Eleven Warriors

I know we all would love for the voting to follow along the original intent of its purpose but it is kind of hard to follow it to a T! What might be offensive to one person might be totally justified to others. Also, you have to take into account that you may have commented with a certain intent but it wasn't conveyed the way you meant it to be. The 11W staff does what they can to provide a free speech forum for us all to discuss what we have mostly in common, our love for our BUCKEYES! I believe they do quite well and should be commended every day (although an everyday commend itself may warrant a downvote eventually). We all like to share our points, razz each other when we can and have a open policy to our differing opinions. This works very well despite the few outliers that we run into, trolls or just someone who wants to be annoying. Despite all of that, so far, I think its working. We just need to keep in mind that certain things might look worst to some and when it happens, you will get a downvote whether it meets policy or not.

People will do what people want to do. Here are a few things that I have noticed lately related to downvoting that maybe could avoid some of our conversations flowing away from the original topic.

1. If you say something that gets downvoted, don't follow it up with a "why did I get downvoted" and call people "jerks, morons or idiots". It will just make it worst! You will get downvoted at least once or twice just because someone just felt like it. It happens. If you start seeing that it has increased to 4-5, try to change the original comment as to avoid further downvotes with maybe a sorry or "did not think that was offensive". It should stop it immediately. If you read over your post and you don't see why it is offensive, then people will stick up for you. No reason to jump on people and MAKE IT WORST!

2. When you want to be sarcastic or be a little funny, try to use italics. It has been a staple around here for a while now that italics is the "sarcastic font". This should help keep those downvotes to a minimum because most people will understand you are not being serious. Either that or get better at being sarcastic! Also, if you see someone posting in italics, know that they are not intent on being offensive unless the comment is aimed directly at being offensive. Lets have some fun on here guys! Upvote when you can. Its not a race to see who can get the most or who can win. We are all winners because we all follow a winner!

3. Take a downvote lightly. Don't take it as someone is ruining your day! Counter a downvote with insightful comments from then on with the occassional sarcastic or off cuff stuff. If you continue to be an ass, you will really start to dislike the downvotes!

4. When posting, try to direct your comments towards someone. Use @squirrel master or I agree or disagree squirrel master! When you go off half cocked on a rant, some will take it as towards them and you will see your downvotes rise exponentially.

5. If you are concerned about being downvoted to -50 and not able to comment or vote or anything on here, you might want to seriously think about what you are saying. It might not be the downvoters who are wrong! Just sayin!

It would be nice if everyone votes according to policy but this is reality and in reality, things don't always go according to plan. Just accept the voting with a grain of salt and understand that despite how others feel about your comment, you have the freedom and right to make your comment. At least until Jason and Co. kick you out!

Now try to upvote when you can! Even if you feel it may not meet the criteria for an upvote but you like it anyways, go for it! What is it going to do, move someone out of the top 100 upvoted members? I wouldn't mind!

and I will say why. I love my Elevenwarriors.com but I didn't always come to this site for my buckeye news. Sometime years ago I followed another blog site that went through some changes that led me to leave and come over hear. Since that day I have been a devoted commentor to the 11W.

I would love 11W to get a beat writer to provide us faithful with more insider information, although I feel Alex and crew do an excellent job, and this site to grow and succeed to rival and challenge other sports websites. I am just concerned of how it may change my favorite website.

First we get a beat writer and start to become a leader in buckeye news. This beat writer does their job marvelously to the point that other "sports leaders" start to notice. Now this beat writer's stories start to show up on "sports leaders"websites as breaking news. Then this beat writer becomes a regular to show up on Sportscenter and then video commentary on B1G mailblogs. Then there will be a huge negotation for a buyout, all 11W staff will receive millions of dollars, they will take over the future ESPN Ohio State website as Adam Rittenburg is forced to submit his resignation and go join other B1G writers at Yahoo or something, alienate the people that helped get them there, total forget all about us, leave us at daycare never to return as we are forced into child services and then adopted by a "not so worthy" OSU website that doesn't provide the TLC that we have come to love over the years because the ones that cared for us abandoned us for success.................woosa! woosa! woosa!

So while you guys are sipping champagne with CEO George W. Bodenheimer, we are left to feast our eyes on revamped stories of why the buckeyes should bring back Bollman as the new head coach and fire Urban Meyers! GOD HELP US PLEASE!

I am all for donating to the cause and so should everyone of us commentors that can provide. I want you all to succeed! Just don't religate us to blogosphere pergatory when you become big and powerful and rich.

and don't sellout to the evil empire of sports broadcasting!

Respectfully yours,

Squirrel Master

Twas the week before Christmas, after a week of a recruiting circus,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a walrus.
The pads were all arranged and cleaned by the crews,
In hopes that the NCAA will come with some news.

The players were practicing, preparing for Gators ,
While stories were being told by those that are haters.
And with Sarah and her Twitter, I with my tweets,
Had just settled our brains for this year’s defeats.

When out of nowhere came a bowl ban and some schollies,
I sprang to my computer and jumped my dog Holly.
Away to a new window I click on the tab,
Type in Elevenwarriors and gave enter a tap!

The gray box that appeared on the first page,
Gave the feeling of pain too much for my age.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a tad strong sanction, and comments “click here”.

With a few harsh words, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment I was about to feel sick.
More rapid than eagles the cursing they came,
And we screamed, and shouted, and called them by names!

"Now Tressel! now, Smith! now, Pryor and Posey!
Come on, Boom! Come on, Hall! Stop imposing!
To the top of the BigTen! to the bottom of football!
Now go away! go away! go away all!" (all except Hall!)

As I dry heave with a bit of vomit in my throat,
The sugar in my coffee continues to float.
So down to the section I enjoy the most,
With the comments a coming, and Tressel to roast.

And then, in a twinkling, I read for some proof
That recruits will be staying and playing under our roof.
As I drew in my breath, and relaxed just a bit,
I realized that this was not that much of a hit.

One bowl ban in a year of growing,
Braxton Miller will develop his throwing.
A bundle of scholarships they will be losing,
Doesn’t mean much, cuz 5 stars they are choosing.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his smile did so too!
His cheeks were like roses, when his passion came through!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
As he fired arrows of knowledge they should know.

“This team is a winner, you all see that,
Wouldn’t you want a buckeye on your hat?

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his point,
“The NCAA loves us, they will not disappoint.”
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
“I know something, you’ll play in the Rose!”

So with that all said, screw the NCAA, And Gene smith too.
You both must hate us, and same back to you.
But most of all to my friends at EW,
"Happy Christmas to all, and no more Bollman to view!"