Request To Everybody
 

In the past 24 hours, three separate moderators, who I am certain did not know that the others had contacted me, have expressed their concerns to me about how FlyerTalk is being ripped apart right now.

At least two of the three have taken no public part in the debates and certainly can not be viewed as being biased to one side or the other.

One specifically asked that I join him in a call to have all discussions return to points and miles.

I can not go quite that far. To me, FlyerTalk is always about more than just points and miles. Its camaraderie is equally, if not more, important.

Additionally, during an election, valid issues have to be discussed -- especially by candidates.

For all of that, the basic message of these three moderators is right: This community is being torn apart right now and that is bad for all of us.

Therefore, I am going to make this one promise: I will not attack anybody today. I can't swear about tomorrow, but for the next 24 hours I will not attack anyone, no matter what the provocation.

I very much hope to be able to renew that promise tomorrow and every day after that.

My request: Everyone else, please make that same decision. You simply will not attack anyone else today.

My one-sided ceasefire is going into effect immediately. If it is contagious, this will be a much happier board.

Nice idea Dovster. Hope others join your pledge.

Some of the madness I have experienced in the past few days is without precedent on FT. :td:

A VERY black week for FT - IMHO. No one has to agree, it is just my personal opinion. And I am not going into further details unless folks want to take it to email.

I have received over three HUNDRED FT related emails in the past week and that is also unprecedented in my 4½ years year. There certainly are problems in Paradise, and a TB by-election sadly will do nothing to address them in my view.

I do not need to be embroiled in this right now, and will give myself a 5-7 day time out, starting immediately from this Forum, and quite possibly all Forums, when I get a couple of immediate things out of the way.

A lot of once prolific folks post little or nothing on FT these days, and I am starting to see why. :(

Hmm, seems I have been one of those mods... ;)

I don't think I spoke about flyertalk been torn apart, but yes, I think we have a problem here and now: too many postings about 'flyertalk politics' (read: moderation, Randy, member bans and so on) needing too much ressources of moderators, webflyer staff and Randy. Flyertalk is about miles and points. Yes, we also have the community aspect - but do we need to take everything so serious as if it would be about prosecuters hunting culprits? This is only a web board... ;)

But I find Dovsters post remarkable and hope that it will be one step to a friendlier, positive flyertalk where we all exchange tips about maximising miles and points instead of heated debates about 'politics'.

Have fun!!!

I think a request for civility is something not only for which we should strive but we all should embrace it.

But then again....I'm a Libra. I'm constantly searching for equilibrium. ;)

changed my thoughts

Underpressure, the "why" was never a question -- at least not for me. But I still wish you had stayed around.

Thanks Dov, but maybe that's why I have been divorced 9 times. :D I hate conflict.

LOL JeremyZ. Great post.

Seriously... I'm not sure what is going on. I'm out of the moderator loop since I'm no longer one. I'm not on Talk Board and I'm not running. And I am apparently unpopular as not only have I not received 300 e-mails like others... I haven't received a single one.

So I guess you could count me in the confused folks who just want to talk about points and miles and where the next big brew-ha-ha is and I am not sure why everyone is up in arms. I have an inkling who I would side with if I did know, but I'm kinda blissful that I don't have a clue.

Don't you wish you too could say you are clueless and then just go back to talking points and miles? :D

Try this one on for size...

If you're not part of the solution, you must be the problem.

I'll leave the cute face out of this because it will make my response easy to figure out.

I for one am not happy with all this constant harping from the same group. You stated your opinion on multiple threads; over and over again. (Even this comment has been repeated ;) ).

And I for one must be out of the loop since I haven't received 100's of e mails about Flyertalk. Hard to believe that my opinion isn't valued around here anymore. I believe the expression is who let the dogs out .

It's a good thng the election (Talk Board and the Presidency) is over next week. Maybe then, we can resume our regular programming.

I will sleep much better tonight knowing this.

I must be very popular! I received at least two doezen e-mails within minutes of each other, from fellow FlyerTalkers outraged to hear about my ban. That was even before I got down to the e-mail from Plato90 advising me that I had been banned. :D :D :D

In the six years that I have posted (almost daily) on FT, I have made a serious effort to make each and every one of my posts as civil and polite as possible. I have made every effort to make as many contributions to FT as I was able, and, in the process, have made many good friends around the world, had some truly amazing travel experiences and, as a bonus, accumulated literally millions and millions of miles and points.

I am proud to announce that I was banned by for making an unpopular, but still logical, intelligent and thoroughly workable suggestion that, IMHO, would improve FT moderation. I guess that dissenting opinions are just not allowed on FT these days.


FWIW, in the past six years, I don not recall ever having attack anyone. (Ok, I will admit that I have been sorely tempted, but have managed to resist.)

Is that physically or emotionally? :p

Edited for clarity.

OK, I will admit that I have smacked both Ozstamps and Kokonutz on the head with my umbrella when they needed it, but never have I intentionally attacked anyone emotionally.