COD4 Ban Appeal

[LightsOut]

This appeal and its replies are in a public forum and can be seen by all.

1. What server were you banned from?: Call of Duty 4
2. When did you get banned?: Last Week
3. What was your in-game name?: [PH]LightsOut
4. What is your game GUID (if known):
5. Why do you think you were banned?:

   I was banned for playing two seconds of audio in Trump's voice, "I am the Trumpinator". 

   We should not lose sight of what is lost through the decision to ban political discussions. In an age increasingly marked by incivility, we need places where we can learn (or relearn) the practice of civil disagreement—that is, the art of disputing others’ ideas in ways that respect those persons’ intrinsic worth. I agree the website is the best place to have these discussions. Three years ago, I was banned for responding to an issue relating to politics in the game. To be frank, I come to play, not discuss politics, and in every situation someone else made a comment and I responded. I feel like the kid who got punched on the playground and then got caught punching back and the only one who got in trouble. 

   I've been told to go public and request the ban be lifted if I want to continue to play on your servers, so here I am. I want to remind you that I have not been a freeloader and that I have contributed financially to the donation program to help keep the game servers financed. As you and your team ponder on making this a permanent ban, allow me to add something you might want to consider. The only time I continued a discussion when asked to stop was three years ago, and I continued because my country was going to hell, lies were being perpetuated about much more than President Trump, the cabal's plandemic was destroying the business I had worked 25 years to build, and I was very angry and passionate about wanting to get the truth out to anyone who was willing to listen.

   The current situation (BAN) is really based upon two things and not me talking politics or the playing of two seconds of Trump's voice saying, "I'm the Trumpinator", or the use of BuckFiden as an occasional game name (WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS AN ACCEPTABLE NAME AND PERMITTED). The fact is I frustrate certain players (primarily on the FFA servers) because I do often dominate and these players have made it clear to me that they hate it when I play because it "isn't fun being owned", and second there are far left individuals who believe lies about Trump and therefore hate me just because they know that I support him. These same individuals provoke discussions that are political to try and set me up knowing that I will likely respond and get into trouble. This is a fact.

   I bet I could name the names of the people who are complaining and screaming the loudest who want me banned for these reasons. This is an adult server and all of these things in reality should not be an issue, but it is what it is. If you decide to make this a temp ban, I will promise to report anyone who tries to get me to talk politics, I will continue to refrain from talking politics, and it is not a problem to refrain from playing sound effects that might trigger these people. Even though you said political names are permitted, I can also refrain from using those. Sometimes I may use them playing on another server, but since you think the names promote the political comments, I can change the name back to my game name upon joining, if you prefer.

   As Roxy said to me in a private message, "Personally, I think you are a good and pleasant player and that you have a high interest in the political scene in your country". I believe MOST players appreciate my disposition and game play.

   Respectfully,

   LightsOut

   "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."

   Thomas Jefferson

[Roxy!]

Thx for your appeal, the entire admin team is discussing this appeal and I will get back to you ASAP.

[Roxy!]

Lighstout, thank you for your patience. I was the admin who banned you and after consulting with the rest of the admin team we all unanimously came to the same conclusion, the permanent ban will remain.

Unlike other appeals, I am going to explain in detail the reasons why we got to this point because I think you still don't understand.

You have repeatedly violated the requests of several admins and moderators of the game to keep our servers free of political comments. We have informed you repeatedly that we prefer as a clan to stay away from political comments of any kind, this is a space free of that.
We have records and proof that you have 4 different GUIDs and on two of them we have Temporarily Banned you, in the year 2021 and in the year 2023. On both occasions, we were very tolerant with you but we warned you that you must respect the standards of our community.
You kept coming back to our servers, with new GUIDs and we accepted you without further ado, But despite this, you started political conversations again that we have records of and recorded audios with political propaganda. 
Your confusion lies in the fact that we do this for political reasons and that's the problem, this is an international clan, and many of us (including me) have little to do with that or even almost no interest in the politics of your country.

We are governed by very simple rules of coexistence, you have violated the rules of our community and the lack of compliance with the requests of the admins has led you to this situation.