I think that mikey is expressing the frustration that has recently been felt by many, if not all on FT. What I hear (that is not said) in his post is:

"I really like Flyer Talk and want it to be a natural, enjoyable place where I can exchange ideas with my traveling friends. Lately, it feels like the Gestapo is in charge and that is taking all the fun out of it."

Sorry mikey don't mean to put words in your mouth (fingers), but that is how I am feeling and your post struck an empathetic cord.

Most of my favorite posts (where I made by best FT friends) were funny, silly things (almost always in the wrong place and having little to do with the original title) which just naturally grew from the joy and enthusiasm of the participants. It is this wonder of making friends and freely sharing ideas that has made FT the fabulous place that it became.

Now FT has the feel that it is being engineered in such a way that all fun and spontaneity have been eliminated--it MUST become neat and orderly, like a model home. The only place where people are allowed to have any fun anymore is TAROM and look at how popular it has become.

I am not judging this decision and if that is the way that the powers that be wish FT to go, so be it. It makes me sad that the wonderful, messy and lived-in rooms in my joyous cyber home are collapsing before my eyes.



[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 03-02-2002).]