It was never "over politics." It was, and is, about how we treat each other, and what we're willing to tolerate.
When you have a member that regularly lashes out at others--and has done so for years--when he treats people with contempt, calls them names, insults them... what do you expect us to do? Nothing? We tried doing nothing before and it didn't work. We tried gentle engagement, and it didn't work. We tried all kind of measures and sanctions. And we tried forgiveness, and that didn't work either. So what, exactly, is left?
I'm not one of the people who messaged you about this most recent dustup, nor did I report any posts, although some of them were clearly out of line and should have been reported. Nor do I think you're doing poorly as a moderator. To the contrary, I've told you several times, both publicly and in private, that I think you do a good job at a hard task.
But brother, if you're going to maintain order here... then maintain order. There is one person here causing the disorder. It is the same one that ALWAYS causes the kinds of problems that prompt you to make posts like this one. He swoops in, unwelcome and uninvited, and sends rounds downrange, and it seems that it's only after the counterfire comes his way that anything is said and done, and in a "both sides" way when there is clearly only one instigator.
There are an infinite number of places I can go on the Internet to read profanity-riddled tirades and politically-oriented personal attacks. It would be nice if this were not one of them.
