Full disclosure: Satan was and I hope still is a personal friend, though we’ve had very little contact (other than a brief period he was posting on the Pizza Parlor) after he moved away.
He had a hot temper on issues that he believed in and felt strongly about. That, at long last, was what got him banned. I didn’t speak out then and while I considered some sort of appeal on his behalf, I decided not to, because I saw the justice in what the administration here felt they had to do.
I have heard through third parties who did have contact with him that he felt he was being a jerk, and that he completely understands, and sympathizes with, the reasons he was banned.
Although I hate the idea of “telling tales out of school,” it’s perhaps only fair to note that two years ago there were harsh words between him on the one hand and Tubadiva and Ed Zotti on the other, and that he felt that their attitude was not entirely fair at that time. I’m confident that that is water over the dam, and that no grudges are held by either side in that – but it may have affected the sentiments of other staff who may have known about it. (For reasons I don’t think should be made public, Tubadiva has not been particularly active here lately – and many of us who care about her would not want her hurt.)
As regards the propriety of this thread, I think it’s entirely proper. We agree to abide by the decisions of the administration to remain members in good standing – but one purpose for the Pit is to question, even vociferously, the propriety of such decisions. And, contrary to the jokes, the administrators and moderators are not some kind of power-mad cabal – they’re people trying to make the right decisions to keep the board lurching along with its usual calm demeanor.
They have in the past and will in the future take the sentiments of members as expressed in the appropriate forums into account in making the decisions that are theirs to make. I don’t see that Joe Cool was doing anything out of order in bringing the issue up.
It’s their decision, and I’m confident that everybody who has participated here will abide by it. If I had a vote, I’d say to bring Satan back, and predict that if that were done, we’d have the pleasure of his wit and ability to argue an issue sensibly and forcefully, without the ill temper that plagued his final days here – which if my opinion were sought, I would attribute to problems with his former job in music marketing and absence from Drain Bead.
That’s my ten cents. It will anger some and please others, but that’s how I feel about the issue, for what it counts.