Is it me or is this site now boring because anything vaguely controversial is gone?

Its you. LOL

I can understand not making any personal attacks or airing grievances against a particular person on this site. I cannot understand why discussions concerning vital things such as protection of our sea turtles, our beaches and the cleanliness of our waters continue to be cut off. Keeping TB the treasure it is should not be considered an insult. I think it is the most important thing we can work together to do.

We agree that open, honest, and intelligent discussion of important topics is vital to a prospering society. Its one of the main reasons we operate this forum at no cost to our visitors. And if you check this site, there are at least a couple of open threads where one can discuss the environmental topics you mention.

However, the particular thread we closed was degenerating into a name-calling and insult-hurling flame. This helps no one and clouds valid issues with rumor and ill will.

One mistake we did make, though, was removing the ability to post any new comments there while saying that "new, pertinent and positive information" will be accepted. This has been corrected but we will keep a tight leash on messages approved there. This has been corrected.

TBNet

Way to go tbnet! You are in charge!

The controversial things are most likely still in place Zs. Some reactions to these seemed to have been loaded more with strong emotions than straightforward reasoning. The webmasters probably closed the last thread because of this. A shouting mob can be as bad or worst than the object of opposition.

The triggering of emotional response is one of our daily trials. Our responses are also an opportunity to examinine our inner lives. To allow the triggered reactions to be brief messengers from our bodies and not tyrants that take centre stage and overshadow our common sense and civility is an ongoing effort. One worthy of our attention.

However tip toeing around controversy sometimes stretches politeness too thin and turns it to pap.

This is a community conversation and I'm privileged to be part of it. Not just because I've commited by land purchase, also because I see the potential of TB to be a model of the successful application of collective sustainable environmental and economic planning.

Like the modes of development, the discussion should be guided by facts, performed elegantly and proceed with dispatch and sensitivity.

Some are better at planting, some building. Same in our talks. Some have facts galore, some much experience. Co-operation time is too long overdue, everyone has a hand in this.

I was one of those whose comments were not posted. While I believe my comments were emotional, I do not consider them to have been personally offensive. What I do find offensive is TBNet's arbitrary dictate in determining what is, or isn't, offensive.

In the same way that most of us refuse to live in a society where freedom of speech is dictated, I am sure many of us are averse to participating in a forum where "new, pertinent, and positive information" is subjectively determined. It amazes me that this quietude happened without an organized effort.

The fault dear Zzzz lies not with you, but with those of us who would participate in "pap" (apologies turey), and who would delude ouselves into thinking that we are involving ourselves in "open, honest, and intelligent discussion".

Many of us are extremely upset about the apparent destruction of the reefs. This is not just from an environmental standpoint. We grew up in those little coves, swimming, and fishing, and building memories that we have carried far and wide. To see what is happening now is indeed painful.

It matters not to me at this point if my comments are posted. It does matter that TBNet reads them, and are cognizant that these sentiments exists among its readership.

WE ARE SO LUCKY WE HAVE A FREE WEBSITE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM TAKE IT AWAY FROM US.

I wrote something I though had no insults at all but it was not printed. I wonder why.

@ tb.net "One mistake we did make, though, was removing the ability to post any new comments"

i was happy to see the above.

i wanted to say something when it was closed, but i did not want to be perceived as the trouble maker.

I become torn between wanting this site to portray a sweet and lovely picture of Treasure Beach and wanting to tell things how they are. Things are not always black and white, and I have sometimes failed to realize this. No matter what problems exist in Treasure Beach, it IS a lovely and sweet place. To pretend it is without problems is unrealistic.

Way back I was upset when this site refused to air anything else about the facility that currently houses the police training people. Even if no discussions were allowed about what was said to be happening IN that building, I never understood why people seemed reluctant to complain about the fecal matter that was being released into our waters. I figure there still is such a problem because I would imagine the bathrooms in that building are still used.

I applauded TB.net when they allowed a discussion about the sea planes. Even if the discussions didn't make a difference, people dd not seem to be silenced unless they were making personal attacks.

I also applauded TB.net for showing a photo of the site for the Bicknell home on Old Wharf. It is possible the string was cut off because someone said something nasty about the owners of that property. I don't know. However, talking about saving sea turtles and not allowing our beaches to be made private is an important matter. Are we supposed to wait for the next such construction site to occur? Are we supposed to ignore anyone or anything that has the power to diminish what we all hold so dear? If the Bicknells are allowed to continue on with no public protest or complaints to NEPA, won't that make it easier for others to do the same thing?

Rebecca spoke of the necessity for education in the community. She was perfectly correct. If that Bicknell string was allowed to continue, could many of us not have made suggestions about how this education might happen?

Treasure Beach is like a family. There are no perfect families, though many of us grew up thinking WE were the only one who had something weird happening in our family. It would have been so much easier if we were not ashamed of our secrets and had the guts to share and discuss them with others who cared. This would not have meant we didn't love our family. It would have meant we didn't have to suffer in silence.

I like what Mad 2 said. Treasure Beach IS a family and we do not have to pretend it is perfect because no families are perfect. We should be polite but be allowed to tell the truth. I think being polite includes respecting the community. When people build too close to a beach we should examine what they are doing. Even if a house is built very strong and it is expensive it does not always mean the owners are showing respect.