There have been *so* many articles about the current discussions on JU.

Breath in......Breath out

We have people saying it's "toxic" here but keep posting.  We have people saying they are going to leave.  We have others calling each other "morons".  We have yet others complaining of "censorship" because we moderate the forums in the slightest amount.

First, it is a phase.  This is an online community, and like all communities, some neighbors will leave and others will take their place.  Not everyone will get along.  It's just the way it is.

Second, how does it get cleaned up?  That's a good question.  See, the difference with JU is the forums.  Everyone takes the forums as a "right".  But, where does all the mudslinging come from?  The forums.  It's almost to the point that I think that the forums should be heavily moderated.  That is not saying that things would get deleted and people banned, but that articles going badly would get hidden from the forums and contained to the authors blog.  Why don't we already do that?  Because we let it go too long.  Now if somebody has it happen they claim that some power hungry admin hid their thread from the forum for no reason.

People need to use some common decency.  That is obviously hard for many.  They also need to grow a thicker skin.  If the forum is getting on your nerves- don't go to it.  Don't post your articles to it.  Or, take a heavy hand on your own blog.  We made the tools for a reason- use them.

In the end, the people make the community.  If you want to be nasty and bash on each other, expect it in return.  However, if you are nice to people, they will be nice back.  Don't flame somebody and expect that they won't do the same.  Admins aren't here to be "mean", they are hear to try and keep some order.  Just like you can't have a city without police, you can't have an online community without admins.  But, just like anyone, if you are nasty to the admins, don't expect them to be friendly to you.

Relax.  Have fun.  If it's not fun, change it.