Yes, you're a Lousy Moderator...but you're in the Illuminati, so you're safe! LOL (I hope everyone realizes I'm being Sarcastic!)

I'm putting a huuuge Jeeze Louise stamp on this one.
Seriously people, look at other boards - ANY other board, forum or whatever and you will see here that this place is a 9,999999 out of a perfect 10 when it comes to politeness, seriousness and people being adult about things, stepping up to the plate and admitting they were wrong.
People will be people and go about things their way, I actually never caught on to stuff that had happened internally basically because I am to Young a member.
I do however feel I had to say something since I am partially to blame about the whole religion post, I think it was me that first mentioned it at all in the first place.
So I am sorry to everybody that it ever came up, but some good did come out of it, we now have clear guidelines about it (Tho shalt not speak of OT religion etc), which is good!

I also have to mention that I had no personal beef against GS, she was an upstanding girl and treated me fairly - I saw she was quick to nip things in the buds, but I figured that was just her way of moderating and took that into account when doing stuff. Personally I liked her as a mod, but then again I haven't been here for that long, so I feel like even though I am part of the community I have little or no say towards this.
My point (I think I had one at some point...) is simply that we need a moderator, we really do, if not to just remove the spam and keep things civil. Even with self policing things get out of hand because well we're human (except for 5th, I'm pretty sure he is an alien of some kind - his work is just to darn good ;) )

To the people that chose to leave - (and this is going to be immature) Sux to be you! - you will never find a place as amazing as joedios ever again. If I had such strong opinions about something that I loved I would rather take a break and come back instead of leaving it immediately once there was something that looked like a problem, these things do sort themselves out (as I feel this has, since everybody that wanted to have had their say, and things have been cleared up, apologies have been made where they should and generally everything has been checked, re-checked and made certain of).

Can we get back to posting cool shots of our action figures now please? I need my daily dose of visceral action shots! (I'm a visceral junkie). :)
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edited:
"There has been some... inquiry of why Russ is bringing this whole topic up. Am I worse mod than her? (lol)"
Sonneilon - You're a moderator? :eek: I think I knew that but forgot it! Seems to me your doing a great job, Ninjaing me like that!

Actually Haradrel, that was very well said and you do have a say here as a very respected member of this community. Everyone has a say. I think this all started because most disagreed with a few and rather than the few admit that's all it was, a disagreement, they saw it as a conspiracy because they didn't get their way. 'nuff said.

:) Thanks man, that means a lot coming from you (just an example people, here we have 2 guys at the opposite end of the whole 25th thing, yet we agree on this and can speak civil to one another - shocker? not to me, ender has strong opinions which I respect a lot, because he also takes cool pictures, and he ALSO always treats people fairly even when disagreeing with them. - Self policing in action ;) )

I thank BOTH of you for bringing this back to a head cuz I was debating whether to lock this down. I'm a bit sick of drama (as Frank is too). BUT what has to be questioned is, "just because I'm sick of drama, does that mean I lock down anything I do not like???" Therefore, this will remain open until... Well, until the fighting starts up and can't be reconciled.

And man, why you guys all making me go in MOD mode???

I read that as GOD mode and was about to go "haxxor!" (A little geek humor for you guys :D ). I do agree tho that drama like this I can be without, but for the people involved it probably is a sore point, so I figure let it stay open (My opinion, Mods words are law as we all know ;) ).
I do have a question tho, has Scarlett left us completely? (if so then that's our loss IMHO) If she hasn't then Red if you feel up to it, or feel like it, your input on the situation would be greatly appreciated.

Graham, go ahead and lock it. All that need be said here was said. All that's left is Drama. Any objections?? Anyone???

I object.
 

I object.
I think if the said parties haven't responded by a week then there won't be any drama to add.
However I think it's only fair to leave this open, I'd like to see what both General Scarlett and RDS13601 have to say on this.
Regards
Rich

I'm with Urban on this one - lets see if we get a response from some of the people involved that might throw some light/create some thoughts on the subject.

I'd like to copy and paste something that I read in a forum about martial arts at one point (I was the head instructor and founder of the first Capoeira group in my home town - a bit OT but the thing I read is gold!).

Exchange the words styles with whatever is fitting. (sides in a debate for example)

its not just style vs style, the issue comes from a much more deeply rooted paradigmatic phenomenon in the
learning process. Namely, you survive, grow, learn...interact with the Universe...based on what you already
know or are presently learning. We have a very deep instinct, to stand by what we believe in because it
inherently defines what we do and why we do it, our reality.

When someone comes along and asks what style is better, it automatically challenges the paradigms that you
have chosen to accept as reality and began ingraining in your head. This causes some people to turn around
and say, "This is crap", or, "Well really this is not a very good idea", which then perpetuates the entire
dynamic taking place. Changing paradigms, being open to "rewiring" parts of your brain is a process that
physically takes place via a variety of chemical means. It can be very mentally painful for some and easy
for others, while others yet will simply put up a wall to all possibilities and lash out. It is the way of
the world, martial arts or not...

let's hear it.
 

It's also my point that .. well if we are indeed a ''clique'' .. to shut this down so quickly would only add fuel to the fire that we don't listen.. and we are ignorant..
the point is.. we do listen and do want feedback on this.. so please if anyone else has anything to say lets hear it.. :D