I think after some recent events I'd like to re-raise my plea for more stringent moderation on the forums.I know this is a touch subject. I'm an administrator for another community and these issues have to be treated delicately. People value their free speech and prize it, as one of our recent threads have made clear. Consequently I know that some believe that this forum should reflect this perspectives and be open to all views.
Unfortunately I don't believe that JREF has been well served by this policy. Instead it has allowed extremist views to flourish, the epitome of which is outright racism.
This is a recent example from an ultra-nationalist poster. In that thread a 83 year old witness of the Japanese occupation relates her experiences. This is his reply;
it is not my bussiness. thank Russia and stalin.
I dont complain of your grudge. it is good for you. I Just feel pity
And I am not interested in your story at all
Japan dont complan what Dutch did in Indonesia.
anyway
they were saved oppositely
Independence parade of Indonesia (followed by three youtube propaganda videos stating how great the Japanese occupation was)
Is that really the type of posting we want to encourage? What benefit is there for the Elizabeth to continue contributing, when she can expect this sort of response. Given the ultranationalist's one track posting record here, we all know that he'll post the exact same content again. There are other examples. We have a self-avowed anti Semite who is allowed to post his views with impunity. On almost every other forum I've been to, these posts would be removed and the user in question censured or banned.
I know that some believe that keeping these individuals around helps keep JREF alive. I believe that its misleading and dangerous. The open posting policy only attracts other extremists who think they've found a "respectable" place to expound their views. It also attracts their polar opposites, leading to the extinguishment of the middle ground. New users or quality posters, (who are considered and willing to engage in reasonable debate) witness this and they feel unwilling to contribute. Basically it dissuades individuals who want to have a reasonable debate and the boards suffer because of it. About four years ago you had a wave of anti-japanese extremists appear who attacked everything positive about japan. This thinned out the actual contributors to them and the Ultra Japanese Nationalists. With the departure of the anti-Japan folk, the posting has been heavily monopolized by the nationalists.
Some have argued that this situation is the reality of the Internet. I think that's fallacious argument that only serves to enable the current problems. There are several internet forums with strong moderation policies that have excellent quality of posting. And the reality here is that posting quality has declined significantly over the past five years in the politics forum. JREF doesn't need individuals like those cited above to keep it alive. Rather it needs to be rid of them to actually thrive.
A final word about my motivation, because I think is important. I'm raising all of this because I think JREF has had a place in my heart since I joined seven years ago. Its one of the only places I'm able to discuss Japan with like minded people, and I want to see it exceed its past glory. I think it could be a great place to talk about Japanese politics, which is going through a fascinating era right now. My suggestion on stringent moderation will make it a better forum for these views.
Feel free to critique this... I know it seems harsh but I think its for the better of the community.