Everyone gets PMs like that. I think you believe that we are victimizing you because we have suddenly decided to review the moderating style. This isn't the case. You haven't done anything major to deserve any punishment (and we haven't even given any punishment), all we have done is warned you. The fact is, we have sent warnings and suggestions to quite a few members, you're just the only one who has taken offence to it.

Anyway, what's done is done. We may have dealt with it a little harshly and we aren't going to do anything more to you (such as banning), simply because you don't deserve it. You have done nothing wrong.

Your choice is simple, either stay, or go. It makes no difference to us either way. You are a friendly and funny member of this community, and we would be sad to see you go over such a trivial matter, but if you feel that you need to leave, then do.

Well I hope to God everyone's wasn't as vicious as mine. Frankly I don't like being called a "wayward and unruly child who thinks she can do a she pleases"!

And it is evident that You no longer care who you hurt or who you offend. I am devastated to leave this forum. But I do feel victimized. And I do feel picked on.

SG - and anyone else wanting to know - that PM was to ask you to be in line with the rules. We wanted to be discreet and respectful, in the same way we dealt with others breaching forum guidelines. The new rules are a revised set of what has always been in place. Unfortunately, despite being given several chances to post in line like most other people here do, you choose not to.

However, we're not saying you're banned - NOR do you have to leave. You're the only one of those (who needed to be reminded of these rules) who has chosen to make this personal and protest about something that was already part of this place. It's sad that you appear to think you're immune from doing what everyone else is asked, or that you're being singled out: Not the case.

If you find observing some simple rules that don't stop you from being a part of this place too much to ask, then maybe leaving is a rational reaction. That's up to you.

OK, I am really reaaly angry. I DO NOT think I am immune
I do NOT tink I am above the rules
I Do NOT think I can do what ever I please.

I am so upset I can't type and my hands are shking. I cannot believe that after all this time people think that about me. I have never acted like that! But if that is what you think then obviously I can do or say nothing to change that.

I think it's very unfair to come on here and quote a PM out of context. Thankfully MrsW has set the record straight in a clear and concise manner.

People DON'T think that about you. MrsW said it makes you LOOK like this, not that we think you ARE like this.

Please acknowledge the difference.

This has been blown so far out of proportion. The fact that one line of text has made you "so angry that you are shaking" says a lot about you. I personally don't give a shit what people think about me on the internet. I take "sticks and stones" to a whole new level.

I think you are getting all worked up over nothing. Is that PM really that awful?

If you don't think you're above the rules, good; then just follow them and stop all this protesting.

Ok Folks, there are clearly two different perspectives here.

You need to get to a point where you appreciate the others position. One feels hard done to and the others that there's not really anything to get upset about.

One thing i have learned over the last couple of years while studying management / human psychology and autism is that unless you fully appreciate that everyone sees things from a unique perspective - you cannot fully hope that they have received the message in the way you want them to.

It seems to me that one person here has taken things very literally and despite whether you think rightly or wrongly has become upset by this. I think this need diffusing, now.

Read

Read.
I hope the panic stops soon. There are much boards with harder laws.
And to SG, please don't leave. It was surely not meant that bad like you felt it. I am sure no one wanted to hurt you, I can not imagine that because the forum has been a very nice place till now and a lot different that some forums I've been to before.

Wow, what the heck is going on around here???
This was suppossed to be a nice and friendly place to hang and geek around about Elbow.
A few rule changes doesn't stop that!!!

If someone wants to leave... well there is a German proverb:
"Reisende soll man nicht aufhalten" - something like "you shouldn't stop a traveller" (TL - do you know a better translation?).

We always had the off-topic problem. Maybe this stops now.

I just don't get this disscussion at all...

Anyways, many hugs to all of you out there!! Please be nice again!!!

Read...and Sarah, you can always join me in the R.E.M. thread