Guys, EVERY summer that I have been on this board, these things have gotten progressively worse. Hence, the summer time blues type of posts. I want to stop time for just a second and hopefully, articulate what is in my head well enough that it will only take one post to do so. I would like for EVERYONE to read these words, and think about them.
1. This is not a "public" forum. It is a moderated forum which means that every post that is made is basically subject to approval from the moderators. Posts can be deleted if the mods so choose. While this is not often done, it doesn't change the fact that we have a designated structure here, and each forum has moderators. If you don't like the way that this is ran, hit the road. Take your ball and go home, build your own site and run it however you want. NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY, is forced to be here. I consider it a privilege to have been around as long as I have been here. I have ruffled some feathers in my time, and I was told to calm down a time or two. I chose to do so. Do I personally like some of the things that the mods do from time to time, NO!!!, but then again, I really don't like the way things happen at my work place either. I choose to remain here. MY CHOICE. I don't like some of the things that the government does, but I still love America.
2. This site has many, many members. These members make up this board and it is thanks to us, that this board exists. Do not forget this guys (members). WE keep this board running through donations. Now, what if the big bad machine wanted to recognize this and give something back to us? They did!!! They fed us at the PM Hunt, which was no small fee. They gave us a place to hang our hats instead of just our rooms. I want to thank PM for that. I don't want to see the bottom line, I don't want to know where the money goes, I don't care. What I want, is for the board to continue to operate, ((costs $)(After rereading this, I am amazed that there is much money left over after upgrades, hosting, design, etc.)), for the hunts to continue, (costs $), and hopefully to be completely self sufficient to allow the members to have more money and for PM to do nicer things for us. (costs $).
3. I want all to know that everything has 3 sides. (2 different views, and then the 100% facts) Now, I am not privy to any more information than the rest of the members. I don't know of any conspiracy. What I do know is that the mods communicate amoungst themselves, and that decisions are made by them on how to run the board based on their conversations. They don't consult me, nor should they. This is side 1.
I have read posts on other forums. I know some of the guys that made these posts. I don't know them well enough to decide how I feel about what was written by them. Needless to say though, they have their side, which is side 2.
Now for the facts.... So far, PM has been slanderized on other boards. There have been personal attacks against different members and moderators. Jim Champion left for his own reasons. Posts have been deleted on various topics. Certain members have been suspended.
I feel that you can twist and turn any of the above facts into anything that you want to, however, why would you? If this doesn't personally effect you, or if you don't have a dog in the hunt, WHAT ARE YOU GRIPING FOR????? I can not tell you how many times that something is said or done here and I don't know about it for months or years until it comes to light. Does it effect me, obviously not. Now let me have you honestly answer these questions within yourself.
a. Why are you here? If it is for anything other than having fun, getting information or being social, GET OUT!!!
b. Is anything that has been done by PM currently effecting you personally? If so, speak up. PM me, change my mind.
I am not saying that we should lay down and worship the mods. I don't, nor have I ever considered myself a whipping boy for the mods. I don't like what I have seen by certain members here and I feel that I need to speak my mind on this topic. Notice I have not taken a side here. I am not alluding that PM is right or wrong. I am merely saying that certain things occured and I am not sure that anybody has all of the facts. I think that anyone who has taken a side on this issue, should reanalyze their position, and think about why they did take the side that they did. As far as the members go, stay out of it if it doesn't effect you personally. I hope that my words have accurately conveyed what I wanted to say. Now, Weasel, give me that darn bunny.