I grow weary from all the negativity.

[Vandervahn]

I think people cant wrap their heads around that the defining part of the rules is that moderators use their "powers" at their discretion after individual evaluation. Its right up there in the header of the rules section.

If all rules were always enacted as written, this would be a really poor place. Just imagine if you couldnt even engage in some playful banter because much of that actually violates a rule. The rules are in place to give moderators "legal" leverage if they choose to intervene. Being a probably 65:35 negative poster, I have never seen rampant censorship - and I´ve been in a LOT of heated debates.

More than that, I think one still has to respect that this is the private backyard of Turbine. You dont have to agree with your host, but you have to accept that they have authority. Personally, I´ve had 3 infractions so far. The last one was way over the top. The middle one was the least they could give me. The first was completely normal (Rule #17 alert!!!) None of it has any lasting impression on my view of circumstances we are in here. One has to accept that objectivity in this setting doesnt naturally mean 100% equal treatment.

In the same vein, while Turbine chooses curious wording in places, I dont think everything a Turbine member writes should be measured up to press release standards. Let them be a bit sloppy and conversational as well