For the record, I want to say that I don't really know any of the people involved in this thread. I am not about to make judgments on anyone's character based on whether they do or do not post in these threads, or how they post. How people sleep at night is their own business, as I have quite enough to attend to in my own life and character. I believe I made it quite clear in my communications both on and off the forums that my intent was to let both threads run their respective courses, and that I didn't plan to get anyone in trouble over their existence.
I realize that persons on both sides here have been very passionate about how and why they believe as they do. In the process, some feelings may have been hurt. I hate, as a mod but also (I hope) as a human being of some compassion, to see that. I'd like everyone here to be able to enjoy themselves and have a good time. That can't happen when everyone is ganging up on each other.
I can't speak for the motives of others, though I do believe that neither the original thread nor this one were started with any malicious intent. Although I have disagreed with some of the results and with many of the comments that followed what I believe were sound philosophical objections based on genuine concern for others, I do not believe U2@NYC intended any cruelty. I disagreed with the thread, perhaps, but I know that his original intent was not to upset or slight anyone.
That also said, however, I believe very much that Ewen also said what he said out of concern for many of the women here. Surely some of you will go
at that statement, because as anyone with half a brain has figured out by now
, we have a relationship off the forums. But by that same token, no one is in a better position than I to say what his motives were. And I truly do believe that he believes he did the right thing by standing up to something he saw as wrong. Moreover, I do think he believes strongly about this for a reason, and I do see it as a good thing. I only wish that maybe we hadn't all got so caught up in our pride and our rhetoric to see that his position truly is one of concern and compassion for many of the women here--which I don't find to be patronising or overprotective, by the way, but a simple brotherly, friendly concern.
I was going to leave this thread alone, but since I've been enmeshed in this mess from the beginning, I may as well clean it up. I think this particular thread has run its course, unfortunately (well, perhaps fortunately, LOL). What I propose, then, is a closing of this thread and a re-opening of a new thread so U2@NYC can have his poll (minus FlyYourKite's poor friend...I wonder if she has any idea the fuss she helped stir up!
). As I did mention earlier, I don't think it breaks any rules and I try not to let my personal feelings rule my moderation.
I do think we need to stay away from pics of Interferencers and friends, and Sicy agrees with me, so if any of that starts to go on again, the thread will be closed.
I think what we have here is a whole lot of passion and not much fun OR serious debate happening. So let's try to return at least one of those things in the form of a new poll thread.
Thanks to all for understanding.
