So much misinformation, one large post. I take it we're not going to catch up for a beer then?
1. I've never banned anyone, and certainly I would never ban anyone for dissing my car, as I diss my own car far more than most. That PoS is at the stealership right now getting the speakers repaired for the fifth time and a new diverter valve. There's only 1 IP address banned (on Sept 30 last year), and I didn't do it.
2. I am not going into the nudity thing again. There's several sites that cater directly for that now (bugnude.com etc) so Aussieveedubbers can use its bandwidth allowing us to spout crap the entire month instead of getting cut off say on day 20 of each month and not being here for 10 or 11 days.
3. I didn't complain. AFAIK, Cam didn't complain. It was two women members who complained. And between them they post here way more than you do, and contribute way more to the Victorian VW scene than most (including me). I take their views far more seriously than a few good ol' boys who want to see a bit of tits and arse. Subsequent to that, one of them no longer visits the pics forum, which is a shame. Thanks a lot guys!
4. I now review any policy changes or directions with Brad and Jim and the other moderators and have consistently done so since that incident. You were right that I shouldn't have unilaterally done it. I've apologised for it before and promised to amend my ways, and so I have. (Moderators - check the Moderator's Paradise forum for proof).
5. Contempt for other members issue - I should have used more smileys to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt I was trying to lighten the tone to be more amicable. Despite that, I have since learnt that with responses to you Spook, even when I am sticking up for you, are best kept short and totally unambiguous as you'll outrageously misinterpret, selectively quote and totally fabricate in a fashion that would make a Current Affair reporter blush. See your previous post for proof.
Some of the old moderators were missing in action - literally. One hadn't logged on for ages and is still not here after more than six months. One asked to not be one again as didn't log in enough to do the job properly. I don't see why I should name them as they have done a good job in the past, and if they wanted it back seriously enough, well, I'm sure B&J would be happy to have them back. If you misinterpreted my comments, you'll see that I was thanking them for their service and asking for new ones to replace those missing. I am reading that post right now, and I am struggling to see how you could possibly interpret it the way you describe.
Jim to be honest, hasn't really stepped in, both Brad and Jim use the light touch. He posted here with a nice post that I thought said everything that needed to be said, and everything was good. Well before Jim's post, I had already agreed with Brad that I would always check with him before making policy. I upped that committment to ensure that I check with all moderators and Brad and Jim before pushing anything out. Since then - we have set no new policy as none needed setting, and we've grown tremendously since then. So we're obviously running things pretty right.
The threads are merged because it doesn't belong in more than one. If I hadn't locked the thread... it would have been one thread. You don't know the pressure I'm under to delete the war threads or to merge them all into one. If the war threads get out of hand, expect them to go as more than a few of the mods (and Jim) are sick of them. Will you blame me if they do? Don't answer, I know you will.
And for my post back on 3 October (shortly after the nudity affair) that states what I will and wont do:
http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=960
I have apologised before now for making the unilateral policy change, and I have been following what I said I'd do since before that post on the 3rd of October.
At least I know now that there's a snake in the grass at the cruises. Probably the same scum sucking arsehole white anting the Bug In. I just hope it's no one that I actually like.
This post has been most cathartic. I thought you might actually have a point regarding some of your issues, but as it turns out, it's the just the same old pointless enemity. I'm still willing to catch up for a beer, but I really doubt I could ever convince you that my motives are pure and that I'm actually a pretty good guy to know.
Andrew