muebe - thanks for the compliments... Please allow me to re-state who I feel we are here, and why there is an LTBBQ:
We DO NOT ever read PM's...That is lower than low in my opinion. Otherwise why call them "Private Messages"
LTBBQ IS USER DRIVEN.....What that means is that un-like other sites, we can never be manipulated by advertisers and site sponsors. We want to treat them with warm welcoming respect and we NEED them - but we are a USER site and the actual value in that to an advertiser is better - because they can trust that we will offer genuine, fair, honest opinion about various products - but not be nasty, and be-rating of anyone.
We will never support a "gang mentality" - from any group. Mods, or members. Nor will you EVER see any members being "admonished" in public view. EVER... Red will never be used as a "scolding color" even in private. It just is not the kind, or honorable way to fix a situation, or guide someone back to friendly conversation.
All - of the negative things that we have all experienced elsewhere can be prevented up by these:
1.The Golden Rule. Use it, and believe in it. It has no caveat emptor for "well - he did it first". It is just the way we should always think before we respond.
2. LTBBQ will ALWAYS be a user driven site. And - that means that the flavor, and feeling here will be a direct reflection of the quality of the membership. If we see that there are some folks that do not understand the importance of that - then..we will make all reasonable attempts to reach out to them in private, before just "axing" them. it is our goal to be inclusive - not exclusive.
Life is hard sometimes, and - I have seen that - as have we all. Sometime, folks allow the stresses of life to cause them to vent or boil-over - and if that happens and is in-appropriate, we will handle it in a well measured, timely and - above all...kind manner.
And...I have asked Smokeasaurus to help out as a moderator, as I have some time commitments that are going to keep me from being "omnipresent"
.....
Smoke has more posts here than anyone, he loves the site, and and is a cheerful, helpful member of our community - that we can count on to always look after the interest of the members first. In other words - he is just like everyone else here.
BTW - I will be tapping more of you on the shoulder and asking if you would like to help out as well, as we grow.
After all...there would not be an LTBBQ without YOU - the members. YOU are the site. Not the other way around.
T