Chris -

You know what's different about AR and most of the other forums that use moderators? The workload is shared among many, not a few or in the case of this board, one. Or so it seems. I thought I recognized an entire group of mods but why is it that you're the only one that assumes that position? And if that is the case, it will certainly turn into a "lynch mob" mentality where whatever you say or do will be scrutinized and ridiculed by someone. There should be moderators appointed to each forum, with a "super mod" or administrator that would oversee things in they're absence or acting as arbitrator.

And if I were you I wouldn't embroil myself in a debate on the role of a moderator. The administration or each mod [if given that power] decides what is appropriate in that forum, and while that could be questioned by the readership, I wouldn't engage in a public debate. Instead you could post forum guidelines or each mod could post their own guidelines for their forum. But I wouldn't explain my actions every time they are called into question. Instead just PM the party or parties off-line to clarify matters or action taken.

Another difference I see is that most forums choose moderators from the core membership. They were well known and established before adopting the position. And I'm sure many of the regulars could assume how the "rules" would be interpreted based on prior association or observation of that person. And while they may not necessarily have been the most popular member they were respected and the bond with the forum established.

In the forum I moderate there is little argument among the regulars in how the mods govern. And the few that did eventually resigned in part because of those problems. This is not to say that mistakes aren't made or that the mods are always in agreement in how each forum administrator handles things but any disagreement is kept off-line. Once in a while mods will clash but cooler heads prevail and we "agree to disagree".

Do what you want, but I see this going in a bad direction as things stand right now. Get some help or be more discrete about engaging the members and don't feel like you need to explain yourself. I think most everyone understands how he or she should behave, they're just yanking your chain.

As I stated in an earlier post, I don't believe the Cable Forum is the proper outlet for the ongoing criticism of individuals or rival forums. Rather than axe the thread I'd have just moved it to a less specific forum [General / Off-Topic]. At the same time I wouldn't allow members from a competing forum to take pot shots at regulars here either. I realize the rancor goes with the subject matter and history isn't exactly on your side but if the forum doesn't take the high road it's little more than troll bait.

MikE