Stuck with me for another month.

[Terry]

I found out Blu Media took another payment from my account so I'm here another month. The good thing is I can still talk with you guys a little longer. Maybe I will get to see Ricky Evans and Vadim Black again before I go. I'm sure I won't get to see Justin Riggs. I look forward to chatting with you guys for a little bit longer.

 

[tampa24]

Hey Terry,

Excuse me for not being disappointed that you'll be here longer. lol I feel that in many ways the site is on an upswing right now. Not that it's perfect of course. But I think it's getting better.

Regardless though, I'm glad you'll stick around with us for another month.

 

[stowe1]

I found out Blu Media took another payment from my account so I'm here another month. The good thing is I can still talk with you guys a little longer. Maybe I will get to see Ricky Evans and Vadim Black again before I go. I'm sure I won't get to see Justin Riggs. I look forward to chatting with you guys for a little bit longer.

Well if you truly want to leave, then cancel your membership now. It will continue for the time period of what has just been paid, but there will be no further renewal deductions. You can't wait to the last minute to stop the automatic charges.

 

[mikeyank]

I found out Blu Media took another payment from my account so I'm here another month. The good thing is I can still talk with you guys a little longer. Maybe I will get to see Ricky Evans and Vadim Black again before I go. I'm sure I won't get to see Justin Riggs. I look forward to chatting with you guys for a little bit longer.

Good deal!

 

[betudidntknow]

I found out Blu Media took another payment from my account so I'm here another month. The good thing is I can still talk with you guys a little longer. Maybe I will get to see Ricky Evans and Vadim Black again before I go. I'm sure I won't get to see Justin Riggs. I look forward to chatting with you guys for a little bit longer.

To be totally honest sir, BluMedia doesn't charge you directly....it's a third party payment. Either CCBill, or Epoch, lol. Unless you remember to go to the billing site and cancel, you'll be billed automatically. BluMedia is not responsible. Just sayin!

 

[stowe1]

To be totally honest sir, BluMedia doesn't charge you directly....it's a third party payment. Either CCBill, or Epoch, lol. Unless you remember to go to the billing site and cancel, you'll be billed automatically. BluMedia is not responsible. Just sayin!

You're absolutely correct, betu. However, if a person clicks on the Support Center field at the top of the Broke Straight Boys page, it will give you a link to your billing company and you can go through there.

I am mystified on how this forumite tried to leave. I'm sure if he contacted Broke Straight Boys some other way, Chuck or some one would have given him the proper information. You just can't post that you want to quit the site and expect it to magically happen.

 

[Beth]

I found out Blu Media took another payment from my account so I'm here another month. The good thing is I can still talk with you guys a little longer. Maybe I will get to see Ricky Evans and Vadim Black again before I go. I'm sure I won't get to see Justin Riggs. I look forward to chatting with you guys for a little bit longer.

Good, I'm always up for anything "a bit longer."

 

[Kylebrand]

Good, I'm always up for anything "a bit longer."

Beth, you are a breathe of fresh forum air!

 

[lpdude86]

Beth, you are a breathe of fresh forum air!

I agree!

I have grown very tired of the negative nellies and the condescending know it alls that pounce on people in the forum.

That is the reason I do not comment like I use to. just sayin!

 

[Terry]

It is epoch. I went to their website the first time, but then I called them this time.

 

[stowe1]

I agree!

I have grown very tired of the negative nellies and the condescending know it alls that pounce on people in the forum.

That is the reason I do not comment like I use to. just sayin!

Aw-w-w!

 

[AtlantaGuy]

Stowe

It may be Aw-w-w! to you but I too have stopped posting, since I don't feel comfortable at the possibility of getting blasted. Is it because I'm too sensitive? No way. I'm just too old to put up with some of the BS. I have, however, always been impressed with MikeY's view that people should be able to express an opinion without being verbally creamed. And I do enjoy reading the posts that make really good observations.

 

[mikeyank]

Stowe

It may be Aw-w-w! to you but I too have stopped posting, since I don't feel comfortable at the possibility of getting blasted. Is it because I'm too sensitive? No way. I'm just too old to put up with some of the BS. I have, however, always been impressed with MikeY's view that people should be able to express an opinion without being verbally creamed. And I do enjoy reading the posts that make really good observations.

Thanks for the kind words AG. And that is the way I do feel. This forum could be great again, if more people were commenting and I agree 100% that everyone should feel free to say as they please without fear of being "bullied".

As I am an old man now too, I will use an expression from 45 years ago when I was a very young man . Right on!!!

 

[stowe1]

Stowe

It may be Aw-w-w! to you but I too have stopped posting, since I don't feel comfortable at the possibility of getting blasted. Is it because I'm too sensitive? No way. I'm just too old to put up with some of the BS. I have, however, always been impressed with MikeY's view that people should be able to express an opinion without being verbally creamed. And I do enjoy reading the posts that make really good observations.

So as long as we all agree with what any individual posts, then all is peace and light. But if any person should vigorously put forth an opposing or even a different viewpoint, then it is bullying? I do agree that people should not use "ad hominem" attacks. But expressing differing views is what this forum is all about. Some may be more vigorous in their expressing but that certainly does not rise to the level of bullying. You really have to define your terms: what constitutes "getting blasted" or "being verbally creamed"?

 

[stowe1]

Thanks for the kind words AG. And that is the way I do feel. This forum could be great again, if more people were commenting and I agree 100% that everyone should feel free to say as they please without fear of being "bullied".

As I am an old man now too, I will use an expression from 45 years ago when I was a very young man . Right on!!!

You say that "this forum could be great again". Do you believe the forum as now exhibited is not great? Where is it on your "forum greatness scale"? I'm interested since you have said more than once that you remain here primarily because of the forum.

What constitutes "being 'bullied'"?

 

[mikeyank]

You say that "this forum could be great again". Do you believe the forum as now exhibited is not great? Where is it on your "forum greatness scale"? I'm interested since you have said more than once that you remain here primarily because of the forum.

What constitutes "being 'bullied'"?

I've been on this forum "forever", and this is one of the quieter periods in my forum history, with less folks commenting than at any time in the recent past. Over the last month or two, there are days when I spend ten hours away at work and return home to find less than a handful of new posts when I return. This is among the slowest periods I can recall in fan participation here.

I believe that it is mostly due to this current slow period with the porn, as the forum is driven by hot guys and hot scenes. We can have great discussions in the general forum regarding entertainment, holidays, sports or world events, but the heart of Broke Straight Boys is the porn. And Stowe, you yourself made this comment on the recent Ronan Kennedy & Ryan scene, "It's been quite a while since a Broke Straight Boys scene has given me the vapors, but boy they came rushing back watching with this scene. I'm still flushed --- in more ways than one."

My belief is that this site needs an infusion of young talent that will excite the base and attract new fans who are clamoring to sing the praises of the latest rising star, be it an Adam Baer, a Johnny Forza, or a new Vadim Black, a new Kodi or of course a Paul Canon. If you look at the first page of "the boys" showing the last fifteen newbies introduced since August 6th, there are not many to inspire the masses, and as the porn goes, so goes the forum, in my humble but experienced observations. So this is my long answer to your first question, on a scale of 1-10 on forum greatness, I would rate this current period as a "4". But I am in it for the long run and I'm always hopeful that the site will introduce some ultra hot newbies, which will in turn enliven the forum, and perhaps draw some new fans into joining in the festivities, and perhaps return the forum to an "8" or higher, based on the hotness of Broke Straight Boys in general.

As far as what constitutes being bullied, that is subjective, but I have seen new posters arrive on the forum, who are questioned, belittled and doubted by some of us old timers. It can be intimidating to join in to an existing "clique" so to speak and to be made to feel welcome, and I always choose my words carefully to try to make a newbie feel as a part of "the family", such as it is. Much as hot new models drive the site, interesting new forumites drive the forum, and I've seen how a sharp or condescending comment can shut up a new poster. I think we should be welcoming and not driving new and sometimes older members away.

 

[stowe1]

I've been on this forum "forever", and this is one of the quieter periods in my forum history, with less folks commenting than at any time in the recent past. Over the last month or two, there are days when I spend ten hours away at work and return home to find less than a handful of new posts when I return. This is among the slowest periods I can recall in fan participation here.

I believe that it is mostly due to this current slow period with the porn, as the forum is driven by hot guys and hot scenes. We can have great discussions in the general forum regarding entertainment, holidays, sports or world events, but the heart of Broke Straight Boys is the porn. And Stowe, you yourself made this comment on the recent Ronan Kennedy & Ryan scene, "It's been quite a while since a Broke Straight Boys scene has given me the vapors, but boy they came rushing back watching with this scene. I'm still flushed --- in more ways than one."

My belief is that this site needs an infusion of young talent that will excite the base and attract new fans who are clamoring to sing the praises of the latest rising star, be it an Adam Baer, a Johnny Forza, or a new Vadim Black, a new Kodi or of course a Paul Canon. If you look at the first page of "the boys" showing the last fifteen newbies introduced since August 6th, there are not many to inspire the masses, and as the porn goes, so goes the forum, in my humble but experienced observations. So this is my long answer to your first question, on a scale of 1-10 on forum greatness, I would rate this current period as a "4". But I am in it for the long run and I'm always hopeful that the site will introduce some ultra hot newbies, which will in turn enliven the forum, and perhaps draw some new fans into joining in the festivities, and perhaps return the forum to an "8" or higher, based on the hotness of Broke Straight Boys in general.

As far as what constitutes being bullied, that is subjective, but I have seen new posters arrive on the forum, who are questioned, belittled and doubted by some of us old timers. It can be intimidating to join in to an existing "clique" so to speak and to be made to feel welcome, and I always choose my words carefully to try to make a newbie feel as a part of "the family", such as it is. Much as hot new models drive the site, interesting new forumites drive the forum, and I've seen how a sharp or condescending comment can shut up a new poster. I think we should be welcoming and not driving new and sometimes older members away.

Thanks for answering my first question in a circuitous way yet ultimately with a finite answer. While I agree with you that the boys and the scenes drive the forum initially, its continuity is driven by people exchanging views, commenting on one another's views, etc. But if people feel intimidated just because others might disagree with their views, or question their views, then that's on them. This forum is, as you have said many times, for the full and free exchange of viewpoints.

With respect to bullying, you state it is subjective then go on to say people are questioned, belittled, and doubted. But what constitutes belittling? I think most know when something is questioned or doubted. While I agree people shouldn't be belittled (which I consider denigrating or "ad hominem" verbiage), the fact that they are questioned or doubted about their views is not bullying, it is the free exchange of viewpoints. I can speak for none other than myself, but I know that I pick carefully what I want to say and how I want to say it. As you know, I have always averred that words have consequences and that's why I don't like "ad hominem" attacks. I can also testify by observation of what you write and knowing you as I do that you also are very careful in what you say and how you say it.

So if a forumite, whether new or old, feels some one has denigrated him or her or used "ad hominem" words against him or her, then that person should call out the person who offended them. They should never just fade away.

 

[mikeyank]

So if a forumite, whether new or old, feels some one has denigrated him or her or used "ad hominem" words against him or her, then that person should call out the person who offended them. They should never just fade away.

I agree that a person should call out someone who offends them, but particularly for newbies who may not know the "lay of the land" here, often times it just makes them shut up, as it's easier and not worth the effort to them, feeling like an outsider calling out the establishment here.

I personally know of two specific examples of newbies feeling this way, and they both have persevered though the initial discomfort they felt and become established "core" forumites. My friend Peterh from Seattle has told me that when he first checked out the forum there seemed to be a core clique who didn't seem too interested in communicating with a newbie, and that the clique appeared to be ignoring his posts and just chatting with each other. That made me feel terrible to find out that as a core member, I was part of that clique and it was never intended that way by myself or any of my forum friends. That goes to show me that even a bright, funny, friendly guy like Peter felt slighted by the establishment.

I mention Peter's by name as he always tells me he has nothing to hide, and that his life is an open book, so I told the story to make a point. I heard the same thing from someone else who is now a senior member who told me that when he joined and asked a question or made a point, he was told by the clique in a dismissive way that we already discussed that topic. It intimidated him from posting again for a while.

And as I feel that we need more voices on the forum, I shudder when I think that one of us is being short or dismissive with a newbie who tries to venture into our "good old boys club", (and yes Beth is included in the boy's club. lol). I try to be extra polite and welcoming to a newbie, whether I agree or disagree with their point of view.

 

[betudidntknow]

I agree that a person should call out someone who offends them, but particularly for newbies who may not know the "lay of the land" here, often times it just makes them shut up, as it's easier and not worth the effort to them, feeling like an outsider calling out the establishment here.

I personally know of two specific examples of newbies feeling this way, and they both have persevered though the initial discomfort they felt and become established "core" forumites. My friend Peterh from Seattle has told me that when he first checked out the forum there seemed to be a core clique who didn't seem too interested in communicating with a newbie, and that the clique appeared to be ignoring his posts and just chatting with each other. That made me feel terrible to find out that as a core member, I was part of that clique and it was never intended that way by myself or any of my forum friends. That goes to show me that even a bright, funny, friendly guy like Peter felt slighted by the establishment.

I mention Peter's by name as he always tells me he has nothing to hide, and that his life is an open book, so I told the story to make a point. I heard the same thing from someone else who is now a senior member who told me that when he joined and asked a question or made a point, he was told by the clique in a dismissive way that we already discussed that topic. It intimidated him from posting again for a while.

And as I feel that we need more voices on the forum, I shudder when I think that one of us is being short or dismissive with a newbie who tries to venture into our "good old boys club", (and yes Beth is included in the boy's club. lol). I try to be extra polite and welcoming to a newbie, whether I agree or disagree with their point of view.

 

[peterh6308]

Good post Mikeyank!