Sonthert Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Ouch. I would like to say, although I am neither compelled nor required to, I have followed all the rules set forth by this Forum. If the people who were banned had followed the same rules, they would also be welcome here. Instead, they tried to get around rules for a matter of expediency or convenience. There is no bias. If I break the rules, Mushy, Dan, Bubba or Yash will boot my ass out of here just as fast and I would expect no less than that. Every person who was banned either veiled their commercial ties or didn't participate in the general community of the forum other than to promote their company or products. I would like to think people regard me as a helpful and prolific contributor, other than promoting my company or products. I would also add that not a single person was ever banned without the people, the users of this forum complaining that they were breaking the rules. Needless to say, once we ban a user, we give them a chance to mend their ways and follow the rules by opening a new account. Repeated violations result in IPs being blocked. I would like to open this up for any reasonable public criticism. I also on different occasions, offered to help the magazine writing or advertising, but I was ignored each time, not even being sent a courtesy notice. I can appreciate if they didn't want a manufacturer reviewing things, but I think a small courtesy of telling me their concerns would be in order. I have no ill-will towards Culture Clash and support their publication's right to criticize this forum. They may even have some valid points. I have taken their criticism seriously and looked into myself in self-appraisel to address their claims. I salute them for that. Without criticism, we cannot grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Sonthert: it was a set up from the start. We all know you're a good guy who follows the rules, thats why the other MEMBERS voted you a Moderator/Admin type. Doug has an ax to grind and the means ro carry it out in a slightly more public way than most. But the clear anti- .com bias, plus the non-delivery of promised goods to epeople who wrote reviews, plus an unwillingness to accept material from people he has already decided to trash, (you) means this is just some little twerps over elaborate way was whining about being wronged here. Hey Elite, since you share an office with him, tell him we'll unban him if he's care to explain himsel;f and Identify his "mystery crier" so we can present OUR side of the story, otherwise the term "yellow journalism" comes to mind. He may have to look that one up.... :twisted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyGuy Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 *redneck accent* Yeller journalism... that's when ya done pee on the paper, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macho555 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I finally got around to reading the e-pamphlet, after seeing how many responses that it had gotten. I must admit, the reviews of Hookahforum.com aren't surprising to me in the least. It was obvious by the passive-arrogant way that he was acting when he asked for HELP, that it was going to turn into a pissing match. It's not even the fact that its turned into a pissing match that bothers me. Controversy is nice. It opens discussions and makes things better for everybody for the most part. It's his little webpage, and anything he would like to act like a jackass on it, than thats fine. No one can dispute that. But Come on now. At least be intelligent about it. People can respect an intelligent man, jackass as he may be. But you don't even do that. This is the part that irked me enough into a rant. Under his "Publication Content" article, it reads. "It has come to my attention that some readers were displeased with the content of last week’s issue, in particular the HookahForum news. To those of you that were displeased, I offer you an open invitation to write something yourself, and I’ll post it." (Thats fair enough. That's how it should be, as an open publication.") "At this magazine we respect the opinions of all people. This includes the opinion of people that may not agree with you." (Once again, thats wonderful.) "As long as the facts in the piece are true, it is well written and interesting to our reader base… I couldn’t care less how you feel." (To sum things up, you care enough to take time and make a statement about your aloofness, but not enough to try and make your case about your beliefs, given your actions.) (PS - For somebody whos concerns include "well written", you sure allow "Hookah Panther" have his say. Just saying.) For somebody so bold to write that article, and permit scathing reviews to our forum, you sure are absent when it's time to make your case. We've asked you via forum to speak, we've asked you via emails to speak, tried to contact you via phone to speak, all just you could get your undoubtfully bitter case across. If your going to act adamant about a case of free speech, then actually put up for it. If you're going to act like you're some type of hard-ass that doesn't care about peoples opinions, than do it in a fashion that matters. What do you do? You just dissapear as soon as anybody tries to argue with you, and then you sit in your house and think at how clever you are with your e-scribbles. What a wonderfully responsible and classy "journalist" you are. Thats MY $.05. (I try not to carry pennies!) Edit: Terribly sorry for the long post, folks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliteHookah.com Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 NB: I do not plan to be any type of intercessory, advocate, mediator, etc. between anyone and anyone else. However, on this single occassion, because Doug can't post himself at this point, I have talked to him. Doug has agreed to answer some of your questions. So if you'll unban his name, he'll start a new topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entrailsgalore Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 If you want to be apart of this forum, then contribute. To me, if you ONLY make post like " my blog us up check it out!" and " hey my website is doing this promotion, check it out!!" and thats it. Then I dont think you belong on the forum. This is not a billboard, this wasnt created to just advertise your shit. I think if people want to see your stuff, they are fully capable of using the Google.com search engine. And personally, if a website posts reviews that are none other than blatenly negative with undoubtfull bias, then I want no part of it. A good review show sthe good and the bad, not just the bad. I take it as almost a tact of spite when a site cant muster up any other words other than " this sucks" or " that sucks". To me thats just unproffessional. And how can a company expect people to not only use it's services, but to also even take it seriously when its obvious its just a troll. This post isnt directed at anyone in particular, but it is towards a certain group of people. People like that, in my book, can go to contrary Heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PersianPride Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Why do we even care about him? By contributing to his magazine we only help him make profits which considering he is a dick is not something I think we should be doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 [url="http://www.hookahforum.com/hookamag-doug-unbanning-t5622.html"]http://www.hookahforum.com/hookamag-doug-u...ning-t5622.html[/url] I've put it to a vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOURWORSTNIGHTMARE Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 [quote name='mushrat']And I'm sorry, I'M not going to try to explain myself to anyone, including doug, who I personally banned and will ban his entire IP should he show his face again without naming soem names and putting up or shutting up. If .net wants him, then they are more desperate than they look. We Banned Ravi (aka John Deere again, and he pissed to the webmaster how mean we were being) who runs the place now that Dick and S-E has gone away because we REMEMBER what he did when he was unhappy last time.[/quote] Hey Mushy, guess who can change their routing table and IP address anytime they want? Please. You can huff, and you puff, but you can't ban me! In regards to the magazine, honestly, do you think I am behind it? Even I wouldn't give myself a bad review to make you guys look bad. Till next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 So, you are proving me wrong HOW? :roll: BTW: Thats John Deere, aka Ravi, aka owner and Admin. of the .net site for those of you who post on both, keep that in mind. :wink: NOW wonder what Doug will write about them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkeema Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 so many haters out there, i just cant belive someone would just go around bashing this forum, this forum is the greatest, i came on here a true n00b to hookah and these guys helped me out well and truly, i felt wanted for once! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Wow, I never knew that JD was such a douche. I thought he was pretty cool when I first joined the forum last year, and then he disappeared to go over to .net. But goddamn if that last post of his doesn't speak volumes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PersianPride Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hey what actually happened to his mag? He hasn't posted a new edition in 2 weeks and its lost 'smoking-hookah.com' as an advertiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 After reading this thread, I think I'm going to have my kidnies flushed completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imonlyapuppet Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Haha this is worse than those grudge matches in wrestling. I'd say close the thread and give it up, Mushrat's just feeding the fire (of course, the magazine and .net people are, too) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioannisds Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 [quote name='Sonthert']After reading this thread, I think I'm going to have my kidnies flushed completely.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 a fine idea puppet..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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