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Important news regarding moderation team....

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Cuniberti said:
It's safe to say that these tariffs will affect the cost of nearly all the audio equipment discussed here. How can that be ignored, and why would it necessarily include a political point of view?
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I agree. It is certainly possible to limit discussion to the objective impact the tariff actions have on our hifi purchases. First and foremost, the elimination of the de minimis exemption. Then the % applied and the sometimes absurd brokerage fees that come along for the ride once duties are applied. Is a $100 amp now $150? $350? This could be an apolitical discussion, but in this day and age its unlikely to stay that way.

The challenge comes with a large part of our community being either unable or unwilling to self-censor and limit their discussion to the numbers and not wander off into opinions about if we should have the tariffs or not, the intelligence of those who favor or oppose them, etc. Case in point: the very first reply to your statement (post #95 above) immediately wandered into opinion on political motivations behind the tariffs.

Its disappointing to me that we cannot discuss the former without being swamped by the latter. Because I think the U.S. folks here on the forum would probably like to know that sub-$800 shipments from China will have a $100 per item tariff applied to them beginning May 1 (rises to $200 on June 1) plus brokerage fees which could easily add $20-50 on top of that. This is by far the single most impactful event on this community's purchasing habits in the history of this forum, and we are expected to pretend its not happening?

I'm withholding my opinions on the intelligence of these tariffs and the likely social/political consequences. Amir, on other other hand, felt compelled to not limit his thoughts. As the proprietor of this site, he has that freedom. But I can understand the frustration of the moderators in response to that apparent double standard.
 
I have had a few "run ins and warnings" from the Mod Squad and I finked on a couple of ungamely members but in every instance the discourse was frank and professional. You guys rock. Not being that fly on wall I do not know how animated and recalcitrant every person was but maybe a new sub-forum can be formed the is called Open Discussion or such, where some rules are relaxed and only decorum is enforced. The current wealth building thread can not exist without some references to political action.Those wanting make there points outside of strictly audio technology and marketing can do so and those who don't want to have those type of interactions can avoid them. This would allow a easier moderation and we can get the band back together.

There have always be complaints about the VATs in the EU and the US system is a bit different. Current events with the new administration in the US has precipitously soiling long standing productive relationships with democratic allies, causing a finical and trade crisis. The system of checks and balances appears not to be working or at least not at the same speed. Why? I can't say but I have my thoughts like everyone else. As a co-founder of a small medical device company that was purchased by a Chinese VC where none of the current suppliers of sub-assemblies outside China could be used as only Chinese companies could qualify. Certainly their is dual standard that needs attention and rectification. I think the suddenness, breadth, and ubiquity of the US policies have stunned almost everyone, certainly Amir, who felt that that it was important enough to bend the rules.

So again, this is not an everyday situation (at least hoping not for long), the ASR family is strong and mostly cohesive, so some kind of compromise and return of our beloved Mods would be in order. If not is up to upstanding members to help moderate. Many yhanks again all past moderators.
 
ElJaimito said:
I am not directly affected by these specific tariffs as I live in the EU, but if every imported item to be reviewed is going to be affected then a comment seems reasonable
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The duties to Europe, for now, have been suspended but they are there.
This question of duties is bringing together nations that have always been "enemies" like Japan and China who are looking for trade agreements.
China is negotiating with Europe to remove duties on electric cars produced in China.
Europe will invest 800 billion in armaments (which will be produced at home...).
Outside the USA the rest of the world is reacting and not as the American administration thought ("kiss my ass").
Good evening to all of you
 
Well on the one hand, the moderators for the most part did a decent job, but at least one of them was responsible for some doubtful decisions and bans and ignoring justified complaints. I have full faith in Amir either running it alone or finding adequate replacements. ASR is extremly good, thanks for that Amir.
 
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This is a follow-up of my above post #91.

I believe we should be "well calmed down" at least for a while, and we should avoid any kind of "political" and "tariff" discussions here on this thread.;)
Otherwise, this thread itself would be also closed/abandoned/forbidden...

Let's give @amirm enough rests and enough time for reviewing our so-far-we-made posts, and also let's give him enough time for thinking about "positive" way-forward.
 
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My support for Amir. After all, if you think about it, Trump's policies aren't going to help enthusiasts... especially those who could still take advantage of good deals on Aliexpress or other similar sites. Thanks to the work done by the moderators.
It seems the USA is becoming more and more like Europe (the French will know what I'm talking about).
 
Inertiaman said:
I agree. It is certainly possible to limit discussion to the objective impact the tariff actions have on our hifi purchases. First and foremost, the elimination of the de minimis exemption. Then the % applied and the sometimes absurd brokerage fees that come along for the ride once duties are applied. Is a $100 amp now $150? $350? This could be an apolitical discussion, but in this day and age its unlikely to stay that way.

The challenge comes with a large part of our community being either unable or unwilling to self-censor and limit their discussion to the numbers and not wander off into opinions about if we should have the tariffs or not, the intelligence of those who favor or oppose them, etc. Case in point: the very first reply to your statement (post #95 above) immediately wandered into opinion on political motivations behind the tariffs.

Its disappointing to me that we cannot discuss the former without being swamped by the latter. Because I think the U.S. folks here on the forum would probably like to know that sub-$800 shipments from China will have a $100 per item tariff applied to them beginning May 1 (rises to $200 on June 1) plus brokerage fees which could easily add $20-50 on top of that. This is by far the single most impactful event on this community's purchasing habits in the history of this forum, and we are expected to pretend its not happening?

I'm withholding my opinions on the intelligence of these tariffs and the likely social/political consequences. Amir, on other other hand, felt compelled to not limit his thoughts. As the proprietor of this site, he has that freedom. But I can understand the frustration of the moderators in response to that apparent double standar
Click to expand...
 
I'm grateful for all the hard work put in by the mod team, and understand the difficult position they were put in. However, I think resigning en masse was a gross overreaction and is far more harmful to the forum than Amir using his position to make a statement on the tariff situation, which absolutely does have an impact on the audio world. That's just my opinion, anyway.
 
There are times when you cannot remain silent - history has shown that - so I support the current political discussion.
American people - please stop this madness soon!
 
Esprit said:
The duties to Europe, for now, have been suspended but they are there.
This question of duties is bringing together nations that have always been "enemies" like Japan and China who are looking for trade agreements.
China is negotiating with Europe to remove duties on electric cars produced in China.
Europe will invest 800 billion in armaments (which will be produced at home...).
Outside the USA the rest of the world is reacting and not as the American administration thought ("kiss my ass").
Good evening to all of you
Click to expand...
My father fought in Korea and the Cold War for 30 years in the Air Force and 13 years working for the Navy until his retirement in 1993. I spent my 4 years fighting the Cold War (literally and figuratively, was stationed in Alaska) and moved to forward bases several times when Russian bombers encroached. To see the traitors in our government supporting Russia now fills me with rage. I took an oath to to fight America's enemies both foreign and domestic.
 
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Is it possible to block an entire thread?
 
"I feel that the human aspect of this is so immense that it garners discussion. Heck, I think it demand discussion lest we look like we want to turn a blind eye..."
You have my most profound respect.
 
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