I appreciate all the thought and energy that went into your original post, svpii, and appreciate everyone who contributed. FT is obviously a very meaningful newsgroup/discussion board to those who treasure it. HOWEVER as another poster mentioned, every newsgroup since the beginnning of the internet has suffered the same issues - what happens when a few sociopaths/bored teenagers/moody loners/stalkers (take your pick) dominate the discussion and make it unpleasant ofr the 90% of people who care?? Personally, as a relatively new member but longer-time lurker,I think it's not as simplistic a problem as one or two "bad apples." There are significant number of posters who respond to EVERY narcissistic/attacking/misguided thread from the same few people with an ever escalating set of tirades of their own. Having moderators wil help that some but it won;t chage the fact that there are a lot of peple who like to argue...especially with someone who is nasty and pigheaded.

I think all of the sugggestions posted are valuable ones FOR A BOARD where the owner/moderator/ SYSOP wants to take a real active role in the direction of the board. I don't think that's the case here and without that, moderators etc are going to be subject to their own biases etc which in my experience doesn't help the flaming/bashing etc. FOr ex. what if a certain member wanted to be a moderator? What if he'she wanted to sit on the council? Who says yes or no??


While I don't love AOL,(and no flames about this please - I know about most savvy people's s disdain for AOL) , the IGNORE button has saved a number of discussion groups there from disintegrating into flame war hell. I think building the IGNORE command into FT would have just as positive an effect as all the other suggestions combined. AND if it's only dollars that prevents this from happening, I will pay FT dues to get it moving.

THanksfor listening. I don't want to lose this place but I see it going the path of many honorable discusison groups before it..



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"My only bleedin' hope
Is for the folk who can't cope..." - TLC