I was away during the cataclysm of the last few days, & have refrained from commenting thus far, but I do feel that the situation was not handled well.
The crux of the problem is how to allow moderators the same freedom of speech which is afforded to the rest of us. No one should have to let go unchallenged posts that directly conflict with their point-of-view.
The answer is simple. Do what virtually every other sponsored/moderated forum has done. Allow moderators to post, as individuals, under their own names, while they moderate from anonymous “assigned names”.
Many other forums do this; they also do have “rules of engagement” for hosts/moderators to follow, including not leaking their unofficial screen names.
There are a number of advantages to this. The moderating becomes more invisible (what a concept!). More than one moderator can be assigned per board, allowing for seamless coverage when one is away or tied up with real life. Heck, Melin can be re-instated without everyone eating crow!
I am taking a leap of of faith here, and believe that Ed Zotti didn’t really mean to imply that he, the Chicago Reader, the other administrators and moderators, & Cecil himself don’t care how members (isn’t that nicer than customers or users) of this message board feel about the way it is run.
If you believe likewise, please let the board deities know what YOU think of this proposal.
Sue from El Paso
members.aol.com/majormd/index.html