Well a couple days have gone by, so I'm going to open this up again because I think this is an issue that the members should have an input on. Or at least be entitled to an explanaion.
I didn't think kishi should have been banned in the first place. I saw the image and thought it was borderline, but not something to throw away a four+ year career over. If Joe Newbie posted that image he would have been banned. If any of you posted that image you would have been banned. But if dedication and seniority can't buy you out of one mistake, then what are they worth? Kishi has been a very important figure at this board for some time. Would I have been banned if I did the same thing? I don't know, I'm not really sure I have that kind of status yet, but I might be able to talk my way out of it.
The main problem I have was with the way it was handled. Only three staff members were initially involved (some of which have taken the true 'easy way out' and stepped down), and this resulted in a ban without even a general discussion or hearing from the perpetrator himself. Thankfully this error was corrected by Shlup (who I think has been getting unfairly treated in this thread and is my main reason for reopening it), and we were able to 'discuss' the matter about as well as the Jews and Palestinians discuss pizza toppings, but at least we came to a decision. Kishi stays. Maybe he shouldn't have gotten his mod position back, but I think achieving such tenure as his would allow for at least one strike. When any of you reach that plateau we'll let you know.
My only regret is that I had the flu for the last few days and was unable to defend my fellow staffers ShlupQuack and Loony BoB in a public view. They have been getting a lot of guff over this issue, and I think this is unfounded. Look at yourselves before you cast stones. Would you turn away a good friend, a family member, a child just because they made one mistake? It was a cartoon image for crying out loud. They have been my heroes in this whole ordeal, for standing their ground and sticking up for what is right.
Big D, you were once my favorite, and my disappointment is great, but most of what I have to say to you was said in the staff thread and ensuing pm I sent to you (I didn't mean to get personal there, I was still a little under the weather and this stuff was really getting to me). I wish you luck, because that is all a coward has.
