I'd have to say I agree with both of you to a point. Unlimited bashing cannot and should not be tolerated (can you believe I'M saying this??

), but yet a level of "free roaming" can also not be denied. When the administrators get to the point where it becomes more of a heirarchy than a democracy, the site will suffer as a whole, as it will drive away members who don't WANT to say anything, since they may think the admins won't agree with them. I think overall this site runs pretty well...no matter what you'll always have someone who believes themselves to be the knowitall....and usually knows little or nothing other than what TV and assorted magazines have taught them. Others will not accept criticism well, and yet others will speak their mind straight out and forthright, without making someone feel all warm and fuzzy before they tel em how it is (yep..we have a couple here

)
I like to think of it as using tact......you've all heard the definition of tact right?
It's when you tell someone to go get f**ked and they look forward to the experience
It takes all kinds to keep a board up and going....theres a very fine line to ride to have to keep EVERYONE happy, which usually NEVER happens, regardless of good intentions.
To address your previous statement, Norm....
Here, most (but not all) of it is on a low level and only misleading.
It seems that if someone has the knowledge to recognize BS and does challenge/question it, they are viewed as picking on other members.
I just take it with a grain of salt....usually the ones doing the whining are the ones with little "real world" experience. If theres something not right about what someones saying or the advice they're giving I'm not afraid to call em on it....I'm not here to be Mr. Congeniality or make someone feel loved...I'm here to discuss Oldsmobiles and the like and to help educate others on automotive and mechanical systems and problems. If they're thin skinned thats not my fault or problem.
I sometimes spend two and three hours editing and re editing one post in order to make sure it is as factually correct as posible and it explains the subject as clearly as possible, and lately I've been wondering why.
I also used to do that and still do to a point...however, no matter how clear you make it someone will always misunderstand. I've found that if I cover the basics of the issue that everyone else will get the general gist of the post.
There was one posted today that is farther off than most on this site. Thread starter may or may not spend considerable time and money to get no improvement.
It will depend whether he decides to believe the one who has done it or the one who read about it.
I didn't see the one you spoke of right off, but I'd have to say I'd believe the one who's done it and met with success rather than the one who read about it.
I chose not to participate any further because I'll be picking on the incorrect poster and further drive the rookie to the wrong choice.
Regardless, Norm...it is their choice. At least when I'm done I can leave with the knowledge that I at least attempted to help someone else out...if they choose not to listen it's their decision, but someone else reading the post MAY have learned something, so it's not really a loss after all, is it?
I feel correct diagnosis and knowledge of the best part for the application is why we are here.
I wholeheartedly agree with you Norm.
And I'm wondering why I'm here.
Same reason I am...to relieve stress, help educate others less fortunate than ourselves, and better the hobby as a whole. Rome wasn't built in a day, and people as a whole hate criticism, even if they know they're wrong. All you can try to do is get your point across as best you can, and hope that someone will learn and better themselves from it. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but hopefully we can still teach the young pups a few things about cars, old friend

_________________
Shawn's Auto Repair and Performance, SW Wis.
www.shawnsautorepair.procarcarezone.com
69 Olds Cutlass S
70 Olds Vista Cruiser Wagon
72 Olds Cutlass S, 12:1 470 stroker, JM40 solid lifter cam, TH400, 3500 10" PTC stall, 4.11 posi
74 442 455/TH350
79 Cutlass 455/TH375 sleeper
'97 GMC Sierra Ext Cab 9" lift w/ 37's