Ok, here's what I think.
Mica loves this community; she loves each one of us, and she loves building instruments for us. She delights in taking pictures of instruments in progress and posting them for our enjoyment; just as she delights in trying to help us out when our instruments have problems.
I became moderator because Mica asked me. However, I have remained moderator because you guys have allowed me that privilege. This forum is part and parcel of the whole idea of Alembic. That you guys are happy with this forum is important to Mica; that's why she wanted a moderator, and that's why she puts so much of her time into our board. This is the Alembic community, and we wish it to be as widely inclusive as possible. We wish for this place to be as warm and welcoming as possible.
My view of this thread is reflected in the
posting guidelines; if you haven't read the posting guidelines yet, please do so now. If you have read them, the relevant passage is as follows.
Avoid using language that others may find offensive. Other people will find offensive, remarks that are degrading sexually, that are ethnically or racially oriented, that are patently political, or that may present some particular religious view.
It seem to me to be the case that when you make negative remarks about a political position that others holds dear, then there will be at least some of that group who will be offended, or hurt, or disgusted, or thinking that perhaps there is some other place where, or group of people with whom, they would rather be spending their time right now.
And making people uncomfortable with the Alembic forum is not what we are about, however unintended that may be.
While I have received email and phone calls about this thread, I am most concerned about some whom I will not hear from. There will be some who, after reading some of the comments in this thread, may decide that this community no longer feels the same for them. We all have busy lives, and we make decisions on how to prioritize our time. Where we chose to spend our time, whether it's an internet forum, a bar, a restaurant, a bookstore, or a music store, is often influenced on how comfortable we feel there; how we feel about the people we are around. All of us are different; and our decision making processes are different. It's where each of us is right now after a lifetime of experiences. Again, in my view, this place works best for all of us as a community when it is held as a refuge for all of us.
Again, you guys have allowed me to be your moderator. As this place and you guys are so important to Mica, it seems self-evident to me that if she felt that you were not happy here because of the decisions I've made as moderator, then clearly I would no longer be moderator.
While I find it wholly understandable that people on both sides of the election would have highly emotional reactions to the election, and while I find it wholly understandable that some might want to express those feelings here, my view is reflected in the posting guidelines. I do not believe that I have some infallible knowledge about how internet forums should be run; and I think that reasonable people could conclude that my position on the matter is wrong.
However, you guys have for whatever reason allowed me to be your moderator; and given that, it does seem that you as a group have deigned to let me have a little say-so about things from time to time.
Thus in my role as moderator I do most respectfully request that this thread and subject matter be herewith laid to rest.
Thank you for your patience with me and for your understanding that I am just trying to do what Susan, Mica, and you as a group would want me to do.
David
