k5083 wrote:
Thanks to photobucket's album management tools, it takes just a few minutes to bulk-move files to new folders, breaking external links. They could be restored just as quickly. I can't speak for Dave, but for myself, there was no notion of protest or punishment. I wasn't even going to mention it. I just personally felt less inclined to contribute to wix so I dialed back my contributions. I'm still here, just less so. Although I guess if someone were to resurface in a forum more tolerant of opinionated left-leaning Spitfire owners who won't shut up about politics, but otherwise was about as good as this one, I'd probably follow him over.
August
August,
I have enjoyed and appreciated your posts on legal issues and interpretations, as much as I have enjoyed Bill's posts in the Hangar and in Off-Topic on "left-leaning spitfire issues".
However like all communities theres a need to establish rules and respect authority and I do think Bill was constantly stepping over the line in recent times (perhaps in post election euphoria and expection of a pendulum swing) but it was also in the face of repeated warnings, that left the Management in no place but to ban him, and this is after earlier suspensions.
I also understand from JDK's post elsewhere that there were significant efforts in PM to resolve Bills complaints and behaviour?
In this case I do fully support Scotts decision to ban Bill, despite my enjoyment of his posts, however the community is not a "democracy", and therefore management decisions and actions may not always neccessarily reflect the shared views/values and opinions of the posters here and please everyone.
But thats how it is, and providing this forum, funding it, policing and moderatoring it for all our use and enjoyment are rather thankless tasks.
I think the tone of the first post in this thread "Thats It" demonstrates the frustration those management roles can provide.
I understand many enjoyed Bills' opinions and debates as did I, but I do also strongly support the website management's right to call "enough is enough".
The sites rules are made plain, and enforced with great tolerance in my opinion, and I am disappointed people such as yourself feel a need to withdraw due to the banning of Bill etc.
I am sure the management accepts peoples support of Bill, and could/would accept polite PM's expressing disappointment with his loss, but I would hope you reconsider your position and re-engage in the forum, rather than engage in a silent protest?
The forum is diminished through the loss of Bills positive on-topic and off-topic contributions, but strengthened by the enforcement of its rules, it will only be further diminished if people withdraw or reduce participation or involvement, simply because they are not happy with the "umpires decision"?
Regards
Mark Pilkington