Stop Closing Threads

[Desi's Brother]

I'm posting this here, in hopes that it might actually stay open...


I have now had at least 4 threads closed by different moderators, not to mention the annoying moving of threads all the time. Based on their whims, they deem that the topics are either no longer interesting or shouldn't be open to comment anymore.

The most recent was my "bring back hlyons" thread. And yes, I know that posting it in the general discussion would inevitably lead to it being moved (but frankly that is the only place anyone would see it), but there was no reason for it to be closed, other than the desire to shut down the discussion and pretend that a long time member wasn't just banned. The other one that was closed was Ms Dee's "What?!".

The message you are sending is that we can't discuss this openly.

This comment has nothing to do with whether or not she should have been banned, but rather the way that threads are just closed on the whims of moderators.

[lost_grrl]

First off, just because a thread will see more traffic in "General" does not mean that it goes there. Why have separate forums at all if we ignore them? We have to have some sort of organization, otherwise the board would be unnavigable.

Second, I have explained why threads about other posters being banned is private. Not everyone wants their issues discussed and banning is an issue between the banned person and whoever banned him/her. The person who is banned is always told why. Discussing the issue in public frequently leads to problems between members who have nothing to do with the ban due to people sticking up for their friends and then getting mad with those who don't.

Nobody knows the whole story except for Hlyons and BuddyNick. BuddyNick has always been fair and done right by us former Tailsectioners. He has really left us to our own affairs, even allowing us to design our own layout. I trust him, as should everyone here, when he says that it was a difficult decision, but one he felt necessary based on all of the facts--which he alone has.

I do not know who closed the Ms Dee's thread, although I would suspect that it was BuddyNick since he posted last. I did close the "Petition" thread and I explained why.

I specifically looked at your thread history Desi and there are only two threads of yours that have been closed--the one by me and another.

As a Moderator, I don't do anything on a whim. I do not move a thread unless it is clearly in the wrong place (for example, I don't move threads that are placed in "General" that maybe should really go in "Theories"). I do not close threads unless there is absolutely a reason and I ALWAYS let the person know exactly why and invite them to ask any questions about the decision. I have never moved or closed a thread because a topic is no longer interesting.

I work try very hard to be fair and to make my decisions as a Moderator clear and transparent. I really value this forum and want to do what I can to make it as fun, informative and user-friendly as possible. It bothers me that my integrity as a Moderator is being called into question when I have done nothing to deserve it.

I would urge anyone who has a post or thread moved, closed or deleted to contact the Moderator responsible and ask why.

Clearly the ongoing discussion of this issue is doing just what I feared it would--tweaking noses and hurting feelings. I imagine that the discussions taking place off-board are contributing to this. We really don't need any of it. Let me repeat that none of us, with the exception of the two parties involved, know exactly what went on. What we need to do is move on to the topic that unites us all--Lost--rather than dwell on an issue that is clearly dividing us.

[blinkin]

yeah its not fair