Why did my RIP Ft.Hood Soldiers thread get deleted?

[Bografan]

I know that your new, forward-thinking steamlined Brewhaha Free corporate image for these forums doesn't include room for non-beer discussions of any kind, BUT there is something I would like to say.

I posted a thread expressing grief, condolences and sorrow about the tragic events here in my home state at the Ft.Hood military base. I only noticed one `boderline' type comment, and I replied to someone else's comments around 9pm last night. All in all, I thought it was pretty civil.
Now, this morning, I find the entire thread has gone the way of the dodo. Not locked, but gone. I can't find other folks who are concerned, I am not able to share my feeling or thoughts with anyone else on the subject (which I would have probably just started doing in PM instead of a public thread) and I'd really like to. How about just locking it so folks can still access the info?
It's the wholesale deletion of threads that have folks pretty peeved. If you're going to do stuff like this, remember to be as "even-handed" about thread deletion all across the board. How do I get pesky DNA stains out of a blue dress? Axe it!! A brewing legend died and someone wanted to express grief? Make sure it's deleted. Another national terrorist attack? That too shall need some deleting mojo. YOUR home town explodes from a gas pocket? That's a deletin'. Your Labrador brewing buddy passes on after 17 years? DELETE IT! When will I get to a topic you care about? I know this is your site, your forum, your rules, blah blah blah. But in my opionion, you're screwing it up.

Cheers from a Customer No Longer-
Bografan

[Brewhobby]

+1

[SwashBuckling Drunk]

+2

[Tomthebrewer]

+3

The absence of an off-topic board has given this place an unfriendly feeling lately. It's like big brother is looking over your shoulder waiting for you to post something non-brewing related. I understand it's a BREWING forum, but it's the only forum I even look at. What's wrong with people with a common interest having a place to joke around, express concerns, etc. Of course, we could go to another forum, but I like THIS group of guys. It would be like moving and having to make all new friends. Unfortunately, it looks as if that is what the powers that be is forcing some to do.

[SwashBuckling Drunk]

+3

The absence of an off-topic board has given this place an unfriendly feeling lately. It's like big brother is looking over your shoulder waiting for you to post something non-brewing related. I understand it's a BREWING forum, but it's the only forum I even look at. What's wrong with people with a common interest having a place to joke around, express concerns, etc. Of course, we could go to another forum, but I like THIS group of guys. It would be like moving and having to make all new friends. Unfortunately, it looks as if that is what the powers that be is forcing some to do.

Right on

[nicneufeld]

An unfortunate concatenation of circumstances has sent perhaps the wrong message to NB from me, in that I ordered a sizable order (my first in many months) just the other day, after the brewhaha was shut down. I won't go as far as you in saying I'm a NB customer no longer, as the rules of the forum they host are completely irrelevant to my determination of what brewing supply vendor is best for me.

However I agree the tone of the board has suffered (and that is saying something since admittedly the tone of the brewhaha could be quite low at times anyway). I see it from both perspectives. We don't know what all their reasons are, and they could be doing the right thing in not sharing them publicly. People get sued for things like internet based harassment, and while most ribbing was done in good fun I don't see it as wholly improbable that some privately rendered complaints (or even threats of legal action) could have motivated NB to take severe action. (100% conjecture, just mentioning it as a possibility, I have no reason to actually believe this to be the case)

As much fun as this place is, the profitability of their business comes before the hospitable atmosphere of an internet forum, so they have to do what they have to do, I only wish they didn't have to do it. One idea another forum I (less frequently) frequent is to block viewing and posting to a certain forum based on post count...you could do a set length of time as a board member, and then a set amount of posts, just to prevent those spikes of new, temporary members that often inject hostility and/or controversy. Say 2 months and 25 posts minimum, then you can read and post to the Brewhaha. It also keeps the subforum privately viewed so random browsers on the internet can't read it...that reduces a bit of exposure and potential for problems. Anyway, just a thought for you guys at NB...make it sort of a veteran member private lounge, and it *might* have a better tone while also keeping our occasional craziness (assumedly seen as a possible liability) hidden from public view.

See, I had to have my turn around the long-expired equestrian mammal.