I am not in a position to tell anyone what they WANT to hear. Just like everyone else on this thread, I am giving my opinion and reflections on what I see.

Since this thread has reached War & Peace proportions, let take the soapbox and sum up what I see.

1.) Shambles has some legitimate concerns about his treatment, and he also made some good SUGGESTIONS.

2.) Some of the comments made against Shambles are unnecessary. I sincerely suspect that most of the comments would not be made if you were face to face. If someone said some of those things to my face, they would be paying a visit to the dentist.

3.) Joe (as well as the other moderators)has done an amazing job as a volunteer on this website. Personally, I feel that he has said a few things publicly that perhaps it would have been better to keep to himself. That does not make him a villain, nor is it grounds for dismissal.

4) In my opinion (let me stress that), I feel that Shambles does not possess very good debating skills and he has a difficult time making his point.   He would have been better served to simply outline his gripes, bullet point his suggestions, and avoid responding to all the garbage thrown at him. If he kept more to his course, he might have been more effective.

5.) Life sucks and then you die. People are going to be people, and some thing are beyond changing. It would be nice to have civil discussions and for everyone to take the time to examine another view. It won't always happen. You do not have to like everyone you meet. You are not required to have a good time. You can ignore what you want, respond to what you want, and say what you want - unless instructed by the owners of this site to do something else.   

As long as we are allowed in the pool and given loose guidelines, we can do what we will. Unless there is a sign posted to remind us not to pee, someone will spring a leak.

6.) Some perspective and context is needed.   This is a folk music forum after all. No ones life is in danger. Civil rights are not being violated. Children will not go to bed hungry because of what we do here. Women will not lose the right to vote because of things we type. All this self-righteous anger (and I include myself in this) is not necessary.

So, we go on. I have already apologized to Shambles for statements I made earlier in this discussion. I finally saw what he was trying to say, and I agreed with some of it.    I can't agree with everything, nor can I agree with the importance he places on it.

Life is.