Good form

[jkdesq]

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I figure while I'm on Xmarks, I'm someone's guest, not a paying member of a club or a voting member of a board. It's their house; if I'm not comfortable with the rules, shouldn't I go to the host rather than the other guests? Besides, isn't the idea to foster relationship and communication about kilts and kilt-wearing? If a thread, even a good and lively one in "off topic" is starting to either wreck relationships or be a distraction, isn't that just what moderators are for?

I guess I don't see it that way. If one invites people to one's house for a political decision, one should not be suprized when a political disagreement arises. Same if one invites people for a Bible study. Whether the dispute is over the rights of the proletariat, con or transubstantiation, If people are intended to discuss things, there is going to be disagreement. If a person inviting discussion is not anticipating disagreement, I would suggest that the person is not really seeking a full and frank exchange of ideas.

It surprized me that the entire thread was pulled without any word of why. As I couldn't check what I posted (as I had no access), I couldn't go back and make sure that I didn't say something offensive. It was open to speculate that someone had said something way beyond the pale that I had not seen. My suggestion is that if threads are going to be pulled or locked, the recent posters should be given some reason as to why. If their conduct is impugned, they should be told what they did wrong and what rule they broke.

If people don't know why these things happen, there will be a chill effect. People will be afraid to say anything controversial. Posts will become less interesting and forum members will loose interest. The page will loose momentum. My two cents.