9 hours ago, Florence Belch said:

Ladies! You know what I mean
And you know what liddos need

And so does ATRL
But does it happen? (Yes)
But does it happen? (Yes)
Well, what we really need is a femininomenon (a what?)
A Femininomenon

 

 

8 hours ago, DoctorIce said:

When the sun goes down
And the Banned won't play
I'll always remember us this way

 

This whole time I thought this was Champagne Roan. It's Madonna. Glad that thing is gone. 
 

6 hours ago, Suilen said:

State of Grace's ban is a loss for the forum, even if he requested it himself. He's always had pretty reasonable takes, both regarding politics and the pop culture. I believe that Palestinian members (and he is, as far as I recall, Palestinian) deserve to be cut some slack, considering the fact that their people are being killed and their homeland is being demolished. Nobody wants to be called names, but their behaviour is understandable. If, let's say, a Ukrainian member decided to lash out at me because I'm Russian, even though I've wanted to see Putin's head on a pike for more than a decade now and have done my best to give the government as little as possible, I wouldn't hold it against them. Helplessness, especially when it comes to political events, is a pervasive feeling. It doesn't completely excuse their infractions, but I don't know if I'd be able to keep my cool under similar circumstances.

Thank you for putting together such an eloquent post. You made some very valid arguments and have given me something to consider. For clarity, it’s impossible for me to know everyone’s individual story or background, and I do try to keep some of that in mind when I am. 
 

Also please know my earlier comment wasn’t directed at you. 

26 minutes ago, penguintim said:

I would like to throw in my support for the return of SYG on a regular basis

- It would allow users to blow off some of the steam built up in the civics section and other topics where emotions run high

- If the hive and the little monsters aren't gonna make peace then let's at least have some proper fun out of it instead of thie boring spotify stats comparisons

- There is, I think we can all agree, a simple joy in seeing a random pop girl getting called a prostitute.

 

Isn't the true reason more or less for no SYG that it would **** with our ad revenue system?

state of grace banned? but taylena still roaming?

 

im afraid the wrong swiftie is in jail.

 

30 minutes ago, Kern said:

That's so trew! I want to say ***** ***** is a prostitute but there is no place for me to say it

Troye Sivan don't make that face

 

 

5 minutes ago, gettsleazy said:

Isn't the true reason more or less for no SYG that it would **** with our ad revenue system?

The main reason is it was causing issues with our host. The amount of nastiness that was being posted violated our terms of use. Which is why when it does return every so often there are strict rules in place. 
 

It did also contribute to ATRL losing the ability to have advertisers for a few years, but that was after the host already demanded we clean it up. 

23 minutes ago, Ryan said:

Apparently I'm supposed to know the ethnicity of all members when taking into account their assholery and not ban them because of it. Got it. 🙄

I'm not surprised you're taking this take in the most obtuse way when that's not what was said… but like, if you want to create the space where staunch pro-Palestine views, overwhelmingly held by those in the community being genocided (it really doesn't take much to guess their identities based on the way they speak about these things) are worthy of being banned and lending credence to the notion that antisemitism and antizionism can be conflated (Zionism IS a jewish supremacy/jewish ethnonationalist ideology), then go for it… 

1 minute ago, noodlelymph said:

I'm not surprised you're taking this take in the most obtuse way when that's not what was said… but like, if you want to create the space where staunch pro-Palestine views, overwhelmingly held by those in the community being genocided (it really doesn't take much to guess their identities based on the way they speak about these things) are worthy of being banned and lending credence to the notion that antisemitism and antizionism can be conflated (Zionism IS a jewish supremacy/jewish ethnonationalist ideology), then go for it… 

Oh, so you don’t like when people are being deliberately obtuse in response? Wow, imagine how we feel. 

Just now, Ryan said:

Oh, so you don't like when people are being deliberately obtuse in response? Wow, imagine how we feel. 

This really all started by you being obtuse in that thread, throwing out casual digs at people about their intelligence, and then throwing a fit and banning members when that energy was returned right back at you. Let's keep it 💯

1 minute ago, noodlelymph said:

This really all started by you being obtuse in that thread, throwing out casual digs at people about their intelligence, and then throwing a fit and banning members when that energy was returned right back at you. Let's keep it 💯

It wasn’t. You’re still here that’s proof that the issue isn’t “energy returned right back”. 

15 minutes ago, noodlelymph said:

Agree with everything until the last couple sentences. I don't think I've encountered more nuance than I have here… for how *SMALL* this forum is, it's got a surprisingly active political discourse that showcases the left vs liberal divide accurately… 

There may be some nuance when it comes to discussing American politics (including Israel/Palestine), yes, and I tend to agree with the general direction of the discussion there, even though I'm personally not interested in engaging in it myself. But then you get some dumpster fire takes on international politics and hope that members from those countries don't see them. Americentrism is a problem in general. For example, what is considered progressive in the US may be the established reality in another country. Liberals vs leftists is an important discussion, but I don't see much meaningful discussion on the extent of leftism/progressivism. There are people here who identify is communist (nothing against it despite the Soviet trauma), and it's been established that it would work best in a stateless society yet you don't see anyone even entertain this idea. Is it too utopian, or do people kind of want it to work within the existing paradigm? You also have people who stan major celebrities, and I imagine that being staunchly anti-capitalist while supporting them may come off as hypocritical. That's why it's not an ideal place to discuss profound topics like that. It's not unique to ATRL as other platforms that focus on entertainment and allow political discussions face the same issue.

54 minutes ago, BrokenMachine said:

Of course there would be some dislikes and nasty replies sometimes, but this is a pop forum with people from all over the world, I don't take it personally, nor let stuff like that handle my emotions.

I've been exposed to, non stop, videos and horrifying images of civilians being tortured or blown up or killed (out of my free will) and then see people justify the carnage occuring. That's not something to casually shrug off. If that's the case, then why not let back in all the Trumpanzees since it's just all varying opinions? 

 

1 hour ago, Kern said:

Yes it does but life happens outside of ATRL, it's not that people here don't care, it's that most people don't come here to care

Then the political and social atmosphere should be no concern of anybody. If that's the case, then get rid of civics. Zero political and social topics allowed 🤷🏾‍♀️

Imagine babysitting unhinged ATRLers for free. Mods need a salary real quick 

I've said my piece. The banning of Palestinian users, and the voluntary decision to leave by other Arab users speaks for itself. 

Mind you, all this started because I noted that these activist groups still aren’t protesting GOP events despite the fact that the GOP is in full control of the government. And when someone said the GOP isn’t the one who funded the genocide, I reminded them that the House (ran by the GOP) appropriated the funds for the former administration.

8 hours ago, DoctorIce said:

When the sun goes down
And the Banned won't play
I'll always remember us this way

 

I used to pray for days like this...

 

 

You can say your piece, but I will not allow you to continue to create false narratives about stifling pro-Palestinian voices when it’s blatantly false. 

 

You want your opinions respected but can’t handle the fact that not everyone is going to be  in lock step with you 100%, and begin condescending rants about western this, neoliberal centrist that, like please.

Ignoring the condemning of the Israeli government, the terrorist IDF and the US policy that allowed and emboldened the atrocities committed by Israel to go unchecked because one has the opinion that Hamas is also terrorist group and that the GOP is just as complicit is wild.

14 minutes ago, Ryan said:

Mind you, all this started because I noted that these activist groups still aren't protesting GOP events despite the fact that the GOP is in full control of the government. And when someone said the GOP isn't the one who funded the genocide, I reminded them that the House (ran by the GOP) appropriated the funds for the former administration.

I think people on the left are more angry at liberal politicians because they've always ran off these policies of being progressive, protecting marginalized communities, women's rights, etc. We already know Republicans are horrible but there's still a chance at a Democrat realigning their political positions with enough pushback. We've witnessed the Dems go further Right. Unfortunately, Dems, over the years, have layed the foundation that became the mess we see today (Obama not being concerned over codifying abortion, Obama not having Ruth Ginsburg step down, not expanding and stacking the courts with Dem judges, etc etc etc) 

 

I didn't understand it at first for the longest. But then it all makes sense and you see why there's more anger towards Dem politicians (also, how many Dems have ran off being Democrat then immediately switching to Republican when they win) 

Edited April 17, 20251 yr by SmittenCake

1 minute ago, SmittenCake said:

I think people on the left are more angry at liberal politicians they've always ran off these policies of being progressive, protecting marginalized communities, women's rights, etc. We already know Republicans are horrible but there's still a chance at a Democrat realigning their political positions with enough pushback. We've witnessed the Dems go further Right. Unfortunately, Dems, over the years, have layed the foundation that became the mess we see today (Obama not being concerned over codifying abortion, Obama not having Ruth Ginsburg step down, not expanding and stacking the courts with Dem judges, etc etc etc) 

 

I didn't understand it at first for the longest. But then it all makes sense and you see why there's more anger towards Dem politicians (also, how many Dems have ran off being Democrat then immediately switching to Republican when they win) 

All of that is understandable. But only marching and protesting in “safe” spaces gets you nowhere, especially when the ones in power are systematically doing and advocating for worse. 

42 minutes ago, SmittenCake said:

That's not something to casually shrug off.

It is, that's the state of internet right now, there are deniers about every single topic on the internet, people denying that the earth is round, people denying the 6 million number, heck, even people denying that bisexuality exists. As soon as you stop to get into your feelings because of those morons, the more you'll spend your time and energy into more useful things.

47 minutes ago, SmittenCake said:

then why not let back in all the Trumpanzees since it's just all varying opinions? 

And this whatabautism doesn't work for this case, but short answer: it's not your forum. If this was your forum and you wanted Trump supporters to come back, go ahead, simple as that

4 minutes ago, BrokenMachine said:

It is, that's the state of internet right now,

But this is a regulated forum. Not a free-for-all playing field like Twittee or 4chan. 

 

5 minutes ago, BrokenMachine said:

 

And this whatabautism doesn't work for this case, 

It's not whataboutism. It's being consistent with your chain of reasoning.

 

29 minutes ago, Ryan said:

All of that is understandable. But only marching and protesting in "safe" spaces gets you nowhere, especially when the ones in power are systematically doing and advocating for worse. 

Well, the Bernie and AOC rallies could be a safe space. But from what I've been glossing over on social media, they've been kicking out peaceful protestors. I think the protestors are there to begin with because AOC & Bernie have been only condemning Netanyahu and not the Isresli regime. 

 

But I know what you mean 

7 minutes ago, SmittenCake said:

But this is a regulated forum. Not a free-for-all playing field like Twittee or 4chan. 

 

It's regulated by mods and admin, it's their forum and their rules. I can't believe it's so hard to understand for some people 

1 hour ago, Ryan said:

Mind you, all this started because I noted that these activist groups still aren't protesting GOP events despite the fact that the GOP is in full control of the government. And when someone said the GOP isn't the one who funded the genocide, I reminded them that the House (ran by the GOP) appropriated the funds for the former administration.

Way to completely STILL be wrong with your assertions that you were clocked with several times over in that thread (not going to get into the nonsensical claim that GOP events aren't being protested nor the complete FAILURE to understand the activist-politician political complex), you retaliated by making digs at someone's intelligence, got that energy back, threw a fit, banned a member over it, and still think you're right after all this despite it being an abuse of your authority (even though at the end of the day this is your forum I guess).

1 hour ago, Ryan said:

You can say your piece, but I will not allow you to continue to create false narratives about stifling pro-Palestinian voices when it's blatantly false. 

 

You want your opinions respected but can't handle the fact that not everyone is going to be  in lock step with you 100%, and begin condescending rants about western this, neoliberal centrist that, like please.

Ignoring the condemning of the Israeli government, the terrorist IDF and the US policy that allowed and emboldened the atrocities committed by Israel to go unchecked because one has the opinion that Hamas is also terrorist group and that the GOP is just as complicit is wild.

You ARE stifling pro-Palestinian voices. There is a disparity between the leeway you give to Zionist users on here versus the way the Palestinian users respond to them and the other users who repeat their Zionist narratives without any critical reflection (like you are STILL doing with regards to claiming Hamas is a terrorist group and getting mad/wrongfully conflating the disagreement with that point as "condescending rants"). 
like I said the banning of Palestinian members, and the voluntary decision to leave by other Arab members TRULY speaks for itself. Have a good day.