Stick a Fork in Me.

I'm a dying species. I think I'm the only member still posting here who joined in the first couple months of this forum's operation. But the veteran-killing plague has finally gotten to me, and I think I'm done here.

To put it bluntly, the moderation here sucks.

I won't go so far as to invoke Godwin's Law, because no one here is anti-Semitic, as far as I can see. But it's a little like Pleasantville. No jazz, booze, or Technicolor for you, you crazy kids.

But Mal, this is a forum for writing, not some podunk free-for-all. We have to have rules!

I agree. Someone has to keep the wheels of give-and-take critique turning smoothly. And someone has to keep out the trolls and spammers out. But there is a community here out of which strong friendship bonds have been formed, and I think that it is weakened by the heavy-handed administration staff who feels the need to control every conversational aspect of this forum. Not to mention the hypocritical favoritism exhibited by unnamed admins.

The best Internet communities I've been a part of have had little-to-no moderator activity. Sure arguments break out and there may be some insults flung. But you know where you stand with everyone, and there's none of this feigned politeness.

I initially joined so that I could post my writing, but have since decided that I don't want to publicly post any writing that I'm serious about. And the only reason I've stuck around this place so long is because I've gotten to truly care about some of the members. But it's not getting better, and I can't come here anymore without wanting to shout at the computer screen. I hate having to sensor myself. Sad, I know, but it's the truth.

I know I'm not a favorite among the administrative staff. I like to be antagonistic sometimes, and it's childish, but that's me. This will probably be deleted, and I will probably be banned. But it's a long time coming.

If this stays up for long enough for anyone to see it, then I would like to say that I enjoyed talking to most of you. If anyone would like to stay in touch with me, I can be contacted through Facebook or either of my Wordpress blogs.

I'll probably give up and come back eventually. I'm lame like that. But until then, I wish all of you luck in all you do.