Some people have expressed concerns that a warning on the first time is too harsh. I've given it some thought, so to clarify some things about this:
If you post something way offensive, it will be first set to INVISIBLE, or moved to our moderator section, so we can figure it out. It won't be deleted, so if you see your topic missing, just assume we moved it, not deleted it, for review.
NOW, about the warning. If you post something offensive *for the first time*, you will be warned in the form of a PM to you about what it was you posted that was offensive. This is a *courtesy* warning.
The second time is an account warning.
If after the first time, you take our private comments public (i.e. bringing the drama out more), you will be issued an account warning and a post-ban, the duration of which will depend on your previous history here. If you want to discuss things publicly, start a NEW thread, and do so politely and with an effort to clearly state your concern. Not an opportunity to whine.
Speaking of which, if you have a concern, do not toss it into a thread discussion about another concern of someone else's... make a new thread about issues that are seperate.
We don't want to dogpile on someone the first time they make a mistake... but we also don't want to encourage what I call "brainlessness", which is that tendency to need handholding... where you don't use your own common sense.
I understand that some forums allow all kinds of shit on their sections. We don't. We're not necessarily a "family" site, but some level of decency to the human condition, and some level of civil respect... those two are a must. So if you post something and try to tell me it's the first time mistake, and I know you were just being an ass.... we won't need to find "proof", because this isn't court. We'll just take action on you.
So consider the above as "guidelines", but under special circumstances we will be more -- or perhaps less -- lenient.
And that should be that. But I've unlocked the thread to allow some comments. Doesn't mean I won't lock it again if I feel it should be.