The Religion - Wrongfully Banned For Spamming

[The Religion 0]

Introduction

First off, I will start by introducing myself. I commonly use the alias "The Religion", though I have gone be several other aliases such as "Simple Jack" and I am a frequent user of the Lotus Clan TF2 servers, mostly West Coast 24/7 Dustbowl and the Chicago arena server. My steam ID is as follows: STEAM_0:0:20916023.

Another user, a donator who uses the alias "|GDD| nimiq.Rage" requested a ban against me in this thread:

http://forums.gaming...4-the-religion/

This thread resulted in me being banned, the reason is "Spam". This is seen in the following picture I took when I attempted to connect to a Lotus Clan server this morning:

http://img145.images...68/wrongban.png

In this thread, I will be refuting all of the evidence provided against me which I believe has wrongfully gotten me banned.

The Evidence Provided Against Me

First of all, I would like to clarify the actual definition of spam, the reason I was banned for. As Lotus Clan provides no actual clear-cut definition for the term, I will try to use a definition that is widely agreed upon.

Spam: The excessive flooding of communications (such as text of voice communication) in a setting such as an online game which prohibits other players from utilizing the same communication methods as they are constantly being flooded with spam messages.

The following is taken directly from the thread of the user who requested a ban against me:

"It started by someone spamming trade requests in the middle of a game. I told him "this is not a trade server". The Religion proceed to tell me to "do something about it", and "he can't do shit, hes just donator". I brushed this aside but he continued to harass me, boasting about kills and calling me a cunt and a few other things."

• I will confirm that this is indeed how any confrontation between me and Nimiq started
• These two messages also do not constitute spam
• On this thread http://forums.gaming...h__1#entry92270 Lotus staff member Afronanny said (word for word I am quoting) "We try to support free speech wherever possible. If enough people complain, then it will be dealt with."
• I was simply voicing my opinion that being a donator on any server does not give the user admin rights of any kind - I was also expressing my opinion that Nimiq was indeed trying to take on the role of an admin by reinforcing guidelines and my subsequent disapproval of such actions
• These two messages, though they may have invoked a reaction from Nimiq, CAN IN NO WAY BE CLASSIFIED AS SPAM

Now let's look at the evidence provided against me taken directly from the http://forums.gaming...4-the-religion/ - the user posted a chat as seen here:http://stats.lotuscl...ies/chat/839086

• The chatlog consists of 50 ingame messages sent from March 17, 2011 1:02:35 am to March 17, 2011, 8:04:23 am a period of roughly 7 hours
• This averages to about 1 message sent every 8.4 minutes - I hardly think this could be argued as flooding the chatbox - a majority of my messages were of relevant interest pertaining to the game
• 5 of my message were directly advertised an item I was trading - I realize that this is not a trade server, typing 5 messages over a period of 7 hours - I think it is completely reasonable to check if someone is interested in an item as long as you do not flood the chat - 5 messages in 8 hours is in no way flooding

The user also reported that I was using "racial slurs" (plural)

• In reality I entered one phrase with a negative racial connotation (one, singular not plural) - this is shown in the chatlog presented by Nimiq at MArch 17, 2011 1:25:52 am
• This was in a game that Nimiq was not even present in - for this reason I believe it should be discredited as evidence (though I will continue to refute it anyways)
• I realize that using such phrases are offensive - however, I was using the phrase in a humerous manner, I was not trying to communicate any racism. I was in a friendly rivalry with another player on the server using the alias "Mr. Weed " - I do not feel I offended anyone as no one expressed any discontent in any manner, and I would have immediately apologized is this had been the case.
• I would like to emphasize that NIMIQ WAS NOT PRESENT IN THIS GAME, he had no way of judging the atmosphere, and I was being humorous, not trying to offend anyone
• On a technical note, i was banned for SPAM and I do not believe uttering 1 phrase with a negative racial connotation in a 7 hour period is considered spam

In his thread Nimiq also provides pictures of a user using a similar alias to his own and posting comments - thee pictures can be seen here: http://imgur.com/a/ThBRY

• I would like to remind anyone reading this thread that there is ABSOLUTELY NO PERTINENT LINK BETWEEN MY STEAM ACCOUNT OR STEAM ID and these pictures
• During this period, I was aware of several other players who were choosing aliases very similar to either my or Nimiq's alias. I specifically remember another player named "The Boobs of The Religion's Mom"
• It is possible (and perhaps probable) that another player may have changed their alias to the one in the picture and made the comments
• THERE IS NO LINK BETWEEN MY STEAM ID AND THE ACCUSED PICTURE SO I BELIEVE IT MUST BE DISCREDITED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST ME
• again on a technical note, even under Nimiq's accusation (which I am not confirming) entering these two phrases IS NOT SPAM

Nimiq also mentions "he makes it abundantly clear (to me) all he's here for is trolling" - I believe he is referring to the comment I made at May 17, 2011 3:45:59 am in which I told another player on the server to "troll harder" - He has taken this out of context and is trying to skew the meaning

• The actual context is another player (who commonly uses the alias "Basher") was making repeated and blatantly low offers on one of my items, and then critisizing me for investing time in the TF2 economy
• This player was simply voicing his opinion (which is completely alright) and I simply responded with my opinion that I believed he was trolling and harassing me This is in no way an admission of intending to be on the server to troll - I was on the server to participate in the game, not to harass people in anyway
• Again on a technical note, this one comment is also in no way spam

Lastly, I would like to address a comment posted by the user "DrkEagle" in the thread requesting a ban against me seen here: http://forums.gaming...4-the-religion/ Again, word for word, his comment was "I wasn't there but I can backup Nimiq. He's a great player and team player and Lotus community representative. This idiot should be banned."

• I would like to emphasize "I wasn't there..."
• This user was not present in any of the games in which evidence is being drawn from, therefore his comment should be completely disregarded from any decisions being made by Lotus Staff members regarding the situation

Conclusion

• please keep in mind that I received a temporary ban for SPAM, thus all the evidence must be evaluated in terms of their spam content
• I have refuted all of the evidence that Nimiq provided against me, and I believe it is clear that I, in no way, deserve a temporary ban for spamming
• I would like to point out that a majority of Nimiq's evidence is not actually a direct link between his accusations and my Steam account or Steam ID
• My Steam ID is STEAM_0:0:20916023.
• I would like to respectfully request to any Lotus Clan Staff Member Reading this that this temporary offense be completely removed from my steam account at this time.

I would like to take the time to personally thank any Lotus Staff Member who has taken the time to read and consider my request

ALL of the information provided in this thread is relevant to my argument. Please do not make any decisions unless you have taken the time to read all that I have posted. I have invested a fair deal of time in this thread.

I would like to ask all non-staff members to refrain from posting in this thread.

[Nimiq 0]

In my original post I never said you were spamming. So I'm not exactly sure why the ban was set for spamming.

"In reality I entered one phrase with a negative racial connotation"

Which reality are you present in? I see more than one use.

Mar 17, 2011 1:25:52 am fuck you niggerdick LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 16, 2011 11:55:22 pm nigger fucvkha LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 16, 2011 8:12:01 pm niggerfuck LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 14, 2011 5:36:13 am niggerfuck LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 13, 2011 11:35:30 pm i kill niggers LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 13, 2011 10:13:49 pm niggerufck LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 13, 2011 10:09:57 pm a nigger stole it obv LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 13, 2011 10:09:18 pm nigger LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

Mar 13, 2011 9:46:00 pm niggers LotusClan.com | 24/7 Dustbowl | West Coast

Mar 12, 2011 4:51:17 am fuck all you niggers LotusClan.com | Arena! | Chicago

On to your next point.

"I would like to remind anyone reading this thread that there is ABSOLUTELY NO PERTINENT LINK BETWEEN MY STEAM ACCOUNT OR STEAM ID and these pictures"

Mar 16, 2011 3:05:44 am i like dicks LotusClan.com | 24/7 Dustbowl | West Coast

Mar 16, 2011 3:05:14 am i am a raging faggot LotusClan.com | 24/7 Dustbowl | West Coast

Mar 16, 2011 3:01:18 am now am i faggot LotusClan.com | 24/7 Dustbowl | West Coast

Mar 16, 2011 3:00:23 am hey nimiq LotusClan.com | 24/7 Dustbowl | West Coast

As seen here,

http://stats.lotuscl...ies/chat/839086

While you are absolutely correct saying that the pictures I shared are not directly linked to your account, your steam ID does match that of the lotus chat transcript pasted above.

Since I never accused you of spamming, most of your argument is moot.

Edit:

http://stats.lotusclan.com/player_histories/aliases/839086

|GDD| Nimíq.Rage 0d 00:01:06h Mar 16, 2011 3:05:50 am

Is that evidence enough for you? I have no access to stats.lotusclan, I have no way of doctoring this information.

It also looks like I'm not the only target of your insults. Further proving my point of trolling.

[The Religion 0]

Keep in mind the following

• "I would like to ask all non-staff members to refrain from posting in this thread." this posted at the end of my original post, thank you for disrespecting my thread
• I would like to remind me that your argument does not matter at this point, your accusations do not matter at this point - I was banned for spam, this is betwen me and the staff member that banned me your input is no longer required or welcome
• Please keep in mind this quote taken from Afronanny (Lotus Staff Member) from this thread : "We try to support free speech wherever possible. If enough people complain, then it will be dealt with."
• Guess What? you are the ONLY person who has ever complained in ANY way

[DeJaDeW 83]

Should I change "spam" to "douchebag" or "disruptive"? or temp ban to perm ban?

[The Religion 0]

Should I change "spam" to "douchebag" or "disruptive"? or temp ban to perm ban?

I would really appreciate just keeping a temp ban, I can assure you that you will never have any problems with me on lotus clan servers again and I appreciate you taking the time to evaluate my argument.

[Destro 0]

Just wanted to give my support for Nimiq.

Ive been a donator for 5 months now and I also tried to VoteBan Religion from the server.