Fun CH wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:28 pm
My voice was stopped at the BB. I called Maria to discuss this issue and some of that discussion is contained within this email I sent to her.
"Dear Jeff and Maria Hardy,
From speaking with Maria today my understanding is that my account was banned on the bulletin board because people were complaining about what I had to say.
It's interesting that none of my posts were removed prior to this Banning, or warning notice given.
Maria mentioned that it was her understanding that Jeff had talked to me about this issue. However when I spoke to you Jeff, you were mainly concerned about political posts and made it sound like you were seeking my advice on how to deal with the issue. You further stated that (you) actually agreed with what I had to say concerning my political position
My advice was to not allow political discussions and later a thread started by Jeff detailed how political discussions were no longer allowed.
However the political discussions kept happening. And I kept commenting a few of them.
Maria informed me that you do not monitor the site unless a post is reported, and that the only way to control the site would be to end all discussion.
IMO, it does not seem like you are being responsible to the community by not moderating your own site. Maria even mentioned that lack of moderation sounded kind of "wonky".
I suggested that it might be a good idea to end discussions. Perhaps you should consider just being a want ad and sell site, community events calendar, and current events such as emergencies, fire, etc.
From reading your site I'm not sure you understand what harm your BB actually does to the community. You have a lot of people using the site to complain about their neighbors or groups such as Bruce's rant against Mtn Bike riders.
I have spoken out against that as well as how our North Cascade mountains are being commercialized and most recently against Reviving the recreational District idea, so it's no wonder that I've riled a few feathers. My voice apparently stands in the way of people making some cash off public resources.
But who knows I don't have the Inside Story on what people complained about exactly or who was doing the complaining.
Also, a lot of misinformation is passed along on your site such as Alf telling people it's not safe to go to the hospital right now which is contrary to medical expert advice. That issue spurred on a lengthy back and forth with Alf with a lot of miscommunication.
We know that miscommunication and misunderstanding is one of the faults of internet forum discussion.
I totally get that removing me from your sight may be a business decision on your part as Maria suggested that you were pulling your hair out trying to figure out what to do with my account.
I would have first suggested an honest discussion with me personally. That would have been the respectful thing to do.
However, I have no longer have control over my posts and therefore I do not wish them to continue to be published on your site.
To that aim I request that you remove all of my posts within 10 days.
Thank you,
Chris Hopkins"