I promised myself that I wouldn't get involved with any of this business in a direct way but, after seeing this poll, I feel compelled to interject my perspective.
We're a lucky group of people here. We have a common interest in a band and a style of music which brings us together, many of us on a daily basis. Beyond that point we have always felt comfortable to express our thoughts and feelings on a wide variety of subjects with each other on this forum. Granted, we run into conflicting views from time to time and, yes, there are some people who post challenges to just about every viewpoint presented. That's what solid, well intentioned conversation and debate is all about. Over the months that I have been here, I have seen many debates get heated but generally remain civil. This is the first time that I have seen anyone come here and cause this kind of reaction from not just a disagree-ing individual but several of the forum's members.
There are two great things about being in a Internet forum. The first is that, when confronted with opinions that differ from our own, we are free to choose our battles. Sometimes it is the best tactic simply to choose not to get involved in a debate or to quit when you feel you have sufficiently made your point. There does come a point where some people are so steadfast in their own frame of mind on a issue that, no matter how hard you try to get your point across, it does one absolutely no good to pursue the matter further than you already have. In some cases people are not going to budge, for whatever reasons they may have. All that comes from going too far in such a case is hostility and resentment.
The other great thing about being in a Internet forum is, when we do choose to get involved deeply in these discussions, we can choose our words carefully and be well thought out when we hit the submit reply button. It's a advantage you don't normally have in direct verbal conversation. Rather than lash out with a knee-jerk reaction and say something that even you don't really mean, you can make your point clearly, distinctively, and with a sense of purpose. This, in turn, leads to a good debate and gives both sides something to really ponder upon reflection.
Thus far, from what I have observed from the posts in certain threads by Jannet and some of the people whos ire she has raised, it appears that all sides involved are letting immediate emotion rule over better judgement. It has become a matter of "he said this" and "she said that" and the obligitory "he/she started it" type of accusitory banter. On this forum, there has always been a decorum between rival positions that, when someone gets in the others face about something, the general response is to reply without resorting to child-like behavior and show a combination of courtesy and, when appropriate, humor. This usually difuses the situation.
Now we have come to the point where we have this poll. A poll which, for all intent and purpose, appears to be a "should she stay or should she go" voting ballot. For the record, I did not vote either way. There's a part of me that dislikes this but I also see the democratic side. It's better to make this sort of thing a community decision and not just run off to the moderator behind everyone's back. However, I'm not taking sides. There are several antagonists involved here. It's just a sad fact that you've all managed to bring it to this point. A bit of decorum, brevity, and better selection of both words and arguments could have kept the situation from coming to this.
I love coming here and I genuinely like many of the people whom I see here regularly. I want to see this forum continue to grow and mature as well as the people here. Many of our conversations do a great deal in adding to that maturation. I have been given food for thought on many topics and have, in some cases, been greatly affected in the way I view some issues thanks to the various intelligent and well-informed viewpoints I read. Let's not allow ourselves to give that up. Every storm, no matter how intense, does eventually pass.
I had to say it.
