I agree with many of the posts that you do a ton of work for us and keep the board what it is. And many times I do see some the back and forth and find it silly, offensive, self-defeating, etc. Many time the fighters do seem to need a referee. But I do have to say in this day and age of super political correctness people can go too far, and see slights when none are intended. As one example, you constantly tell us your opinion that we may never comment on player's looks to say they look nice. We can't say gosh they have a great smile. (I wish I did, but mine always looks kind of funny. ) But in a post someone said he watched some player we are interested in and she looked "good". I took that to mean she looked good as a basketball player and could not imagine it being taken any other way. You issued a blast telling the poster to never comment on a players looks. Maybe you were so eager to see a problem, you saw one where it did not exist. We are all guilty of that, me included. And yes, I sometimes see people getting a little carried away with the language in their fights here on the yard, but perhaps that is just because they care so deeply about the team and the players. I see Gabby this year who is so strong and such a good player, but then I hear she has migraines and is struggling with her game and I get concerned that she looks depressed or anxious, but I cannot comment on that or express my concern because that is not basketball related. My view is it is generally ok to say something nice, but it is not ok to say anything negative, except about basketball, and then only with the understanding that I know so little I have no business criticizing and I have so much less skill and talent than our players that I am criticizing them for playing way, way better than I ever could. At the same time, I have way less talent that you at running a board, so I should say nice things, (Like I am so grateful to you for running this place, especially when I am down here is Florida with a laptop and a condo TV that does not get SNY and an internet connection blocking ESPN3, and I get to "watch" the game in real time by reading the Game Thread and I can see it a day later because you run this board and someone posts an internet address to click on and I have no clue how to do that) and the only time I can say anything that is not nice is if it is said with an attitude of love and a purpose to make the Yard an even better place. So keep up the good work, and perhaps lighten up just a little on the members who argue so passionately, but continue to comment when they get a little too excited. Perhaps some may want to adopt a rule I have for myself. Always read an email after you are done and before you send it. Clear up the typos and spelling. Then ask yourself, is there something mean, snarky, etc. If so, I have to wait 24 hours to let my head cool. Then I have to reread it again before I send it, asking myself, is this really helpful if I send it. The answer is usually "No." But I do recognize in the heat of battle, it is sometimes hard to wait 24 hours to throw a punch or a counter punch. So maybe everyone should just try to wait one hour.
P.S. You may also be a little too hard on yourself trying the herd this unruly bunch of cats and thinking it must be your fault if you can't succeed. You cannot do the impossible, and you can't expect to, but you can try, and see how close you can come. We all do appreciate the great work you do.
