I nominate Foxy as the objective arbiter of free speech on this forum.

After all, as she clearly states:

<<Personally, I don't believe in tanking people's opinions>>
Posted by Foxy, Thursday, 5 August 2010 12:02:39 PM

Except, of course, when those opinions differ from her own:

<<Dear Proxy,
I want you to leave (this thread) please, as you
obviously are not capable of contributing.
And if you dare to bring up the subject
of "Free Speech,"…
"There is free speech and then there is hate inducing
vilification."
I've put up with you trying to derail my thread
through several posts - now BACK OFF YOU TROLL!

Go rant on your own thread - leave mine alone!

And Graham if you're reading any of this -
do something please - this guy's behaviour should
not be tolerated! He adds nothing to the discussion
except repeating the same old phrases with
malicious intent - its called "Spamming" and is
usually unacceptable on most reputable Forums.

I've had enough of it - he's a troll - plain and simple!
He does it to bait or provoke users into responding.
OK - I wasn't going to respond - I've ignored him
for as long as I could - but honestly, one can only
tolerate so much!>>
Posted by Foxy, Saturday, 12 June 2010 6:58:48 PM

and again:

<< I will once again ask both Al and Proxy
to either contribute to the subject of
this thread if they wish to post, or
leave the thread. This thread is NOT
about Islam. It is about the positive
contributions of Australian Muslims.

If you continue with your off topic
rants then I shall have to recommend
your posts for deletion. Because you
are breaking the rules of this Forum.>>
Posted by Foxy, Sunday, 13 June 2010 8:33:37 PM

Oh dear, will I be suspended for saying this?
I’ll have to watch and wait.

It looks like I'm going to continue to be the sole moderator of OLO. I was looking for some help because it takes an enormous amount of time when the odd flame war breaks out, and I suspect that they break out because they're not attended to early.

Some have complained about being suspended without warning. In the case that they allude to I deleted a huge number of posts, was only aware there was a problem half way through the war, and had to read everything to work out what was and wasn't acceptable.

I understand exactly how my parents felt when they said "I don't care who starts it you're all going to your rooms next time." It mightn't have been a threat in the finest traditions of justice, but when you don't have the time and resources for those, it works pretty well.

Someone else commented on a better tone on OLO recently. I like to think that summary judgements on a few recent cases may have had something to do with that. Some got light sentences, and some of the worst offenders got much harsher sentences and won't be back for a while.

I'm happy to be the moderator. It's sort of a requirement of running the site anyway. But I would like more active cooperation in policing it. Some seem to think it is unAustralian to notify me of a problem. I understand that snitching is not nice, but there is nothing wrong with taking ownership of the space and making sure others leave it as tidy as they found it.

I will rewrite the rules when I get a chance. The rule about not discussing moderation is unwritten, although commonsensical from the fact that generally discussing a specific moderation decision involves republishing material that was deemed worthy of deletion. So it can become a way of defeating the moderation.

"Thanks for letting me come out of my room, Daddy.
I promise to be a good boy...but she started it."
"No I didn't. You started it."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did not."
"DADDY!!"

Thanks Graham,

I've always liked the idea of people meeting to discuss the ways of the world - like the famous gatherings of Samuel Johnson and company - or the smokey cafés where the Impressionists and their ilk would congregate and discuss much more than painting.
OLO may not be that bohemian, but its reach is wide. It's a good place to learn and to share ideas.
It must be hard work to keep up with all of us, but for the most part the forum works well.

Hi Poirot,
one of my favourite reads was Boswell's "Life of Johnson", and one of my favourite essays, which captures the atmosphere you talk of perfectly, is Max Beerbohm's "A Clergyman". Maybe you can find it online? I think you'd love it!
Which gives me a good idea for a new thread..

Btw, are you still intending to do one on alienation?

I too think GY does a good job, all things considered :-)

No I do not like the idea let GY do it.
runner old son, if being totally against you makes me lefty so be it comrade.