The moderator issue is indeed a complex one.

It sure would be nice if everyone just sort of self-moderated, showed restraint, tolerance, respect, and were able to diffuse potentially heating threads without any official moderation, etc., and that the only real moderator issues were simple ones of deleting spam, sales, and scams.

I see both pros and cons to having moderators who are participants, but the most important factor is probably one of personal characteristics.

I do think moderators have a tough job, and it takes special qualitites to be up to the task. I do think they are necessary.

Cara