I was thinking the same thing. And I was going to suggest [still a good idea] taking the soliciting of the moderation positions a step further by asking key members if they would consider accepting. If the readership really wants to make this a better place and have a say so in what goes on then why not volunteer? Then I asked myself, "Would I be willing to do that?". No, I'm afraid I wouldn't for a number of reasons but foremost is that I just don't feel comfortable playing nurse maid to what can be a volatile forum. I don't need that.

One of reasons I pursued the mod position at AK was because of our members and being able to discuss, as host, my real passion - tube electronics. I didn't foresee any problems with what was then a rather small, close nit group of people. Now we have grown since and potential trouble is only a post away but I've been rather fortunate thus far, in that most [though not all] of the members that frequent that forum are emotionally balanced. I've never edited [except typos], deleted [knowingly] or closed a thread. I've split or moved threads but only when that was requested. And the few times I've had to separate heated combatants the issues were resolved off-line. I try my best to not publically criticize anyone in my forum or do so in a way they don't "lose face". Still we may have lost a member or two because of my intervention but that's the price you pay to keep it a fun and educational place for everyone without fear of ridicule or persecution. Which I realize can be a fine line between posing or interpreting "hard questions".

MikE