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Complaints about moderators/moderation: If you are unhappy with a moderator's decision regarding posts in a topic,
do not post those complaints within the moderated topic. Instead, inquiries should be directed via private message to the moderator in question, or up the chain of authority—e.g., a supermod or admin.
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Moderators are participants, too: Members upset about moderators should consider certain factors regarding what role that moderator is playing. In this topic, members complained about moderators while overlooking two vital criteria.
(1) Bells was participating in a topic outside her jurisdiction. Had she chosen to flex her authority as a moderator, she would state that explicitly.
(2) With me, there is a clear difference between whether I am participating in a discussion or exercising my authority. For those who have yet to figure out the difference, actions I take as a moderator are distinguished by certain signals: colored type (dark green), alternate font (arial), and, generally, a declaration that I am acting as a moderator (e.g., "Mod Hat", "Mod Note", "Mod Edit").
Members should remain aware of such issues before focusing their complaints inappropriately on moderation. As certain portions remaining in this discussion testify, you are welcome to argue with us as discussion participants when we are conducting ourselves as such. However, if you become upset with our opinions or statements as participants, do not complain about our actions as moderators.
