Hold on a bit! Please re-examine my comments. First, the official position was that there were board monitors for the sidebars, i.e., "Breaking News."
The sidebar moderators began over a year ago and Jim Robinson watched over us for problems. When he decided to make the extended trip to Texas recently, our powers were expanded to include the ability to pull threads/posts and for some of us, to ban people. Jim & John continue to monitor our actions and anything we do can be undone.
Second, I have no quarrel with pulling threads where flame wars break out and there is no longer discussion of the topic. I do object to threads being pulled for the nature of the topic, although these topics are essential to discuss as part of the direction of our country. Referencing monitoring every post, as I stated previously, THAT would be quite spooky.
We do not monitor every post. We rely on abuse reports as Jim did. We also FReep the threads as you do and occasionally we will spot a thread/reply that is in need of pulling before anyone reports it.
Third, you asked for input, and I do think what I expressed was constructive. I also believe that anyone can attest that disruptors purposely try to get threads pulled. My suggestion to ignore them is one to consider.
John Robinson has put in a weighting system to evaluate the credibility of abuse reporters. It is currently being used to rate abuse reports by non-registered members (some of who are AF'ers). It's still in the experimental stage. We also have become pretty good at figuring out who is abusing the abuse system. We read the thread/post before taking action
Keep dialog civil and something you would not be ashamed to have young children read, and our job of pulling posts would disappear.
Last, excuse me? That comment sounds as though you are directing me and others about what you consider to be civil dialogue, and since when is Free Republic considered a site for children?
I am certain the admin moderator was not addressing you specifically.
Rarely have I heard any dialogue that even contains profanity; morevoer, it is up to parents to monitor what sites their kids visit!
There are a considerable number of posts which are reported to us for profanity. You may not be reading the threads that contain them or we may have pulled them before you got there, but trust me, it happens.
Is there a difference between moderators and FAB members?
Some moderators are FAB members, some may not be. Only 3 people know who all of us are. Jim and John Robinson and the admin moderator.
Thank you for your response. Referencing the subject of moderators, I recall, when I signed up, that there was an explanation about the FAB, the reason for its existence, and a list of the members. After reading some of the posts about this FR procedural change, perhaps it is better to be more forthright.
This is just my opinion, and definitely, I have no clue about running a forum, but what has always kept the spirit of the mission statement is the candor. I do have management experience, however, and most posters contribute to the forum's success. Forgive my cliche, but please do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.