Post by fred on Jul 11, 2015 14:05:31 GMT -6
I have read a number of comments regarding the moderator of these boards and I do not like what I have seen. So let me make some observations.
Diane Merkel is not simply a "moderator" as we view Bill Rini on the LBHA message boards. Mrs. Merkel began these boards, set them up through Proboards, and sold the concept to the LBHA back around 2004 or 2005 (when I first joined). The concept of message boards was not necessarily new, but her idea of a single board dedicated to the study of the LBH, was. She started them; she moderated them; she owns them. She can take them down at her leisure and no one would know when, why, how or anything else.
Diane's concept-- as I understand and have always understood-- was everyone was free to post whatever anyone wanted-- acrimony included!!!-- provided it dealt with the LBH and/or related topics. As other topics would some how get in the way or pop up in some circuitous fashion, Diane would re-categorize the thread into some new area. Only the very worst offenders or abusers were banned and I would be willing to bet you could count them all on the fingers of one hand. I know Bill and Clair believe they were banned, but I do not believe that was the case. An idiot calling himself "custerwest" was kicked off for posting almost obscenely pornographic photos of dead American soldiers, and that fool and his twin brother-- from Switzerland-- are still active with their own Website, spewing their own brand of ultra right-wing trash.
Everyone else has been welcomed on these boards and only constant complaints of people abusing others have been entertained by Diane... and then she takes whatever action she deems necessary. If she has been absent in recent months-- or for an extended period of time-- it is because of the most serious health issue one can think of. I am pleased to say she is doing better, but it isn't just fortuitous: this is a woman with more talent, more character, more strength, more understanding, more decency, than most of us will ever meet, and it is that character and strength that have helped her pull through. So for me, I take personally every shot against her I see, hear, or read about. She has been fair; she has been polite; she has been eminently helpful to dozens of people who have posted, asking questions, trying to find out about ancestors, or anything else to do with the LBH, Indians... and the like. Diane has always wanted this site to be a place where people can find out legitimate information-- pro and con, one side and the other-- about the LBH, George Custer, the Indian campaign, and the 7th Cavalry. Too much of the bullshit that goes on here detracts from this and offers people nothing but a historical mugging and an insight into how goddam stupid and arrogant some people really are.
Another thing you need to understand: she deletes no posts. You put it up, it stays; unless you take it down yourself. And that includes language, unless Proboards itself censures certain words. She does absolutely nothing like what Bill does next door. This is a First Amendment site!!! You say it... you own it. It stays up. Own up, in other words, to your own idiocy.
So... in summary... these boards are Diane's. She moderates them as she sees fit. For my two cents, she is the best moderator on any of these or similar sites: she gives you free rein. If you don't like it, then go someplace else. She has a 10- or 11-year track record, and like the army, she will survive and prosper regardless who leaves or who is lost. If these boards can survive the lost of people like Elisabeth Kimber, they can survive anything. And as far as I am concerned, anyone who does not like my defense or Diane Merkel or my attitude in this whole fray... well... that person(s) is also free to choose somewhere or someone else to play with.
As for me and my participation here, I am working on five new articles and two new books, and quite frankly I am a little tired of answering some of the stupidity I see. Anyone who would like to discuss this more privately, well, my e-mail address is easily obtainable.
Best wishes,
Fred.
