We are an online group of military veterans, public servants, and their friends. Those of us in the military (those in public service - Police, EMT, Firefighters, etc.- have taken similar) have taken the oath:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
You will find that we are regular people in most respects. What separates us from others cannot be adequately described in words. We share a common bond derived from similar sets of core beliefs and values fostering a strong sense truth to self and duty (service) to others. It is these commonalities which bring us together and cement our "family" relationship. We serve not because we have to, but because we can. We serve for those who can't and those who won't. We serve for those who have come before us - to ensure the value of their sacrifice and pass it on. To take what they have given us and leave something better when we pass it on.
It is our similar set of experiences which shapes our sense of humor and those things we find offensive, please keep that in mind while you visit our site and forums. If you don't like what you see, then silently move on. If you offend us, or the memory of our brothers and sisters past, you will be banned - we aren't looking for a fight here, we come here to relax and enjoy the company. If we offend you, we apologize in advance - it isn't our intent.
To Our Members
The website is designed to be a vibrant, constantly changing, member communication tool. Full use of today's rich multi-media content is highly encouraged. The website belongs to the membership and so reflects to the world who we are. You can play music, videos, post cartoons, news clips, etc (provided copyrights are respected). In short, it is home to one of the largest lan parties available. It is your website, enjoy it. There is something here for every member. If you don't see it, just let us know. The [OgV] website will not censor peoples' personal beliefs, opinions, social philosophies, etc.
Forum Rules
- The official language of our forums is English. As such, posts in other languages will be deleted.
- Posting (or links to content) of an illegal (under US law), potentially offensive, or extremely provocative nature is not allowed. These include, but are not limited to the following: extreme profanity, graphic violence, explicit nudity, sexual acts, discharges of any bodily matter (fluid or solid) from human or animal; political advertisements and/or partisan promotions; ethnic slurs or statements; religious advertisements or promotions; illegal drugs or drug use; sites containing cheats, hacks, cracks, illegal software, or viruses.
- No advertising. [OgV] members (and trusted Site members) may recommend legitimate (legal) products or services when asked.
Etiquette
- Posts are to be made in the most relevant forum.
- Use an appropriate, descriptive title when posting a new topic.
- Post in a way that is respectful of other users. Flaming or abusing users will not be tolerated. Stay on topic within a thread (Don't highjack a thread).
- Endeavor not to post excessive numbers of emoticons, large, small or colored text, etc. Similarly users should not SHOUT or use excessive punctuation (!,.? - a few are fine) in topic titles/posts.
- Wait at least 48 hours before "bumping" a post.
- Refrain from posting meaningless threads, one word or exceedingly short non-sense posts.
- If you post a link (URL, picture, etc), check it routinely to ensure it remains an active (good) link.
The Bottom Line
[OgV] Website/Forum admins may censor the method of expression - not what is said, but how. If poster X wants to tell poster Y that his statement that "Ralph Nader is a better human being than G. W. Bush" is wrong, that's fine. If they want to argue about it, that's fine too. But if they want to do so by telling each other that they are "offensive syphilitic bastards whose mothers were Bronx hookers who should be ripped to shreds by packs of rabid dogs, and all stinking left-wing, right-wing, conservative-pinko-commie-****got-gun-toting-bastards like you should suffer the same fate," the thread will be deleted.
There is quite a lot of leeway in the definition of what is and what is not considered courteous, thoughtful, and civil discourse. That's where your responsibility under freedom of speech comes in. Also, it will be up to the forum moderators and website admins to determine when and where to move posts and threads as they deem necessary, but the moderators must treat each and every poster with the respect that these guidelines demand regardless of how ill-treated the moderator may be. Moderators and administrators will set the example for everyone else who uses this website. In more serious cases where moderators feel a poster needs to be banned, the [OgV] council will decide the matter.
Anyone who can't speak his or her mind without being civil is not worthy of being listened to. It seems so easy for some people to take the website for granted and abuse the privilege of its existence. It does no harm to think about what one says before one says it, or to put oneself in the listeners' shoes first. Be very careful of what you post on the public forums. Member forums will be much more "understanding".