Scapey wrote:
Hollis DZC wrote:
I would further add about "membership in a criminal organization" that some type of proof must be required, not just "he said, she said" type of thing.
I don't know how difficult this would be, achieving "Proof", but I don't want to see members having a beef with one another and pointing fingers at another. If someone is accused, than the accuser should bring proof as well.
How is someone to defend against a accusation otherwise?
"No I'm not!" "Yes you are!" "No I'm not!" "Yes you are!" Etc.
I don't want to see the "Cancel Culture" take hold here.
Proof of Member of a Criminal Organization / Hate Group - BAM! You're OUT.
But objectively speaking, not something for example, like what happened to Gina Carano.
Not a finger-pointing witch hunt.
Facts. Proof.
Specifically re: the Proud Boys, I and a number of other people did see posts from one individual on Twitter, as well as one of his many Facebook aliases ( He kept getting banned for hate speech ), proclaiming his membership.
Sadly, nobody currently has screenshots to hand - I did ask a few of the people that complained.
What's the stance on someone blatantly posting hate-speech on their socials; transphobia, homophobia, racism and such? Can someone still be in good standing here, if they're a known bigot because of their behaviour elsewhere?
We have a number of trans members here, and I for one would rather this be a safe space for them to exist and interact, without fear of coming into contact with someone who basically wants to deny their right to exist...
I absolutely agree that the AL should be a safe place for all. That goes without saying.
Regarding Banning Members, correct me if I'm wrong, but in the history of the AL, everyone who has been Banned, there was evidence, not just he said, she said.
I say this for the future of the AL, without evidence, it sents a precedent.
Why am I concerned about having proof?
Here's why-
I'm also part of a national superhero costume group with various chapters, West Coast, Mid-Pacific, etc
I've been part of it for years and years.
I've served as a Chapter XO for two terms, then Chapter CO for two terms, then stepped down.
We have a Council comprised of current and former Club officers.
I'm still on it.
A few years ago, the new CO received a complaint from a Member against another Member.
Member "A" said that Member "B" was mean to her.
So this CO tells the Council he's going to Ban "B" and her partner.
I ask what what did "B" and her partner say when he asked them about the alleged incident.
He said he never talked to them, but was going to Ban them anyway.
As Captain of the Guard for the National Club, I told him that's not how the procedure works. The accused is allowed to be notified that a complaint has been filed, etc.
We based much of our Procedures on what other National costume clubs have done.
He says "A" has witnesses...who turn out to be her boyfriend, sister and mother.
Long story shortened here, but at various Conventions, we get a Fan Table and x amount of Free Passes. In return for a Free Pass, we ask that you spend an hour at the Fan Table. Not just get in Free, drop your stuff off at the table in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon.
Most of the time it's not an issue, we usually get 20 Free Passes. This particular Convention was a big one in San Jose.
We got 6 passes. They went to Members who regularly volunteer at the Fan Table. Member "A" would never volunteer. And even after getting free passes at other events, never would spend any time at the Fan Table.
It turned out that Member B was considered being "mean" to Member A because she didn't give her a Free Pass.
Member A literally twisted this around to try and get Member B and her partner Banned (the partner hadn't done anything but was going to be banned anyway...) to get revenge because she didn't get a Free Pass.
I hadn't even met Member A or B, but procedure had to be followed.
In this case, we were glad it was.
I know it's a long story, but that's why I feel the way I do.
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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!