I'd like to address the members of this group about the locked thread
I was the person who made the alert that led to the hiding of this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12206664
I may have been wrong. If you think I was, then I was, and I will own that.
Please allow me to share the background.
I am a MIRT member. Our job is to stop malicious intruders (MIs) and spammers (MIs, too, but of a different sort). Our job is NOT to police the boards and certainly not to police the small groups like this one.
We have access to all new sign-ups to DU. We routinely look at each and every one of them. We have a direct link to their latest posts (but not any earlier ones). In this case, I looked at the new poster, bschwartz. The poster's first post appeared as spam. It certainly fit the profile of a newer spam form, which is a pseudo-personal story wrapped around a link to a commercial site or service. On that basis, I banned the new member, bschwartz and reported that back to the MIRT.
Upon reporting that, another MIRT member (doesn't matter who), checked behind me and asked if the OP, which was formatted similarly to the now deleted post, was also spam. I had not checked the context of the first post and therefore didn't see the OP, or for that matter, did I pay any attention to the group in which it was posted.
I saw the post appeared to follow the same pattern as the now deleted thread, but also saw the post count of the poster was too high to unilaterally PPR. So I alerted on the post, with ToS checked.
That sent it to a jury and a jury voted to hide it. That sent it back to MIRT. Since then it has been a hot MIRT topic. I've read all the comments discussing the locked thread and have decided I was in error.
I am here all on my own. I'm not representing MIRT as no one asked me to do this.
Since I think I was in error, I ask for the forgiveness of this group in general, and particularly from the OP, findrskeep, for getting your thread locked.
I don't know if it is possible to unlock it, but it is certainly possible to start the thread again.
I hope you'll forgive me. I am sorry this happened.
= new reply since forum marked as read
This helps tremendously. Mainly we were all wondering what prompted the hiding of the OP (the spam post was pretty self explanatory) and you have explained yourself well. It sounds like a simple misunderstanding. I do hope that Findrskeep will be allowed to repost--we value her talents, information, and offer.
Thanks again. 
No problem! It was all just a misunderstanding then.
Thank you so much for your post !!! It is much appreciated!!!
And Thank you for all that you do on D.U. I love you're posts though you are not posting as much any more. 
And while I can forgive you for the actions, I think we need to hear from findrskeep, too, or you do, anyway
I've nuked me self a couple of times too!
this was a alerted as a TOS violation so it went to the jury. Hope that helps.
MIRT is the Malicious Intruder Removal team and here are a few links for a description:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10131353
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=modsystem#mirteam
SOP is the Statement of Purpose for a group or a forum. You can find each SOP by clicking
here is the one for this group
Statement of Purpose
Positively explore issues having to do with Astrology, metaphysics & spirituality, homeopathy/alternative medicine and healing, Ascension, and other subjects having to do with holistic physical and spiritual growth & traditions.
TOS is Terms of Service which you can find here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice
Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the "behind the scenes" goings on of how this happened. This clears it up and hopefully if anything good comes of this, it will make those responsible for policing DU pause to take a breath and just think for a minute before just deciding to lock a post, send it to a jury, ban a member and whatever else it is that job entails. Of course I forgive you and thank you for speaking up, you're my kind of clown .
I have asked the powers that be if they can unlock your thread. It may actually not be possible, but I've asked.
You may also want to repost it. I promise it won't get alerted - at least not by me!
Again, I'm really sorry. 
well, more than one:
Or rather, I one-hundred-and-thirty-first it!
earlier Rick...Neptune is showing us for sure.
You done good. Carry on.
because I think one of my posts may have sparked this whole thing. 
I read bschwartz's post, but did not act on it or bring it to the MIRT group, because I wasn't sure it was spam (it seemed like a reasonable response to the OP - an alternative, if you will).
Once bschwartz's post was deleted as spam, I wondered why it was considered spam if the OP was not, so I posted the following in MIRT group (sorry, can't link to it):
4. Would that OP be considered spam?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12206664
I read bschwartz's post, and then I read the thread. The OP is linking to an online psychic reading website, and bschwartz's post replied and provided a link to a different psychic reading website.
So, I think Stinky's action was based on my poorly communicated post - the fault is mine.
I'm terribly sorry about this, and I hope I can be forgiven.
Thank you for doing your job!!!
And thank you for being so honest and open minded enough to post this!!!
I understand you guys have alot on your plates and alot of traffic through alot of sub groups sooooo no worries! We all are getting to know each other better.
It all takes time. and we are a pretty self sufficient group that rarely warrants monitoring LOL! We treat each other really well!
You ROCK!!!!
Stinky, you were doing a job--a volunteer job at that. No heartache here--it is what it is and we all move on together. You remain one of my favorite non-creepy clowns!
To the hosts here, I had no idea that I was violating any sort of protocol by not contacting you guys directly. Mea Culpa. No slight was intended, I assure you. Again, you are doing a volunteer job and I deeply appreciate the gift of time and energy you give us all.
To all who have come here with an intent to sooth raw nerves, bless you. This caring and sharing is what made the original DU such a wonderful community--such a haven--when we all needed one terribly. We are not a pack of rabid animals eating the young, we are a group of like minded people who maybe have differences of opinions on specific things. I've seen the phrase "herding cats" applied in this context before, but given the general lack of civility in not just the political arenas, but also life in general, I have to say seeing this kind of response does much to refresh my overall faith in the whole system.
Peace to you all.
Laura
obviously it must mean this place is special. 
(and since i'm on here, i must be special, too 
)
Of course you are forgiven, Stinky. You and Cyberswede were both just doing what you thought was the right thing. Thank you for straightening this out for us. 
Absolutely!
WOO! Power to the 
(we finest of folkies!)
