I think Vrael's response is a good indicator of what is wrong with the current rules, and the way they are handled. He has responded in a way that is clearly unacceptable for this forum, never mind this site, especially for being a Veteran and previous staff member. However, the moderator who handled the report decided to overlook that, most likely because of his personal feelings toward both Vrael and me, and how he feels about the message we are each conveying. I say "most likely" because there are few other reasons which would explain how a moderator might have deemed his post completely acceptable.
The difference is, I'm choosing to convey my point in a calm, respectful, level-headed way. Even now, with a member of staff having sanctioned Vrael's post, if I reply to him in the same way I will certainly be moderated. They would likely moderate both Vrael's and my post, to say it is "fair", however I don't see how it can be called "fair" to allow one member to belittle and demean another in an official site thread without so much as an edit or PM to them, while punishing other members who engage in the same activity, even in response.
I would have rather this not become the equivalent of bickering. It would be nice if (at least in the official site forum) we could have a certain level of respect for other members and their ideas, and be able to bring our own ideas forward as well, to allow everyone to speak their mind. I would have preferred having a discussion with adults, rather than an argument with children. Apparently some members of staff, both current and previous ones, have a different idea about the way the dialogue in these threads should transpire.
That being the case, I will break down Vrael's post the way he did mine, but I won't be using any bombastic, offensive, inflammatory, or otherwise loaded language.
This string of negative, disrespectful adjectives doesn't actually serve to discredit my post at all. It is literally unfounded rhetoric. The only person this kind of language reflects badly on is you.
Your post is trying to convince us that all the moderation on the sight is bad
No, it isn't. If you want to address my post, then address things I actually said. No one appreciates these strawman arguments.
You're putting words in the moderators mouths
No, I'm not. Again, if you want to address my post, then address things I actually said.
inflating your own importance
Again, comments like this are unnecessary and unhelpful to absolutely everyone.
It doesn't have to be "enforce every rule with an iron fist"
It isn't.
As Roy already tried to explain to you in his previous post, and I see you've ignored or misunderstood his reply to try to continue this point, I will explain it as well.
You specifically took part of one of my sentences, removing it from the relevant context. I never suggested that every rule is enforced with an iron fist, in fact, my statement indicated the opposite of that.
Roy suggested that we could be enforcing every rule with an iron first, and I said that didn't need to be the only alternative.
Again, if you want to address my post, then address things I actually said.
This is so touchy-feely (feelly? feel-e?) I can hardly believe you wrote it.
This doesn't contribute to anything.
Those of us who have been here at SEN for years and remember jerks like Devilesk see your problem as little more than whining.
Stating that the collective "you" of people who "have been here at SEN for years and remember jerks like Devilesk" all agree with your assessment that my post is whining is a pretty deceptive, and factually incorrect, thing to say.
I'm part of that collective "you", Moose is part of that collective "you", pretty much everyone who sees a problem with the current state of things is part of that collective "you".
If you do not have enough confidence to state your opinions as your own, then perhaps you should reconsider stating them at all, especially when said opinion is nonconstructive, inflammatory criticism directed at another member.
As for your example, Devilesk isn't here. Treating the remaining 20 active members like they are Devilesk is nonsensical and will obviously generate resentment among them.
The rules are outdated and are no longer applicable to the current state of the community.