I can't help but think that the mods have been a little heavy-handed here.

RuDe and I have fundamentally different opinions about the way this world works, but we weren't insulting or abusive to each-other (in any way, shape or form) in our debate. If anything, given the distance between us on this matter, we were as polite as polite can be!

There are plenty of people in this world I disagree with, who I still like. RuDe is one of them. And the reason I like this forum over every single other DJ-related one on the internet is precisely because people here can talk about contentious issues without them turning into either slanging matches or pissing contests.

RuDe still seems to be the decent chap I've always taken him for and I can't imagine his opinion of me has changed in anyway, regardless of our conversation in that thread.

There really was no reason to lock it.

There's no denying the quality and content of what was written (from every party involved).

However the content did stagger way off topic in comparison to the original discussion.
It would be very difficult for someone that was affected by the 9/11 attacks to read the theory that their own government was behind it; whether it is true or false.

I have engaged in debatable topics with you before Charlie and always found you're position in the argument well thought out and justifiable. However, arguments of a political nature can turn nasty. I'm not suggesting you, Rude or Ryan would have started a slagging match but if you have ever looked over this forum from previous years (in the Gab Bag) you would see heated political exchanges turned into personal attacks and confrontations.

I'm very aware this could also turn into a 'For or Against' thread debating why Jay was right or wrong to close that other thread. He was simply implementing the rules (i.e. no off-topic posts) as laid down by Pioneer, before a problem was given the opportunity to present itself.

Hey the thread was well written, but even so it was going in a direction that I felt was not going to serve the forums underlying purpose. That's why I locked it.

Remember, I read all the posts so I read all of it and didn't feel you two were attacking or even out of line but just not heading where I thought it should go for the forums....

Just so you guys know, I never take offense just because someone disagrees with me. Thanks for making it clear though Cheeba, I humbly respect what you all have to say and never once felt that I was being insulted. I also understand the reasoning for locking the thread down Jay, but it was just harmless rhetoric.

I am a born and raised American, Pasadena, CA. Four generations of my family dating back to the turn of the century (1900) were born there. I did six years in the U.S. Army, U.S. & Europe from 1984 to 1990. MOS 19 Delta (Cavalry Scout), rank E5 upon my honorable discharge just after the beginning of the first Gulf War. After that I completed 6 years in the CA State University Psychology & Philosophy Masters programs and also majored in business & economics while working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

I have flown an American flag everyday since 9/11 because in my opinion, a part of America died that day. I love my country and would die for it!!

I'm in love with the ideals of what our forefathers intended for this country, not what I see going on today. I do not hate the U.S.A. !!! I just think that our government is flawed and I do think there is an agenda. The U.S. (it's real people) and the government (most likely the Fed & large corps) are 2 different entities as far as I'm concerned. What I mean by that is... I love the capitalist democracy that this country was intended to be, not the socialist new world order I see coming.

I will make no apologies for what I said because they are only my theories, not gospel and I am not an authority on any of it. If anyone was offended then they need to go back to bed and wake up again, this time on the RIGHT side of the bed. The real world can be an offensive place, it is not nor will never be a fair place. I don't say "death to the imperialist Obama!" Or "The infidel U.S.A. sucks and should be destroyed", or would I ever say anything like that, I don't believe that way. I am not a revolutionist or a muck stirrer and I don't back any militias. The U.S. is still the greatest nation on earth!

I am simply an arm-chair conspiracy theorist spouting off his thoughts, I never said I was humble but being outspoken is not my intention. Maybe I should add a disclaimer to my statements. My words are only theories not to be taken seriously and are definitely not being shoved down anyone's throats, so please don't allow yourselves to be offended... I wasn't talking about anyone specific.

That last message was for anyone who may have been offended by my statements. This same discussion occurred on the Virtual DJ forums and the same thing happened.

Myself and a couple of other guys got slapped by the mods for what we were saying, both in the thread and more seriously in PMs. They locked it down there too, lol. Now they are going to implement a new addition to the forum for this type of topic.



Paul