Hobo Jungle

[The Dirt]

There are so many good people here, so much I’ve learned, so much by which I’ve been entertained, humored, and fascinated, and real-time friends I have made...

Predictions of it's demise are premature, IMHO, but if anything happens to this forum, I’ll be glad I was here for as long as it lasted.

(Well, the Club Car, anyway.)

[J. Smith]

How many months do you guys give this forum?

Kind of questionable, the way the censorship is coming into play. It's getting more like the other forum. The attraction here was the freedom to discuss anything and everything. Now were told "So what. There is the door if you don't like it." Sound familiar ala R.M.

Freedom of speech will only last as long as the masses insist that it is a right, not a gift from the controlling powers.

Jack

[MartyE]

Interesting...Freedom of Speech? You are a guest of this forum. I think all that is required to remain is civil conversation with respect for others.

Bill IMO has been more than tolerant of some very questionable threads. There is no Freedom of Speech on a private forum. There should be a certain expectancy of decorum on the forum. It's pretty simple really.

Censorship is also a very questionable term. I'm petty sure moderating is more appropriate. Another forum tried to start up with a whole less moderation. The last post was May.

Some folks make so much out of nothing. It really is a pretty interesting study in human behavior.

[J. Smith]

Your avatar says it all about your attitude Marty. If you don't want a forum with free thinkers then shut it down. I'm not a guest. I'm not in the moderators living room, I'm a participant in an ongoing stream of conversations that should be open to all comers. If that is not what a forum is for then what is the reason for it's being? You can call it moderating, I call it the change censorship. What happened? A lawsuit? Come out and say it. I can accept the truth but a complete about face from the way the forum has been in the past requires more than "Hey, hit the door if you don't like it".

Jack

[MartyE]

I guess our opinions are way too far apart to even continue. My view of this forum and it's moderation and participation are 180 degrees from yours.

I also think you have me confused with someone who actually moderates this forum. I don't know why Bill has changed his moderation but it's his forum to do so.

[DennisB]

...A lawsuit? Come out and say it. I can accept the truth but a complete about face from the way the forum has been in the past requires more than "Hey, hit the door if you don't like it".

Jack

The truth is right in front of you. Apparently, you can't accept it.

[Tramp]

For me this is a hobby and a hobby related forum. That means I hope it will be pleasant, light-hearted, joyful and calming, entertaining and funny. I need it to cheer me not annoy me. If I want aggravation, many other venues can supply that. Therefore, when forum members whine, argue, get pissed off about nothing, I stop reading and posting. I do something else.

I guess we each need to ask ourselves what we want out of this forum.

[DennisB]

Right on, Tramp!

Check out my upcoming article thread on the other side to see a photo of what can be done with an old warped Korber kit.

[Forum Moderator]

...A lawsuit? Come out and say it. I can accept the truth but a complete about face from the way the forum has been in the past requires more than "Hey, hit the door if you don't like it".

Jack

Jack:

Let me emphasize that as long as I foot the bill for this forum I'll make any changes I feel are necessary for its continued growth without explanation, including the fact that if you do not like the way it is moderated, then you are welcome to go elsewhere.


Bill

[J. Smith]

Oh believe me Bill, that is well understood. I am of the mind set that all censorship is bad. "Those who would burn books will burn people" is my guiding light about censorship. You have run a free forum in the past and I have enjoyed it to the max. I don't always agree with some opinions but I do respect the right for those opinions to be expressed and for me to disagree or condone. You have a superb forum here and I would hate to see it digress into the Rich Melvin style of "my way or the highway". I offer my opinions and artistic modeling here only because of the freedom of expression. I think the path you are now taking is against your original plan. If you choose to ban me because of my beliefs, I understand, and with no reservations will accept the consequences.

Jack C. Smith

[Forum Moderator]

Jack: Not to worry, all I'm asking for is for everyone to cooperate and cease the sarcasm, conjecture, baiting, masked words, personal attacks, and just plain trouble making and get back to talking O-gauge trains.
Bill

[J. Smith]

Agreed!

Jack

[rogruth]

A few members have left MTJ.

Some new members have joined the forum.

The moderator has moderated.

Now we are talking about the death of MTJ.

Why?

The rest of the posters on MTJ are apparently useless in some posters opinions.

I have always been able to get good,useful,informative answers here.
I have also been entertained,which means I had fun.It seems that having fun with a hobby is a no-no to some.
IMHO some forums are very narrowly focused unlike this forum which seems to be multi-purposed.

Again IMHO I see no reason for this forum to die because several members are no longer posting.
I also see that several that had not posted for some time have returned.

I do not know the moderator/owner of this forum and contrary to some opinions posted above believe that he can control it any way he wants.
I do not think that anyone should stop posting their opinions.Keeps it interesting.
If it is neccessary to be more controlling now there might be reasons for this.I just read and post here.
I have,so far,never been banned from a forum,a fact that I find to be of little significance to my enjoyment of this forum.

I hope that I can continue enjoyment of this forum for many years.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

What's not to like?

We have a nice, unique place here, with plenty of interesting folk to enjoy and lots of stuff to talk about, so we'll re-shape a little, re-form a bit, and "recover" from any "losses," like millions of people do every day, everywhere, and get on w/ it.

Relax, all.
And let's play model train journal.

Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset...
...swiftly flow the days..
sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset...
...swiftly fly the years...

[DennisB]

Murph,

I believe it's sunrise not sunshine.