Gentle Reminder

[Pam]

This is just a gentle reminder from me, Pam Blizzard, your host and owner of this board.

This board is privately owned. I bought the software that operates this board, and I pay for the server space where the software and all the threads, posts, avatars and smilies sit. The board is moderated by kindly volunteers who offer their personal time, to keep the spammers and cynics out, and to keep this a safe place to talk among Friends. (brief pause for polite yet enthusiastic applause for the moderators.)

But this is the deal: Because this is a privately owned board, when you post here, it's like I've invited you into my living room. It's like an open house. You are warmly welcomed here. You are invited to stay as long as you are friendly and are enjoying yourself. And as long as you also communicate in support of the vision. "Free Speech" is not guarenteed here, just as it is not guarenteed in my living room.

But the minute you want to critisize how we operate the living room, or my choice in decor, or how we moderate the board, perhaps it's time for you to say "so long" and move on to a place where you feel more comfortable.

We have a vision. And this board exists to complete that vision and to further the message that John Edward exhibits when he does his thing: That life goes on after the physical body ceases to operate, and that the love we share in this world also continues on into the next.

When conversations on this board start to stray from that message, then we stop moving closer to our vision. It's the moderator's job, and my job, to keep us pointed towards our vision. We do that be steering the conversation back to the topic at hand.

This is just a gentle reminder that this is a privately owned, moderated board, and that sometimes, posts will be deleted, and threads will be closed, and that no one should take any of that personally, but as a reminder that we're here for a specific purpose, and to support each other in our beliefs.

[MistyRose49]

Pam,
I had no idea you purchased the software for this wonder-full site.
Thank you. And thank you for welcoming us into your home wi th open arms.

IMHO, people should not be rude and should follow the rules even if they are on delphi, or any other board, as a courtesy to the host. But in this case, even more so. I would say the majority of us try to abide by your rules but no one is perfecct. However, you are the most gracious host (or is it hostess?) and I thank you for the work you put into this wonderful site. We all love you, Pam, eventhough we sometimes act like a bunch of two-year olds.....thank you for bringing John into our living rooms (or in my case the corner of some room that's not sure what it is , and bringing us together as a family. You're one special woman.((((((((((((((((((((Pam)))))))))))))))))))))

MistyRose/aka/CorriRose

[Pam]

Thank you MistryRose, though I wouldn't be so tough on our crowd as to put us into that age bracket, I will tell you that if I expected perfection, I wouldn't be able to post here myself ;)

We do run this board very, VERY differently than most boards, I don't deny that, and I don't apologize for it. This subject attracts those that are grieving, as well as those who aren't, but the first group gets top consideration whenever I am browsing threads, and trying to decide if something is inappropriate.

I know that there are many who consider themselves fans of John, but I prefer this to be a board focused on the message, not the man.

Thank you all for understanding, and for helping to make this board a positive place to support each other :)

[cbob]

Good post Pam. One question about the living room, though. Can we go to the kitchen and get a beer ?

[Pam]

Hmm, we'll have to think about this. We do allow teenagers, so I'd have to say the beers are off limits. Maybe if we sent the teenagers to bed at 11:00pm, then break out the brewskies?

I'm a bad whammajamma however, if someone can't hold their liquor, and if I have to bounce someone for getting too drunk, it aint gunna be a pretty sight! :jester:

[Aniel]

Wow Pam I had no idea that you bought the software for this! Thank you very much! This really is the best place to be. :jumper:

[mesch]

Pam,,,
wow I also had no idea... I agree,, when someone is invited into ones home.. that home should get the utmost respect! along with the gracious hostess of course!!
I also have a great respect for John.. his work is awesome,, even tho he is so very modest about it. I thank him daily for giving the world this open door. and I extend that thanks to YOU! for helping us have a place to hang our hats as we learn more about the world we live in and the one we have yet to see.
I felt soo lucky to just see John in SLC. and to know I was in the same building with him for a time. the energy is amazing.. even when you aren't in the same room. :)
again Pam,, thanks so much!!! running a community like this isn't easy!! but you make it look as it is.

[fredskeeper]

Pam, I respect your feelings and wishes very much, and I think you have every right to expect some class with this bunch. I'm really new to this board, but I definitely get a warm friendly respectful feeling from them. You can be sure that we'll do our very best to follow the rules, and to take some gentle reminders with grace. Thank you for making this possible. Lori.

[cbob]

RE: Pam, I respect your feelings and wishes very much, and I think you have every right to expect some class with this bunch.

If Pam didn't have any class here, there wouldn't be any at all...LOL.

[Flower319]

Pam,

I never knew you had to pay money to get this wonderful board up and running. Thanks for taking the time and inicative <SP> to do so. I'll try to not walk on your floors with muddy shoes.

And thank you to the moderators for taking their time to act as bouncers.

~Flower

[Pam]

Oh gosh everybody, I'm so embarassed now. I didn't mean for the financial fact to become the focus of this thread. The thread was originally started, to explain why I feel the freedom to delete some threads.

I often get angry or hurt responses about how "other boards" are run, and "free speech blah blah blah" and I only mentioned that I pay for all of this to show that those arguments don't go very far with me, and that I answer only to my own conscious when deciding what threads go, and which ones stay.

Tthank you all, for your kind understanding, and the public support :)

[mesch]

Pam,
don't feel embarresed,, your reasoning I think was well understood. I don't think many of us out here in the world understand the ins and outs of the WWW. I shouldn't speak for all. but I know I didn't have a clue!! I think it is important for people to understand it. I know you graciously give this community to the friends.. you give all ownership to make it hte best place possible,, but there has to be some control.. there has to be a mother ship ;)
anyway,,, just babbling on now, I should go to bed,, but want to read new posts and am so excited for Al and family!! gots t oread a bit more!! :) what a great place to be!

[black sparrow]

What a wonderful thing you have done for others. Most of whom you will never meet but we'll be eternally grateful for the opportunity you have given us all.
I'm sorry if I've ever strayed from the original intention but, like others I'm sure, I tend to get all excited when I am speaking on my FAVOURITE SUBJECT!!!! Life and death and beyond!!! I drive a lot of people round the twist so feel free to tweek my nose if I get out of line. Thank you for your hospitality. If you are ever in my neck of the woods feel free to visit my 'real' living room.

[VTFlowerGirl]

I too get tired of the free speech argument. Sponsoring a website is comparable to buying a bulletin board. You can put whatever message you as the owner want on it, and that's that. If someone else has a different viewpoint, let them purchase their own message board to say so. You owe nobody an explanation, nor should you have to pay out of your own pocket to sponsor someone elses opposing point of view. I believe in free speech, but pay for it yourself! :D

Another thing about the moderation here is that it does take some getting used to after free wheeling out in cyberspace. However to maintain both a secure and compassionate environment you must be vigilant to adhere to certain rules. Whenever anyone starts something or posts inappropriate comments and they are deleted, I always trust that Ms. Blizzard and her merry gang of happy moderators did it for a good reason. They've seen how just a single sentence can start troll wars and cause lots of unnecessary pain for their friends here. As friends we need to watch out for each other, and nobody needs that negativity in their life when there's so many other things to debate about.

As for security, as in real life, some people don't realize they're taking a risk or are the victim of a predator until it's too late. Because there are so many people here who are vulnerable, this website could easily become the target of those who might not have the best intentions. I'm glad there's someone who knows about such things keeping guard here, and I thank you for that too Pam.

[Jean]

Pam, let me add my appreciation for you and this board with those of others. I was 'lost in cyberspace' until I stumbled upon this site. I also want to thank you for the opportunity to meet new Friends here. Thank you!!! (Please rap me gently on my hands if I get out of line here.)


Jean

[Phigalilly]

I joined the CO discussion group at Yahoo the same night I found this site and find the negative and cynical posts seem to out number the positive so much that I hardly ever go there. My hope when I searched "john edward" was to find people who had had the same experience I had when I stumbled onto John: "Your loved ones are still connected to you." Yep! "...this is something that is driven by a belief in God." I'm right with you JE! "Don't forget to communicate, appreciate, and validate the people in your life right now so that a medium, like myself, will never have to do it for you." Oh my God. Pray and be kind to each other. How did this guy ever get on television talking like that?!
Everyone is of course entitled to their own beliefs, but giving even two seconds of energy to some stranger trying to force me to defend mine is something I have no interest in. So, allow me to take this opportunity to communicate my thanks and appreciation to you Pam, and all the moderators, for keeping this site a positive, comforting place to be.

[jess]

As I am the one who caused this thread to appear, may I please comment?


<Modertor's comment> - You are not the one who caused this thread to appear. :)

[GaGoldie]

Pam, I've wandered all over the internet looking for just such a place as yours. It actually took me awhile to realize that here...the members are truly sincere and caring individuals. It has been so long since I felt comfortable in a chat area that I actually have trouble typing now. Now with your board, I have a place to run to in the wee hours of the morning when sleep escapes me. I find that all my troubles can be easily put away for awhile, and I can chuckle with Ceoceo and laugh outloud picturing Naomi in he grocery store! Thank you, for having a loving heart, and realizing that sometimes it's so much easier when we can share our pain and laughter with truly honest and caring people from all over the world. Marcia