The effort to write a rule about "stalking" has slowed in its final phase. To give a chance to the maximum number of Kossacks who want to have a say in the writing of this rule, we're extending the deadline for one week, until Sunday, October 18. Subsequent to that - well announced in advance - we'll put the version of the rule that receives the top rating into a diary poll.
You can see the introduction to this collaborative project here and follow-up diaries here, here, here and here.
Thanks to the generosity of David Stern at MixedInk, we have a work room in which to collaborate and write this rule. As noted previously, if the project succeeds, we may write a handful of other rules in this fashion. Once adopted, these rules will become a part of the Daily Kos FAQ along with another very small number imposed administratively, such as the rule against threats of violence.
So far, 63 Kossacks have contributed to writing, commenting on or rating a stalking rule. This includes some users who oppose any such rule. If you want to contribute, you must register at the MixedInk work room, preferably using your Daily Kos moniker, since that is, obviously, how participants know who you are.
Key elements of the process are editing, merging, remixing and rating what you think is the best version of a rule. Currently, the top-rated rule is one written by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse. The slightly tweaked formatted version of this reads:
Stalking occurs when a poster on at least two different occasions posts statements that use false information, insults, personal attacks, lies, rumors, or implied/express disclosure of private information intended to harass, harm, humiliate, frighten or intimidate another poster; or when a poster provides private information (e.g., home address, e-mail) to enable others to stalk. A reasonable person would objectively view the statements as intended to cause harassment, harm, humiliation, fear or intimidation.
The stalker troll may seek revenge to avenge some real or perceived grievance, disagreement, or dispute or due to termination of a personal relationship.There is no valid purpose for the repeated activity other than causing harassment, harm, humiliation, fear or intimidation to the intended target.
Stalking does not include the mere expression of disagreement, seeking out diaries or comments of favorite diarists or frequent interaction on the boards.
The persons stalked should keep every comment, e-mail, or other message received from the alleged stalker to evidence the stalking. When HR'ing a person as a stalker, the HR'er should post a comment explaining the ground of stalking with a link to relevant evidence so that admins have a record to review.
Posters should not recommend a comment HR'd for stalking simply because of friendships but should review the evidence provided to reach their own independent conclusions.
You can rate this proposed rule, edit it, rate and edit other proposed versions of the rule, or write your own.
For newbies, here’s a quick video explaining how to use MixedInk:
If you run into trouble, we recommend:
- Viewing the site using one of the most popular browsers to view the site: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari.
- Using a relatively recent version of Flash, which you can download from here: Flash.
- Oh, and in case you have trouble finding it, the registration button at MixedInk is in the upper left hand corner.
One week left with rule-drafting.