NOTE: This was originally posted to ASAPM, but for obvious reasons, did not
go through. I am posting it here because I know many posters read both
groups.
First, I would like to say I will be surprised if you are reading this. I do
not expect this to make it past the moderation team. That said, I have
thought long and hard about posting regarding this issue and finally
concluded it is something I need to do. I think the people who are posting
in this moderated newsgroup have a right to know what their moderators are
doing, if only for the purpose of making an informed decision about
continuing to post here. As for me, this will be my last post to ASAPM, if
it even makes it through.
Recently a fellow poster and friend of many at ASAPM was contacted by the
moderators and accused of being a troll. This person was told they had a
posting history from many different groups using many different names. When
the accused asked for proof of this accusation, none was provided, and any
subsequent pleas for proof have been ignored. It is important to note here
this individual has NOT been banned from posting in ASAPM, so, of course,
the proof is not needed. I'm not even sure it would be needed if they did
ban this person, because the moderators can pretty much do what they please.
That's their right, being that one of them pays for this group to continue.
However, their power has led to abuse in this situation.
ASAPM is a support group for people with anxiety and panic disorders. By
definition, it should provide a relatively safe haven where people who are
already afraid can feel secure. But how can anyone feel secure when the
moderators are able, at whim, to accuse individual posters of "crimes" (and
I use that word loosely here) and challenge their integrity? The particular
case I refer to was especially upsetting to the accused because one of the
moderators was considered a very close friend. This moderator knew of the
difficulties this person was having in their life outside of the group, and
still chose to "kick them when they were down", so to speak.
Friends, how can we feel safe here anymore? I would put to you that this was
never the safe haven many perceive it to be. I suspect the moderators have
been abusing their power for some time, given the number of trolls on the
subject in other related newsgroups. Yes, I know, those are "trolls", right?
But I sense a grain of truth in some of their statements, especially in
light of this incident. However, as I said before, that is their right--one
of
them "owns" the group and anyone that individual chooses as a moderator is
probably carefully selected based on their ability to do as told. If they
don't, I bet they aren't a moderator for long.
I am posting this because I feel the treatment of the accused is beyond
belief. Anyone who knows this person knows they are not capable of being a
troll, for many reasons. When it first happened, I wondered what business
the moderators of ASAPM had going out and monitoring other newsgroups for
our posts. Yes, that's right, they are monitoring other newsgroups--or at
least one of them is. What right do they have to ban one of us from ASAPM
for something we said in, say, alt.games.Monopoly, as long as we're behaving
ourselves here? Unless we are doing something particularly heinous in the
Monopoly group, I say they have no right. You might be saying that too, but
guess what? They DO have the right--it is written in their charter.
I think it's wrong for the people who are in charge of this type of group to
abuse their power and attack those they are supposed to be protecting with
their moderation. I think it's wrong that a decent, kind person has had
their integrity questioned for no apparent reason. Many of you know me as
well as anyone can know someone on a forum such as this. I am not one to
take up a cause lightly. It takes a LOT to draw me out. When a previously
banned poster slandered me and my friends on the unmoderated forum, I did
not respond. I also did not respond to that person's emails. It was not
important to me to do so. But this is, if only because it has hurt a very
dear friend of mine very badly. This person is a friend to many of you, as
well.
I do not fault anyone for not speaking up. Our disorders to make us reticent
to stick our necks out. And I'm sure many would not perceive this as a big
deal. After all, the accused can still post, so what harm has been done?
Well, I've talked to this person, and I say plenty of harm has been done,
and with no warning, either. How would you like it if the moderators
contacted you and accused you of something you know to be false, then
refused to provide you proof, and went on to say they will still allow you
to post. Would you want to post after that? I'm betting not.
Who will be next? Well, quite obviously, I will, because I have dared to
speak against the moderation techniques used in ASAPM. I think it's probably
just as obvious I couldn't care less. If the price I have to pay to post
there is to measure my every word, evaluate who I dare keep company with,
and make sure I don't do anything to offend the ruling parties, then I
choose not to pay that price.
So, moderators of ASAPM, don't bother contacting me to inform me I've been
ousted--your power play will fall on deaf ears. Your opinion does not matter
one bit to me, since you've proven yourselves to be, at best, severely
lacking in judgment.
As for the rest of my fellow posters, I apologize if this post upsets you.
There are some who would argue that perhaps it should, and perhaps that
should be my intention. After all, I only wrote it to make sure everyone is
aware of what is going on. You now have as many of the facts of the
accusation as the accused has, so you can draw your own conclusions. But I
am not a person who enjoys upsetting others, though it may be a necessary
evil. So again, I am sorry. I understand if many, or all of you, choose to
ignore me in the future. I'm willing to take that chance because I believe
that someone has to speak out against tyranny, and I am just foolish enough
to do so.
Dawn
ASAPM's Moderators 
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