I don’t usually start a thread in order to praise someone, but I felt driven to express my admiration and feelings in this case.
When TomnDebb first became a moderator quite a few months ago, I groaned. We had some uncomfortable exchanges in the past.
But since then, I couldn’t help but notice that the tenor of his postings has changed subtly, or perhaps I perceived him differently.
Just a moment ago I happened to read this post. I was impressed by effort and execution of his opinion which in effect moderated the general tone of that thread.
It also occurred to me that the nature of this posting is typical of what I’ve been seeing since TomnDebb has become a moderator.
In every discipline in life there are those who rise to the top. Usually because they are better equipped but also because they have the desire and stamina to do the best job possible. TomnDebb is clearly in that class. He deserves to be an administrator but that is something I do not wish for since it would most likely result in less influence on the board.
First Giraffe, and now this. Whatever happened to the jackbooted thug mods from days long past who inspired terror or fury in the hearts of the teeming millions.
The Mods do a lot of work, and catch six kinds of hell when they are percieved to screw up. Tom has been a very good, even-handed mod. An occasional “good call, ref” is not brown-nosing; in fact its overdue.
I’ll chime in with agreement. I’ve disagreed with Tom more, and more publicly, than I’ve disagreed with any other mod on this or any other board; at the same time, I’ve found him to be thoughtful, civil, and ethical in any such disagreement. And the number of times I disagree with him are pretty damned small, anyway. He’s a standup guy.
Tomndebb is a credit to his phylum and an excellent moderator, we’re lucky to have him. His broad range of knowledge, skillful writing, even temper and measured responses are an example to many of us who simply want to spit on and impale people who disagree with us, and hear the lamentations of their women.
Yeah, I have to say my feelings are pretty much in line with Left Hand’s. I’ve disagreed with TomnDebb, but I’ve never thought he (and she?) was irrational, thoughtless or rude. I vaguely remember once when I got something factually wrong, and TomnDebb politely corrected me, without getting snotty or arrogant or condescending. That indicates a class act. (And on the subject of “act”: pardon my ignorance, but are we talking about one person, or two? I’ve never quite understood that name.)
I’m originally from northwestern Pennsylvania, which makes me from the same part of the world as this northeastern Ohioan poster. Now since I don’t usually gush like this, I’m already feeling a mite embarrassed, so I’ll stop now. I just want to add that I’m relieved to find out that this thread wasn’t actually about flaming TomnDebb, because I couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to do that. Still can’t, in fact.
He’s . He occassionaly drives me to :dubious: or but we’ve more than we’ve :mad: or and he’s only ever made me :eek: once. All and all, while he can make me :rolleyes: by being a bit too even handed when it’s not deserved, but all and all I think he’s .
I’ve wondered for a while now, is tomndebb a single username shared by two people? If so, isn’t it about time they got two seperate usernames? Especially since now one or both is a mod.
I just came in this thread to see who would have the stones to pit him and what kind of pile-on there would be. The reality was a bit disappoint, but ultimately refreshing, I suppose.
:: joins hands with the others here ::
I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony…*
. He occassionaly drives me to :dubious: or 
more than we’ve :mad: or 
and he’s only ever made me :eek: once. All and all, while he can make me :rolleyes: by being a bit too even handed when it’s not deserved, but all and all I think he’s 
.