posted October 02, 2007 12:17 PM         

I feel that it might be time for me to speak here regarding the situation at FFA as of late. Mainly because it seems that some folks want to keep the drama going on and on daily.

I have liked reading the thoughts of many of you on what has transpired here recently.

My position is that in this situation the choices I made as one of the mods at FFA were based on what is best for the community of LL as a whole. I based those decisions on the rules that Randall applied to this site. In this case it concerned both of the mods here at FFA. I understand how any decision that I made under the circumstances would not be seen by some people as being objective. But I tried to be as objective as I could under the circumstances. I based it more on the rules than my own personal feelings.

When I realized that I had done all that I could as a mod and that it wasn't likely that under the circumstances Zala would be heard or thought to be objective either, I turned the matter over to the site administrator to deal with as he saw fit.

Randall banned Lotus and that he chose to delete the whole ugly thread at GU where he is moderator was once again a strong message by Randall of how he feels about revealing private matters on the boards of LL and vicously attacking other members. I feel it is also a message by Randall that he supported the decisons I made as moderator since he has not reprimanded me for deleting those emails from Lotus' posts and for closing two of her threads.

However, as moderator I acquiesce to the majority opinion of the members of LL because as moderator I want what is best for the community as a whole. It is not just Randall that Zala and I serve as moderators. It is the whole community of LL that we serve. Mostly it's the members of LL that mods serve and always it should be with what is best for the entire online community in mind. It's not my intention at all to censor people or to control. It's my intention to keep the peace and see that Randall's rules are respected and followed by all members. Oh, of course there will be conflict. Conflict is a part of life and we learn some of our best lessons about ourselves from conflict. But there is a limit in how far members can go in a conflict. Revealing private matters and viciously attacking other members is not allowed by the rules Randall applied to his site. We can state our positions and where we disagree without personal attacks.

The rule of thumb that Randall applies for himself and his mods is to attempt to let those conflict threads go for a time because sometimes they work themselves out. But if they are only escalating and it does not appear they will work themselves out then close the thread. If they get too ugly then delete the thread. Those types of ugly threads are not needed in the archives. I requested from Randall his guidelines for his mods. These are the things he told me. I passed that info onto Zala.

Anyone who feels that I am not a good moderator and that my modship should be taken away from me can contact Randall in private email with their thoughts on the matter. Randall can make the decision based on the number of emails he gets. I will gladly acquiesce my role as moderator if that is the will of the majority of members of LL. And the boss. I will also tell Randall what I told you all here. In fact I will send him this post.

I request that is what you do instead of flaming the boards of LL with your protests. Give the other members a rest from all the conflict and attacks. Take the matter to the site administrator instead.

It was Randall's decision to ban Lotus from LL. Moderators do not have the power to ban people. If you disagree with Lotus being banned for posting private emails and for her attacks om other members of LL on a thread at GU then you should take that up with Randall as well . There is nothing that the mods or any member of LL can do about it so it is futile to keep bringing it up on the boards of LL. That only creates more conflict and more hostility.

If it is what you guys want I will also ask Zala to repost that deleted thread so that any of you who wish to become a part in the drama here regarding it can read it and see what actually transpired. That thread WAS as I have stated deleted with the consent of both parties involved. Zala is completely innocent here and deleted the thread, not to cover up anything, but because it pained her to see two people she cared very much for as friends having a disagreement and even went beyond that to put herself in the middle of the disagreement in an attempt to hopefully help mediate a reconciliation. That was my hope too when I consented for the deletion of the thread.

I will add that Zala chose to put herself in that position at a time in her life when she was swamped with personal life issues she had to deal with, when she also has a job and was training new people and she has a son to tend to and was also having health issues herself to deal with.

Zala is not only innocent here she is a trully wonderful, beautiful woman and the best friend anyone can have.

posted October 02, 2007 12:40 PM         

Just for the record Mirandee, I think you are a great mod, as is Zala. We cannot avoid conflict in this life unfortunately and neither of you seem the type to deliberately cause trouble, although you might cause the odd row accidentally here and there. I think most people on LL can tell the difference between someone who may sometimes be over opinionated and someone who deliberately posts inflammatory comments just to get peoples backs up. Remembering also, that we are all talking to each other via TYPING - no amount of smilies can convey how we really feel on the other side of the screen/country/world. People are getting very tetchy, (due to the trolling) and arguing with people they previously got on with because of the atmosphere around here lately. I admit that there are certain folk on here that I would like to see the back of because they are causing people I respect and admire to want to walk away. But that is not my decision to make, more's the pity. I say, that we all know deep down, who the good one's are here and that we all should stand steadfast in the belief that we are a strong unit TOGETHER. That way, the trolls will bore off soon enough!!!

Randall has the best interests of HIS website at heart and damn straight too. I don't think he would make the decisions he makes with out thinking them through long and hard. He is, after all, a Capricorn!

posted October 02, 2007 01:08 PM         

quote:

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Most everyone I know thinks "me" me, me, me.

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Off topic, but:

And thus you face the reality of things NAM. No matter how spiritual a person gets, we all fall back to our basic instincts. Make no mistake about it NAM, the economy in general works on the premise of self-fulfillment. Socialism, good-will, etc. can only go so far before people fall back to their instincts again. That is why communism failed; That is why Socialism still has lingering problems.

posted October 02, 2007 01:11 PM         

People can desire to make peace, but it takes two to tango.

As it happens, I would really hope that things can in time be resolved.....I love every single person here, WARTS AND ALL .....we are all equal!

posted October 02, 2007 01:35 PM         

The fact is, the posts only demonstrated a small portion of the entire exchange between Rainbow, Mirandee and myself. We have since gotten over that conflict- like WAY over and became friends. How sad to only show a small part of the entire whole in order to make newbies hate this place or call it into question.

I am TIRED of people using Rainbow as a way to emotionally manipulate others. Talking about "Travelers" that scared her or how her death was connected to any thing from here is absurd. People that keep doing that are really just using her passing away to justify their own hate of others here. TO me, that is sure sign of sickness and self-centeredness.

The other point I want to make is people need to stop this holier than thou attitude that Karma is what is causing others to suffer medical problems. Are you people from Mars? Do you not understand science, technology and medicine? People break down, bodies break down. A brain tumor, stroke or cancer is no more linked to Karma than a car running out of oil is. Yet some jerks here keep making comments to others, including myself, that because they got butt-hurt in an argument and shown for the phoney that they are, that their opponent having health issues is due to their previous argument.

For example;

Knowflake X: "Sorry bud, you are out of line and I have caught you in several lies"

Holier than thou knowflake: "your mean, viscious and evil. Don't make me do something drastic because you caught me lying"

4 months later-

Knowflake x: "I have cancer"

Holier than thou knowflake; "See.. she has cancer because she went against me and all that negative energy manifesting into a burning ball of cancer. See my power? Aren't I cool"

Get over it! This crap has to stop and some of it is directly linked to some newbies hell bent on trying to belong to some online "in crowd" so they act like wedges between others.

NAM- if you don't like it here and you think it is stupid then leave. Go help out the people you mentioned and do something constructive instead of worrying about the "stupid online" community that was formed and is "falling apart". It has been here long before you, it has survived worse problems that this and will go on longer than you will have interest in putting it down.

Mirandee has done everything possible. They have the right to delete threads based on inflammatory, racist, gender bias and slanderous remarks. If you don't like it, find a new site to contaminate with your absurd and inane comments.

I am sorry Lotus got banned but there was a reason attached to it. I adore Silverstone and have always thought of him as a kind person and my opinion will not be swayed over some harsh words spoken here. He has always said kind things and acted in a caring manner towards Bear and myself.

To others, especially the newbies, if you can't handle it then you know where you can go. Stop trying to act as though you have a dog in this fight when you don't even know where the fight is being held or what dogs are fighting. Stop trying to be a part of some "in group" when you don't even know where the group meets. Get it?

Oh and by the way... if you don't like my words and decide I am mean and evil.. too bad. I can guarantee you that most of us don't care about many of the useless opinions provided to us.

Okay... I'm back and p1ssed. Leave Mirandee and Zala alone unless you have a valid reason to be upset.

Mirandee and Zala....

Hang in there

posted October 02, 2007 02:02 PM         

Thanks Mirandee , very well said. I know this post won't enlighten everyone, but that's the way life is -- some people just choose to operate under all their own personal biases and misinformation and refuse to keep an open mind, learn, and grow.

To my fellow LL'ers -- take what words resonate with you and leave the rest. I hope we can all try to contribute in a positive way in the future.

posted October 02, 2007 02:07 PM         

Although I personally wouldn't have used the word 'inane' to describe someone's viewpoint or feelings, which are just as valid....but I guess that is just your way

I think it would be very beneficial if we all learned to laugh at ourselves once in a while and not take things so seriously. It really doesn't matter.
It's only our egos.

But understandably, we all have times when we're feeling a bit more sensitive than usually due to circumstances, etc.

posted October 02, 2007 02:17 PM         

Even if you don't like how someone says something (barring inappropriate for this site responses), the truth of their words should matter. At least, I thought we were all getting on the listen to each other with open hearts/minds, don't take it personally and forgive boat?

*waves*

posted October 02, 2007 02:32 PM         

Thank you for missing me LOL... I missed LL too. Yes, we are packing...wow..only two more nights in the US and then we're off to Germany. We should arrive sometime on the 5th and hopefully our Internet will be up by the following Tuesday.

Bear is doing well. We spent the last week visiting family here and in Washington state and now we are tying up lose ends. We have so much to do LOL...

I miss you all and will be online on a regular basis in a week or so (knock on wood!)

hugs,

posted October 02, 2007 03:02 PM         

quote:

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I think we are all in the same boat,

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