Hi everyone,

I've been reading along forum feedback with interest, refraining from comment mostly because I haven't been able to formulate what my thoughts actually are. But, I'll attempt, at least in part~ and this response addresses a few things I've read on other threads as well.

I'm not placing a vote one way or the other on this particular vote because I don't have a strong feeling one way or the other. I have only minor concerns about BT that I'm hoping will improve, and that is in regard to the banning policy....which I think needs to be reconsidered. I'm not aware of most bannings, and there was just one that affected the forum I'm on that I felt was unfair. I think that overall communication needs to improve as well particularly in regard to this downtime. While the downtime has been difficult, I think the much greater difficulty was the lack of any updates. Hold tight? Move on? Getting word out is not that difficult, even without access to the front page of the forum. Look how quickly word of BT2 got out.

There was a time where BT moderators seemed almost too patient, letting things spin way out of control, and then more recently was a shift to banning sometimes without any warning at all.

I like what Doc John said~ "It's amazing how, when you treat people with dignity and respect and spend a few moments with them, you can often help people better understand one another." BINGO. This takes an investment of time, and it also takes a person gifted at doing so, but I believe Doc John is so right about this. Conflict isn't about winning or losing, but learning to understand and accept one another/ other points of view. Of course, some people are out just to cause trouble...and they may need to be banned.

We did have one member of the Gluten Sensitivity board banned without warning for a minor offense, by mentioning her newly opened gluten free bakery offered a discount to support groups with large orders (violation:selling). She had been a member of BrainTalk for a year or so, and we all eagerly anticipated the opening of her bakery. Nobody on the GS/CD forum had a problem with her post~ someone from another forum stumbled upon it and complained. A simple request asking her not to post about sales, discounts, etc, would have been all that was required, and I'm certain she would have complied with that request in the future. Instead, she was banned without warning, end of story, with no recourse. Many of us wrote emails of support, but again...we all must worry about ourselves being banned for doing so, and there really isn't any mechanism for appeal. Otherwise, our particular forum has been a happy place. I am not aware of most bannings or the circumstances thereof. I do believe if someone repeatedly and purposefully disrupts the forums, after several warnings...they should be banned.

I personally have no problem with this new board remaining open to meet the needs of some of the displaced (banned) or disgruntled BrainTalk members, and others who just think it seems like a great new place to be. I think it would be a great place, too, but I do have a certain loyalty to BrainTalk. Afterall, it is where I found answers to my family's many health problems. We all form our own opinions based on our individual experiences, and so far, mine have been mostly good at Braintalk. I understand that others may not be able to say the same.

Doc John originally opened this forum to fill a short term need until BT got back on its feet. Now a new need is showing itself from those previously banned at BT or unhappy with the management of BrainTalk. Again, he is stepping up to the plate and giving it consideration, and I don't see anything wrong with that. It's a big world...and there is room for many forums. It isn't a competition or stealing members or any of those things, IMO.

People are right when the say people want different things out of forums.

There are those who are there for one reason and one reason only...emotional support.

There are some who come in search of possible answers to their medical problems when they have dead ended in the doctor's office. That is where I was when I entered BrainTalk in Fall of 1999, and I did find answers for myself and my girl's thanks specifically to 4 or 5 BrainTalk members who gave me good leads and helped me put my family's puzzle together.

Then there are those standing by who have already found answers to their medical problems, and remain to spread the word so that others may find answers, too. This is where I am now. I'm happy and healthy, and want to spread the word about what I have learned that our doctor's aren't telling us. I believe those of us in this group are the ones accused of being egotistical or practicing medicine without a license, and I think that is a gross and unfair misrepresentation. I, and others, have explained a million times over that new posters post every day, and new lurkers are reading every day...and some important information that our doctor's are missing bears repeating over and over again for NEW READERS. Still, I have for the most part backed out of other forums except for very occasional visits, leaving a few posts in the Stickys, hoping that people will find them and stumble on over to the GS/CD if they want to know more. For every general gripe I hear about repetitive posting (not always targeted at me, but might as well be), I receive several thank you's. I guess that keeps me going because I am helping some people find answers to their health problems. I am sure not in this information business for the money I'm making , and I promise you it is not to pump my ego. You'll have to take my word on that. People who have found answers to serious medical problems that were stumping the doctors, especially simple answers like diet and nutrition in some cases, become passionate about sharing this information...in hope it may be the answer for others as well. For those who are annoyed by repetitive posts (and I can understand that), there is the IGNORE function that may be used to block them.

Lastly, I suppose there are some who participate in forums mostly to entertain themselves by causing trouble, but they are miniscule in number.

In any case, I can appreciate we all land in these forums for related, yet still different or evolving needs. I can appreciate that our needs are even conflicting at times, for some. So, as far as I'm concerned... yet another forum is fine by me.

Thanks for listening. I guess this was my vent in the safety zone. I am heading off on vacation tomorrow night, and hope when I return a week later that the original BT might be up~ and that productive discussion may continue to evolve both here and there. People do need an opportunity to be heard or the resentment festers and lingers which is evidenced by the fact that some of bannings represented here occured years ago.

Cara (jcc)
(Who is in the awkward place of being one of the top posters at BrainTalk, and thus accused of ridiculous motives. I would vote to have the number of posts count eliminated, and let a join date, or BT member since year such and such, suffice. I do think it is nice to know whether someone has been around a long time, or is new to the community.)