There are some very intersesting points being made here, so I'll drop my two cents in the bucket --
My real heartburn with this issue is the public nature of the "CEASE AND DESIST" order that was issued---it should have been a private matter or the concern should have been directed to the good folks at FT---
I do not want to participate in a "community" where individuals feel the need to dictate "community standards or morality" --- again this goes back to the public nature of the warning - I feel that using the word "warning" is a bit euphemistic- let's face it, it was a threat to go to the AP bureau chief --- one that I will not comment on the maturity of -- certainly one could counter that they would approach AP headquarters and question whether the person issuing the order had the authority to speak for AP or to engage AP's name in such a threatening public fashion --- to do such would only send us futher into the morass which we are headed --- I love a spirited debate, as much as I love the personal touches that many FT'ers add to their posts --- it lightens the stress of frequent business travel, adds a human touch, and personalizes FT --
This is fairly simple --- if certain posts, topics, and/or contributors upset individuals - DON'T PLAY - bypass those areas and or individuals --- there is no need to attempt to "disgrace" or punish them publicly -- It is a simple fact that there are several members who don't like how much FT has grown -- so, as with any board of size and substance, cliques tend to form -- the same people responding to the same people over and over and certain members ostracized or excluded -- and you rarely see the cliques respond to new members or offering advice to the "newbies" until they have "MEMBER" status or XXXX number of posts --- This happens and I hope that it does not proliferate -- Which brings to me my final point --- the potential that FT'ers will move their "policing" to other arenas such as the coupon connection --- I have really enjoyed helping FT'ers who have needed upgrades, coupons, etc. and I feel that I have been generous BUT I will "cease and desist" helping others if a coupon gestapo comes into existence etc. -- Additionally, there have been some very forthright FT'ers who have shared ways "to beat the system" and their advice is valuable to all of us --- I just shudder at the thought that one of our community would "run and tell" -- let's remember that airlines take their rules and regulations as seriously as AP and some of what we discuss isn't necessarily kosher ---
I hope that we use this debate to contribute to growing in a positive fashion - kazman