Hi all,
I would just like to say how very sorry I am that this issue has spiraled out of control.  As I mentioned, I recently had PMs from a couple of members who were offended by how women were portrayed in a couple of other members’ avatars.   Knowing the people involved, I knew that they did not mean any harm by their avatars and I incorrectly assumed that they would not mind changing them if I sent them a polite request by PM. Clearly, this has become much more of an issue than I ever thought it would be. I do not feel that this is about democracy or being intimated by a closed-minded minority. It was … and is … just a simple request from the moderator of a forum to please change an avatar. 
I have not asked anyone to leave the forum, I have not deleted any memberships, I haven’t lost my sense of humour, and I haven’t lost my immense pride in the pleasure that this forum has brought to many, many people over the past decade.  I know that probably thousands of you have formed friendships as a direct result of meeting on these pages, and I hope that there will be many more who do the same in the years ahead (without risqué avatars).
I am very disappointed that some popular members have chosen to leave the forum because of my avatar request.  I, like many of you, have enjoyed the banter, good humour and good advice they have dispensed over the years. I hope they will re-consider.

Fair enough... thanks for the clarity..

in modern day workshops, workplaces, public places, this is the norm and a legal requirement to keep it clean and non offensive..

its even a risk to getting the entire forum shut down...

I've had threads/pictures and posts removed and a very very polite explanation as to why...

you don't get an explanation on other forums... they just delete and that's it..

so come on folks..

you wont get a better or fairer forum like this one...

I too am a moderator on a 4WD forum...and have been criticised for being too harsh on a cuppla occasions....but it was the right thing done in the end.

A difference on my forum is that we have an exclusive mods only section where the mods can discuss an issue quickly before action is taken....which works really well...as the correct action or not is worked out.

It is mostly a job appreciated by the majority...and makes for a better place overall....in spite of some tough decisions.

Cindy,s job can be sometimes thankless and quite hard...but it is her job....and I believe she does it well from what I have seen...in spite of some detractors on here.And thank God they are a very small minority.

Cheers  Keith

All a poll does is show Cindy, the forum owner, where the sentiment lays. Cindy makes the rules and we either accept said rules or leave. Cindy has to take into account many things including legal, copyright etc. to make her decisions. So please don't shoot the forum owner or the messenger.

Aussie Paul. 

Thanks for all you do for us all Cindy.  You can't be more polite and honest than you have been.

IMHO you have acted in good faith and VERY fairly and by your PM's to members when required, followed the natural justice principles we espouse in Oz

Regards Baz

Baz421 wrote:

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Thanks for all you do for us all Cindy.  You can't be more polite and honest than you have been.

IMHO you have acted in good faith and VERY fairly and by your PM's to members when required, followed the natural justice principles we espouse in Oz

Regards Baz

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 YES Baz, Cindy sure has.... 

Aussie Paul. 

Glenelg wrote:

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yes Cindy has done a great job. but these 3 guys have been put through hell. this is not the aussie way. 2 or 3 people complain and the rest have to suffer.

NOT THE AUSSIE WAY OF DOING THINGS.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO COMPLAINED. bloody wowsers.

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Glen,

it doesn't matter who complained and its not worth getting all het up about it..

the fact remains that admin was 100% correct in their actions..

as far as I know only one guy threw in the towel but hopefully he'll be back again.. Doug is still here im sure.. he knows what an asset this site is and the friends of who he can form on here...  the advice, the life stories, talking out our troubles...

like I was saying above.. I've had posts deleted because they may cause offence... one was a picture of a Crocodile that I saw once that was so close I could have touched it.. it was beautiful...

but that was only from my perspective..

not to someone else though... this was totally explained to me in the most sincere way by the administrator..

once again.. I have to say that we can post on here with the utmost minimal supervision and interference..

I have written on many Forums over the years and I can say without hesitation that this one is the best I've been on..

I know that if anyone has resigned will be reading this ... SO....  I ask you to come back now that the heat of the moment is over and rejoin the fun and contribute as valuable members to help others take the step into being a GN...

this is what a forum is all about.. not one individual, but a collective.. we need you all..

Thank you Cindy. Your position is well understood. As you are aware I sent you a PM last night and I look forward to your response in due course. I wont make it public at this time, but I hope you will give my submission serous consideration.   Regards...Ken