Well, since you are not privy to the inner workings of the board, I’ll try to bring you up to speed on a few things.
Since [color=red]BEFORE the beginning of the Glossika threads [/color], which BTW were not begun by any Segue moderator, Glossika in the guise of “James Campbell” were in unofficial contact (phone conversations and e-mail) with Segue. First they “threatened” (characterize it as you will: they gave the impression that a lawsuit might be forthcoming against Segue). Then they gave a list of people who were ‘troublemakers’ (full names, too) although there were some inconsistencies with their facts (i.e., they wrongly identified “LittleIron”) and suggested that Segue “cooperate” with them in bringing these people to heel. Segue wasn’t particularly interested. They also suggested that I be removed as a moderator (remember, this was BEFORE the “Glossika threads”) and I have no problem with that being put to a poll if people want. Whatever.
[color=blue]AFTER the “Glossika threads” heated up a bit[/color], Glossika were understandably irked about the whole thing. They did not like being called illegal, and they expressed this sentiment to the folks at Segue. The folks at Segue replied (basically) something like “Well, that is a legitimate complaint. Let’s see, it’s a question of whether the accusations are true or not. If they are true, they can stay. If they are not true, they will be promptly edited. [color=red]Just put a copy of your Taiwan business registration into the mail[/color] to Gus’ PO box or Richard’s address, or fax it to Richard, and the posts will be immediately altered to reflect the fact that you have said documentation.” Well, the docs haven’t yet arrived by either channel, and that’s why the posts stand to date. You may feel that it’s “unfair” to put the burden of proof on them, but then again a business reg is a very common document in TW and many orgs and processes require it to be shown, copied, etc., so it’s really not very much out of the ordinary.
[quote]You have systematically moved/removed/hidden their evidence to the contrary. Postings have been tampered with to reflect the attitude of the moderators, and then locked down. Guests are suddenly no longer welcome.
[/quote]
A lot of what you perceive as misguided moderation has to do with trying to keep Segue a useful forum for people interested in information on Taiwan, even while allowing open discussion to continue on controversial topics. The overall purpose of Segue is to provide information and a chance for people to exchange ideas relating to Taiwan. The whole “Glossika thread” set, while possessed of a certain titillation judging by the number of views, is somewhat tangential to this goal. It was allowed to stand, but moved aside so people could continue to use the board normally. People don’t want to log onto a bbs only to see commentary on how the bbs itself is run (“you deleted that” “no I didn’t” “well, you should have” “why did you edit me” and so on).
The only “Glossika threads” or posts which have been locked down are non-contributing posts (i.e., off topic…another thread can always be started if a poster wishes) or double posts (triple…quadruple…it was really getting multiple there) which are generally deleted REGARDLESS of the source. [color=darkblue]Segue is unlike other boards in that we let things stand[/color], even when they do not seem favorable to the board or to the moderators, or when (heaven forfend!) they contain links to other boards! 
The requirement that people register and stand behind their identities before posting to threads which are bordering on (by many accusations) the libelous or slanderous is certainly not out of the ordinary. Actually, the existence of fora on Segue which do NOT require registration is a convenience to the public, and many mods feel that perhaps ALL fora should require registration. It is certainly not that difficult to hide one’s true identity (as I have learned by observation lately!) in registering for a phpBB2 bulletin board system. At least registration infers a certain, minimal, degree of responsibility for one’s postings.
[quote]The whole thing reads like a conspiracy. I’ve spent hours tracing the many threads, looking for just cause. I can find only one, somewhat pathetic explanation. Ironlady didn’t get the job! She failed to comply with Glossika’s requirements! She would not take their translation test! They would not return her calls! Good Lord woman, like who the hell cares??? Take a deep breath. Their decision not to hire you probably had nothing to do with your excellent credentials, or even your broken foot or weight problem. It probably had everything to do with your lousy attitude.
[/quote]
Well, if responding to the facts that:
- I received a letter from Glossika threatening to sue me on the grounds of “libel” based on ONE internet post from April 2002 (and please remember, this was PRIOR to the Glossika threads being started); and
- I was, within 24 hours of receipt of that letter, informed that the Tax Authorities would be checking out my “illegal office” (coincidence?); and
- I was raided by the police 24 hours after THAT (coincidence?); and
- An attempt was made to deliver merchandise COD to my “office” (and the “offices” of 2 others who do not have and have never had offices) (coincidence?) and
- Attempts have been made by Glossika to get organizations (i.e., Segue) to “cooperate” to “control” badly-behaving freelancers (e-mail, phone calls); and
- Various other e-mail hijinks have been sent out, signed by Glossika, to clients and suppliers of at least one translation firm in Taiwan who has been known to be in competition with Glossika;
(in the case of everything marked “coincidence” above, people who have lived in Taiwan or Asia for a period of time will recognize the probability of a relationship to other events; I am NOT saying outright that Glossika were responsible for these events, however, I reserve the right to present further evidence in the future, but that would not be a topic for a bbs forum);
[color=red]if reacting to these things, and looking for the source(s), instead of simply “taking it”, constitute “a bad attitude”, then I am guilty as charged of having a “bad attitude”. [/color]However, one might wonder what the attraction was for the others on the “G-list” being listed there. They certainly did not “libel” Glossika in public prior to being placed on that glorious list, nor were they rejected for employment by Glossika. So what was their “sin”?
A “pathetic explanation” certainly exists, but in this case, it is Glossika’s use of the fact that I sent them an e-mail, responding to a newspaper ad in February 2002, to justify their actions now, in November of 2002. If every agency I ever sent an e-mail to had reacted in this way, I would not have been able to get any work done for the last 15 years.
And if you’ve spent “hours” tracing the “Glossika threads”, maybe you need to get cable TV, or join a bowling league, or something. Definitely time for a healthier hobby.
[quote]And may GOD HIMSELF edit my words.
Thankyou[/quote]
Well, GOD HIMSELF is not yet registered here, nor does He serve as a Moderator or Administrator here (although, being omnipotent, He could very well smite a few posts if He cared to do so. Of course we would then be into the endless debate of whether His moderating style should be of the Old Testament “smite and ban with fire and brimstone” approach, or the New Testament “remonstrate with the sinners, gently editing their words” style.
Personally I think God laughs at this kind of affair, that is, when He isn’t crying about the ridiculous way human beings treat each other.
The foreign community should really pull together over this, because if these a-holes can succeed in intimidating people, other a-holes may catch wind of it and feel it’s not so hard to push around lao wai in Taiwan. I’m going to get in touch with my old DPP/KMT contacts and see what I can find out. :shock: You must fight guanxi with guanxi in a land where the rule of law is , for the most part, still theoretical. 