Never been a lifetime appointment Twolanerider & 103thunder where both moderators before they stepped down.
As were BLM and Otis and Carl before their spots were lost. Dave, that I (since I was one who left) said it was a permanent gig should have made it apparent it was in jest (though voluntary self-removal does not suggest against permanent availability). But isn't it easier to just play? To assume good or happy intent until proven otherwise?
I'll say one thing here not in jest. It's not as if I've not said the same thing to Neal privately. Just suggested much the same to Ernie in a separate message.
The moderator's gig here is thankless in any practical sense. It may unavoidably breed the "them and us" feeling that too often rears its ugly head with the site membership numbers becoming what they have.
Having said that, and I say this in as friendly and well intentioned manner as I possibly can, people play with their friends. They accept jokes at their own expense and go along with them. I get ribbed here as much as anyone. From friends in the general membership and occasoinally even still from a couple of the mods. I'm thankful there are folks here who like me and respect me and are comfortable enough with me to be able to take a poke now and then. I do my best to assume that intent and respond in kind until it's painfully apparent the intent was otherwise.
Our several moderators often do that.
Though not nearly as much as used to be the case. That, whether necessary or not, is terribly unfortunate. Rather than looking for reasons to police first and play second it would seem from the outside looking in that both your personal interests and the site's would be better served if it were the other way around.
From your perspectives it may seem to be. From the perspective of an unfortunate number of others, however, it seems to be the reverse.
I thought this thread was a gag from the beginning. Even if I was wrong it served everyone better to treat it as such. Poking a little fun at Howie and an invitation to the moderators to play along and have a little fun too. That it wasn't or couldn't stay that way is unfortunate. I miss the more common jests that used to be the norm from nearly all of you.
Merry Christmas everyone. Best wishes for joy, understanding, prosperity and patience in the New Year.