Last night I seem to remember there were 5 upvotes for jj23's post above, and this morning there are zero. An interesting phenomenon.

To state my bias, I generally agree with the drift of his post, although I would argue for a more gradual approach. Plus I second viyida's point above.

文明昆明...(civilized, cultured Kunming).

I also nominate @michael2015 as one of the volunteer Mod Mob. If he isn't part of GK team already.

@jj123, no arguments? You mean you think the world is just a matter of facts?

@ishmael has received a week long ban for continuing to argue the posting guidelines and moderation with all and sundry.

And no, there will be no thread just for trolls. The posting guidelines are clear.

This week is a holiday, next week the new volunteer moderators will meet with us and start moderating. Until then, have a lovely day and thanks again for all the positive feedback.

No need for a more gradual approach, it only leads to mixed message. New broom in action is much needed.

Ishmael is one of the most mildmannered people in Kunming and the least offensive poster on this site. The only time I've seen him animated is when he complains about new technology and twinky phones as he calls them. But he is regularly downvoted by a pack of readers who object to his left-liberal views.

@cloud
Your post perfectly exemplifies this issue.

And for others who thing a "slow approach" of warnings will work, please look at the judgement and perception of those that hold these views.

It won't. When you have people that think the non helpful answers and the pissing contests are helpful, they are confused, and lack good judgement.
A few people just want to be in a pissing contest, and perhaps they don't realize that their actions on the forum, when they are not contributing in a positive manner, makes some people shy away, not just from the forums, but also from the site, which I would assume GOKM does not want.

I think perhaps the "offenders" don't realize that some people will not offer answers/suggestions/tips in replies for fear of the annoying responses/shit talking/trolling that some will do.

There's only a few that have dragged the site down and like I mentioned before, glad to see something is being done about it to make the site "healthy".
I've seen so many groups on FB and even Reddit go down the tubes due to a lack of monitoring.

Cloud, perhaps some introspective will help, but I doubt, that's why I'm in agreement with the GOKM staff in their latest actions.
It's for the best for everyone involved.

First, best wishes Vera van de Nieuwenhof as custodian of GoKunming.
I can’t be certain but I can guess that Ishmael, along with others, will be shocked to see his monicker greyed out and his voice silenced.

Venturing further into guess world, he might well be feeling intense frustration at having been silenced for ‘continuing to argue’ since arguing is a prominent facet of his character.

Is arguing now against the rules? If so, then GoKunming forums could well end up with the appearance and all the charisma of a parish magazine, serving only to placate sycophants and those all too ready and eager to be irritated.

When the moderators convene I hope they take time to debate and argue terms such as: moderation, censorship, intollerance, debate, civility and last but not least - commonsense.

Ishmael is capable of arguing the hind leg off a donkey, but he does so without ever engaging in personal attacks and without ever using even mildly intemperate language.

Regardles of whether you can ever agree with Ismael, Is he the type of contributor we want banned and is banning someone out of frustration and irritation a step in the wrong direction?

As one who has sparred with Alien/Ishmael and disagreed with his tendency to exert control in these forums, I am deeply disappointed with his banning. I guess as an American I tend to expect a persons opinions and comments to be subject to argument but not to be silenced.

I understand the need for some moderation and the need to suppress bad actors (not sure what that is exactly), I think being banned for persisting in discussing arbitrary rules is a bit over the top.

While aware that many folk have the urge to be the Nanny and continually correct others as if they were errant children. There is a danger such urges devolve as intolerance grows.

I often disagree with Alien/Ishmael but he has a right to his opinions no matter how misguided they are.

So Vera, as the GoK Nanny, I ask if you are moderating behavior or suppressing dissent? I know we as "customers" we have no rights, I just hope your power is tempered with understanding and tolerance.