Ok guys, I'll give you my 2 cents for what it is worth both as a relatively short time member of the forum (May 07) and as the most junior of the moderators.
The last group of nominations got to be a fast and furious thing. It was getting to be a little over the top. People were being nominated who had been around for two weeks, some were being nominated with less then 20 posts to their name. No one is saying those people or any of the others weren't helpful, (they were) or that they weren't nice people (they were) or they weren't knowledgeable, capable, etc (they were). There was never any intention of removing peoples memembership in OTBS nor was that our intent or wish.
A lot of time and effort was put into this forum by Jeff to make this a special place. Anyone who is reading this knows how successful he was at creating a special place. This is a one of a kind forum.
He also wants to insure it's longevity and it was thought that a little longevity in the people who would be nominated and accepted into the OTBS would be a good thing to insure the forums longevity.
My opinion is he views the OTBS as far more then knowledgeable and helpful smokers, he views them as the guardians of this great place.
Dutch takes great pains to research a person's posts, their attitude and other factors before he places his sword on their shoulders and grants them the title of knight or knightess. This is a very time consuming process.
In addition some people were anxious and don't like to wait. And hey, believe me as a very imaptient person myself, I can understand that. It doesn't make them a bad person, it doesnt make them less qualified to be in the OTBS all it does it adds a little more stress to the usually enjoyable but sometime stressful job of a moderator.
Dutch has a very important position here. He is the only moderator who is also an adminstrator (besides Jeff of course). He is the only one entrusted by Jeff with that ability and in my opinion it's because he is a very wise and compassioante guy. Not to mention he makes a helluva great pot of baked beans.
Trust his judgement as do I.
As moderators we all different and spend varying amounts of time here. What we all have in common is we care a lot about this place, and the people who post and visit it.
Now Richtee I've talked to you several times in chat. You are a good guy, a knowledgable smoker, and a whole lot of other positive adjectives I don't feel are necessary to list.
Your resignation is hereby rejected and so are any others I read. You were all approved by Dutch and as far as I am concerned that's good enough for me.
I could close this post as Pig did with the other one, in an attempt to keep this from brewing. I'm not going to do that.
Instead I would request from everyone here to just let it go, refrain from the urge to add to the discussion that has headed in the wrong direction. Let it go for now and when Dutch or Jeff brings it up, then we can argue and wrangle and discuss it to our hearts content.
Until then, fill your glass, light up your smoker and let's get back to talking about something everyone can agree on; like a good fatty.
