dave_in_delaware wrote:I wouldn't go as far as saying "man up" as that infers that the mod is not a man, and may be taken as insulting or even as a threat. Not a good way of getting your reason.
I understand people want a good reason for a post deletion, but I don't think badgering the mods or name-calling is the way to go (and this might be the reason why you haven't gotten a reason yet). Pretty soon this entire thread will be deleted (by me) if people can't just be patient and professional.
Keep in mind post deletion is at the sole discretion of the mods and does NOT need any prior discussion or reasoning behind it. It might just be that you'll have to accept "no reason" as an answer and move on.
Since this has been a long-running issue and has come up at several recent dinner meets with different members now, I think it's time I finally said my piece.
If a mod can't explain why they took an action as simple as deleting a post then they don't need to be a mod. If they get their feelings so hurt by a request for info that they can't respond then they don't need to be a mod. If they can't figure out how to reply then they certainly don't need to be a mod.
This board has already seen several waves of long time members leaving en masse due to over-zealous moderation without explanation. An online discussion board requires a critical mass of regular users to sustain regular discussions and to make the board attractive to new members. The "leadership" (as if we actually ever got any input or transparency on who they are, and as if they actually "led" anything on any sort of a regular basis) seems quite intent on purposefully killing off absolutely all support anyone has ever had for this board. Every time someone brings up an idea for holding a rally or taking a pro-active stance on advocating the pro-OC message they get shot down or ignored for wanting to "rock the boat". Discussing relevant news items, without any sort of obvious bigotry or other objectionable content, gets the post deleted and threats made against the poster. This is but the latest in a long line of abuse of the people that have supported this board over the years, and the repeat pattern is telling of the mentality that seems to be going on behind the scenes.
When was the last time we had a specifically pro-OC rally, or had the group represented at events, or tried as a group to push for more favorable laws, or even interacted on an official basis with LE to push for better relations (the annual private retreat for a few members to Pumpkin Chunkin being the exception)? For that matter, when was the last time a monthly dinner meet was actually decided more than a few days before it happened, with adequate advance notice being given to the restaurant and members? Members have tried to step up to take on responsibilities and help this situation, both by helping lead new events and better organizing current meets, and been soundly shot down by the fiefdom mentality around here. Actually I believe the phrase that one of the leaders "threw a hissy fit" was used once. Some members have also had to refuse to take on moderating duties because of how DELOC was being run at the top. The "leadership" has additionally refused to expand in meaningful ways to new technologies and avenues to reach potential new members, such as Facebook and other social media sites. Again, the fiefdom "protect my control over this board at all costs" mentality blocks progress.
While you certainly have the right to restrict posts on a private forum (or more accurately, whoever it is that actually owns DELOC has that right, since you've made it so abundantly clear over the years that this is a privately held company that exists to serve whatever the interests of the owner(s) are, not what the rest of the group wants), you do NOT have the right expect continued support ad infinitum. Just WHY, exactly, should anyone continue to support this forum? Quite often it appears to have a bipolar management of extremes, appearing at one moment leaderless and the next there's mods silently deleting stuff without ever revealing who they are or why they act, and all the while it appears completely directionless. WHY should anyone bother posting here when there are so many other boards to post on? WHY should anyone make time in their busy schedule for poorly organized last-minute dinner meets with dwindling attendance? WHY should anyone commit to volunteering to help a group that seems so disinterested in helping back?
I'd also ask why so many of us have put up with it for so long, but judging by the activity levels recently, I'd say many who were interested in posting have already moved on to greener pastures and the rest are mostly just interested in seeing old friends for dinner.
I think this group really could make a difference pushing for better carry laws and improving public opinion in Delaware, but not on its current pathway to (increasing) irrelevancy. We need a clear set of rules (or, admittedly, as clear as rules for posting on a discussion board can be). We need transparency on who the mods are and why they take action, such as an automatic message to a poster with a brief explanation of what the problem is when a post is deleted. We need to allow for member input to actually help expand the group. Oh, and while I'm wishing upon a star, if this is ever to act more like a local group rather than just a "friends of the owner(s) of DELOC" meeting spot, it would be really nice to have a set of bylaws with elected officers for some functions - perhaps even with voting restricted to a paid membership pool. Show some sort of return & growth for the time and donations people have made over the years.
Just how much has the current direction of this group really turned the tide of public opinion regarding OC in Delaware? How many people, out of the population as a whole, actually are even aware of OC now? Has the group REALLY been doing such a blockbuster job that it should be shielded from change at all costs? Or is there perhaps a better, more open, more transparent, and more engaging way forward? And on which side of that divide does silently sniping posts lie?
And if anyone would like to PM me, I'll let ya know how I REALLY feel!