Simon, I rarely post over here anymore. Though I do drop in regularly to read my favorites like Metatron and Amazing, I just don't contribute much anymore because of the pervasive criticism of my country.
You have really done so much for the X-JW world. I'm not saying that to sugarcoat this post, I mean it. This is one hell of a massive discussion board and it takes a lot of work. Even though you have assistance, it's still your board to run and still a lot of work and time away from other things you'd probably rather be doing. So for that, thank you both on behalf of myself and the rest of us who've passed through, and on behalf of the lurkers.
With this position you have also comes responsibility. You've clearly stated who this board is targeted towards. I've told you before about the new-found freedom of x's. All of a sudden they have the freedom we all now consider perfectly ordinary. The freedom of patriotism, of political speech, to openly love one's country.
To be sure, not all X's end up on the "my country right or wrong" side, but that's ok. But plenty of lurkers just might have some pro-conservative, pro-Bush feelings. Over the last couple of years, you have said some nasty things about us. Frankly I'm just sick and damn tired of it. Have you ever stopped to think about how many lurkers might get turned off to your, YOUR board due to this? Or from seeing the fates of "neo-cons" who disagree with you? What was it you once said about neo-cons? "Just kidding" is not an acceptable justification because it wasn't a joke. You know it and I know it.
I'll tell you something. It would break my heart just as bad if an airliner had've hit Big Ben or Buckingham Palace than the World Trade Center. Buckingham Palace even more so because I happen to like the Queen and the Queen Mum.
Best option in your situation is to rise above the debate and stay out of it. Your current approach is making enemies and most likely scaring lurkers back to the Kingdom Hall. The way I see it is what you ought to do is just stop with political discussion here period. In my biased opinion, you have nothing worthwhile to add. In my unbiased opinion, when you as board owner post what you do you only invite the hard feelings that develop.
As I said at the beginning of this post, you've done a great service to the X-JW community. I want to see your service in the form of this board continue for a long time to come. There's still 6 million good folks out there to reach, my momma and [step]daddy included. Re-focus my friend, get back out there on the battlefield you BELONG on! We're rootin' for you.
With Respect,
Mike.