JDK Mod resignation

[Hal B]

James, sorry to hear that it's come to this

You've brought a thoughtful, non-US centric presence to the WIX. Though I don't always agree with you, I have a great deal of respect for you and hope you stick around the board as just another "civiilian".

[bdk]

I for one consider JDK to be a "personality" on this board, and there certainly are a few. I think he did moderate fairly though, and it is clearly a tough job. Since he was an unpaid volunteer, I would like to offer him a crisp US $10 bill to return as a moderator for another year. Now how could he turn down a gererous offer like that?

I appreciate the work that JDK did here as a moderator. Thank you for the effort you put in, I think it made the forum better. I can certianly understand your frustration though.

[peter]

James, please reconsider...? What you need is some R and R over at Garys aircraft petting zoo... You are a very talented individual and if you dropped out as a mod(understandable but not necessary) and or as a member too, this would become a shadow of its former self. Hope that makes sense. I always look forward to reading your threads on news and events etc etc and to pack it all in over a few comments by some less known members would be a mistake.
I will leave it up to you to reconsider but from this thread to me it looks like more people wish you to stay than to go..
Take care,
Peter

[DoraNineFan]

Frankly, you've done an outstanding job as a moderator and wish you would reconsider.

You've been fair and presented fair warnings, and I think your job as moderator gives you free range to delete posts that are questionable. I saw the last round of comments--jlittle's remarks did no favor to himself and I felt saddened that someone would present themselves in such an ignorant manner and only reinforce the stereotype of the "Ugly American" in an international forum.

There have a few times when I wish that Scott would use the hammer more liberally. I think you are being a bit premature and should keep the position. Please reconsider and don't let the inmates rule the asylum.

[DaveM2]

Frankly, you've done an outstanding job as a moderator and wish you would reconsider.

You've been fair and presented fair warnings, and I think your job as moderator gives you free range to delete posts that are questionable. I saw the last round of comments--jlittle's remarks did no favor to himself and I felt saddened that someone would present themselves in such an ignorant manner and only reinforce the stereotype of the "Ugly American" in an international forum.

There have a few times when I wish that Scott would use the hammer more liberally. I think you are being a bit premature and should keep the position. Please reconsider and don't let the inmates rule the asylum.

Exactly right, one warning and then gone for those who persist in abuse and bringing politics and emotional 'drama' to what they post. Scott, JDK and the other mods have had the patience of saints with some on here who have dragged what was an outstanding forum of many years into the mud. Grow up FFS
JDK-extremely difficult job well done, perhaps a bit more support from the other mods would have spread the abuse around a little.....but I guess they will bare the brunt now.......lock and load

[Neal Nurmi]

Thank you, James, for a most literate and articulate (and often humor-filled) stint on the firing line. I don't think anybody should do it forever (being a moderator, I mean) if they value their good humour. You did good...

Please stay around as a member and contributor.

[Tulio]

For whatever my part in the last thread had anything to do with your resignation, please accept my sincere apologies.

Tulio Soto

[Second Air Force]

James,

Thank you for your patience and perseverance. I hope you'll stay on as a "civilian" WIXer as well.

Scott

[spookythecat]

Hope you still hang around, James. You did a fantastic job that I saw.

[Dan Johnson II]

Sorry to hear it James.

Your contribution here has always been appreciated. I hope that doesn't mean the forum is losing you altogther. It would be our loss.

Dan

[Mark_Pilkington]

I am resigning from the volunteer role of moderator with immediate effect, due to the personal attacks based on nationality specifically, by Jlittle and Hellcat, and general abuse and presumptions of actions taken.

I'm sorry I can no longer try and keep the forum working for the majority, and those posters who wish to discuss warbirds.

I was not responsible for banning Bill Greenwood. Only Scott can ban members.

I (perhaps foolishly) volunteered to help out as a moderator to Scott. Since starting, and even though I have simply been following the agreed forum rules, I've never received as much abuse, both inaccurate and personal in any of the other jobs I've done. I've frankly been amazed at the insults and inaccurate charges at times.

I've stuck with it through some pretty raw times, because the forum's worth it. Currently it's making my dog wait for his walk, and I've realised he's more important right now.

Anyone who thinks there's some power to enjoy here as a moderator should try it.

Good luck, and play nice. My apologies to those who've tried to be supportive or just stick to warbirds.

Regards,

James,

I know you took, and delivered your moderator role seriously, and am dis-appointed you have copped unfair flak over issues such as Bill's banning, which you have clearly indicated was a decision that Scott made, and related to PM's and behaviours not neccessarily witnessed by all.

I am dis-appointed you have chosen to hang up the red pen as I feel Wix will be poorer for that outcome, a lack of moderation and control would only result in more offensive behaviour, I suspect an eventual loss of patience by Scott and certainly a further loss of posters.

As a "Non-American" (and fellow Australian) I do regret the attitudes by your recent critics that only an American can have an opinion on American politics or even other social issues, and urging that WIX simply post a sign at the door that a "Free for All" approach exists.

I treat the forum like a Pub, we all come here to chat about "warbirds" and aviation history, you can enter and meet strangers and discuss issues with them without knowing their personal and political views, and equally you can be chatting with close friends, in both instances I tend to only post here what I would be willing say face to face to the person, were they a stranger or a close friend, and not try to hide behind an anonomous nickname, or 1000 miles of distance.

Like a Pub there may be a need for a publican, bar tender or even bouncer, to eject the unruly, or stop serving those who have had too much to drink before they type, or simply havent plugged their brain or manners into gear, and therefore can be offensive to others in the "Pub" or Forum.

for instance, regardless of being a Moderator or not, I can understand you finding the following attitude particularly offensive and irrelevent to any situation at WIX? and not justified in being made.

I respectfully do not bow to any individual that is not an American citizen ! I am especially dissmissive of a non American blasting Bill for expressing his political views

In fact I tend to be very "dissmissive" of people with such myopic views, I hope such people do not travel overseas representing their country with such views? I particularly hope they dont travel overseas into an Aussie pub to make such statements expecting to be still standing afterwards? - much much easier behind the safety of a nick, modem and screen?

Scott has posted rule clarifications on numerous times regarding the ban on political debates in the main or "off-topic" forums and it is dis-appointing that his requirements as the owner and funder of WIX cannot be respected and abided by -

There are 20+ other sites that seem to get along just fine, because they are smart enough to create a forum on the site that if you enter it, you get a warning that political views are being expressed on that particular forum location, and if you don't want to engage in a lively, spirated debate...then don't enter it, and go over to another part of the site

If these other "free for all" forums exist, then why not leave the political debates at those locations?, and respect the rules of the owner of this site, in intentionally excluding such "lively spirited" debates, the major problems on Wix have ALL related to forumites not abiding by the rules, and then complaining when Mods intervene, or repeated offenders get banned. No one has ever been banned for abiding by the rules?

Those who seek the "free for all" are welcome to frequent the 20+ other sites, why? is it they seek to change? this site, is it because this site has something the others do not, and if so? is it possible thats a product of Scott's rules and the Moderation in the first place?

It is a shame someone "volunteering" to Moderate gets constant criticism rather than constructive support, when their role is simply to keep the site operating in line with the owners rules and requirements.

I do hope your critics immediately now step forward as volunteers for Moderators, take up your vacancy and walk a mile in your shoes.

They can decide their own Moderating style, choosing either to rule over a rabble with light regulation of a "Free for All" interpretation of the rules, or being constantly complained about as being hypocrytical, tyrannic, superior or egotistical, or "non-American" for daring to challenge someone's post as offensive or against the rules of the forum, and in doing so demonstrate to us all how they would do it so much better. (using red text or not)

I look forward to their speedy offer and commencement on the beat! (however I wont be holding my breath!)

I also look forward to your own ongoing contributions as a "normal" poster, free from the criticism and burden of dealing with such critics.

Thanks again for your efforts during your role as Moderator.



Regards

Mark Pilkington, A fellow non American

Last edited by Mark_Pilkington on Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:47 am, edited 3 times in total.

[lestweforget]

For the little my opinion matters here, I am sorry to see you go as a mod James. You really put the work in on trying to keep this extremely worthwhile site in order. There is absolutely no need whatsoever for personal attacks. Thankyou for your hard work and insight and I hope you stick around. All the best.

[DarenC1]

Kighters

Although I've been more a lurker than a poster on here (changed since I cannot get onto Key - thanks work!), I've noticed that you've always been a decent, centred individual who puts up with a lot of flak to keep this place civil. For the most part, your work has paid off.

It'd be a shame to lose that, but I understand your reasoning. Just don't disappear from the boards as you're a helluva fount of knowledge!

[rossjools]

James, it's a shame to see that you feel the way you do but I understand how you feel. You really are a great source of information and aviation history. I hadn't noticed any politics here except for one post and by the time I got to read it, the political parts had been moved or edited. That's one reason I like coming to WIX, the lack (or should I say almost lack) of politics here. It's a great shame people can't live by the rules and just have a good time here sharing their aviation knowledge with our like minded brothers and sisters. Please continue to hang around and share your knowledge with us and if you feel better shortly perhaps you might rejoin the mod team but that's entirely up to you.

To those who have made James feel like opting out, I don't know who you are, nor do I care very much, I hope you guys will be so brave as to put your money where your mouths are, put your hands up and have a go at a very difficult job, namely enforcing the owner and funder's rules, remembering that these are not our rules but Scott's. As to a citizen of one country refusing to bow (respectfully or otherwise) to a citizen of another country even though that citizen of the other country has been appointed and accepted a difficult task, don't get me started. Perhaps I should end my soapbox speech now before I say something I'll later regret because I got banned for it.

Ross.

[Mgawa]

I am not gladto hear that. Something is strange to me and I woulk to have explanation for my personal education:

due to the personal attacks based on nationality specifically, by Jlittle and Hellcat

You are all Englishman, as I know, how can be nationalisam be plced there as attck? I know, silly question from me...