BWCA.com is and has been a great discussion forum. A forum being an online discussion board where people can ask questions, share their experiences, and discuss topics of mutual interest. Over the many years I have been a member I have truly enjoyed and learned a lot from the threads posted on this site.

For the first time I can remember, a thread regarding mining in the boundary waters was "Locked from Responses". Preventing exactly what the purpose of a message board is all about. I realize that this particular topic is controversial, dare I say polarizing? However, the site hosts have always done a great job of moderating and keeping discussions respectful. When some discussions crossed that line the thread was appropriately removed. I can't think of any topic that is more pertinent and relevant to this message board than potential mining in the boundary waters. I assume that thread was blocked as a preemptive measure in anticipation that the discussion might become overly emotional and disrespectful. While such action is understandable, I believe this prevents an important opportunity for reasonable dialog on this issue. IMHO

In my experience the posters on this forum are generally respectful, thoughtful, and lighthearted. I’ve posted on many other forums that are complete dumpster fires. BWCA.com admins should be proud of this accomplishment after almost two decades, a job well done.

Well said. The locking of a thread very relevant to our sacred place, without even so much as a single word from a moderator, is frustrating. I didn't have much to add to the thread, but just like the tow boat thread, I was counting on some well-developed opinions (and some poorly-developed ones as well) to expand my own horizons. Maybe the mods assume no one's mind will be changed by a mining thread, but maybe it's just their own minds that won't be changed. We won't know because they never seem to comment when taking moderation actions. Oh well - like you said, this place is generally very respectful and I have to commend the mods for keeping it that way.

When the thread goes south it’s either locked or disappears. Many mining threads have met that demise. It isn’t that the topic is not important, but the integrity of the website has equal importance. There are places you can go to voice your whatever you want to voice on those issues... they even had a special place on this forum message board... but people can’t be civil on some matters. So you can thank the people who cannot play nice for that all going away!!

nctry: "When the thread goes south it’s either locked or disappears. Many mining threads have met that demise. It isn’t that the topic is not important, but the integrity of the website has equal importance. There are places you can go to voice your whatever you want to voice on those issues... they even had a special place on this forum message board... but people can’t be civil on some matters. So you can thank the people who cannot play nice for that all going away!!"

We as moderators get tired of picking up the dog crap that other people leave on the trail. And some trails attract crappier dog owners more than others.

Every Mining Thread has progressed in the following way:

1. Contentious Subject posted
2. First couple replies clarify why the subject is a good or bad thing
3. One poster drops a hand grenade of an opinion
4. Replies become increasingly attacking and personal.
5. A poster asks for civility and a reasonable discussion. Ignored.
6. Greater personal attacks, political innuendo, and a diversion from the original subject to a broader subject, usually something along the lines of how society has fallen apart and everything is going to hell and life sucks.
7. Thread locked.

See threads about guns, innie/outie (though this has been a while), protests, or just the whole former political forum.

As much as any mining topic is very pertinent to the BWCA, I have yet to see any thread about mining convince the other side of a different view. All mining threads just reinforce prior held beliefs and do nothing but sow division. There are many other venues and outreach programs that can have a greater impact then an online forum mostly about what canoe to buy and if a battery operated ice auger is considered a motorized vehicle.

Minnesotian: "There are many other venues and outreach programs that can have a greater impact then an online forum mostly about what canoe to buy and if a battery operated ice auger is considered a motorized vehicle. "

This is awesome; especially the auger comment. Good belly laugh!

adam: "

nctry: "When the thread goes south it’s either locked or disappears. Many mining threads have met that demise. It isn’t that the topic is not important, but the integrity of the website has equal importance. There are places you can go to voice your whatever you want to voice on those issues... they even had a special place on this forum message board... but people can’t be civil on some matters. So you can thank the people who cannot play nice for that all going away!!"

We as moderators get tired of picking up the dog crap that other people leave on the trail. And some trails attract crappier dog owners more than others."

Interesting response, Adam. Would this comment made by someone else remain posted? It seems to stink of the content referred to within.

We are inundated daily with people arguing, accusing, and vilifying each other because of differences of opinion or belief. Especially today...

I am happy to have a few spots where the arguments are light hearted and involve topics such as the role of batter operated ice augers in the decline of our society.

I appreciate the moderators efforts to pick up the crap left behind by others. Keep it up...

I think the moderators on this website do a great job. It's not an easy task. I was recently a moderator on another site which has 70,000+ members. It was the hardest and most frustrating thing I ever did in my life. I did it for 6 months.

I vote to stop locking any thread. Let natural discussion take place.

x2

Freddy: "
BWCA.com is and has been a great discussion forum.

For the first time I can remember, a thread regarding mining in the boundary waters was "Locked from Responses".

While such action is understandable, I believe this prevents an important opportunity for reasonable dialog on this issue. IMHO"

1. "Great Discussion Forum" Amen to the first statement.
2. "Mining in the Boundary Waters"
a. No one is mining "in" the Boundary Waters.
b. At what point has the horse been flogged enough? This is not an "unmoderated" forum. You knew that when you signed up. There are rules to which we all agreed to abide. Those who "moderate" our discussions get to apply those rules - no matter how arbitrary you might feel their decisions. The decision is theirs to make - end of story.
c. If you want a different set of rules - build your own forum.
3. "Action is understandable" - Why are you complaining if you understand the rules and how they are applied?
4. "For Reasonable Dialogue" - Again, you are arguing the line in the sand. What is "reasonable"? When does the conversation go beyond reasonable? When does it become off-topic? Inflammatory? Uncouth? Rude? Bullying? And, finally, unpleasant enough that people stop coming back to the entire forum? The prevention of this final situation is why the rules exist in the first place.

5. To what end will the "reasonable discussion" finally come? Will any new scientific information be passed along? Will any new technology be engineered? And ultimately, will any mind or opinion be changed?

6. Action items:
a. If you find the need to:
1. Find more information - The internet can provide you with a plethora. Google: Sulfide Mining, Environmental Impact Statement Twin Metals Mine, etc. (Actually reading an Environmental Impact Statement is an amazing exercise in thought process.)
2. Convince someone else that your opinion is correct:
a. Write a letter to the editor- pick a newspaper, one near you.
b. Find an un-moderated forum and discuss away.
c. Send a comment about an Environmental Impact Statement to the appropriate federal agency.
d. Send a donation to a group that supports your position(s).
e. Send a donation to a politician that supports your position(s).
f. Run for Congress.

In my relatively short time here i don’t think I’ve seen a mining thread last more than a day, so I guess don’t get the surprise. The good folks running this forum have seen enough to know what to expect from such topics so I can’t blame them for pulling the plug. All I all this is the most respectful forum I’ve ever been a part of so I can’t argue with the approach.

Frenchy19: "

adam: "

nctry: "When the thread goes south it’s either locked or disappears. Many mining threads have met that demise. It isn’t that the topic is not important, but the integrity of the website has equal importance. There are places you can go to voice your whatever you want to voice on those issues... they even had a special place on this forum message board... but people can’t be civil on some matters. So you can thank the people who cannot play nice for that all going away!!"

We as moderators get tired of picking up the dog crap that other people leave on the trail. And some trails attract crappier dog owners more than others."

Interesting response, Adam. Would this comment made by someone else remain posted? It seems to stink of the content referred to within."

So what are ya saying??

Adam's site, Adam's rules.

There is an option to donate and remain anonymous.

Yup it was frustrating to see that thread locked so quickly.