Having been on this forum for a year or so I've noticed that from time to time threads are closed by various moderators. The reason some of them are closed is very obvious, but a "noticable" portion of the threads closed seem to be closed for no obvious reason. What I mean by "no obvious reason" is that it may be a hot topic but the discourse would be very civil. It makes me wonder if mods use personal preference instead of rules when making the decision to close and lock a thread.

This is a great forum but it seems to cause some animosity when threads are closed for no apparent reason or by personal bias of the moderator closing the thread. It seems to me that it would be obvious to even the most casual observer that some of these threads are closed by moderators who have a personal disdain for the subject or disagree with which side of the discussion is making more logical points.

That being said I have an idea that is directed at Terry the "troll killer". When a thread is closed the moderator should be named and a clear reason should be given at the end of the thread for everyone to see.

This would help matters in two very distinct ways. First it adds to and helps the spirit of what the forum experience is supposed to be. It help promotes good honest debate, and better yet honest and genuine moderation. Second, by posting a reason at the end of a thread when it is closed, it gives the members a sense of why it was closed and maybe keeps future threads from being closed by steering them away from that path. Some of these threads are closed so ambiguously, I'm not sure anyone, except the moderator who closed it has any idea why it was closed. If they were forced to give a reason why, they would not be able to provide an honest and genuine reason.

Last, the moderation should keep things under control and within the rules set by the Administrater, other than that people should have thick skin and be able to handle seeing ideas posted that they don't agree with. What's so ironic is that I am a member of several forums and the forum that has narrowest channel for civil discourse is the one filled with "bikers" and even more so a good portion are veterans.

Just my dos centavos.

 

I second that notion.

 

I agree 100%

And notice this post was immediatelly moved to a forum no one reads.

 

Yep, that is a reasonable solution. I like it

 

If its a popular enough topic it will stay on the front page of the "New Post".

 

Cool, I wasn't sure how that works.

 

I do agree it should have stayed in the "off topic" though

 

It was moved because it's a "forum issue". And no, I didn't move it.

 

You're a great guy Chickin and an asset to this forum, but I disagree.

 

No, it was moved to the PROPER forum.