Random quotes from the Buffy Dialogue Database (I searched on "freedom," "Discussion," rules, and "voting.")

I do not have time to play by the rules tonight. – A New Man

So she walks in and the rules just suddenly break? – A new Man

All these rules just to win little plastic disks. – The I in Team

Color me totally self-involved – Out of Mind, Out of Sight

Oh, yeah, campaigning. Rough gig. -- Homecoming

And I have no idea what to do with this, but I love it:

CORDELIA: I don't get it. Buffy's the Slayer. Shouldn't she have...

XANDER: What, a license to kill?

CORDELIA: Well, not for fun. But she's like this superman. Shouldn't there be different rules for her?

WILLOW: Sure, in a fascist society.

CORDELIA: Right! Why can't we have one of those? -- Ted

Some observations on bitterchick's questions. (This isn't a formal proposal.)

What behavior do we consider deserving of a warning?

I'm not sure we can come up with language that would cover every possible event, unless we keep it vague. And that raises its own issues. But I'd suggest, as a guiding principle, that warnings should rarely be given for a single incident. Everyone slips up now and then, and nobody should be penalized for one goof. Unless it's so far out there that any idiot should know it's beyond the pale.

What constitutes a warning?

I like the idea of bringing the offender to Bureaucracy before a warning is issued. However, an official warning should be clearly marked as such (say, the words "Official Warning" in the header).

How do we notify party of said warning?

A post in the relevant thread and e-mail to the offender's official address should be enough. Send the e-mail return receipt requested. Notice in Press would be overkill, and Beep Me would be off topic.

The e-mail and post should identify the specific behavior for which the person is being warned, with Nillys to the posts.

How much time do we give a warned poster before moving onto the suspension phase?

Depends on the behavior. For a general guiding principle, 1 day after receipt of the e-mail, or 3 days after posting in the thread, whichever comes first. Less if the offender is particularly toxic (e.g., driving multiple posters from a thread).

How do we handle a poster that has been warned but feels it unfair or unjustified? Is there an appeals procedure?

Come to Bureaucracy and ask for a vote. The request should include the part of the e-mail identifying the offending behavior and Nillyed posts, or Nilly the notice in the thread.

Voting Discussion 1: Whip Appeal

Hee, I like it.

Oh, yeah, campaigning. Rough gig. -- Homecoming

Also has potential. "Voting Discussion 1: Campaigning is a Rough Gig"?

Ah, that conversation's in Ted! I thought S3 for sure. Thanks for finding it, Lyra Jane.

Whip Appeal

OMG, I don't think we can use that, because I'd spend all day remembering this one guy from high school.

I vote for Whip Appeal!

I know. You're all stunned.

Give in to the Babyface earworm.

Actually, it might help me separate the 'Face from that one guy. OK, I'm in!

I like the idea of bringing the offender to Bureaucracy before a warning is issued. However, an official warning should be clearly marked as such (say, the words "Official Warning" in the header).

Or the other way 'round - come to Bureaucracy if the warning is not effective. I'd rather give people the opportunity to change their behavior before being called on the carpet, IOW.

All I gotta say is... 42! How cool!

Catching up, catching up.

Various things to say -- first, the only Buffy quote I can find containing the word "democracy" is this:

ANYA: Well, that's right, foreigner. (Giles gives her a look) So I've been reading a lot about the good ol' us of A (she says "us" not "U.S."), embracing the extraordinarily precious ideology that's helped to shape and define it.
WILLOW: Democracy?
ANYA: Capitalism. The free market depends on the profitable exchange of goods for currency.

Mister Pointy in exile lives at [link] by the way.