Hey Scud

[Scud]

There are too many points being made to start trying to address each one with quotes, so I'll just make a few blanket explanations that will at least clear up a few things.

First, Rule 20 has been in effect since long before my start date. Chop away the rhetoric and it pretty much says the ladder commanders can do what they want with their individual forums. For the record, I've never done that and this discussion is a clear example. You're all included.

That being said, and as a former moderator, MrRR, can attest to, I don't have it within my power to arbitrarily ban anyone. I MUST go through the senior officers. I state my request and give my reasons. Any site officer can chime in and give thier feedback. In the end though, yes, so far senior managers have agreed with my assessment or have disagreed, but said it's my call. My call wasn't always for a ban either, but to give someone another chance. By the way, the really bad posts aren't deleted, they're just rendered invisible to the general public.

There were two suspensions doled out in the final days of 2009. Neither were for violation of the new rules, Ed has been misinformed on this. The five-day appeal rule was waved by me immediately upon receiving the the violators request and explanation. If the new rules had been in effect, his appeal directly to Jim would have cost him more than thirty days. The other suspension was not appealed. The violator knew what he did and has voiced his personal regrets to me several times.

One suspension has already been waved by Jim. I know only that this violator agreed to Jim's conditions. I'm not privy to what Jim's exact conditions were, but I think I can guess. I'll let each of you do your own guesswork.

The second violator, to date and to my present knowledge, has not agreed to Jim's conditions, so his suspension remains in place. Don't read anything into that. Jim might be away or the other guy might not have checked email, dunno.

Of the two suspensions, one was in absolute clear violation of Rule 20. However, I issued only a warning to a previous violation only a few days prior. So there must have been some unknown added to the mix that tipped the scale. It will remain unknown.

The second violation isn't worth discussing. This violater had been given more than his fair share of warnings. By me, by Toni and by senior officers. This includes Jim, the site's owner.

Rudolph:
As for those who have felt insulted by the new rules, I've already stated "if you don't feel the rules apply to you, then they probably don't." I think I've said that three times now(?) I believe I've also apologized to those who feel I was too abrasive. Jeez, I don't want you to leave. Never my intention. I don't think the new rules tar you in any way, but I apologize to you if you've felt I have. Again, not what I intended. Politeness, courtesy and respect. Debate, but don't turn the debate into a fist fight. I know you get this. I know you do.

As for really bad posts, ban the poster, yep that's simple. Agreed. There have been quite a few however, that haven't been quite so simple. There have been some that were provocative, but only to certain individuals. You read it, what's the big deal? Previously, how do I handle those? Now, yep, it is simple. Also, if you've followed certain threads, I've done exactly what you've advised, including the thread that led to the most recent infractions. The thread hasn't been closed or removed. Not hard to figure out which one it was. Bet some of you will even be able to find the post that instigated the fight. It's still there too.

I think you guys need to get over the feeling of walking on eggshells. Rudolph states that in eleven years he's never had a problem with the mods. These rules won't change that. Some of you, no names of course, have had some problems with myself and with other site officers. Some of you have a history that goes back to before my membership start time. These rules might have an effect on how you post and for that all I can say is I hope so.

Last thing, this thread is a debate. Reread it all. No one here has said anything that I would consider disrespectful. I haven't logged off in a huff because some of you have disagreed with me. No one in agreement has said anything to those who disagree that I find argumentative, or agrresively provocative, no one who disagrees has resorted to sarcasm or foul language of any kind. Relax. You know the difference. You've been displaying it post after post right here.

Hey! Day 2.