<p>At the risk of being subject to the barbs and arrows of others, I think its important to remember a few things:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>There is no “right” to free speech on this site. It is a privately held enterprise that may ban those who post in a manner contrary to the terms of use. Apparently the moderators, after presumably examining some of his posts, thought Z violated the terms of use. That is their perogative. The moderators pulled the plug. To blame otherwise is analagous to blaming the person who reports a [name your crime]. It is a jury or judge that decided whether the person was wrong, not the person who reported it.</p></li>
<li><p>Despite the many assertions of how it should be, frequently, the “discussions” did take a personal turn. Many, many posts are full of “you” and “idiot” in the same sentence; as is recognized over and over again, the ad hominem attaacks just blossomed in the last few months. </p></li>
<li><p>Z is not the first to have been banned and/or run off. Look at the spite directed at C23 earlier this year. [Even though I think he/she deserved it.] There have been threads yanked and comments edited. It happens when the moderators think it should. Another person reported what they thought was inappropriate behavior. The moderators made a decision.</p></li>
<li><p>It is my understanding that some of the recommendations made herein were attempted, i.e. p.m. and polite agreements to disagree. Despite this, vehement attacks on others were still made every time they made a post. </p></li>
<li><p>I did not report Z but don’t disagree w/ the notion that, beginning when he first started posting earlier this year, these threads became harsher and that, probably, he did violate the TOU. </p></li>
<li><p>Many young people–and apparently a lot of bored middle-aged people–believe what is posted herein w/out regard to any facts. They beleive what they want to believe and everybody else is wrong. That leads to misunderstanding, misinformation, and declarations that are simply mean-spirited or incorrect. </p></li>
<li><p>It is not fair to expect a poster to have their words be twisted around, misquoted, and spewed back at them and then expect them to acknowledge, with a wink and a nod, that it was all simply a spirited discussion. That is a mis-characterization of what has gone on here in the past eight or nine months.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>This thread, if you go back an re-read the posts, is a good example fo what has gone on many, many times in the past nine months. Somebody posts an idea; somebody else [in this case Z] grabs the idea and starts attacking the whole premise of the story and the post. [“Get a spine sweetheart” does not ring offensive to most of you? Where did that come from? Where is that the least bit helpful? How does this advance the discussion?] Then, when somebody responds . . . the flames start. A pattern that has been repeated over and over many times.</p>
<p>Bill - your points are well-taken.
That is a lot to digest & I have “life” to attend to right now.<br>
I do think a discussion of the nature of this forum is a worthy topic, however. I hope to address that further w/ you in the future.</p>
<p>I will acquiesce in closing that some of the posts have indeed gotten a bit “too spirited” shall we say. My assertion was that all opinions should be welcomed - but not necessarily the manner in which those opinions are expressed!</p>
<p>Hope all are well this evening - see y’all later!</p>
<p>C’est la vie [If you’re going to quote French, at least get it right] doesn’t mean “farewell.” </p>
<p>In any event, some of us are so disgusted with this entire situation that we will also stop posting or visiting this forum. The end result is that lot of good ideas will now be lost. I hope you – and whomever “reported” Z – are pleased. You are now free to provide whatever information you believe appropriate and to mold and advise our future leaders. </p>
<p>now usna81…play fair…no baiting the traps…that is just asking for trouble!!! Lets try and share the sandbox!!! at least for the next 24 hours!!! :)</p>
<p>Too drunk? Maybe the oldtimers just handle their booze better. </p>
<p>I met up with a few buddies I haven’t seen in years. For those of us that left the service and did not pursue a career with an airline or a beltway bandit, it seems we are usually on the periphery. I’m going to try to keep in better contact with these friends over the next 5 years.</p>
<p>FYI: I will not post further in this thread. I’d advise everyone else to do the same and just let it die. It will do no good to anyone to keep it going.</p>