Alex

[crimsonson]

To whom it may concern (or care):

I just want to express my humble opinion of Alex' removal from this forum. In short it is unfair and unfortunate. Though I have often clashed views with ALex, or Roger and Matt and Mattias and others, I never thought that their comments threatning that removal would be a solution. In fact the stronger their opinions are the better it is. A homogenous forum is a dead forum.

It is sad that we are in a point where one of our members has to be removed.

It takes two to tango and I hope the powers that may be understands this. It is easier to ignore someone than to replace their contributionS. We could easily ignore opinions that we may not like. I bet some have already stopped reading this in the first paragraph and hit the 'Back' button minutes ago. We could easily exercise that right with threads and opinions.

In regards to slander, insults and ad-hominem...I do not feel ANYONE is out to get someone here. There are however, many proud and stubborn individuals ( as I am ). Also, please remember that this is a forum, an internet forum. We cant send you viruses, vandalize your business,it is a safe place to give opinions and recieve them. How threatning can a VIRTUAL place be where many (if not most) members willingly use handles for names? And the only participants are a few handful of individuals that at some level know each other in a personal way an do business with each other. The Super8 community is small enough and probably will die soon because if digital video and of stagnant technology(cameras especially). Polorising the premiere Super8 forum will not help.

I hope we all can get beyond this past month or two and find a way to be more productive and thick skinned.

Super8 4ever.



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[mattias]

> A homogenous forum is a dead forum.

i agree, but in this case it isn't the discussions themselves that is the problem. me, matt and roger have pretty serious arguments between each other too as you might have noticed. the difference? we know how to count to ten, smile and move on instead of hijacking every thread we can find, filling them with endless half year old quotes, paranoia and personal vendettas.

and to alex, if you're reading this: i hope you come back once you've calmed down a little. i do think you know what i mean, even if you would never admit it...

/matt

[MikeBrantley]

I'm of two minds about whether this thread should be kept open. I absolutely am aware that my actions on this matter would be and are controversial, and I would rather not have had to make them. There is not just one guilty party, although there are varying degrees of guilt.

Crimsonson takes me to task over the fairness of what has transpired. But he has done so in a tactful and respecftul way. At least that is how I'm taking it. If everyone associated with the arguments of the past few months had exhibited the same tact and cordial grace that Crimsonson exhibits, we would not have a problem. He makes his points (and I have taken in every word with as open a mind as possible) without resorting to name calling or other juvenile methods. I disagree with some of what he has written, but not the manner in which he has deployed his words. I feel bad about what has happened, but in the end I believe my actions were and are necessary.

Debate -- even spirited debate -- is welcome and invited in this forum. I don't want that to ever be in doubt, but it absolutely must be civil debate and on topic. The members of this community deserve nothing less.

Here's my problem... This thread seems like it will turn into one in which members alternately praise or bash Alex. Although I have no doubt he is elated to see anyone come to his defense, if I was in his shoes I would be upset if there was a forum in which people could bash me and I could not respond. I want there to be no more Alex bashing. Before, this would bait him into more arguments. Now, it's just not fair.

I will restate this warning as well: No one involved in the arguments with Alex should gloat over any of this as a victory. Much of their behavior has been problematic as well, and I've come close to asking others to leave. Whether it's fair that I haven't done this is a subjective matter, and I will grant that I'm in a gray area here as to being right or wrong about that. These are tough calls to make, and they are not fun. It was clear I had to take some action, and so I did. Others are on notice, and further bashing of Alex will be viewed as non-productive.

This forum is not a democracy. Membership is not a right but a privilege. I am the total and final authority. I will try to do the right thing at all times, but in the end it's my call. As Alex has pointed out (and apparently is demonstrating), it's easy enough for anyone who objects to start their own forum or move to another.

I established my Web site and subsequently this forum because I saw a need and because I had joyfully rediscovered my enthusiasm for what in the mainstream is a forgotten medium. Neither the site nor the forum is going away anytime soon, although I am investigating my options as to how to upgrade this forum so I have greater moderating control. That might mean relocating, but it might not. It all depends on a variety of factors, not the least of which are financial.

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--Mike Brantley

[ulrichsd]

I tend to agree with Dom. Exiling members from this forum only deprives those whose questions may have been answered by the exiled party. Everyone has the ability to ignore Alex's replies, yet so often people are so eager to add to insults and flaming.

That said, I do *not* know Mike's attempts to have Alex play by the rules of the forum (it seems like there were many), and it sounds like Alex's remarks may have kept other people from staying, which is unfortunate.

Anyway, I think Mike has run a great site and a good forum, although I wish this problem could have been settled another way.

Scott Ulrich
[email protected]

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