This is a great discussion and exchange of ideas!!!!

And is exactly what I meant by my initial posting.

I would like to respond to some of the comments, if I may.

Adam: If you and Julian would like to add me as a moderator, I would be honored to do so. I would just want to have some common guidelines to work with. Do I think I could solve all the problems? I have been around too long to think that. Could I help? Absolutely. Is it the job of a moderator to keep everyone happy? That is impossible. The best that can be done is to enforce the rules that we all agreed to when we joined this forum.

Bobba: The fact that other forums get nasty does not mean that this one has to. I do not really think that some members think they are "better". I truly believe that they (and I am including myself here) do not believe that standards have to go down, because "that is the way it is". Quality will remain high, as long as we demand it do so. As soon as we begin to accept lower quality of anything in our lives, then the downward spiral begins. I think that humor is wonderful! The picture of James's car was a work of art. But there is a line between humor and crudeness that I think is not that difficult to see. If it involves bodily functions, leave it in the bathroom, not on the forum. And I don't think that a warning from a moderator when the line has been crossed is going to control the atmosphere and make it boring. In fact, I think it will let more people post their views without the fear of attack, which although you may not be offended, many people are. Can you relax here? Of course we want you to. But posting expletives are not relaxing to me, and I think many others. So again, I am saying that there has to be a balance.

Connie: I agree with you completely that there are not that many regular posters, and that the percentage of people that are concerned about the direction of this forum is higher than the actual count.

Dan Root: I am the first to admit that I have been guilty of posting heated remarks in some of my posts. However, never have I had to resort to using indecent or threatening language. If you think about what you want to say, you don't have to.

Tdancer: I really wish we had a 2 minute penalty box that we could place offenders, like in hockey. Then they are forgiven and let back into the game!

Nikki: I just really don't agree that being civil in our treatment of each other is a thing of the past! We just have to demand it of each other, and accept nothing less.

Mo_Bandy: In your example, most of the time, members will give a short answer, along with a description of how to use the search function. Some members even put direct links to the topic. I think that is the right way to handle it. If you see something that is not in that fashion, put in a better post! We surely do not want to lose any members...

and finally, to RGT: Your comment of "have a little class" just says it all!!!!

This time I will apologize for the length.....

:lol: