I’ve never met mod lang. At least, I don’t think so. But other forumosans may have. They may know ML in real life and they may even know him/her as ML. Now ML has done something so extreme as to be banned from Forumosa. What would justify our having to prolong this any further?
So you can learn what not to do? 
I don’t understand that line of thinking, because remember, it takes some effort for you to get banned in the first place! [url=Forumosa's New Rules now, we have even made it really easy for you to avoid getting yourself unwittingly banned - we call the them Short Rules[/url]
“Getting unwittingly banned” – whew! what an absurd concept. If you’ve managed to get yourself suspended, then you probably knew you were close to crossing a line, and you will have certainly been warned about it by the relevant moderator.
And truant, you bring up the notion of “anonymity” in an Internet handle. Just how anonymous are you after you have logged some serious time on this website? After you’ve built up a following of people who look forward to / avoid your writing?? Sure, I often hear and read that some behave quite differently when they are online or offline - that their Forumosan identities “seem so different” from their real world identities. But can we assume that everyone is like this?
I heard that you went to the Taoyuan happy hour, so we know now that there’s at least one person who met you and now knows you as “the Forumosan named truant”. Something tells me that it wouldn’t be difficult for me to know quite a bit more about you from my buddy. Don’t worry, I still do not know anything about you (no offense, but I’m not THAT interested 
), and you don’t know squat about me (I hope) - but I think now you might agree that this anonymity thing in our community bit is just a little shakier. And if you do have a long history here on the website, you may not care for people to gossip and talk about you after you have decided to trash and burn your login ID
For me, not discussing what led to a banning is similar to not discussing what is passed along in Private Messages. It’s none of my business, unless you make it my business.
One more thing – it’s kinda funny. I’ve just realized that even I do not know why ML got banned (I’m not a member of the Star Chamber), although I certainly can look it up if I cared. But all I really care about is that at least 7 out of 11 moderators, all of whom I know do care enough about this website to commit themselves to being a part of the Star Chamber, have discussed it carefully and judged. 'nuff said
(Now I gotta get back to work 
)[/quote]
Goose Egg, I appreciate your reply, and now this thread is unlocked again I’ll post this…
Personally, I don’t give a shit why Mod Lang was banned and I don’t want to know, but I am always interested in healthy debate and this was a topic I thought was interesting. I have a great deal of respect for you & Maoman, and am in now way digging at you guys.
Anyway, regarding anoymity and your example above. The way I see it, it is my choice to a) join this community b) disclose whatever I want about myself and c) make an appearance at HHs. So, I feel that if I then subsequently do something to make an ass of myself and break the rules, then it is my problem if people know who I am - but that is something I knew BEFORE I decided to be an ass. Just like in real life, if I go and harass someone that knows who I am, then I have to deal with the consequences of other people finding out. For me, having people know who I am has greatly enhanced my Forumosa experience.
[quote=“Goose Egg”]
And if you do have a long history here on the website, you may not care for people to gossip and talk about you after you have decided to trash and burn your login ID[/quote]
That is my whole point I believe. That’s what the mysterious banning is generating, not preventing - but it’s your call. Like I said, I personally don’t care, I just think there is some concern on the site that bannings have become more politically motivated rather than for simple rule transgressions - a view I don’t subscribe to btw, but I can see how all the perceived secrecy in a fairly open community can generate ill feeling.
Anyway, the bottom line is, I fully support the admins and mods and trust your judgement. If I should ever be so foolish as to warrant a banning, I sincerely believe that with-holding why I was banned to the rest would be graciousness I would certainly not deserve.