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I have a serious question. Why does this site need to be moderated?

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A good point.
The regulars can keep things pretty much in line but occasionally you need the power to delete a post.

You're right though IMO, it can work without a mod.

And Dave, glad to see you police yourself with the apology and I think we all understand your stress.

I have said this before..and others have also...this cyber world we exist in is basically words on a screen being red or typed. Tis hard to convey at times the thought or emotion or intent in those words. Something said maybe in sarcasm or humour is viewed at times differently than intended. I have had this problem for years where my type of humour comes across as anything but. But one has to remember there is a person at the end of those words.

I agree 100% that the main issue has been a lack of respect of others views, highly volatile discussions on politics or religion or whatever seems to bring out the worst in people. Maybe someone is having a bad day, maybe they just are in a mood. I really wonder if all these past discussions with people on here were held face to face, would they have become as nasty?

I cannot say there is one person on here I do not have respect for in them as a person and their knowledge and help. However when things get a bit nasty, I will just back off because I tend to be one of those middle road wishy washy sorts who can find positive and negative in just about everything. (Which is why my wife gets mad when I cannot make a decision)

They key is respect or lack of for others views and words. However once things are typed and read, the damage is done. I think people are passionate in their beliefs and you have to remember others are equally as passionate.

As for moderating things, well that is an ugly job. I know from past experience how hard and difficult it is to try to keep things going according to rules and basic human decency and yet do so without being viewed as some power hungry dolt. Maybe there could be a schedule of moderators, where someone moderates for a week or 2 and then someone else takes over. Let everyone who wishes to moderate do so, see how it is to sit in that chair. I would think they would find it not as easy as it seems.

I realize that for myself, I spend most my time in this ATS forum, while I pretty much read the other forums and sometimes even ask a question which later reveals comedic joy for those in plumbing, there are valueable people offering valueable insight. But one needs to keep those forums on track, so plumbing is plumbing and auto repair is auto repair and they do not branch off with off the subject discussions which ATS seems to be the place for.

Anyway, that is my rather loquacious diatribe on this. I am glad to see Fran and Dave jumping in, however as I noticed, it takes little time to get back to bickering. That is sad. That is what got us to this point in the first place.

Maybe when one says something in a humourous intent, toss in a smiley icon or something so people know it was intended as such.

OK, I will let you all return to whatever it was you were doing. Me, I got to go winter-up the snow blower.

I waited on the sidelines to see what everyone thought about ATS closing ...

Now I have a suggestion ....

ATS is simply a open place where we can discuss "life" in general...a nice warm room filled with a dirverse group that have been drawn here by one common thing...handyman info...either to recieve or to offer.

If members are indeed serious about the values and merits of ATS there is one thing I think could be done to save it... Remove all politics and religion from ATS !! There are plenty of other places on the internet to battle that kind of stuff out...both topics are simply "hot beds" and just the mention of either is taunting .

By removing politics and religion as a part of permitted topics (which will actually happen if ATS closes) will still allow us to keep in touch with our friends and their lives plus make life a lot easier on our over burdened Moderators.

Manors and courtesy along with cooler heads will be easier to achieve and moderate without those two hot topics.

Chris...is this something that you could give some consideration towards ? This is something being done on other sites that also use a general topic forum for members to communicate...so it's not new but it does certainly work.

I'm going to make a solemn promise. I promise to, without exception, forgive and forget EVERY insult, slight and hurt that I've ever received here and treat everyone as If I just met them today. I used to tell my kids that their creator put your eyes on the front of their face and their butts on the back so they could leave their Sh** behind and look ahead. Anyone else want to join me in this pledge?

I shall join the pledge. And just for Mr Spackleman, I will not wax pedantic with big verboseness of wordology.

I pledge to buy all of Harold's food supplements.

The benefit will be twofold...

Harold will be able to afford to retire.

I will eat all of those supplements and live forever.

You to. Huh? Spac... I had a loquacious diatribe once! The wheels fell off, and I put it on the curb.. Some guy took it away..

Some time I crack myself up!!!

I think I know the guy who took it, he's from Newark - sold it to Jersey Joe...