Well to start, the problems we had were with one particular thread that got a little out of control and we are already taking steps to correct that. Otherwise this thing has been running pretty darn smoothly because of the involvement of everyone here including the Admins.
I personally disagree withe the statement that if you start censoring posts you risk what you were complaining about. There isnt a civil forum I am aware of that doesnt have some type of censorship on it, whether it be for bad words, pornography, etc. That doesnt mean that preference is being given to anyone. Now I wont speak for the other Admins, but if you were a vendor here I wouldnt think twice about editing anything you posted that was out of line with the rules.
That said, I welcome any of the vendors here. The rules, however, dont change because of money. What I hope to avoid here is such a level of influence on the part of any vendor that community innovation and involvement is stifled. I just cant see banning, rejecting or restricting anyone that is offering a service or product that isnt even offered by the national vendors. That is what I took issue with.
I think the innovation and ideas we see coming from the community spur competition. I think the community is smart enough to sort out who the jokers are and who is the real deal, who offers great stuff and services and who doesnt.
If you came here as a sponsor, Wbody, Intense, any of them, Im not going to stifle someone like Farnsworth just because you are a paying vendor and dont offer the same stuff he does. If someone like Trannyman comes and can offer the same or better quality at a better price, why should he be booted? Isnt that what competition is all about, choice?
In my opinion, one of the areas that CGP failed is in offering a fair venue for the Garage inventors and vendors to help grow the community. I dont see the interest in community involvement, innovations and open mindness there. It doesnt seem like its about what can be done for the community but what can be done for CGP and I just have a little issue with that. Im not against Mike having a profitable site, good for him for being able to do so. I do have a problem that it has come at the expense of maintaining interest, involvement and enthusiasm from the community as a whole.
Now, I want to stress I would welcome you here if that was what you wanted. I also must state clearly that my opinions are based on what I have seen and experienced from my perspective alone. I dont know what all Mike or you have had to deal with or have seen, heard, etc. So I can only speak from what I know.
What I will fight to the end for is anything that keeps the focus from being on the community or anything that stifles the tallent and skills that are out there that have the new and innovative ideas. And freedom of speech comes with a price. You have to listen to those that disagree with you. I cannot STAND anyone that burns a U.S. flag I think its wrong to the core. But I will defend their right to do so at all cost because that IS their right.
I would also like to offer my apology that things got so out of hand, particularly with the accusations. As an Administrator I take full responsibility for that and not taking action sooner. That is on me and you have me alone to blame. My word to you, however, is that I will do a better job from here forward in keeping things from getting so out of hand and I hope you will forgive me and accept my apology for not having done so in the first place.
I hope that we continue to see you here, I hope you feel comfortable in visiting here and being a part of this community.
