(Sorry, Dean, I know this is your territory, but I just got an email from someone who I sent to this site and he couldn't believe what he read. Said he'd never come back again, as a matter of fact.)
Not really Ricky. No need for apologies. I do not look at this as "my" forum, or my territory. This is really your forum, and is meant to help share knowledge and awareness.
But I have had some experience in trying to manage the many personalities that come to a forum open and available to the entire world. It is a unique venue. And like the worldwide stage, not everyone agrees. And not everyone handles disagreements the same way. Some are diplomatic, and some strap on bombs.
There are two ways forums seem to go. One is a free for all that eventually deteriorates into vitriolic nonsense, of no use to anyone. And the other is a sanitized overly censored place lacking in passion or excitement. There is a middle ground, and that is what I attempt to negotiate.
I too have received several private messages. And I have tried to answer them and explain my thinking. So let me remind everyone of a few things, and ask that everyone understand that like the real world not everyone will ever see eye to eye with any decision I arrive at. So just as we have to tolerate less than what we would like the real world to be, we have to be tolerant and do the same here.
Just remember that we do share a common interest. And it is good that we are passionate about it. Just like in the palm world (where I spend most of my time) I am amazed how heated a disagreement about an ID can become - even among professional botanists. So we are not alone.
But I have to ask two things to make this work without resorted to the bland overly censored forum I wish to avoid.
1) I will not tolerate any more personal attacks. There are ways to disagree without making it personal. If in doubt, then don't post it - period. I will suspend anyone who can't comply, with a ban for repeat offenders.
2) Get a tougher skin. Don't be so sensitive. Don't expect everyone to agree with you and have manners they learned in charm school. For some reason, statements always seem harsher when written down. I am sure if all of us were at a croton get together at a nice garden with a few cold beverages we would manage to have a very pleasant afternoon - and easily work out any differences with some joking and a smile. That is much harder to do here. So realize that and accept it as a limitation, and don't take every written word so seriously.
Dave has apologized here and to me in a manner I will take as sincere. So with everyone's help, let's not antagonize one another and remember what it is we are trying to do here.
