In response to Greg T's post regarding the status of the forum and some of its current and former members ...
The "problems" that the moderator brought to light work BOTH WAYS. Think about it. Do WAMO and sevenpin63 consider the way I've been treated in this forum (and others) in the past? I've been brutalized in other forums and am the object of scorn (to a degree) in this forum, although Greg has done an excellent job in attempts to maintain peace and a sense of camaraderie in this forum.
Despite all of the name-calling and personal attacks aimed at me in other forums, I didn't respond with profanity, name-calling or personal attacks. And in this forum, I've always done my best to maintain a sense of abiding by forum "rules" and acceptable conduct. Obviously, certain members disagree, but things work better here because unlike other forum moderators, Greg does his best to limit personal attacks and improper PERSONAL comments.
If, as WAMO and sevenpin63 seem to allege, I get "special attention and privileges" in this forum, it's only because I'm careful in what I post and don't get out of line in my forum conduct. Certain others feel that I do post improperly, but they should give me "positive marks" for not responding in kind.
Even on the numerous times that I have been attacked big-time in other forums, I didn't lash out PERSONALLY against my adversaries. However, sometimes things get completely out of hand. I can take criticism with regard to my posts and my OPINIONS, but it "crosses the line" big-time when others blatantly lie about me. There were claims that I was barred from other forums (FALSE!), that I posted anti-Semitic remarks (FALSE!), and that I "LABELED" other posters improperly (FALSE!).
Even if some of you feel that I have "personally attacked" WAMO, if you analyze the situation fairly and impartially, you would have to conclude that WAMO "attacked" me more so than I ever did him. As I've stated previously, I've always respected WAMO as a longtime valued member of this forum, dating back many years to a time when the forum was thriving. And now, with WAMO's departure, I'm the member with the longest tenure, although I certainly would like to see WAMO return to participation. And even if he opts to remain apart from this forum, I wish him the best in all of his endeavors.
Keep in mind that this is a DISCUSSION forum, and people shouldn't be deemed as bad or undesirable because they have political (or other) OPINIONS apart from others. But I suppose that if a person has a true "SNOWFLAKE" mentality, he or she might be better off to avoid discussion forums completely.
Seriously, how can anyone claim that Greg has given me "special treatment" or "a free pass"? In fact, I feel that Greg would be more likely to "scrutinize" my posts even more than the posts of others, based on the way I had been "perceived" and treated by certain individuals in other forums. And I'm sure that Greg would admit that he was far from my biggest fan in such forums as BBE and BR. But I also believe that Greg would rate my "conduct" in this forum as proper in most respects.
As for WAMO, for some reason, his forum conduct had changed significantly in recent years. His demeanor became different than the WAMO I had known as a respected forum member for so long, and if WAMO would "shake off" whatever problems he perceives with me, he would have to admit that I really haven't treated him (or other members) in abusive or improper fashion.
As Greg says, people claim that they want a free-speech forum where they can agree or disagree on topics, facts and opinions, but when others disagree with THEIR opinion(s), they "call foul."
Greg has asked and/or suggested that Sevenpin63, WAMO and I "discuss our issues in the open forum" to see if we can "hash out" our differences. Regardless of the perceived problems, I have always respected both of them, and I'd be more than happy to welcome them back to the forum as active members.
