I understand the desire for this, and I certainly understand that emotions are running high right now given everything that has been going on here, but I can’t help but think that this is a knee-jerk reaction to the current situation that is going to cause more problems than it is going to solve in the long run. I’m all for simple, just like everyone else, but this seems far too vague and leaves too many things open to question. I know the current charter is hopelessly unwieldy, and I admire sites that have simpler TOS’s, but the main distinction between b77 and those other sites is that none of them, as far as I know, aspire to be democratic. Unfortunately, that’s why our “rule book†got to be so complicated. But, it is what it is, and for a reason, even if the reason seems ridiculous right now.
Of course, someone once said that the constitution is not a suicide pact, and that’s about what the charter looks like right now. But from what I can tell, the only real problem with it is that it does not have a viable means to enforce it's own rules against people who would ... of shit, let’s be honest, against Hal. Can’t we just write a new clause into the damned thing - call it the Hal Clause: “The members of the board reserve the right to impose an indefinite ban on Hal whenever he pulls one of his goddam shit-fitsâ€, and be done with it.
I’m only being partly facetious here. I don’t see anything in the Charter Lite that allows for more enforcement of the rules other the vague statement that the Rangers will have “broad discretion†which I predict will result in endless bickering that will make this current blow-up seem like a Sunday School picnic.
Again, I understand the desire for this now, and good grief I respect and sympathize with what the Ranger’s have been going through. You guys have my utmost respect and support and approval for everything you’ve done, which has been far above and beyond anything that was ever required or expected from you. But I beg that you all just step away from it for a while (Hal is confined to the Bike Racks, let him sling shit all over the walls in there if he wants, nobody has to read it, or just turn off his posting rights altogether - nobody is going to object at this point). Take a break from it for it while and let everyone cool down before we make such a big decision.
Anyway, the poll is up for ten days, so I guess there is time to see what will happen, but, I’m sorry, I voted no. I hope that doesn’t make me an outcast around here. I just think it is a mistake. Sorry.
ETA - just because I voted against this does not mean I would vote against anything else in the future. I am certainly not married to the current charter.