opinions

[Philip]

"Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and most of them stink."
It's like waiting for a London bus in here. The forum stumbles along quietly without a hint of drama or excitement for months, then suddenly we get drama after drama.
Like David E. , I'm not sure my happily married life is anything anyone here is really interested in. I encounter some interesting stuff here in China, but can't really add much more to the dating advice than is already here, or to the legal stuff, because we have our own resident expert. This forum is more like an archive + occasional chat between guys who have shared similar journeys in the past.
Has the boat sailed? Maybe, but I still enjoy coming here, partly for nostalgic reasons, or on the off-chance I might be able to help someone, or they might be able to help me.
For what it's worth, Maxx, I'm going to thoroughly lick your boots and say that I think the moderators do a damn fine job. I can't quite work out what all the fuss was about - seems like a storm in a teacup.
Can't we just all  take the 5th, or observe the 24 hour rule, or count to ten, or something?
Or maybe this forum needs a bit of shaking up once in a while, to keep things interesting 
btw I hope that Mike stays around. I have always thought he made some excellent contributions to this forum, and have certainly never been offended by anything he said.

[JohnB]

have to agree with Philip..” I think the moderators do a damn fine job.”
In my opinion, the mod's do an exemplary job keeping this site afloat. If anyone wants to visit
a graveyard, go visit the forum on ChnLove. Michael, "China Shark", has single handily kept that
thing from sinking into oblivion. A few here did not accept his somewhat abrasive ways, but lets
face it, we have a few vociferous members here. In the least, Mike does have China pedigree.
There is little substance on that site forum nowadays. Without the 'Shark', what gives it life?

It is unfortunate that a few of the older members have left. The few new have taken their place.
Maybe the “site subject”, i.e. China woman, has matured. That should be the question that faces
us; likewise, maybe it is time to for 'mod' change. Maxx has entered his resignation. He is burnt toast.
Maxx has performed in an efficient manner, but a few here have questioned his 'professional' conduct. 
I have a question, do the mod's receive any considerations for their services? Just out of curiosity I ask. 

If there is a lopping of mod's heads, then by all means it behooves us to recommend a few
members to the exalted..the elevated status of 'site mod'. Of course Martin has the final say,
but a little help would ease the burden.
If it comes to recos, I do nominate “Mike”, aka mpo. He has a history of substance abundance here.
So why not 'Mike the Mod'?

[Martin]

Scottish Rob, in regards to the Shoutbox, when Irish man give up the site, it was moved to a new server. I don't know if the new server, or the updated version of SMF won't allow for the Shoutbox.that is why it is not here.

As far as considerations or compensation for the mods, they get 10% of the generated site income. To date, that income has been 0.

[JohnB]

"they get 10% of the generated site income. To date, that income has been 0."

Martin, I figured as much. It is a thankless job.

[Scottish_Robbie]

Ok Thanks Martin

[Rhonald]

As far as considerations or compensation for the mods, they get 10% of the generated site income. To date, that income has been 0.

And this is how Martin fooled me into becoming a MOD. He said that I would get a lot of LOVE from this site for compensation. So I though I would get frequent visits from escorts for massages, and only needed to worry about some of them being ladyboys. But when Martin told me about compensation, he was meaning tennis as in the French Open as in “l’oeuf”. A big fat ZERO.

As of late, with too many toes stepped on, I wish that emotions will settle down. Sure feelings were hurt, but I hope thicker skin will prevail. There is, as I see, no correct solution to help with this site's evolution. As a MOD, our job is but just to manage the pollution. Sometimes, the wrong things get cleaned up and or edited.

As a previous soccer ref, I know how sometimes spectators and players can get under your skin and cause you to make momentarily bad calls. I have done it, as it is always hard to control biasism.

[David E]

Phew !!!

I just wonder if there is any hope for us on the Site......

Having witnessed this bitter exchange between 2 of the most Senior, knowleagable and respected Bros it is a sad commentary on where we are at.

Maxx...you were always a tough hombre....but that was Maxx...we accepted it, lived it and had a watchful eye on your terse, relevant and inciteful Moderation of our (sometimes) wayward missives....even though your spelling and Grammar made me wince 

Mike...the voice of calm and reason.......deeply religious and committed, full of actual knowlege about the Chinese Bride adventure....heck, you even tolerated a heathen like me without rancour or judgement.

Now, to see the pair of you cutting each others throats is sad indeed.

And we used to have pride in referring to members here as "Bros"

WHAT in Hell happened to all that history, HOW in Hell did we get to this place.

More importantly...HOW IN HELL do we undo this mess and get back to where we were

I cant for the life of me recall the incidents that gave rise to this state of affairs, I dont recall any issues bad enough to lead down this track...but maybe I missed something.

Guys...surely we are bigger than this.

ps...Rhonald

"Biasism"...!!!!!!! No such word...as our resident wordsmith, you cant do this........not permitted.   

[maxx]

It's official I have resigned. from being a mod. I'm just one of the guys now. And it feels just fine. For those of you who pm me and offered  there support .Or those who posted there support here. I do appreciate it. Good luck and best wishes. I will still be around to offer my advice and support.

[Scottish_Robbie]

I'm with you Davied E I think I may have missed something as well...That was so UNLIKE Mike to comee away with stuff like that.

i woud like to see this site returned to the way it was .......... as a BROTHERHOOD.

[shaun]

Just dang!!! 

[ChinaBound]

 Well as they say 'things happen". I for one thought Maxx offered a lot over the years and helped people who came on here. I enjoyed the knowledge , opinions and of course the spelling at times along with the grammar.

Whoever takes his place I hope has the wisdom knowledge and experience that he had. And I am sure we will still hear from him at times.

[Pineau]

So far I don't see it.  Someone trying to do a job and occasionally it is not to the liking of someone else. Then the argument ensues. For what ever reason there is a feud taking place. But it is being played out on a public forum.

There are no opinions, only arguments.  I don't have an opinion and I hate to argue. So I dont like the current state of affairs here.

But I like to listen to new and refreshing ideas. I like to see someone do something to help the brotherhood and the newbies.  After all that is what I believe to be the mission statement of why this forum exist (correct me if I am wrong).

If this forum is going to continue (and I sometimes have my doubts) we need to put some thought into what could improve it. Not nuke it because of an argument. Analyze why the membership is falling and why at times the forum is a ghost town without new posts for days. How can we encourage new membership?  Maybe the answer is the forum has outlived its purpose and mission and the times are not right for it to continue. Maybe it needs to be put to sleep and maybe resurrected someday, rather than suffering through a slow death.

I for one think there is still value in this forum. I enjoy coming here and finding the occasional update or new experience that someone has shared. I don't contribute as much as I did in the past. The reason being that my campaign has finished. But I still like to come here to share some tidbit of my life or introduce a new lady I find interesting. So for me this forum still has some value although it is different than before. 

One often contradicts an opinion when what is uncongenial is really the tone in which it was conveyed.

Friedrich Nietzsche

[Rhonald]

ps...Rhonald

"Biasism"...!!!!!!! No such word...as our resident wordsmith, you cant do this........not permitted.   

Sorry - I forgot the "-" as in Bias - ism!

ism - Ism is a derived word used in philosophy, politics, religion or other areas pertaining to an ideology of some sort, sometimes with a derogatory sense.

Bias is an inclination of temperament or outlook to present or hold a partial perspective, often accompanied by a refusal to even consider the possible merits of alternative points of view.

I tried to merge two deep meaning words to state in the complex, that which is simple - He is wrong, I am right - definition.

[JustJim]

I tried to merge two deep meaning words to state in the complex, that which is simple - He is wrong, I am right - definition.

Webster is spinning...       apparently so is Dave.

I think what has happened had to happen and things will improve.  I find that I don't have a lot of time to come here and then when I do and I post something I am negligent in responding and then days go by and a response seems belated.

I am still in the process so the forum is valuable to me.  I don't know how I feel when the process has completed.  I guess we'll see.

[JohnB]

Gerry, Gerry, Gerry,
“How about a few blogs? How about some news articles? 
Invite a guests to talk about their experience in the blog.” 

As Ted posted “Issues with the forum”... 'but many members chimed in. The forum was fun,exciting,
and informative. It had that edge that made it different from other forums'.

I think you're on to something.. this thread is static, not as lively as a few years back. In a nanosecond or
two I usually am gone; invariably, I hit the blogs. I whet my appetite in the blogs for China stuff of interest. 
Most  “blog related" sites are usually current, up- to- date. Lots of good stuff to keep an interest. Maybe, most importantly,
there is no 'gamesmanship', in- your- face retaliatory posting. I mean, who needs that shit?
Probably most here read the blogs. For the uninitiated, it would be a great source of information, maybe newsworthy enough
to be of mention here. Get the blood flowing again.
(I say it, after Maxx's character assassination, there are a few child like nonsensical postings. WTF! Is this the future here?)

I think a host of blogs could be posted under “General Discussion & Useful Links” allowing the membership easy access
for review & maybe some 'adult like' thought provoking comments.

A few of mention,
http://www.pekingduck.org/
http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/
http://www.expatexchange.com/china/liveinchina.html
http://community.travelchinaguide.com/forum.asp
http://laowaiblog.com/
http://www.happierabroad.com/
https://yoyochinese.com/blog

& of course, our very own Arnold's http://www.shmifeng.blogspot.com/