[quote=@Kangaroo]
I'm happy for this thread to continue as a discussion rather than an argument, which it is threatening to turn into. Once again, I cannot comment on the events that happened because I wasn't there at the time. 

However what I will say that intentionally insulting a member of the staff, especially if you're unfamiliar with them is not a great idea. Yes staff make mistakes just like any other user, but that is not an invitation to go open season on them.

To me, mistakes were made on every side and finding a path forward is gonna take some compromises from everyone.
[/quote]

Nah, I feel as though this type of sentiment is erroneous because of how it presupposes that both sides are equally at fault in every way and everyone is equally to blame. I think that the staff should be held to a higher standard. When they make mistakes, they should own them IMMEDIATELY. They are meant to be placed on a pedestal. They are meant to be exemplars. It is very different when a random user slips up and acts like a meanie and when a staff member acts like a meanie. With great power comes great responsibility (I learned that one off a fortune cookie), which is to say that it is much more damning and much more shocking when a pillar of the community acts out in such a way.

What mistakes were made on a regular user's side? What sort of concessions will regular forum users have to make in order to have some positive change occur in how this site functions? Will me or anyone else critical of the administration have to take a vow of silence never to speak ill of the mods if you guys fix your stuff? Will people have to apologize for being in Valhalla, or else you won't change anything? It doesn't make sense. OK some people did some stuff that some other people didn't like, but does that discredit their argument? No. Does that change anything about the truth of the matter? No.

It doesn't make sense to try and act as though "everyone's made mistakes so lets just be nice and hold hands and sing kumbaya". Sorry if this seems harsh but it's frustrating seeing this kind of argument made that tries to create some sort of non-existent parity between two conflicting viewpoints. President Trump got crucified for saying something like this (even though I think he was correct), so how is it any different in this context?