Say Goodbye to DJPETE...

[Astro]

Its a pretty woeful day when someone like Dj decides to quit the club. Like so many others he has tried to keep the excellent reputation of this board alive, but came to realise that the hooligan element was taking over and it might be a losing battle. I'm yet to scan the threads to see if there was a particular incident that brought this on or if it was just a case of the rot setting in so deep, it couldn't be cut out.

I keep hearing what 'nice guys' some of the major offenders are. Well, I'd like to see them earn that reputation here too. (I'm not talking about the reputation system, thats already been subverted). This isn't the place you come to sling mud, shit stir, insult, criticise, whinge, slander and generally degrade fellow members. Holocaust jokes are NOT acceptable. Back stabbing and then saying you only did it because you were 'concerned' is bastardry of the highest degree. There are other boards you can go play on. (Oh wait... maybe not because other boards demand a certain code of behaviour and have some rules).

This board is about riding. Rides, social meets, tech information, bikes (yes.. any bike), mateship and all the other things we have in common. You want to drag this board thru the mud and ruin our reputation - just so you can have free expression and make yourself laugh? Get out of here. I'd rather have the harshest rules and censorship ever seen on the internet that allow the bastard element to degrade and destroy what others have taken years to build.

This board costs you nothing. We ... and yes, I include myself in this statement... WE have no rights here. We are members at the pleasure of others. Other people do all the work, we just gain the benefit. Doesn't cost us a cent and there are no demands placed on us. Well, rather than taking it for granted, lets start appreciating what we have.

I will not allow my board to be ruined. Volvi... lets set some standards around here and lets enforce them ruthlessly. Rather than just lament Dj's loss and hope he might come back, lets give him a reason to. Perhaps its time for some housekeeping? Maybe we start making some arbitrary decisions on what is acceptable around here and what causes you to be expelled... or censored. One warning, then a week ban if it happens again. After that, zero tolerance. Third ban is permanent. Judges decision is final (judges being Dj, Volvi and Rod).

I do not want censorship and control, but I'll take that option rather than lie down and watch any more of this.

I'm not going anywhere. I'll take the heat for as long as it takes to flush out the trouble-makers.

Then we can go back to normal.

And no... I won't shut up this time.