nessonite said:
It doesn't directly violate the rules but is very controversial and/or has gotten a lot of complains and/or a thread that has turned into a flame war
OK, since this gets to the heart of it, let's just address this. In *my* opinion, the only element of this statement that isn't highly subjective is the complaints part, and I suspect it only takes one from the right person to get someone else's thoughts censored.
You are absolutely right about this being a privately owned site -- I've pointed that out on a few occasions myself. HOWEVER, that's all the more reason for the Admin to be concerned that the forum is run with integrity.
If an idea or post becomes hotly debated, that means, by definition that it's controversial. That does NOT (I hope) mean the debate should be censored. Calling people names is one thing, strongly expressing a belief is another. In my estimation, Mods should ask one question before deleting anyone's ideas (and thus, invalidating them): Does this post violate the RULES? That question alone involves interpretation, and for the sake of integrity, I would think that would be the most subjectivity anyone would want to interject. Censoring people's thoughts merely because they are controversial, or because someone else has complained about them, or because they are part of a heated debate should NEVER be grounds for censorship.
The truth is that Nessonite cannot wear two hats. Anytime you post, your post carries with it the weight of your position as a moderator - that just comes with the job. Therefore, you should be mindful of that, and stop getting in the middle of controversial threads, taking sides "as a member," then if everyone doesn't fall into line with your way of thinking, deleting the "controversial" posts "as a moderator."
**I would propose the following as a rule for Mods, to preserve fairness:
If a Mod has participated in (posted to) a thread in such a way that it could be said that he or she took sides with one or more member's viewpoint, that moderator should refrain from taking actions as a moderator pertaining to that thread.
I think that's very fair. Valerie? Other mods? Agree?