A fan of alt.discuss.katzenjammer decided to alert the WebTV abuse department concerning a small band of dipshits who were flooding the home of the Illustrious KOF. The main offenders at this time being Joni-@webtv.net, elfking@webtv.net, and MrBlueSky@webtv.net . Imagine the surprise of this loyal fan who was told, in so many words, to fucking deal with it. A far cry from WNI's reaction to complaints made about Katzenjammer regulars. When some pathetic excuse for a Usenet participant whines that "those mean ol' KOF are being rude again", out comes the censure stamp. Almost all of us have the 'warning' letters from WNI to prove it. Typical WebTV double-standard... one set of rules for the Flamers who post in Katzenjammer, and another (kinder, gentler, more forgiving) set for everyone else. Even WebTV Networks Incorporated recognizes the inherent ability of the average Katzenjammer to stand taller, and be held to stricter standards, than the run-of-the-mill WebTVer. Unfair? Hell... I consider it a compliment.
Not to mention the fact that implied in the letter below, is a great deal of freedom to be one's self in the alt.discuss hierarchy. Apparently, WNI feels that if you consider another poster abrasive, abusive or repugnant, tough shit. "Find another group to post in, you crybaby" might sum it up. This could be interesting.
Here's what WNI had to say, verbatum, about the presence of a handful of newsgroup
flooders in alt.discuss.katzenjammer:
(only the name was omitted, because it's the tendency of some inbred, mouth-breathing,
bible-thumping, group-flooding, backpedaling fuckwits to presume anyone with an ounce of
dignity and free will must be "one of those damn Katzenjammers" and therefore
deserving of being hounded relentlessly. elfking, ~jo and mr.BS only know two kinds of
people: those who are content to march in lock-step with them, and The Enemy.)
Subject Re Inappropriate Posts
Dear <X>,
We have received the complaint you sent regarding the disruptive posts made to a newsgroup that you found disruptive or disturbing. We agree that the tenor and intent of these posts is not very nice.
When we evaluate the basis for our taking disciplinary action against another WebTV user, we must take into account the broader context of their actions. In this case, these posts were made within the "alt" portion of the newsgroups, understood by the participants to be "alternative" forums. Unlike in regular, moderated newsgroups, these "alt" groups are unmoderated and quite usually that means "anything goes." We recognize, as should you, that this means that not infrequently, people get emotional, rude, unruly and even offensive.
If you are unhappy with the standard of behavior of any participants of an alt newsgroup, you are free to encourage them to conform their conduct to be more civilized or to ignore their posts. You are also free to not participate and many users choose not to. While we might deem it prudent to take action if there were direct threats made or when there are vulnerable participants, in this case, we see no basis for our involvement.
Please understand, we take our responsibility for enforcing the WebTV Network Terms of Service (TOS) seriously. This does not mean that we need to change the standards of behavior within "alt" groups that are collectively accepted by their adult participants--even if we or some of our subscribers don't agree with them.
We apologize that, in these circumstances, the WebTV TOS cannot protect you from the rough treatment that one can sometimes get within the "alt" forum. We urge you to exercise your right to not participate within that group for a period of time.
Sincerely,
WebTV Compliance Supervisor