When I stumbled upon this thread, it was 84 pages long and I thought wow, the community is really into this.
Well, I've read every post, mulled over whether to say my piece (given that the decision appears to have been made), and decided I should because it would be pointless moaning about what ET becomes later if I do not state my position now.
I am opposed to self-moderation on a point of principle. Freedom of expression is too precious to be subject to the caprice of assorted individuals.
Yes, I appreciate the overwhelming sense of frustration with Surf and his ilk, if indeed there are any quite like him here. The solution to his behaving like an absolute idiot is to deal with him, not for the managers of this site to abrogate their responsibility.
Imagine anti-social behaviour taking a grip on your city, with acts of vandalism commonplace, where walking on the street means you are subject to harassment and verbal abuse. Then the mayor comes on TV and tells you he quite understands your frustration, so from now on you can deal with the problem as you see fit. I don't see that as the way things should be done.
I have also seen the complaint that this thread has been derailed by Surf. Really? Last time I checked it takes 2 hands to clap. Why wrestle with the pig and then complain when you get dirty?
We have something special here, where we can all speak our minds without self-censorship or concerns that we may end up banned for doing so. It is our responsibility to exercise that freedom within the bounds of reason. When we have a member who abuses that freedom, repeatedly and constantly, the solution must be to deal with that member and NOT to restrict freedom of expression. Do that, discard that which is good, and we allow the troll to change the fundamental nature of this community.
I don't know about you all, but the mere thought of that leaves me feeling dirty and used.
