Dear StogieChat Members:

As most of you are aware, I closed StogieChat over Thanksgiving so that everyone may spend time with their families and also to think about how they have been treating other members here on the forum. I received many emails during the down time both praising the action and others asking who/why. This is not about finger pointing because not everyone caused a problem and nobody likes to be singled out as a trouble maker. Consider this a fresh beginning but be aware that those who continue on the same path of disrespect to community members and moderators will be banned.

We all come from different walks of life and have different opinions which form our personalities. Unfortunately the expression of some members views has turned StogieChat into a rather crude place lately with personal attacks on other members, clicks, and the “my way or no way” attitude. As adults we should respect each other because there is no correct religion, perfect sports team/player, fair politician or anything else for that matter. Shouting back, starting flame wars, gathering up the posse, or just storming off the forum to never come back is just not making StogieChat a fun place.

As you look around the forum you will see that some topics are no longer available. Other topics have been merged into the general off topic area “Nothing About Cigars”. This is an ongoing process until things are all sorted out. Any topic area missing is NOT a reflection on any specific member for wrongdoing. It is merely time to get the forum back on track with cigar talk since we cannot seem to agree on other topics without a timeout chair. There is no need to focus on topics that seem to draw the worst out of our membership.

Moderators will be actively monitoring specific areas of the forum. Do keep in mind that while our moderators may have enjoyed a cigar with other members or are good friends, they do have a job of maintaining the forum with fairness and respect. Being a friend of a moderator does not grant the member any “God like” powers. It also does not give any member the right to put a moderator on the spot to act in their favor. Moderators do have the authority to temporarily suspend or completely ban a member for being abusive to any member, or other forum violation and will do so without injustice.

I highly recommend that members with any questions about proper posting and forum etiquette to visit these two great links that our moderator Fishhound found in the archives of the net.
Forum rules http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIyr5TXqe8Y&NR=1
Posting tips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9q2jNjOPdk

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and will try to also make StogieChat the fun place it used to be.

-ET

"Timeout chair"...