An apology on behalf of the staff

[DZComposer]

One of our staff members had an overreaction today, and I would like to come out and apologize on behalf of the staff for it.

The person who was banned has been unbanned, and may return. Though it is worth noting that some of this person's behavior is not compatible with the environment we like to maintain at SFO, it was not dealt with in the proper manner that such behavior is normally dealt with.

I hope that this has not made anyone think less of SFO or our staff. It was out-of-character, even for the staff member involved, and I assure everyone that steps will be taken to ensure it does not happen again. It may not happen, but there is a possibility of some staff restructuring.

Also, if you ever feel a staff member has acted inappropriately, please PM me. I will answer as soon as I can. I know I have been unusually inactive lately, but I assure you that this is temporary. I will be back to my normal activity levels by Dec. 6 at the latest.

On a related note, while the debate boards have been a fun experiment, I am now seriously considering closing them. The debates are starting to spawn drama, and I do not want to deal with that. Especially now. I have enough stress with school projects, I do not want to deal with that.

In the mean time, please remember that the debate boards are about logical discussion. Hurling insults and mocking are NOT logical discussion. Also, if you do not like having you opinions challenged, please refrain form posting in the debate boards.

And once again, I apologize to those affected by today's events.

I mentioned no names in case those involved wish to remain anonymous. If they wish to come forward, they may do so.

[Wes]

I'd hate to see the debate board go.

[chaos_Leader]

My observation: the incident was a perfect storm. I do not support the action taken the staff member, but I can understand completely why the staff member did it. The user in question has been known to cause a stir in topics, but it was in poor judgement for the user to steer the counter-point debate off-topic and openly challenge the staff member's authority. That, and I believe the staff member acted rashly in the highly agitated state, and could have handled it better.

I don't want to see the debate boards gone, but I agree that something has to be done. Members that I normally get along with fairly well often become downright vicious in the debate boards, and I has made me reluctant at times to engage with these members in other forum topics. This incident is a prime example of why something ought to be done.

[Drasiana]

The debate board's been spawning drama before I or "the person" even became active here, and it's what happens with every single debate board on every single website that attempts to implement them. People do not like being wrong, and drama happens as a result of that. Debate boards are not "someone makes a point and everyone uninamously agrees with it and paps each other's tender egos" boards, but it is not unique to this one that a good number of frequenters of said board default to crying "troll" and "meaniepants" because someone disagrees with them and they don't have anything to make a rebuttal with.

For however much "you know who" might have came off as a big meaniepants, the behaviour of everyone else who has ever been involved in that situation has never been better, and possibly worse. "Nicely asking someone to lay off" doesn't seem to be a thing around here, it just instantly devolves into petty crying and "NO U" slinging. Being mature comes with a sense to be able to deal with the possibility that you are wrong about something, which is a possibility that arises quite frequently in debate boards. A good chunk of the members here actually can handle that and have shown as much. I have a decent amount of respect for people like Harlow and even AJC (spelling aside ) that I have disagreed with, but they have stood their ground in said disagreements and attempted to bring different points of view to the discussion without, say, devolving into trying to use their profession to prove they're "smarter" than the other person, or taking the Sabre route and threatening to go punch old ladies.

Calling for a debate board without the debate part is laughable. If you are afraid of someone "beating" you in something as petty as an internet argument on a Star Fox forum, then you can feel free to stay out of that board. Because I disagree with you on whether or not toplessnes is a sin doesn't mean that I can't agree with you about what levels in a video game are more fun, which is what this forum is actually for, and if you are so apprehensive of another person's differing views that you cannot engage them in any other situation then that problem lies in you.

Use your words like grown-ups instead of trying to skirt the real issues with patchwork rules and passive-aggressive complaints or abuses of power.

[Asper Sarnoff]

After carefull consideration, I've settled for what I deem to be the best solution. I'm hereby handing in my badge, and resigning from the SF-O staff team. DZ or Steve, I ask you to strip me of my mod powers as soon as you read this. The current staff team is more than capable of handling the running of the site in its current state, but should you want to fill up the empty hole left tby me, I'm sure you'll find a well qualified replacement. I wish any candidates best of luck in that regard.

I've never been particulary good with words, so bear with me. I want to appologise for not acting to the best of my abilities, or living up to the standards expected of a staff member of this fine site. I want to bid all my friends around here farewell, and tell them not to dread my leave. It's about seeing the upsides of everything, and now that I'm released from my duties, I can now expand my horisons to other places, both on the internet, and the real life which I've chosen to neglect. I will probably pop in someday to see what shenenigans you've all been up to, and knucklerub a few heads for old times sake. See you all then.

And now I'm coming to Unoservix and Drasiana. I want to thank you for opening my eyes in this. And I hope my word is still worth enough to you that you'll believe me when I say, hand on heart, I hold no grudges against you for this. I also want to ask you that in case someone else chose to bring up the same issues I've done, that you won't let my clumsy handling of it make your ears deaf to better arguments.

In the end, before we close the lid on the not entirely positive chapter that has been my modship on this site, I want to bid you all a most merry Christmas, happy holyday, and best wishes for a wonderful new year!

[DZComposer]

This isn't necessary. It was a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes from time-to-time. Overall, you've been a really good moderator.

I hate to see you go, but the choice is yours in the end.

[Redeemer]

Goddamn it. Well, Asper, should you chose to come back, even as a member, we'll always be happy to see you. Stay safe my friend.

[CrypticQuery]

Asper!; we need an automobile fanatic on this site, let alone an excellent mod with few mistakes on their track-record. Please, reconsider! :(

[Drasiana]

Whoa dude, no need to like, leave. The entire point here was that the situation was stupid. We can't let the stupid situations take over D:

[Arashikage]

Well, that sucks, but the choice was his. From what little I may understand about this situation, I can too agree that yes, in fact, it wasn't really worth leaving over. But I doubt we've seen the end of Asper, I can almost guarantee he'll be back, heck, he even said he'd probably be back. In the end of it all, things will work out.

[Fluxy]

Welp, I won't go 'OVER REACTION' cause well, everyone else said it >.<

Making a mistake happens. You've done a great job at moderating for quite a long while, and mistakes happen. Heck, if I'm not mistaken, the whole staff board has made even bigger mistakes, if not a few of them; And it's only natural. Everyone makes mistakes *Blah blah; obvious meaning is obvious*

Not sure if you'll actually see this, due to you leaving and all, but I'd really like it if you didn't leave. I know many others would like that as well.

[FoxMcCloud]

Damn Asper, I hope you take care, and I hope to see you back soon. You have been an awesome Mod and Member and I hate to see you go. Take care and have an awesome Holday, a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas! I will miss you buddy.

[chaos_Leader]

One royally horrid slip-up a reason to leave/resign your post does not make. I, and many others I'm sure, have have done far stupider things.

But hey, if you need time to step back and figure things out, go right ahead and take it. I bet you need it after all this.

[TCPeppyTc]

Asper, please dont leave over one mistake! People lose their tempers all the time!

[Dr. Orange]

Asper, it was noble of you to stand up here. It saddens me to see you leave the Mod team, but I wont question you choice. Hope to see you around still.

Horack en Voaich.

[Harlow]

Whoa, what did I miss?

First of all, I'm really sorry that Asper had to go, but they've told me that we was planning to "take a break" for some time before.

Second, I wouldn't like to see the Caucus go. People sometimes seem to forget that it's a "serious" section and don't really prepare or think twice before posting. Sure, I have had my own slip-ups and my own clashes with some members, but that helped me and I learned from it.

Conclusion:

-When posting on the caucus, be ready to "attack" and "be attacked"

-Think twice before posting. You're commenting on a topic that might be a very serious issue to some.

[Pgpaw3]

Whoa. I don't even know what happened but I'm sure it wasn't that bad. But if your sure, see ya round Asper Sarnoff