And how many of those members are actively engaging in open conversation? Not many.
And one big problem is that many people now have no desire to engage in open discussion on this forum due to past treatment and levels of censorship. You and I have discussed this privately, I have discussed it with other staff members in private and in person, and I have discussed it both in person and via e-mail with many board members. You and other people all acknowledge the problem is real but do not seem to be willing to bend any to address the problem. I am not trying to offend anyone or step on toes, but if you know a problem exists, hear why people feel the way they do, and then choose to not alter your methods you have to accept the posibility that things will not change.
To be honest I cannot speak to the way it is now because I, and others, have not been participating. I can say I have never been approached and told "we know there were issues and we have tried to resolve them" by any staff member. I have also not seem any threads addressing the past mistakes and citing how they are being dealt with now.
IMHO, the first thing that should be done is to state that more decisively and directly. You and I are both aware that there a many board members who were very supportive at first but have withdrawn that support because of past interactions. To simply say "that is the past and things are different now" does nothing to really heal the wounds. A problem existed which chased away many people. Someone needs to acknowledge that it was a problem and that it has been addressed. An apology of sorts is often the best medicine.
If you created rules and acted in a manner people did not like, then altered your actions because of public reaction do you not feel that the very fact change was needed is evidence of some wrong doing in the first place? Do you think there is anything to lose by acknowledging that people where wrong in their initial behavior and have since changed it? Doesn't it seem like that is just a prideful response that does not gain anyone anything. The problem obviously still exists, at least in the minds of those that no longer participate, so pretending it is in the past and does not warrant addressing in the present does not seem like it will achieve much, IMHO.
How is that "innuendo?" What kind of repressed mindset sees that word as somehow inappropriate? Why should people be forced to "avoid" something that is not negative to begin with except for in the minds of a small minority.Treemanx said:
I am not asking for anything. I am simply pointing out that perhaps people are asking for solutions to problems that could be dealt with by simply acknowledging they existed and perhaps that the board as a whole needs an apology of sorts if it wants to heal old wounds. If not then people have to accept that some aspects of the current problem will not be solved.Treemanx said:
How is the word ********* sexual innuendo to anyone who does not troll the gutter with their every thought? You would really need to be looking for reasons to be offended to be offended by that word.Treemanx said:
And he has to accept the fact that many gun owners might choose to not participate because they wanted a gun forum and not a Sesame Street version of one. To pretend that a forum has to be child friendly to be civil and clean is absurd. "Adult" has connotations far beyond the pornographic context...and a gun forum would be considered an "adult" topic by most people.Treemanx said:
Childish? Is it childish to admit fault and declare a desire to right old wrongs???Treemanx said:
and would like to keep myself busy and my mind off the impending end of my livelihood.
Why dont you wait until you have something intelligent to say before you open your mouth? You think about that while your sitting in the corner.
And just what would these changes be that are threatening our "traditional values and way of life? And just what are our "traditional values?"
