There is a debate going on right now with me and one of my posts as the focus. I am posting here separately to speak my piece on a few things. Read quickly in case this one vaporizes too.
First, I am a man of strong opinions. Anyone who knows me at all knows that. In fact, I have a short supply of tact and diplomacy sometimes. I write this because I have been censured by moderators on just about every forum I have ever been on for one reason or another. I have spoken out where I should have remained silent on things like religion, politics, social issues, etc. I have had posts deleted, and even been publicly criticized by the owner of a forum. I am a big boy and I can take it.
What I won't take is secret censure. I have read the gabble about how people don't have time to contact every single person if a post needs to be deleted or edited. You know what I have to say about that?
Make time.
I don't think that the moderators need to contact spammers or people with post counts of ONE to explain their actions. But members in good standing, members who contribute many hours of time as well as money to keep a place running deserve a little more than summary deletion when something happens that is construed to be against the rules. I do not speak for myself asking for special consideration, I speak for anyone who is a regular participant on this forum.
I've been on this forum since Day One, and I have been very careful to avoid the appearance of advertising. I cannot escape it completely, since this is my profession, and I have made a name for myself in the teaching dept. But I am not going to put in time somewhere if I have to tiptoe around wondering if I am going to be subject to Star Chamber type proceedings. There are plenty of other places where I can promote turning and not be spanked anonymously for some imagined transgression. According to the TOS, I cannot post about any of those places, but anyone with any ability at all should be able to find them.
Have a nice day.