Closing threads

[moon]

Chassisman;

If you don't like the way this site is run, you could:

*no longer visit it.
*post your opinions on one or more of the countless political sites available.
*start your own site and run it as you see fit.
* all of (or any combination of) the above

Please don't burden the membership with your constant complaining, it gets real old, real fast.

Aw, come on, Samantha obviously likes the site or she wouldn't visit frequently and take the trouble to suggest improvements.
I take it her politics are opposed to yours ?

[Curly]

I have often wondered about the closing of threads as well.

As far as I can tell, a moderator gives the reason for closing the thread in the message that tells people the thread is closed. And it seems to me that the main reason given is that the discussion has made a turn to the dark side - insults and so on.

But I think it's unfortunate that such threads have to be closed because some of the participants can't help themselves, ya know? For example, there were several really good posts with interesting suggestions made in the "cleansing USPO" thread. I would had liked to react to one or two of the posts there, but I was too slow, and the thread was closed due to a deterioration of the quality of posts.

I know it's not as efficient as closing a thread, but in those instances where a good thread turns bad, couldn't the moderators punish those who made the turn to the dark side - deleting their posts, assigning points, whatever - rather than punish all members of the forum by closing the thread?

I realize it's more work for a small group of people, and I'm not suggesting it be done for all "gone to the dark side" threads, but maybe it could be considered for those threads that have a good number of quality posts and an obvious high level of interest from the members of USPO?

[MattLarson]

This is getting out of hand.

Yes, we should post a note when we close a thread as to why it was closed.

No, we don't always do that because sometimes we get busy.

These accusations of "power trips" are, to be blunt, complete bullshit. The OP leveled a similar, completely unfounded accusation at one of the site staff a couple months back, replete with all manner of drama.

In the end, it was conclusively demonstrated that the accusation was without any foundation in fact.

To some, this thread seems to be a continuation of that conflict, using many of the same terms.

So, in summation:

1. Yes, we should be noting when we close a thread as to why it was closed. This probably happens 90% of the time.

2. Sometimes, we are busy and don't get the chance to post a note. This is pretty rare.

3. If one has a problem with the staff, the proper course is to address it via PM rather than start a thread like this.

Since this is now resolved, this thread is closed.

(notice how I explained the closing? )

Matt