing, and yes they were there yesterday and today too. I didn't notice any others missing.

I do not miss the zillion articles that were posted from yahoo daily. So difficult to find the actual information over there.  And here they were boasting about their new rules and moderation.  I guess only certain people and things are moderated. Its certainly isn't just the pet food brands being moderated like someone posted earlier. Its the entire forum. What a shame. It used to be a great place for info now its just chit chat.

Definitely like it here more.

[Perseus]

I've heard from several members at itchmo over the past couple of days that the new "clarifications" on the rules has PO'd all of them and several have stopped posting now and the others are barely visiting any more.  The mods at itchmo have the right to ban you if you criticize them now.  Geez already. that's rather drastic and extremely paranoid.  The rules at thecatsite.com (which itchmo copied) say if you disagree with a mod, here's two main mods that you have a right to complain to.  Not at itchmo, they left that part out.

[GreyGhost]

I have heard the same things. I also got banned after being a member for well over a year and not having problems. The admin ignores the members requests for information and reasons for the ban. You are not notified. Their rules say banning will not be taken lightly and you must get several warnings before you are banned that you ignore. Well I got 1 warning and notice of being banned. My offending post:

Are you ready for this? Hold on tight its a doozy:

My post was exactly as below. Nothing more and obviously nothing less..

"PAP"

Yep you guessed it. That was my offending and horrible post.

The problem over there in my opinion is that some of the mods have used the new rules to ban people they have it in for because they can't brainwash them and they think for themselves. I will never go back. Having rules is one thing trying to keep people from posting anything controversial or not of their opinion is just plain wrong. All forums have rules but they have pure censorship. Of course this is just my humble opinion along with many others.

[Perseus]

Well, another mod quit yesterday at itchmo.  Not only quit, but deleted their account, too.  A week ago another mod quit as well.  So if the mods can't even get along, how do they expect the posters to get along?  These two mods that quit were only mods for a few weeks, too.  Sounds like the mods drive other mods away if they disagree with them just like they do with the members.

[GreyGhost]

It makes you wonder if there is single "bad seed" among them all. Funny how when a few people got banned it got worse. I bet they thought they banned the people causing trouble and then found out differently. It speaks volumes. For about a month now there has been more banning, complaining, and rule breaking than there has ever been since they started. I wonder why 

It seems to reason that a few have started to run the forum and do what they want and ruin it. Its a shame. But oh well. I like it here much better.

[mainecoonpeg]

One of Itchmo's most valuable posters who was also a moderator, as was stated above has deleted their account and left the forum citing"burnout".

Understandable, as this person was relentless in bringing the most current and accurate information one could hope for.
I really hope that after a break and a rest that person comes back........or better yet, comes here

[GreyGhost]

Yes, better yet I hope she comes here too.

I can see why people are leaving. Did anyone see the last post from one of the mods. Pretty threatening. Saying we "know" your ip address if you are either a guest or member. Geez. Sounds paranoid to me. Then accusing members of spam and harassing other members.  My how things have changed over there. I got out just in time I guess. I can't imagine a forum accusing members of the things they are stating.  And now they are watching every members every move. saying they have seen people looking at member lists. Come on. Everyone checks out the member list on every forum. I have concluded they seem to be paranoid. They are accusing people of destroying their forum yet they can't figure out they have been doing that themselves for a very long time. It was just a matter of time before people get tired of being stalked, harassed, and confronted on every post. Unfortunately it had changed way too much from being the information center for the recalls. Its sad actually. Maybe they should treat their members better and quit banning people for personal reasons and for no reason. You can't have long time  members if you ban everyone. And banning for 30 days....i have never heard of that. I have heard of 3 day vacations but never 30 days. People will lose interest after that long. I guess they have censored alittle too much.............

Of course this is just my humble opinion. I really like it there for a long time. But the censoring and fighting and banning just got way out of control. It is my sincerest hope that can get things back under control and get back to pets. 

[Bonkers]

   First of all, there are many people who belong to more than one forum, pet related or otherwise. Most people were visiting numerous pet related forums and/or blogs during the recalls of 2007 in a desperate search to find information along with some answers as to what was really killing our pets. Personally my quest has not ended. If someone is considered a "defector" for that quest than that is very sad. It is not uncommon for people in leadership roles to use coercive and deceptive techniques to rally people against what they deem to be a threat to the ideal, principal, or group they believe in or belong to. This in turn it causes others in that same group to become protective and defensive towards what they now believe is in harms way. I have some great friends at Itchmo. Unfortunatley some either chose to become mods, quit the forum or are now gone due to questionable circumstances. We Used to have a lot of fun together. So if visting other forums makes one a traitor/defector, than I guess I fit the description.

[GreyGhost]

Bonkers,

Very well said and very true. Its a shame some feel that itchmo is the only place to get information. I have been involved with several forums over the last year also so i guess I am a traitor/defector also. I am more of a defector because I can not support or condone what is happening over there now.

[Perseus]

Just to clarify:  itchmo has "banned" certain long time members without any warning, no prior offenses, no explanation why and no responses when asked why.  Some mods at itchmo moderate according to who they like and who they don't like and do not follow their own rules for moderating.  That's what's really sad about itchmo, not the other way around that members are leaving itchmo on their own accord because they are unhappy there.