So it's come to this, Ken. I'm going to sadly suggest to you that you consider taking your leave of this place, for real this time. Not because it's right or just or all that, but because, finally, it seems obvious that we all just can't get along.

It also seems that your efforts to drum up support for your cause have had quite the opposite effect. So here's an opportunity for all to respond in kind to me should you think that this is an overly harsh reaction. Believe me, I'm not going to argue the point now that I've broached it. I'm not looking to make this a referendum either, so don't feel like you need to chime in again on top of what's been said in the spammin' thread.

I'd just like to see the whole thing get settled.

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I agree with you, tsuwm. I never thought it would come to this. AWAD is under threat of losing, at least for me, the quality of the entertaining escape... a haven for serious lexical questions as well as for puns, a refuge for erudite etymology discussions (of the kind that would leave many of our near and dear glassy-eyed, as was brought up in another thread), a forum for learning about speech and ways of folks in other parts of the world... a cyber-land where you can say something and presume your interlocutors are kindred spirits (at least to a certain extent) who won't distort your words beyond all recognition, since we are all fairly intelligent and interested in language or we wouldn't be here in the first place. This forum is too good for such pettiness. And here's an emoticon:

I too have been saddened by the situation. I agree whole-heartedly with Tsuwm & AnnaStrophic and am putting my reply here. I have decided to read posts until the nonsense starts up and then I will just switch threads immediately.

I have loved this place for learning of words, new ideas, growth and encouragement it offered, but not recently.
I have never minded the difference of opinion because that too is thought-provoking and sometimes fun but what I object to most is the personal attacts in a public forum.
That is not why I am here. I don't care to read any of it when it gets out of hand.