Whatever the context, there was an ad hominem attack in the quoted text. An attack like that, disqualifies the validity of any argument as it moves the discussion away from an rational one to a purely emotional one. I am surprised that some seem not see that point.
They do see it. It is just an attempt to defend the undefendable.
Folks, likely, no matter which forum you use, all messages simply go into a database, unencrypted. Any system admin with password of the database can read anything in there. Again, this is true of everyone using our platform, Xenforo, or Vbulletin, two major systems I know about. So don't use any forum communication for anything you want to stay secure.
Second, my rule that I have explained to the specific moderator is to expect any communication in private to be put front page of a newspaper! Disgruntled members frequently share what was said to them both here and in other forums. As such, we need to at all times remain professional and above board.
Third, as noted, anyone can report a message. This is how we find out about spam for example with members going around wanting to sell stuff, advertise, cheat members. By OP notion these people should be protected which is absurd.
Fourth, "private" texts and emails are routinely used in trial as evidence. Once you send something to another person, it becomes theirs to share, or not share. If you threaten me in email, you think you are entitled to privacy and I am not supposed to go and tell the police about it? Or the local news? Or the owner of the site?
As to my own policy, I go to extreme lengths to keep such messages private. I only violate that when it is absolutely necessary. To wit, I withheld that information for quite a while until I had to share it as to bring clarity to the situation. That an incredible damage was done to the relationship with the words written to me. I felt the membership's need to know was far higher at that moment than any ethical standards I may have in that regard.
I get thousands of messages from people. You don't see me airing them. So please don't spin this as some kind of ethical lapse on my part as to score a point about some other beef you have about me. This is not about technicalities. Very mean spirited and untrue things were said to me which I still kept private until I made the call that you should all know the truth.
Be transparent and honest in such conversations. I know some of you are very unhappy about the loss of our moderators. I am too despite what was said and done. Leave it at that rather than spinning another thread which divides the membership and creates more work for me.
