FORUM MODERATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

[coyotewhacker]

As many of you know, I tendered my resignation as moderator of this forum three days ago. The response was immediate and overwhelming, to say the least. That tender was based on my impression that I was unable to do what I felt was necessary to protect the integrity of this forum...the one that you, the members have created, molded, and made into a leading example of how a successful forum can operate without friction, without in-fighting, and without outside interference. After being contacted by Jim, my initial lack of understanding of the authority that lies with a moderator was brought up to speed. In fact, any moderator on this website has the authority to do what they feel is necessary to maintain their forum as they see fit. Jim made that perfectly clear. We are also given the authority to head off trouble if we have reason to believe that an individual or group of individuals might bring stress and strife into an otherwise stable forum environment. All of you will recall that I did not ask for this job, and in fact, recommended that the walleye forum had no need of a moderator because of the quality of the people who posted here. Eventually I agreed to take the title, never expecting to have to actually do any moderating. All that changed when a person that I have crossed paths with began posting on this forum. The alarm bells went off, and I took the first immediate action available at the time. I removed two threads that contained this individual's posts. There was nothing out of the ordinary with those posts, but I have been down this road before. I have watched as this person repeatedly browbeat other people on the Conservation Cafe. I met a fine gentleman at the Springfield Power Plant one day who knew my handle. When I asked his, he told me, but added that he didn't post anymore because he and his friends were afraid to say something for fear of being attacked by the internet thugs on the Cafe. That man, who went by the handle of "Old Man" had terminal cancer and his computer was a source of enjoyment until that was taken away. Old Man is gone now, but I never forgot what he told me that day. Fast forward to another website operated by Mr B, who is an occasional visitor here. The same personal attacks started up over there in the duck hunting forum and then moved into the fishing forum. Several people who have fished our walleye get togethers can tell you in no uncertain terms that they were chased off the MWT site by this person. I count myself among that distinguished group.
Now the time has come to make a stand so that nobody else will go through what Old Man, Billy, Gary Smith and many others suffered through. THE BUCK STOPS HERE.
This is my decision: I cannot in good conscience put the walleye forum at risk by allowing DSG to remain as a member.
Therefore, effective immediately he is banned from further posting on this forum. My initial thought was to ban him from all forums in the fishing half of the site, but I have no wish to tread on the authority of any other moderator.
how they handle their forum is their responsibility. The walleye forum is MY responsibility, and there is no appeal to this decision.
I will add two things: (1) my sincerest thanks to all of you who sent me a PM of support. At last count, it was up to almost 50. Perhaps the most gratifying was the complete support of the moderators in the hunting section. We jab at each other sometimes, but when the chips are down, those are some solid people you can count on.
(2) Against my better judgement, I am going to arrange for DSG to earn his way onto this forum. The criteria is extremely tough, but the opportunity will be there for a limited time. I'm not hard to find if you are interested.

A word to all you "anonymous" lurkers who have been watching to see how this would turn out: this is walleye forum family business. I intentionally did not go into a lot of detail in spite of having been challenged to do so.
This could have been dealt with a long time ago, but it was not, so it fell to me to deal with what I perceived as a threat to this forum. If a similar perceived threat pops up again, I will not hesitate to take the same extreme measure to deal with it. This in no way is meant to suppress free speech on this forum...that has never been a problem because of the self restraint shown by the members. We have always welcomed new members who come to us with clean hands.
That policy will not be changed. However, there is always somebody who gets off on creating controversy , or "stirring the pot" as some people call it. As long as my watch continues, that will not happen here. There are some electronic switches to turn off or turn on to enforce this decision, and that may not happen for another day or two, but in the meantime I will monitor the forum to insure there are no unauthorized postings. If one does get through, the entire thread will simply be removed as if it never existed.
CW

[Shannon Woods]

As the student section at Donald W. Renyolds Razorback Stadium started CHANTING prior to the start of the Texas vs Arkansas football game last year when an IDOT in BURNT ORANGE tried to slip into there student section and sit with them, the chant began KICK HIM OUT KICK HIM OUT KICK HIM OUT KICK HIM OUT! Drinks began to bombared him, Security had to rush to the rescue. This DSG guy must hail from Texas!

[coyotewhacker]

HW....do you know what it means when you hold up your hand with your two middle fingers held down in the palm of your hand by your thumb?



I miss the old Southwest Conference. UT now is part of the Big 12, and the Hogs are SEC fodder. Who'da thunk it way back then.

[Shannon Woods]

Yes Cw... I know what that means but as an active Texas hater my hand is down not up........Down with the Horns! I found a funny picture of Matt Jones scoring a touchdown 2 yrs ago against Texas and he is doing the "Down with the Horns" symbol as he crosses the goal line but I could not paste it on here. Why is that?

[Steve Johnson]

CW, BRAVO! I am with you on unnecessary people being on this or any other website. As President of the state Walleye Fishing Association, I know exactly what you are going through and how you feel. I have also had to deal with these " THUGS" as members of our Association. I made things so miserbale for them to remain members that they are NO longer members. Good Riddance to these kind of people. It is fro the BETTER that they be removed. They can find their own forum for NEGATIVENESS. Good Job on your part CW for removing this individual from this forum. I am GLAD he didn't meet up with me on this forum, or I would probably not be on it anymore either.

[Showme]

CW - I am glad to see you take care of your peeps. I am sure the forum will be better off without that troublemaker!

I just hope there isn't anyone standing too close to you when the rubber band finally snaps. You is one wound tight dude!!

Sincerely,

otidnab
dabbler1also
showme
Poison Snake
and a couple of others I don't even remember

[coyotewhacker]

HW...I have a secret agreement with the owner that only pictures showing the glorious victories of LSU will stick when posted......or not. You are talking to the least literate person in the world when it comes to putting up pics. Powerdive seems to have a handle on it, though. You might ask him. Oh ...wait...I see what you are talking about. I don't know the technical reason, but this website is not set up to accept standard copy and paste. A photo has to be "hosted", and for that you'll need to get with PD or one of the guys who can work their magic.
Steve...I feel about this forum the same way you feel about the MWAA...the real difference being that you put the Association together, and have been the driving force holding it together through the early tough years. I can't make that kind of claim...it's the guys of the forum who make it what it is. Many of them go way back, some even more so than me, and they (hopefully) will know why I did what I did. We also have quite a few newer members who are making a great positive impact, and I am not willing to see them go through all those bad times for no good reason. Over the years, I have come to think that almost everybody can choose to either be part of the problem or part of the solution. That is why this ban can be removed if certain conditions are met. That may happen, or it may not. The ball is no longer in my court. Appreciate the support.

[walleyesrus]

Welcome back cw you had me worried for a minute. I have been on a lot of walleye websites and this is the best one by far. No one should be afraid of posting, I have had similar experiance with walleye central and would never go there with a legit question< The tournament board isn't bad but the open board is a joke. Thanks for keepinng an eye on this website it is a very valuable resource.

[coyotewhacker]

That's why JD pays me the big bucks....
Bandito...thanks for the kind words....I think. You're right, of course. I am wound too tight, but everybody knew going in how I react to things that have the potential to fracture the walleye forum...either sooner or later. Only one other person has ever been encouraged to shape up or ship out...and he was not a bad guy, just would not listen to reason. By now, I'm sure he understands how we play the game, and he can come back any time if he plays nice.
Unfortunately this latest incident carries way too much baggage and I would much rather be sorry and safe than not take action and later wish I had. CW is, and always has been, a proponent of the Six P's of Decision Making.

[powerdivehome]

Okay, then. That's done, and life goes on as usual. CW, I'm glad you stayed on. You have my support!

[coyotewhacker]

Correction...correction: Life does not go on as usual. There are lonely Hooters Girls just waiting for the likes of us to come in, get boisterous and leave outrageous tips.

Get with the program, lad.

Oh yeah, PD....Hogwild was asking about how to post some University of Arkansas photos (obviously doctored up) of a player diving over the goal line. Although I personally find that extremely offensive and explained that only LSU pictures could go up, maybe you could give him some tips.

I mean, how can a state that produced Hillary have even a modest football team? Oh well, if it makes him happy, go for it.