It is very regrettable, though utterly predictable, that this thread has turned out the way it has. Unfortunately, Joe, despite your valiant attempts to be neutral, you haven't managed it at all if you're leaving posts alone from bobad and Bruce yet deleting posts from Greg. In so doing you are fomenting, naively, an anti-Palestinian hate-fest. I know that that is not your intention, but understanding the agenda of the ratbags who will pounce on these threads at the merest mention of the word "Israel" (they probably have some kind of alert set on their computers) is vital. I've warned you in PMs about bobad, haven't I, and I know for a fact that one of the other mods "protects" him. Ask me privately if you like. As for Bruce, you really do have to ask yourself, looking at his negative and hate-filled posts on this thread among many others, why he's still here while akenaton and Teribus are not.

Just musings, Joe. This is your gig, not mine. But you have the means, not I, to make this a better place. I really hope that this thread has taught you that lesson. You will probably delete this post (I've copied it as a precaution), but, if you do, please ask yourself whether it's because you hate what I'm saying or simply whether it's embarrassing. The thread started so well, didn't it. I loved your photos and have put Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth on my bucket list.

Cheers.

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I didn't delete any posts in this thread, Steve. I reposted one message from Greg that somebody else had deleted, but I left out the name-calling. I generally avoid deleting anything in the BS section that isn't a "no brainer" (one that is obviously unacceptable) especially if it's in a thread where I'm participating in the discussion. I have never been one to delete messages unless I have a darn good reason, and that is almost always only cases of impersonation or direct personal attack. In the few situations where I do delete messages, I'm sure you would agree with my decision.
-Joe-