Now that things have become quieter I would like to say that, if those young people ~ formerly referred to as 'trolls' ~ had joined without causing any fuss, then I think that some of them would have made interesting forum members.

They seem to be interested in politics, and could probably have contributed quite a bit to that area of the forum. Maybe, in time, it will be possible to bring some of them on board??? Who knows?

I would hope, though, that they would be willing to apologise ~ willingly & sincerely ~ first.

But unfortunately they joined with the sole intent of causing trouble with the goal of destroying the forum and unfortunately they did a lot of damage

I have been trying to stay out of this discussion. I have been reading this forum since July of 08, but only now am really posting regularly. I do think there are lots of nice conversations going on in these forums, regardless of past but recent events.

Maybe everyone can just take a time out from the previous strife? Take a 'wait and see' approach going forward? What is done is past at this point.

I want to suggest this with the utmost respect for the fine people who have been community members for so long. I don't even know if I should be saying anything at all. I just want us all to start over.

Well Jilly, I agree that what's done is done, and that, perhaps, things will appear different ~ better ~ in the future, but, for now, it is clear that a number of people are still unhappy.

Some of this relates to the recent influx of bad behaviour, but that resulted in me banning people ~ if only to get some order back on the forum. It seems, though, that upset on the forum is also related to other things, and that things have just erupted. It happens from time to time, but I am not 100% sure exactly what it is that some people are unhappy about.

Yes, I agree. It was bad behaviour.
I think, for most of them, at least, it was just meant as a short-term prank.
Please don't think that I am condoning their behaviour, because I think that causing trouble, using bad language, stirring people up, etc, are unacceptable.

However, young people sometimes do silly things, and this was a prank. It was short-lived and things should now be back to normal. A joke, played on us, by a few youngsters, should not be able to do such 'a lot of damage' ~ and I have to wonder why it has???

because people get hysterical?

No, Jan. IMO, it's not a matter of paranoia or hysterics, but a matter of principle. On the one hand, we are told that "older" members are expecting preferential treatment. And that the "younger" members are just playing a joke, so we should just look over that. But it's not really a matter of whether the "younger" members were or were not trolls.

What it is about, IMO, is whether it really matters how responsible you are in your posting (except to yourself and your own sense of ethics). The "younger" member (even if only a member long enough to make one or two posts) can say whatever he or she wants, and only amused shrugs will result. But the "older" members cannot call a troll a troll.

After all, IMO, troll... er, excuse me, I mean "younger person" registrations and postings help the total numbers of the board, which helps with financial matters, you know?

aaaah. i hadn't got into that side of the iron front onslaught. from where i was there was this annoying little iron front dude who just wouldn't go away. i'd pretty much missed the 'attack' and the discussions that followed it, and was warned by another member about a potential security risk. that was what i thought was a tad hysterical.

i would be the last one to deny anyone the right to call a spade a spade, or call a troll a troll. in fact, i'm often frustrated at how restrained i have to be here.

as for preferential treatment - i don't really see people clamouring for it as such, but why not - you have to earn the respect wherever you go, and i certainly don't take poster too seriously until i feel i have a reason to do so.

i can see why you've got a beef with a situation, but maybe it would bother you a bit less if you didn't underestimate how valued your presence here is.

Lisa has said she makes zero money from this site. All the ads are charity ads. So that can't be a part of it.

Thanks, Jan. I had to wade through the syntax, but finally got it.

I'll raise my brow a bit at that, Jilly. There are indirect values to having a "popular" discussion board.