Though it may sound wrong for me to say being on the other end that may be frowned upon at this time....if anything, it is my belief that those on the host list will represent all of us if given the chance. You have my word I sure will. I'd love to help make this place an incredible experience in whatever way I can.
Censorship is not something I believe in...but compassion, respect and treating someone the way you would in person is something I definitely believe in....even on a forum. That's the only change I'd like to see as well as blatant trouble makers that are known to the community, silenced or disciplined. Notice I didn't say "banned". :) I don't even need to get involved with that as I'm sure the moderators know who those people are. I just wish they would come down on them a bit more often.
If I can help keep the forum clean of bot posts, help arrange posts in a better suited forum...answer questions, report things/issues to people higher up for anyone since I might possibly end up with a connection higher up the food chain, I will willingly do that for you. I will NOT use any powers I am given to mess with anyone. If I'm asked about something, I will just give my honest opinion while doing my best to remain biased.
The way I see it guys, I would *HOPE* that we forum hosts would be a voice for the community and any ideas we can present with your help might be super cool. I don't wish to lose any friends, rule with an iron fist, (we don't and won't have any power to do that anyway) use any power of persuasion to get anyone banned because we don't agree or force anyone off the forum for just being human. Let's see where this thing goes and all work together. We've mentioned in the past that there were times we wished the Bakers heard us. What if this is that chance? That's what I'm hoping for....I don't want to rule anyone but me quite honestly. I'd rather love the rest of you and make the forum and Sonar a better product. :)
Steve as for the guy you referred to and working with him, fortunately for me, I have never had any problems with him personally. I like the guy. I also can say there have been a few posts that I haven't agreed with for sure as well as the post you mentioned being a bit rough. I thought parts were true, other parts were harsh and a bit over the top. I've always had mixed emotions on the whole CH thing but my overall feeling is I think it's totally cool.
I don't have a problem with that forum or any of the people that frequent it and it doesn't bother me that some are forum hosts. If they don't represent whatever a forum host is supposed to be, I'm sure Cake staff will remove them, ya know? At this point no one knows what exactly a forum host is. LOL!
But getting back to the people I'll be working with...the one thing with me is, I'm not a puppet on a string...if I agree with something, I will definitely speak for myself. In a majority rules situation, I will not take the stand of the majority if I don't believe it to be the right decision and, one person's weight will not sway me if I don't agree.
I hate to even bring this up, but you'll see my point after. I can relate to what you're saying because you have a friend that you think the world of that I could give a toss about. He upset me pretty bad. I upset him also...it's done and in the past. It bothered me pretty bad that people that supposedly liked me could be friends with someone like this and act as if nothing happened. Then it hit me...no one should have to stop talking to someone because they offended me. I can't have an issue with others for not seeing things as I do, ya know? So, I totally respect that you like him while not holding it against you and that is the right way to be since the dude didn't do anything to you. That's how I hope you may try to see things with the guy you mentioned....if at all possible. :)
At the end of the day, I sincerely hope quite a few others will feel as I do or at least feel somewhere along those lines of just making a difference for the better with whatever privileges the bakers might give us. As of now, I have no powers other than my "hope" of contributing and making this a better experience for everyone if possible. If we can make this place even better than it already is, win/win. :) Hope all is well mate and that you don't think I'm having a go at you...honest I'm not. :)
-Danny