Before I continue, if this has been expressed before and more clearly I apologize.

I've heard and seen a lot of the debate on what I see as "grading" reputation. It's sad and it's potentially destructive (reminds me of the days of the flame wars of Flyertalk past.)

Here's my two cents, for what it's worth.

Can you really put a number or a point system on reputation? Can you put a score on someone's character? Reputation I feel is really measured (and earned) by the deeds that you do. It can be good (helping a Flyertalker) or bad (flaming someone.)

The reputation system could also turn subjective, depending on the feeling about the tone of the post or the poster.

All of this latest "drama" reminds me of high school where the certain "clique" used to rate fellow classmates on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 the higher the number the more "popular" you were. (I ended up on the lower end of the scale.)

Plus, a person should be confortable with himself/herself on how his/her reputation is. I really don't need "a gold star" to tell me what my reputation is. I try to keep it good at best.

Randy, ultimately it's your decision but this is one veteran Flyertalker who feels it's time to pull the plug on reputation. The "mood" of this board over "reputation" is harking back to the "Flame Wars" which almost tore the "community" apart.

If you have something to say about a post... there's always e-mail.

One more thing: I have no desire to bling or ding or sling or ring or whatever to any Flyertalker. Please save the energy for slinging for talking points and miles.

Have a very MEOWY week everyone!
Thank you for reading.