My Take on it

[GeneW]

Since Bob has informed me that his banishment has been lifted I have returned. Bob will return when it suits him. I did not leave in concert with Bob or at his behest but because I will not participate in a forum where what I consider unfair Moderation is in charge.

If Charles returns and resumes moderation I hope that he will be more fair minded about his methods. I did not communicate with him because I did not see any common ground between us regarding this issue.

I disagreed with Charles's method of moderation. I did not ask nor wish that he leave this forum or resign his position. I did ask that Charles be taken to task for what I considered his method of moderation. I asked that he cease the practice of interjecting comments and then locking down threads.

I told these points to Thomas, who has also locked down threads but resisted the urge to put in his "two cents" before locking them down. I do not object to Thomas doing this sort of thing, especially in his mature and reasonable way. The tone of the forum is the business of a moderator. I have done moderation myself, it is at times a thankless and aggravating task. So I am quite empathetic to someone who only wants to keep flame wars to a minimum.

I will do my best to avoid interjecting politics into threads other than those slated for this purpose. I will continue to point out when others interject their own "slants". Only more factually and less passionately - in plain English with more civility.

Gene