I've been doing a lot of thinking about the tone of the Mudcat lately. The Shambles leaving finally allowed me to come to some kind of conclusion about how to handle it from a Mudcat Administrator point of view. For one thing, I have marveled at the comradery and love and knowledge and friendship that the Mudcat has been. I have felt safe in meeting new people here and inviting them into my home. But something is changing.

To get to the point, I have decided to watch the threads with the help of some of the volunteers and communication with all Mudcat members to identify people who "cross the line". Obviously there is a lot of interpretation and gray area in determining this, but I am going to make it black and white. It's real simple. If I FEEL that you are not a positive factor in this community and/or said things to drive folks away or scare anybody, etc., your membership will be deactivated until you call me on the telephone to personally discuss the situation. I cannot let another fine person leave, and I cannot support a community where people are not comfortable sharing who they are and what the love, and I will not continue publishing the Mudcat if we cannot find a way to control it.

Last night, after discussing the situation with a few fellow catters, I have suspended a member's account. We will see where my theory leads us soon.

Just remember. Membership and even participation to this site is a privilege. I cannot control everything (believe it or not) but I can make it very difficult for people to use this site if I do not want them to.

Anyhow, I love all of you and am trying my best to maintain what I think was a miracle the first place. Please feel free to send me a Personal Message any time you think someone has crossed the line (please be thoughtful and tolerant though), for I cannot read every thread. Also, feel free to share with me any ideas you have to keep the peace. That's all for now.