Phyllis and I are glad the RFD has now been published. We are sad that
rec.ponds has been so mired in conflict and hope that a moderated group
will be able to be set up.

We both loved and benefitted from rec.ponds before the conflict. We
built our pond around an old septic tank and learned how to lay cement
and how to run filter pipes. The folks on rec.ponds helped along the
way. They also helped us with info about plants, fish,
filters...everything. Over time, we came to love the community.

Then came the conflict! We stayed and posted, ignoring angry or
taunting messages. That lastd for several years, yet the volume of
off-topic and hostile messages grew so large and the crossposting and
name changes so frequent that it was impossible realistically for us to
filter out the junk. Finally, we looked for another pond forum, hoping
to be able to return to the community that had been rec.ponds. Over
the years we had posted around a thousand times on rec.ponds. It was
sad to walk away!

When 'george' announced his goal of a moderated rec.ponds, we were both
sad and excited. We volunteered and began working with the group that
has put the RFD together. The group has worked well together, even
with differing ideas about how to handle various things. Phyllis and I
both like the new RFD.

Two points of importance to us are that posts be evaluated by content
and that posters demonstrate respect for one another. We do not favor
banning anyone, although we can see situations in which persons who
repeatedly and egregiously violate posting policies, especially with
respect to attacking other posters, could be suspended for a period.
We do favor taking action to maintain respect between posters.
Hostility begets hostility. We would like to see posts evaluated by
content and by civility.

Phyllis has been a school administrator for 20 years. I have been a
professor of family therapy and a minister for 34 years. Our pond has
been a great place to relax and to grade papers.

It is our hope that the warm supportive community will reassemble and
that the blooming ponds of new pond season will be matched by a
blooming pond group. RPM sounds pretty good to us!

Phyllis and Jim