ROD - Love it or leave it.

[RamFan503]

This site started as a small group that loved to BS about our team. It didn't start when we were some winning juggernaut of a team either. But Paulie wanted a different type of site. A site for fans to share their love of the Rams. A site for fans to share stories about being Rams fans and their experiences as Rams fans. A site where we felt like friends sharing a beer and talking about whatever with the core being about the Rams. And this is our charge as a community to preserve the intent and goals of this site.

It may seem odd to some but I have felt that I have forged real friendships on this site due to the very nature of what it was created to be. This has been truly born out when I have met some of you. Our trip to Florida for example was actually made one of my wife and my favorite vacations ever through meeting the likes of Selassie, Ramrasta, BigRamFan, LesBaker, Rhody, Dog, Iced, Mac, their spouses and a couple others. I spent time with some of you at the game and others we went out partying with and/or for dinner and drinks.

I realize it has become more difficult to maintain this culture as the site has grown but I want people to realize and think about it as they interact.

This is not to say that you cannot debate what is going wrong with the team. There is plenty to discuss there and don't think any of us are blind to it.

It's just that this site was created by a person and perpetuated by members who wanted the same as he. We didn't want to hang out in yet another place where terms like "realist" were a defense and homer was a criticism. We have always been unabashed homers.

So when you feel the need to spew about how someone sucks or can't see the things that are obvious to you or what have you. Don't think you are offering an enlightening perspective. If instead you want to discuss how and why you would like to see this or that happen or would have done x instead of y or would like to see someone in particular as coach or player and have something to back it up besides - "so and so sucks", please bring it.

Lively debate is great. A culture of negativity is not what we are into and never have been. So don't act all put off or offended because someone tries to squelch that mindset HERE. Instead, try to come up with actual discussion and real ideas.

I have said it all too often. If this site pushes to be too positive for you, then there are plenty of other places to post.

Go RAMS!!!

 

[BigRamFan]

This site started as a small group that loved to BS about our team. It didn't start when we were some winning juggernaut of a team either. But Paulie wanted a different type of site. A site for fans to share their love of the Rams. A site for fans to share stories about being Rams fans and their experiences as Rams fans. A site where we felt like friends sharing a beer and talking about whatever with the core being about the Rams. And this is our charge as a community to preserve the intent and goals of this site.

It may seem odd to some but I have felt that I have forged real friendships on this site due to the very nature of what it was created to be. This has been truly born out when I have met some of you. Our trip to Florida for example was actually made one of my wife and my favorite vacations ever through meeting the likes of Selassie, Ramrasta, BigRamFan, LesBaker, Rhody, Dog, Iced, Mac, their spouses and a couple others. I spent time with some of you at the game and others we went out partying with and/or for dinner and drinks.

I realize it has become more difficult to maintain this culture as the site has grown but I want people to realize and think about it as they interact.

This is not to say that you cannot debate what is going wrong with the team. There is plenty to discuss there and don't think any of us are blind to it.

It's just that this site was created by a person and perpetuated by members who wanted the same as he. We didn't want to hang out in yet another place where terms like "realist" were a defense and homer was a criticism. We have always been unabashed homers.

So when you feel the need to spew about how someone sucks or can't see the things that are obvious to you or what have you. Don't think you are offering an enlightening perspective. If instead you want to discuss how and why you would like to see this or that happen or would have done x instead of y or would like to see someone in particular as coach or player and have something to back it up besides - "so and so sucks", please bring it.

Lively debate is great. A culture of negativity is not what we are into and never have been. So don't act all put off or offended because someone tries to squelch that mindset HERE. Instead, try to come up with actual discussion and real ideas.

I have said it all too often. If this site pushes to be too positive for you, then there are plenty of other places to post.

Go RAMS!!!

:bow:

I love you man!

 

[RamFan503]

:bow:

I love you man!

Thanks. Likewise. Need you in here more often man. Cheers.

 

[HX76]

*wipes tear from cheek*

I love you all!

 

[Rams Until I Die]

Amen to that! This is the only board I've ever joined, it just felt right lol. Other sites were to negative or had awful layouts after finding this site I was hooked.

 

[LesBaker]

I've been thinking about the same things, and was actually going to start questioning people openly when they spew up garbage. Some people take it WAY to seriously and are excellent at inflicting their misery on others.

I'm surprised by how some people with plenty of posts have reacted in the last several days. They should know this board is more calm and collected and they should know that while you guys aren't quick with the trigger finger you don't hesitate to ban someone who can't follow the pretty simple set of rules.

I'm glad you posted this 503, it's a nice reminder.

 

[DaveFan'51]

This is why I joined ROD!

 

[Boffo97]

Agreed totally with all that.

I think it all comes back to the rule of attacking the post, not the poster. Once you've slapped a label on the person you're arguing with, it's no longer about the Rams. The only reason to label someone is to disqualify them from the discussion, and as such, you've now changed the topic of the discussion from the Rams (or whatever issue) to the poster's qualifications to argue the topic.

Even if you think a poster or posters are not being rational on one topic, there's ways to say that without burning bridges with them. After all, maybe in the next argument, that poster and you are on the same side.

I have NEVER seen anyone shown the door here because of their opinion on something. It's all about expressing that opinion without crapping on the team or your fellow fans.

 

[…..]

Co-sign, well done Stu

 

[theramsruleUK]

Fair point, I guess it's my nature to be pessimistic and sarcastic
Will try to be more +

 

[Dodgersrf]

ROD is special. All Stu said is the reason I'm here.
It has been frustrating at times the past couple of weeks. There should never be duplicate threads asking for the firing of a player or a coach. I understand that we're all passionate about our Rams, but we need to keep this place as it was intended to be.

If it's not fun, then what the hell is the point?

 

[RamFan503]

Agreed totally with all that.

I think it all comes back to the rule of attacking the post, not the poster. Once you've slapped a label on the person you're arguing with, it's no longer about the Rams. The only reason to label someone is to disqualify them from the discussion, and as such, you've now changed the topic of the discussion from the Rams (or whatever issue) to the poster's qualifications to argue the topic.

Even if you think a poster or posters are not being rational on one topic, there's ways to say that without burning bridges with them. After all, maybe in the next argument, that poster and you are on the same side.

I have NEVER seen anyone shown the door here because of their opinion on something. It's all about expressing that opinion without crapping on the team or your fellow fans.

This is all true. And I do appreciate what you're saying. I know you have been around the block a few times yourself.

But I want people to also realize it goes deeper than this. Even if you are only attacking the posts, there are ways to do it with empathy and class and there are posts that simply don't need to be attacked. It may not seem black and white to some and I get that. But if your goal is to show how stupid someone's post is when they are being positive or upbeat, then you probably shouldn't post it HERE. If you see a thread that has the intent of being positive or upbeat and you only want to counter that thought, just move on to another more appropriate thread. And when you do, try to be constructive with your comments.

Sorry but I'm only trying to help prevent this site from going the way of most on the web. I don't see a need for it and I will err on the side of homers each and every time.

 

[LesBaker]

One other thing.......

Agenda posters.........

Can't stand 'em.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Well said Stu. :cheers:

 

[VegasRam]

YOU CAN'T THREATEN ME!
I'M OUTTA' HERE!

 

[blue4]

I haven't spent a lot of time in most of the threads, other than the one about the QB situation and drafting Winston. Was this a big problem over the last couple of days?

 

[den-the-coach]

And one more thing...Misery loves Company!

 

[Philly5]

This is a good site. Seems like there is at least a weekly thread like this, but I rarely see the behavior it talks about. We are likely headed for a 4 win season in year 3 of the Fisher rebuild. Would anyone like some ice in their drink while the Titanic sinks?

 

[Boffo97]

YOU CAN'T THREATEN ME!
I'M OUTTA' HERE!

I guess he wasn't proud to be here...

 

[brokeu91]

Couldn't have said it better myself

 

[Prime Time]

I live by a simple rule on the internet: if I wouldn't say it to someone's face then I won't post it.

Those who post that the players or coaches on the Rams have quit, or they're losers or failures, might claim that they would say that to their faces but I seriously doubt it. Try going up to an athlete in the prime of his physical strength who weighs around 300 lbs and call him a quitter or a loser and see what happens. Now that's realistic.

An internet forum/board like this one is similar to a man's home. Do you let people come into your home, use abusive language in front of your wife and children, kick the dog, and generally bring nothing but bad vibes? Hopefully you would escort them from the premises and tell them not to come back. That's what the mods here have to do at times for the good of all.

Being a Rams fan has been a frustrating experience for many years now. We understand that. We're just as frustrated as the rest of you. So how can members express themselves and stay within the guidelines of ROD? Read the first sentence in this post again.

Rams players and front office staff have come here for interviews. Kevin Demoff started his own thread here right before the last draft. We want them to feel welcome to read and to join in with our conversations. They won't do that if this site becomes a haven of negativity.

Is it okay to criticize players and coaches? Absolutely! But name calling and ridicule is frowned upon. For example:

The right way: Gregg Williams is not doing a good job. He has not lived up to the expectations I had for him. Here's what I think he should do with our defense........etc.

The wrong way: Gregg Williams is an incompetent idiot. He deserves to be fired right now.

The right way: What is going on with Robert Quinn? He doesn't seem like the same player from last season. Is it all the holding that's not being called by the refs or is he injured or what?

The wrong way: Robert Quinn stopped trying once he signed his new contract. He sucks and has no heart.

It takes some effort, intelligence, and class to express oneself and get your point across without offending others. We know that the majority of ROD members fall into this category but this thread is intended for those who are not quite there yet.

Would anyone like some ice in their drink while the Titanic sinks?

I'll be playing with the band while some of the rest of you elbow and push each other to get into the lifeboats.