In case anyone cares...

No, no getting used to it. If you want to do name-calling, take it to the Ring, that's what it's there for. The Courthouse is for civil discussion and debate. It's fine if you don't like Obama or Bush, liberals or conservatives, or whomever, feel free to point out everything they are doing/have done wrong, but we are not going to attack each other personally over our beliefs. If you take an attack on liberals or conservatives or gays, whomever, that's made in general personally, then we're going to have to decide as a community how to handle that as well. Do we put that in the Ring and risk making the Courthouse sterile and boring, or keep it and risk losing lurkers and new members who aren't used to the bluntness of forums feel like they are being overwhelmed and attacked? One of the big reasons that we moved to this new system is that people can post on their own Profile Pages and avoid the controversy if it's too much for them, and still provide a place for their voice to be heard - as archer said, we aim to be inclusive, not exclusive. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to be welcoming and invite all new voices to be heard - that's how we learn new things, meet new friends, and make this place more interesting with more widely varying viewpoints.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs and no one is entitled to like or respect it, but we will treat each other civilly in this forum and if you want to make it nastier, go where it belongs.

This is a new website and a new start, with many new features. I was reminded recently that "Communities are defined by what they tolerate" -Heather Champ http://caterina.net/2013/07/24/online-communities/ I've decided to not tolerate being treated like crap any longer, and I won't let my members be so either. The various forums exist on this site to allow people various levels for posting from "safe for kids" to "knock-down, drag out bar fights". Post where it's appropriate, if you have any questions, feel free to ask, and don't be surprised if your stuff gets moved. Doesn't mean you're being punished or that your posts will be deleted and you treated any differently, it just means that we are protecting the membership as a whole and the business itself so we can all enjoy posting here, and make this place grow and thrive. This site is what we make it, so let's make it good and kick some ass!

Pep talk done. tongue: