Some prefer a moderator who keeps his opinions to himself. In case you guys haven't noticed, that's not me.

thirsty

about anything you please. Just because you moderate does not mean you have to hold back on your opinion on subjects.I totally agree with you on that post.

It's good to hear peoples opinions and you should speak up when ever you please. This is what the boards about.. opinions and information.

Maybe they are just pissed off because of the Patriots super bowl win, who knows!



Kim )



-- Modified on 2/13/2005 7:48:59 AM

Where you were out of line.
Now I do not know if there are rules or additional guide lines for the moderators.
I do feel that in addition to being the moderator you are a member of the community and the board and have as mush right as anyone else to voice your opinion, be it a popular one or not.

Hell if you state an opinion that is not popular it does not make you out of line. And if one does not agree there is no reason that it cannot be discussed in a civil manner, which is something you always do.

The way I see it is the moderators are those who have been around, know the hobby, the board, the rules, etc. and will most likely have the knowledge to express an informed opinion. there is however no reason you cannot just throw one out there off the cuff also. It's not like you would be the only one to do that.

So please continue to OPINE THIRSTY OPINE

that is my opinion and you are entitled too it

Thank You

that will never visit that shithole if it was the second to last place left on earth. NYC is the hobbyist and provider capitol of the world, by far. While there are guys here that complain about prices, the great majority realize that there are many price points in this business and that you find the one that you are comfortable with. That realization seems to have escape the Philly guys, but what hasn't.

not at all, i actually thought this guy you where having the discussion with was comparing apples to oranges, reason why he did not understand where you were comin from.

rates in NYC were the same as Philly!

Thirsty, you have been nothing short of great as a moderator of the Philly board.  You're actually part of the reason why I have started posting again.  I could not stand Dingus, as he played favorites all the time, deleted entire threads after days of these posts being out there, took freebies, etc.  If we could rate moderators, you'd get a 10!

I see nothing inherently wrong with a moderator expressing opinions.  Indeed, I find it helpful to understand where a moderator stands on certain issues.  However, when a moderator weighs in on an issue -- particularly one as sensitive as encouraging providers to raise rates -- he'd better be prepared to feel the heat.  Moreover, a "trusim" is defined as "a statement that is so obviously true and so often repeated that people find it trite or meaningless."  So, invoking a truism to win an argument is probably just going to annoy more than help.

So, the combination of a touchy subject, plus the use of a truism plus the remark advising a poster to save his money to afford a higher-priced provider pretty much insured you were going to get some forceful responses.  Ironically enough, it seems you got what you paid for!

Many (although certainly not all) in Philly are extremely resistant to ladies charging $$$ or more, and are very vocal about it, which might explain the shortage of local talent in Philly.  I see a lot of traveling providers, and a few told tales of getting berated about rates when they tried to visit Philly.  

But I do have to say that it's been my experience that a higher rate doesn't necessarily mean higher quality.  Great providers can be found at nearly all rate levels.

It's the typical "the world revolves around NYC" attitude.  Most people outside of NYC recognize people with that attitute for the tools that they are.  You specifically are an idiot because you know nothing about the Philly market.  There are ugly fat women with no reviews coming in and asking for $400-$700.  That's ridiculous, and I don't blame people in Philly for being pissed off about it.  As far as NYC being the hobbyist and provider capital of the world, I seriously doubt it, and even if it is, it won't be for long given the all out assault by your mayor.  Go Bloomberg!

If one of the rules was to keep your opinions to yourself, I wouldn't have lasted one week as moderator.

thirsty

That's a good point. I should have qualified my "you get what you pay for" statement. In most goods or services, there is probably a cutoff line where "you get what you pay for" no longer applies. Some examples -

Fast food v. a nice restaurant - However, a $35 steak doesn't necessarily tastes better than a $20 steak.

A $10 watch v. a $40 watch - However, day in and day out a $40 watch will do. I don't need a watch which costs me $100 just to change the battery.

Relating this to providers, I suspect there is a minimum dollar amount in each city which you probably don't want to go below if you want a 100% GFE experience. From the providers perspective, I've been told by many Boston area indies and Agencies that, in the main, they see a different client once their rates reach $$$ per hour.

Interesting topic to say the least.

thirsty

Thank you!!!

Love me or hate me, I do know how to push buttons to get people to post.

thirsty

Re: Ironically enough, it seems you got what you paid for!

That I did.

The remark about saving his money was out of line. I stooped to his level. I should know better.

thirsty

First, you are the moderator. For you to state a specific opinion, like any other hobbyist, is exactly like the President of Harvard throwing out the idea that maybe women aren't capable of being scientists, hypothetically speaking and just as an hypothesis. If someone at a bar says it--ok. But when the President of Harvard says it, someone who can give tenure to 1100 faculty members--BIG trouble. So it is with you. If you are known as being opinionated and you moderate someone off the boards whose opinion disagrees with yours, you will be viewed as playing favorites, biased and in big trouble. So avoid it.

Second, you're just wrong on the issue. I just spent close to $1000 for one hour with NetMichelle and Submissive Angel in a commercial dungeon I rented for some hot lesbian S&M sex, with me as the stage master. You can go to their websites and check the prices. I would never consider paying $500, $600 an hour for any regular NY provider, since they are simply no better than the $200 an hour girls at the late lamented Julies. With the average $500, $600. $1000 plain vanilla provider, if you close you eyes, you might THINK that you're having sex with J.Lo., but it's the closing of your eyes that makes you think that--none of them remotely are movie stars. And Julie's girls at $200 an hour--or Elizabeth at Vintage Pink at $140 for a half hour--were sexually as talented as any $500+ vanilla provider. So those who do see $500, $600 an hour providers are fooling themselves. They are buying the sizzle, not the steak. Encouraging the average provider to hike up her rates is encouraging the rip-off of hundreds of your fellow hobbyists by inept women who are simply no better than $200-$250 an hour. I saw a certain provider when she was at $200, just months before she jacked up her price to $400. Same woman--higher price. Worth it?? I keep recommending her, but I still hesitate on whether the best BBBJ in New York is worth $400 an hour.

NYC hobbiest are the best....theres no reason to leave

Over 400 reads on my philly ad in 1 1/2 days ... If  250 is too high.. well uhhh... I dont choose to see every man that can turn on a computer.. Ive never ever heard anyone being insulted over 250. Oh well.. Next city please..

Thirsty , Im all for you voicing your opinion... Its why we love ya!

Hey Ciara, did people in Philly have a problem with your rates?  If so, I must have missed it.  I'm curious, can you please elaborate on your experience?  Thanks.

Moderators do not work for TER (or TBD for that matter). It is a volunteer position. TER creates a legal barrier between itself and it moderators by taking the position "we provide the software. Members provide the content." Some moderators are active hobbyists. I am not. All moderators are TER members. Like you and the other members, I provide the content. In my roll as moderator, I police the board and keep discussion flowing. I pass along TER policies when appropriate such as the posting guidelines. As a member, all opinions expressed are my own. Why would anyone take on the job of a volunteer moderator if, as a consequence, they could not join the discussion? My boards are successful in part because I attempt to stimulate discussion. If I was told by TER I can't join in the discussion, I wouldn't be a moderator. People often ask me why do I do it (moderate)? I admit it's ego driven. It's a challenge. Can I calm down the NYC board? Can I wake up the Philly board? However, I also like the interaction. My opinions are my own. They carry no more or no less weight than any other member's views. Like any other post, if you don't care to read my opinions, you are not required to do so.

As to your second point, I imagine this will always remain a matter for debate.

thirsty

-- Modified on 2/14/2005 7:30:06 AM

buddy,

One way around this would be if I posted all my opinions under an alias. In my reply to captyve, I explained that moderators are members like you. I will continue to express my opinions. However, I choose to not hide behind an alias. I would have thought you, of all people would respect that.

thirsty

Remember, it was Voltaire who said: "I may disagree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."  There aren't too many Voltaires in America these days--not in the public arena, anyway. Surely you can see that--does Rush Limbaugh welcome and nurture liberal opinion on his radio program? Did Robert Novak on Crossfire every catch himself and say: "Oh, I interrupted you, Mark Shields. Please continue." I see your role as exactly like a Little League umpire. Thankless but necessary.  If you don't enjoy the role of referee--maybe you shouldn't be one. You seem to believe that being moderator makes you just like every other poster--except YOU have the atomic bomb. You don't have to argue against someone, you can wipe them off the Boards. You've made your job infinitely more difficult.

BUT I DON'T!!! That's the point! Every post submitted to that thread made it to the board. I have developed a reputation on
TER for having a certain amount of integrity. As long as posting rules are observed, ALL POSTS GET THROUGH!!!

Respectfully, I don't think I've made my job more difficult. To paraphrase, if I can make it on the NYC board, I can make it anywhere.

thirsty

here you are enjoying one of those 550 an hour ATF's of yours.. what a man !! Go eagles.. Oh sorry I forgot.

I think that you are entitled to your opinion...

but it is a tough decision that you have to make when it is a negative one and can affect the business or reputation of a provider.

Also, and I am in NO way accusing you, it can be argued that opposing positions to your comments may not make its way to the board, as you are the moderator. You have the power to sway public opinion by allowing or rejecting posts to this board. In the long run, this practice would be caught as there is a close network of "friends" here in NY who would PM each other about not seeing their posts.

You are a "moderator" not a mediator.

The above being said, POST AWAY. I welcome yours and anyones opinion, right, wrong, or ridiculous, each has an entertainment value which keeps me coming back.

JJ

PS. Thank you for removing my duplicated posts a few days ago. I surf using my cell phone and it kept timing out on me and I didn't realize that the post still went through. I will try to be more careful in the future.

When I see them I remove them. It must be a compulsive thing like emptying an ashtray as you walk by.

thirsty

Maybe the Giants and Jets will make it to next year's superbowl again...oh sorry, I forgot...