I absolutely resent...

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Very Respectfully To All Here...

AS AN ADULT CONTRIBUTOR HERE, I ABSOLUTELY RESENT the involvement and comments made by Matt- the Spice Place Administrator at Cathy's Chatter Thread: "Please ... call the White House".

June 15th would have been my 2 year anniversary at Spice Place and in that entire time this is the very first instance that I've seen or heard a single PEEP out of the Administrator - and then when he does pipe-up it's to state that "this is a food forum, only" (Excuse me sir- isn't the "Chatter" forum specifically desgined for- let's see- how does Spice Place put it? "Anything Not Related To Cooking"?)

Matt, do you realize that at an unprecdented time like this in our history- Spice Place is likely to be the ONLY internet forum of any type to squelch and deny discussion on this particular subject matter that remains so real, relevant, raw, and un-resolved to so many?

Your closing of Cathy's thread could have had much more honest meaning had you simply closed it- and NOT taken the opportunity to list several biased personal opinions afterwards. You could have taken part in the conversation and contributed that way if you so wished your voice and viewpoints to be heard. Instead, you imposed your authority to stop a conversation amongst grown adults and your rants made you look like a disgruntled sore loser who was simply throwing a tantrum about a conversation that may not have been painting your candidate in the most positive light.

The Gulf Oil Spill is a tragedy that effects all in very deep ways- especially our Southern friends, neighbors and loved ones, and to deny them the opportunity to share meaningful conversation about it is a LACKING on your part. Spice Place is a home-away-from-home for many. We are famliy here. Your putting your foot down and demanding the end of an adult conversation that many were finding significant meaning and healing in was a derogatory, demeaning and INSULTING move.

I think you made a poor and unwise decision and I for one will not support it.

Dear friends here- please do not lose touch w/ me. I may be contacted at: kjolomon@hotmail.com

I'm taking a break. I'm proll'y not gone forever, but for the time being, I need some space so I can cool off a bit...

 

[jglass]

We have had many discussions here where politics has been mentioned and some of them have gotten heated in the past without a peep out of an administrator. We are all adults and most of us are friends. We are capable of having a discussion regarding the worst disaster in US history like adults.
We want to express our thoughts and prayers to our members affected by this disaster.

As for this being a food forum well like Kev said this is the chatter thread for topics other than food. I am probably the worst one here for posting off topic threads.
We have lost a lot of our old regulars these days and most of them who do check in rarely post. Im afraid this action by the Admin is just going to make that worse.

I am stunned that Matt stepped in and closed Cathy's thread. I have to agree with Kevin on this.

 

[jglass]

I also wanted to add if this is just a cooking forum and only cooking discussions allowed Matt needs to remove the Chatter thread all together and state the exact rules of what is permitted and what is not.

 

[Mama Mangia]

Yes we are all adults - and we are a fine group - and we need to remember to respect one another.

There are certain topics (politics, religion, and s.e.x.) that can be quite controversial and offensive (yes, I know just about anything can be offensive!) and are sometimes better left alone.

This is Matt's site - and that is something we all need to remember. I don't think he meant to offend anyone or start anything - chat forums on any site are not easy.

The thread has not been deleted - just closed.

One thing - it's nice to be able to play with fonts and colors when posting - but sometimes it can come across as "screaming" and it doesn't get the attention (or the type of attention) you really want/expect.

And when posting anything anywhere on the net - everyone has their own interpretation of the posting - and that is when things don't always go so good.

Sometimes it's not an easy decision...........

 

[The Ironic Chef]

Sensor Ship Now?

What the heck Matt?
You go onto a Chatter thread where it's not about the food, throw in a couple cents worth of your opinion, close the thread and run off? Took your ball and went home. No more game.

As stated above, it's not like we are a bunch of young smart azz kids in here. We have formed a nice, comfortable group of people here that have become practically like family. A nice community. If you want to act like a Nazi Tyrant and start telling us what we are and aren't allowed to discuss, then this isn't the type of Forum or community I really care to associate myself with.

 

[jglass]

Yes we are all adults - and we are a fine group - and we need to remember to respect one another.

There are certain topics (politics, religion, and s.e.x.) that can be quite controversial and offensive (yes, I know just about anything can be offensive!) and are sometimes better left alone.

This is Matt's site - and that is something we all need to remember. I don't think he meant to offend anyone or start anything - chat forums on any site are not easy.

The thread has not been deleted - just closed.

One thing - it's nice to be able to play with fonts and colors when posting - but sometimes it can come across as "screaming" and it doesn't get the attention (or the type of attention) you really want/expect.

And when posting anything anywhere on the net - everyone has their own interpretation of the posting - and that is when things don't always go so good.

Sometimes it's not an easy decision...........

Some members here have always played with fonts and colors. I have never taken it as screaming. My eyes are not what they are used to be so I kind of like it

I do believe that thread was probably heading to a bad ending with politics coming into play but wouldnt it have been better to simply remain neutral on the topic and close the thread if he felt it was inappropriate?

I do think the rules need to be stated more clearly if politics is to be a forbidden subject. Most of us already avoid topics such as religion and sexual preference to aviod trouble.

Yes this is Matt's site but an empty site is of no good to him or us.

 

[Mama Mangia]

It's very hard to discuss politics (along with sexand religion) no matter what. It's just best to let it go. That is all we can do.

 

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I feel like I'm a kind and empathetic community member here who takes part and pulls his fair weight. As are all those here who I share warm comraderie with.

I care a great deal for those I've built friendships w/ here. A GREAT deal.

I'm also a very responsible adult- and frankly, though I respect a moderator's position and identify with the responsibilities it might bring- I didn't have a clue who the hell Matt was until yesterday- he's not said a hello- passed along a warm smile, or made a presence here ever- that I know of. And I didn't take too kindly to my very first introduction to him being two complete years after I've developed a deep and meaningful membership- and then being dealt w/ like a misbehaving child on a grade school recess playground. I was very careful in any viewpoints I expressed on Cathy's thread- and I feel the opinions Matt himself expressed far surpassed any that I shared- kind of ironic, really. If I earn a hand-slapping that's one thing. But taking part in a responsible, polite adult discussion about any subject matter is one thing I enjoy most about on-line forums.

I am a member at 2 other foodie forums, a schnauzer-owner forum, an Illinois history-buff forum, an Alaskan Tourism forum, a gay dating site, a gay Christian site, and a forum for poetry writers. ALL of them have multiple threads about this Gulf tragedy. The conversation at SP was the most civil of them all- w/ the most neighborly group of them all- yet IT was the one stopped. I will say it again- I resent that.

We're all human- we all make bad judgment calls- Lord knows I have. And in my view Matt made a bad, bad call this time. He'll either own it- or he won't But that's MY two cents on the matter.

Love ya all- every one.

 

[Mama Mangia]

Kevin - I agree that what was written on this forum was better than what I had seen on other forums about BP/oil.

I just don't want to see this break up our family that we have here.

 

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

I am glad I was able to vent my anger and frustration over a subjec that is of absolute and critical inportance to ALL OF US!!! The tides that carry this oil have taken it over to Florida...that means it has traveled not only the coast of Louisiana, but also Mississippi, Alabama, and now Florida. I spoke with an Insurance Agent over in Texas this past week, he is heart-sick and worried to death the way things are going this will get over to Texas and also down the Gulf Coast of Mexico and then to Central America and South America in time. If it continues in the Gulf Stream current it will wash thru Key West, FL and make it's way into the Atlantic Ocean in time. It is of such critical importance I honestly from my heart believe the head and chief Commander of our Country should be SHOUTING orders to everyone around him to "GET IT STOPPED AND NOW"! This is an undoing of thousands and thousands of miles of delicate and beautiful salt water shores, salt water creatures & shore birds and it shall have a evestating effect for many many years to come. To take this in stride and be lackadasial about is utter foolishness! This is not an event to ***** foot around and try to be politically correct about, I'd rather put my foot in my mouth and go down kicking and screaming, hoping that if I raised enough rukus something would get done! If I have stepped on Matt's toes I apologize Matt, I did not mean for you or ANYONE to take it personally and I meant in no way to hurt anyones feelings, and here at SpicePlace least of all!!! Thank You Kevin, Thank You Janie, I.C., MamaM and everyone for understanding my angst. I have two sons who live down there and their livelihoods are built upon the Gulf of Mexico! And it is not jut my children and grandchildren who will suffer we all will! I am going to keep calling the White House and make my voice be heard. When I call I am polite and try to be well spoken and make my point, the operator I speak to always thanks me for calling and voicing my opinion. I want "The Powers that be" to know we care and are holding them ACCOUNTABLE for our countrys' well being!!!!

 

[Mama Mangia]

We all have the same feelings about this - the thread was closed - and this one may be if it keeps up.

 

[jpshaw]

The oil spill effects all Americans. Check the Stock Market. Being mostly retired a lot of my income is derived from my retirement mutual funds (read stock) and they are dropping like a rock.

 

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

The oil spill effects all Americans. Check the Stock Market. Being mostly retired a lot of my income is derived from my retirement mutual funds (read stock) and they are dropping like a rock.

I am so sorry to hear that JP, I do so hope you will be OK!

Now to change the subject...MamaM is right we gotta move on to Foodie Topics and I hate to upset folks any further. I posted a recipe here that is for asparagus under the vegetable thread I called it Asparagus Deliciosa for a lack of any kind of a name, but I think you may want to have a look & see if it could not easily be converted to low-sodium! It truly is delicious (that is if you even like asparagus) and I have learned a little cut apple in some veggies and sauted down with butter and Vadalia onions and carmelized (like yellow squash) really makes it taste so good and NO need for salt!

 

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I think it's appropriate for this "Matt" to surface and make a comment. That's now what I'm checking-in for every few hours... As a longtime community-member and active participator, so far I believe his style leaves something to be desired- and I expect a bit more out of a moderator's leadership. This is his opportunity to make things right...

 

[Mama Mangia]

Now to change the subject...MamaM is right we gotta move on to Foodie Topics and I hate to upset folks any further.

I'm glad you agree with me - yes we are all concerned - but as mere citizens - our hands are tied - the "powers that be" don't hear us at all - and they never will until there are some major changes.

Your recipe looks delicious! Thank you for posting it!

 

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

I think it's appropriate for this "Matt" to surface and make a comment. That's now what I'm checking-in for every few hours... As a longtime community-member and active participator, so far I believe his style leaves something to be desired- and I expect a bit more out of a moderator's leadership. This is his opportunity to make things right...

I agree 100% with Kevin and I am joining him in leaving SpicePlace. I am a little concerned when an absent moderator surfaces only once in a blue moon and then disappears. What is up with that


Anyhow I am friends with a few solid people here and we shall remain friends and we all know how to keep in touch, to all others I hope you will all be well. Good-Bye

 

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

but as mere citizens - our hands are tied - the "powers that be" don't hear us at all - and they never will until there are some major changes.

Your recipe looks delicious! Thank you for posting it!

You are welcome MamaM.
However, I do believe as citizens our hands are not tied until we just give up and give in. Our hands are free free free to vote in America and that is where we differ from Communism and Dictatorships, if we dislike the way our leaders have represented us we simply refuse to vote them into office another term! Dictatorships truly try and dictate every move a person makes and tries to suppress their free-will, Opression is disgusting! Think about it>>> There is great Liberty in a free country...

I pledge allegeance to the flag of the United States of America and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

I should not be censored for having an opinion! My special thanks and gratitude to Kevin for helping me to realize that this was a big deal, and that I am ok in everyway to think and feel the way I do, and there really is no harm done in the way I was expressing my views on the subject of the oil spill.

 

[Mama Mangia]

I agree 100% with Kevin and I am joining him in leaving SpicePlace. I am a little concerned when an absent moderator surfaces only once in a blue moon and then disappears. What is up with that



Matt is not a moderator - he is the site administrator. Many times he has been on this site and has not posted/said anything - but that doesn't mean he has not been on the site. Not every site administrator is 100% active with their site.

Matt has trusted us and our posts - knowing that we are all enjoy cooking, sharing and chatting. I have tried to keep known spammers from posting by banning them immediately and I have deleted those that had as soon as I would get back on site. When I was hit by dozens of spammers several times a day for over a week straight - all from the same ISP - it was Matt who put a stop to all that came from the ISP number when I needed him to step in. If I ever needed contact Matt - I got an immediate response.

We all have our own opinions - and like everyone else here - I respect your opinions. I hope you respect everyone else's as well.

 

[Katiecooks]

This response really hasn't anything too much to do with Cathy's post - and maybe it has everything to do with the outcome! Free speech is an issue with which many people seem to take exception - and evidently the erstwhile Matt did exactly that - perhaps to his own detriment! Looking foolish and churlish seems to come easily to people like that! Anyway, my complaint has to do with the fact that a cake recipe of mine seems to have been taken over by spammers and frankly I'm mad as all hell over it!
Why pick on me, I'd like to know? I couldn't care less about the individual's pushing his tax attorney status - but why not pay for his advertising? That's supposed to be the American way, isn't it? Is there really no way this can be stopped? Free speech be darned - but not at the expense of a perfectly good recipe, put forward in all sincerity!!
I may be a naive dummy, but there are now two people doing this and I'm still being used and I simply don't like it one little bit!! If the "administrator" wants to do something useful and worthwhile, why not work on stopping this sort of thing?

 

[Mama Mangia]

the spammers haven't just targeted your recipe - they don't care what they target - they don't care who's post it is - all I can do is delete their posts and ban them - I've spent countless hours hanning them as they register so that they never get a chance to post - unfortunately - I am only human - I have a life and many responsibilities and I cannot sit here 24/7 banning them all - if anyone here can do it - then let them take over