Seenenough wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 3:06 pm
admin2-To assume we intended to "Virtue Signal"is somewhat of a narrow viewpoint.We were simply upholding the principles under which Alison created the Forum and clearly by her recent comments, wishes to see continue.
You seem to have some personal issues with those who donate ,without expecting any preferential treatment in any way.You incorrectly and insultingly assume and imply that we are sinisterly expecting something in return.
Several of us ,including Alison have made it clear that we feel it is wrong of you to require a subscription to participate but you just ploughed ahead anyway.
This is a forum of thoughts and views and was never intended to be a Country Club
Nobody should ever be prevented from commenting because they choose not to subscribe.
I did post earlier that I wasn't going to say more on this, but your post Seenenough resonates so very closely with my own views that I just had to write to say that I wholeheartedly agree with you. I've donated to two other forums over the years, to defray running costs, one a cycling forum, another a mutual help forum for a small group of self-builders, years ago. Both times the donations were willingly given, without being asked, because, like this one, I felt they were communities that were worthwhile and deserved support.
I also inherently trust all here, we are all honourable people, that have had to show, or even prove, that by oaths and deeds over the years. It's unthinkable that anyone here would misuse any donation in my view.
The very last thing on my mind when making a donation to this forum's running costs was the abhorrent idea of preferential treatment, likewise I had no intention of so called "virtue signalling", in fact I very specifically objected to the list of donors being published and asked not to be included in it. If I donate to anything or anyone, then it is done with free will, a good heart and absolutely no expectation of anything in return, and frankly I'd far rather no one ever knew of it (a desire that has failed miserably on this occasion).
It seems that some here object to the way I view the world, judging from some comments above, and some seemingly object to the principle of no strings attached donations to worthy causes. So be it, but please accept that I am not a whinger (as has already been suggested) and I have not been trying to freeload, get something for nothing or curry favour with anyone.
My whole donation has now been refunded, with none kept back for the notional subscription.
I assume from this that I am now to be expelled from this new members club, given that even the new, small, subscription has not been kept back.
Great shame, as I have enjoyed the virtual company of all here over the years, and have gained a lot of pleasure from many of the tales and anecdotes, and particularly Ricardian's never-ending series of jokes.
As Douglas Adams once wrote, with fish as a metaphor for all benefits received,
"So Long and Thanks for all the Fish"
VP out