I was following a thread about how to submit ideas to the site. It was there yesterday, the last post I saw was @dave giving Greene a thumbs down for posting a link to the NGA mission statement. Where did the thread go? Or am I have a senior moment. I was really wanting to follow the future of the ideas thing.

I deleted it. It was counter productive to the conversation.

We're discussing it here:

The thread "Writing Ideas" in Site Talk forum

The main summary of the current situation is that the future of the ideas is being reconsidered. It won't be helpful for anyone to try to manipulate or strong-arm us into making a decision one way or the other. We'll set the direction that we think is right and appropriate for the site.

Dave locked the thread!

Cross posted.

Oh. I've seen threads get locked before, I didn't know they could also just get deleted. I didn't really see any manipulation or strong-arming in the discussion, but perhaps it took a turn after the last post that I viewed. I have to say, it seems a bit odd to just delete an entire conversation that you don't like the direction of. Wouldn't locking it to keep it from going further off the rails be adequate? Or maybe move it to the sandbox? It's just a bit confusing to have something just disappear. Just my opinion.

I was following both threads and disagree that the now-deleted one was counter-productive or strong-armed. It had some divergent thoughts and opinions, but nothing particularly off the rails. Locking it would have been enough, with the caveat that this site and its operating decisions are entirely at the Whitingers' discretion (as I believe we all realize) -- but to delete it in its entirety rather smacks of censorship. If you don't want input on site decisions, perhaps there is no need for a site forum? Or perhaps we are misunderstanding the purpose of the site forum and should only be using it to bring to attention things that are potential bugs? No offense intended toward anyone, I'm just a bit confused. And, frankly, a bit hesitant to hit the finished key... But what the heck.

I completely agree, Deb.

I didn't understand the use of the " " when a member quoted the stated NGA policy about ideas and articles; why not just state that the policy was indeed going to be changed, if that's the intent?

It may be that we're all a little spoiled by always having been given the ability to voice our opinions about the site, request changes, and so on -- but I think the majority of members (particularly ones that have been here for the long term) would overwhelming agree that that is a big part of what makes this such a great site.

I really hope that this was just -- for whatever reason -- an unusually touchy subject.