How, specifically,
dhammer53, did you anticipate that this statement would be interpreted:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Remember this, this is Randy's board. All he asks is that you play by the rules. Some of those rules are in print, and some are not. That's life baby.</font>
While I am open to any other interpretations you might put forth, on its surface, a dictate from someone, especially someone in a leadership position, that we play by rules that aren't defined, is the embodiment of totalitarianism.
There is no question that this attitude (together with unmoderated flame wars) has resulted in some of our most valuable FlyerTalk contriutors moving on to greener cyber pastures. The wonder that is FlyerTalk today was built largely upon the free and respectful exchange of well thought out ideas (even sometimes very conflicting, but respectfully presented ideas).
I am always anxious and excited to consider intelligent, well-crafted, and polite opposing opinions and positions, such as those so eloquently put forth by
robb and
Craig. Sadly, there are far too many FlyerTalkers these day who are a bit too anxious to jump in and say, "
You're Wrong" without going to the effort of putting forth a logical opposing position.
Additionally, referring to a grown woman as
"Baby" is not considered to be in particularly good taste in this century.