My disagreeing with the views of any other poster in a discussion on our forum is not any form of attack on The Mudcat or any individual.

Disagreement with my views or the views of any other is NOT any form of attack.

All forms of attempts to restrict, prevent or inhibit any individual poster from expressing their views with the stated intention of driving them away. And this being indulged in and being seen to be publicly encouraged from a site's moderators - could very possbly be described as something else.

And something that has very little to do with a discussion forum.

If our 'moderators' would only show a different example than the one current shown towards posters - our forum may then follow this example as eagerly as many seem to follow the current one.

If a different example is not tried - how can anyone be sure that it would not work?

One thing is for sure - the current example has plainly not worked.

Even if the hostilty was not seen to be emanating from the example shown by our 'moderators' - it would be better for them not to be seen to so readlly adopt the same tactics and attitude (like being abusive and anonymous) as shown by the 'shadows' they vainly chase and try to bring under their control.

For now - the so-called cure is much more damaging that the so-called problem ever was.

For if all 'attacks' on our forum are now judged to be wrong - they are surely wrong whoever is doing the 'attacking' (or judging)?

Forums are to enable you to freely express your views, for them to be discussed and to enable you to listen to the views of others.

Judgements of the worth of the individual who express these views are for gossip in private or to made in courts by those qualified to do so and hopefully after a fair hearing.

Confusing a forum with a court and with a private gossip shop and using this one place for all these purposes and encouraging everyone to pretend otherwise - was only likely to end in bullying and tears.

Unless some reality is finally recognised and encouraged by example.