I'll speak to that directly: I was upset with the way a few people were treated and summarily shut down. At around the same time, attempting to write to one of them, I noticed the "Away" group designation. I posted an inquiry in a public part of the forum, asking what specifically that meant.Curious as to whether any of the people who were temporarily suspended, actually saw the group designation "Away" = Banned upon their accounts?
Thread lasted a couple of hours, then disappeared, and I was admonished in private. It was clear that "Away" meant "Banned", but I was to not discuss it in public. It was at that point that I sent a few notes to friends and mods that I've become acquaintances of, indicating that my future relationship with FPN was questionable, due to the way some very good people were treated.
I'm personally sorry to be that way, as I've learned a lot from my two years at FPN. I don't have nearly the pen knowledge that many others have, and I don't walk away casually or cavalierly. Nonetheless, as meaningless as it may be in the big scheme of things, how people treat each other is important to me, and I'd prefer to not further the popularity or usefulness of an arena like that with my contributions, small as they may be. It may be a gesture that amounts to peeing yourself in a dark suit, but one has to have some principles to live by. Shared respect is one of mine.
I think it is high time for a dram of Ardbeg. I bid you all a good evening.
Bookmarks