What can we do about inappropriate comments?

2022-01-07T14:17:10-05:00

A RallyPoint member has been particularly nasty comments on a question I asked a year ago. I’ve been ignoring him for the most part, but I am extremely uncomfortable about a recent comment (on a five-month-old thread) that he directed at me:

“how are liking Biden’s polling so far? 25 to 30% approval is making Americans happy. We know he will be gone in 24. Assuming he can stay alive till then.”

I realize that he is not personally threatening President Biden, but I am unnerved just the same. What advice can anyone give me about how to handle this? Is blocking him sufficient?

Response by SPC Maurice Evans made Jan 7 at 2022 2:37 PM

2022-01-07T14:37:16-05:00

I am new on site but personally if someone was threating me I would call FBI if interstate or local law enforcement

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jan 7 at 2022 2:45 PM

2022-01-07T14:45:08-05:00

Not really sure if that is nasty, no bodily functions mentioned. What is your definition of nasty?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2022 2:45 PM

2022-01-07T14:45:17-05:00

Would you mind posting the link to the five month old thread?

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Jan 7 at 2022 2:49 PM

2022-01-07T14:49:43-05:00

What was the nasty and/or "uncomfortable" comment?
Yes, blocking the person will take care of any further posts until they log into another account.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jan 7 at 2022 2:53 PM

2022-01-07T14:53:55-05:00

How is that a threat or threatening post? Or how is that "nasty?" It sounds like the comment "assuming he can stay alive til then" is about Biden's age. Not making a threat. If you truly thought this was a threat to the POTUS, report it to Secret Service.

However, all I see that as is someone who isn't a fan of Biden and simply thinks he might die because he's almost 80 years old.

If you don't like what that person said, just ignore them. You can block them - but you'll still see all their comments. They just can't tag you and you can't tag them so, really, blocking on this site does nothing except makes it so you can't answer their posts and they can't answer yours - not directly.

The only time I've even report to the admins is when people start making extremely racist, transphobic, sexist, bigoted remarks or actually directly threaten me or someone else. But this that you posted - that's not even a threat or close to a threat. It's just someone who doesn't like Biden.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2022 2:54 PM

2022-01-07T14:54:48-05:00

I bet I can make him cry.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 7 at 2022 3:02 PM

2022-01-07T15:02:06-05:00

One time that I agree with Kelly.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 7 at 2022 3:07 PM

2022-01-07T15:07:30-05:00

Ignoring them, down-voting them, and/or blocking them are all reasonable responses.

You can tag me in the post and I'll review it (and the member's previous comments on RP). That particular comment, in isolation, doesn't seem overly problematic. However, I'd like to review the full context in which it was made.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2022 3:12 PM

2022-01-07T15:12:42-05:00

This sight has a rather low trust level in my book. For one, the OP SFC Pepper isn't verified (as far as I can tell). For two, I presume the offending commenter isn't verified either.

The comment in question barely starts to register on the offensive meter in terms of what goes around here, and when the parties in question are unverified that's about that.

I mean, is the offender uploading pictures of someone defecating???? That's not an exaggeration. Try logging into this site, and your 5 year old is in line of sight and up pops a picture of someone's anus in view, with feces exiting it. My kids haven't seen that yet, but the moment that happens I'm done here.

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Jan 7 at 2022 3:23 PM

2022-01-07T15:23:01-05:00

I'm with LTC Kevin B., and not just because his name is Kevin. :) If the person's posts really bother you, block him. Unless there is more context, it isn't really threatening anyone as a reasonable person could decide he's just talking about Biden's advanced age.

Having said that, there is no reason you need to sacrifice your personal peace of mind to hang out in this veteran's community. Block him and regain some peace of mind.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jan 7 at 2022 3:24 PM

2022-01-07T15:24:28-05:00

We are in the middle of a pandemic that is more of a problem for those who are older and/or have complicating medical issues. That may not have been a cheerful, positive comment but it didn't sound like a real threat either; I suggest you ignore or block that person if what he says bothers you...
remember we do have freedom of speech and that includes saying things others may not like or agree with.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Jan 7 at 2022 11:59 PM

2022-01-07T23:59:39-05:00

To paraphrase a recent film quote “Rub some dirt on it and throw it away”. You signed up to protect everyone’s right to be obnoxious from time to time. It’s a bit late to object to it now. You’re doing exactly what the troll wants. Time to cut the puppet strings…..