Alright, I finally have a thought to share, for what it's worth.

[Forkboy]

And it's this. I think mods commenting on threads is wrong. It's not about what side the mod takes, but when they do take a side it has a definite chilling effect on the opposing side. I've discussed this with Robb awhile ago (and by no means do I mean to single him out and question his fairness, he's a good mod). I told Robb straight out that I don't want to debate any of the mods. Whether they intend to use the power that comes with their position or not, it carries some weight. You can tell me that the mods go by consensus (which I know), but like I told Robb, I was a mod on another site (non-political, but just as feisty, if not more so), and I know that when a fellow mod says that this person is being a dick that all the mods go along, whether they know said person is a dick or not. I did it, I watched other mods do it, and I know people who have been/are mods here who do it. It's just human nature. You're going to trust someone you work with and know over some Joe Blow from Idaho every single time. In other words, the mod position comes with a lot of responsibility, and when a mod takes a side on a clearly controversial issue it undermines any conversation on the topic from the other side, regardless of the validity of either's position.

I know this seems like an insult to the mods integrity, but it has to be brought up by someone. It's really not about their own integrity, but the effect their position has on others in the debate in question. Look at it this way, when you get pulled over, do you argue with the cop? I doubt you do (I don't either). Why is that? Is it because you may not be right, or because you know it's a losing proposition to argue with someone with that kind of authority? Even if you feel you're right, odds are you won't go out of your way to argue with the cop, right? When the mods comment it has the exact same effect. What's to gain by debating them? Nothing, but there is a lot to lose. Who are the other mods going to side with, a fellow mod or some unknown poster? I'd pick the fellow mods side (and did so), and I don't think I'm going out on a limb by suggesting that this happens here as well.

So, as Draconian as it sounds, I don't think the mods should be allowed to comment in the forums they moderate. It's not that hard. I did it, and I was a mod on a forum that allowed right wing idjits. I still managed to hold my tongue.

Make no mistake, it's not that I don't want to hear any of the mods opinions. I just think that a mod speaking out, like when you speak out, carries a lot of weight, and that weight isn't always the only side of the story. But not many want to cross a mod, so who would say they're wrong? Even a perceived bias is still something that will stop people from speaking out. If this sounds unreasonable, well, it's nothing I wouldn't do if I was a mod here (and if you ever want me to shut up just make me a mod lol).

Again, I feel I have to reiterate that I'm not trying to call any single mod's integrity into question. It's not about which mods I agree with and which ones I don't agree with. I feel this should apply to ALL of them.

[Skinner]

1. We tell the mods to try to stay out of controversial stuff.

But I don't think it's a good idea to expect them to stay out of every discussion. In fact, my impression is that actually posting on the public forums helps keep moderators "grounded," and reminds them what it's like to not be a moderator.

Don't be afraid to state your point of view (in a civil way). If you don't want to have a discussion with a mod, then don't reply.

[Forkboy]

2. Ok, I can see your point on keeping them grounded.

There's certainly some merit to that.

I still like my idea, but thank you for the different way of looking at it. I shall re-ponder things. :)