You are not helping matters here, Suzi. I can recall more than one time when you've been in the middle of a F4F dust up. Perhaps you should consider this fact before you pontificate further.

I believe they are RichinNJ,  Aaron4USA, WillisC and Ampersand (Kelby)........   hopefully things will cool down and this is only a temporary suspension. If not, I will see them on Facebook and other forums.

Thank you Armando for making this issue clear.  Appreciate you.

Here is my take.  I am so tired of people on this, and other forums, trying to prove how smart they are.  This forum is so full of people willing to help other members and so willing to share their expertise for free.   There are definitely some of the banned people that are a real detriment to this forum and need to get another life.  JMO.

Three cheers for Suzi!

You know it's alway the guys that can't get along. I don't get it! #shakingmyhead. For God sake this is just a room to allow conversation to take place. And about FIGS!

Yea Dennis, This about growing figs!  IT'S A PLANT !!!  The forum is about how to help each other grow figs. 

Well, not to belabor the obvious, but if we want a forum about figs and not about egos and cat fights, that is what we are getting. A thread that was NOT about figs got deleted. And some people were sent to their rooms because they misbehaved. So let's move on and talk about figs. I think we will find it a more harmonious environment, now that the forum has leached some bad blood.

Yep, I am here to learn as I am in a zone (6a) that needs special attention to grow figs.  I want to introduce this wonderful fruit to our climate and want to learn from experienced growers on this forum.  I hope I can ask any questions here without being harassed by the few "Experts".

D-Guy
Questions have always been welcome by all including those that otherwise may cause unhealthy atmosphere. All agree there is no such thing as a bad question when asked with the intent of of learning.
That is the purpose of the Forum. What is needed is not to put down someone who tries to answer a question based on one's knowledge, experience or sometimes intuition only. Polite correction is fine but putting down discourages active participation.

OttawanZ5, that is why I am on this forum and hope learning is what this forum is all about.

Historically, if we had banned those who have had public disputes, some of the most valuable information on the forum would never had been posted. This isn't the first (or second or third or fourth ...) time Dennis has reminded us "HOW BOUT THOSE FIG???????"

[QUOTE=snaglpus]Three cheers for Suzi!

You know it's alway the guys that can't get along. I don't get it! #shakingmyhead. For God sake this is just a room to allow conversation to take place. And about FIGS![/QUOTE]

Why is it women can get away with being blatantly sexist?

Keith (Dirtguy50),

IMO, this forum community has been based on cordial and friendly discourse even when there was disagreement and where questions are asked and answered in a polite manner. Jon V. posted a simple Forum Etiquette, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Forum-Decorum-6119026 in the Start Here Topic on Page #1 that should be regularly reviewed by every member.

What has happened on several occasions is that arguments have arisen and instead of cordial discourse the posts devolve into rude and or inappropriate comments. Discussing a point shouldn't result in name calling and obscenity just because you disagree or lack a rebuttal. Also in some of the same topics some members take sides and join in the same bad behavior.

Jon V. as Administrator has the right to Delete or Lock the Topics and ban or suspend members, but as he has always stated he prefers minimal intervention, which leaves it up to individuals and the forum community to conduct themselves in a civil manor.

And for a chance to laugh at ourselves, check out this site and press "Begin"
Flame Warriors Home

Seems to be no consistency about who gets banned and for what.I can think of a couple friends who were canned for seemingly insignificant comments compared to what was permitted after they were gone. And it seems wrong that guys like Willsc get punished for defending the integrity of the forum. Jon what gives?

The way I see it is that it's a privilege to be on this forum, the info you can find is endless and super useful. If this were a workplace and acted a fool I'd expect to be fired. This is your workplace, respect it. These are your co-workers, respect them. You don't like their comments, ignore them.
I don't know the whole story and to be honest, I don't care. Not to sound rude but that's my take on it. I'm here to learn not to take sides. I've learned so much already because of the forum but more from my own trial and error, the ideas are here and you just need to apply them for your own needs.
As far as the ban goes, I don't have an issue with it. I'm sure they are all great people but not all of us are meant to get along. I've personally have met Aaron and I can say he's a stand up guy, and those that have met the others involved will say the same so lets just say they're all good people with strong with their own ideas. And maybe a bit stubborn, HA!
I don't care how much knowledge I have about figs (not much) but I check my ego at the door. Like I said, it's a privilege to be here. And remember, this forum was here before you and will be here after and not skip a beat, ACT COOL...

Has anyone offered Jon assistance with moderating the forum?  He may welcome the offer.

I try REAL hard to get some minds off the center of attention when fights break out.  No...it's not my job but I know what it's like to be picked on or called names or whatever!  So, I offer a few kind words.  

Knowing Jon personally, I know he talked to any member banned before banning that person.  He does not need our help.  Plus, there is so much we don't know!   We have to look at both sides of the fence.  The administrator side and the member side.  All we know is the member side.  I think everyone need to just focus on figs and forget about what happened in the past.  The friendships you've made are still there,  just not here.  You can find just about anyone on Facebook, trust me those folks are there.  Now, I hope everyone has a wonderful overflowing bowl of figs this year!

[QUOTE=snaglpus]I try REAL hard to get some minds off the center of attention when fights break out.  No...it's not my job but I know what it's like to be picked on or called names or whatever!  So, I offer a few kind words.  

Knowing Jon personally, I know he talked to any member banned before banning that person.  He does not need our help.  Plus, there is so much we don't know!   We have to look at both sides of the fence.  The administrator side and the member side.  All we know is the member side.  I think everyone need to just focus on figs and forget about what happened in the past.  The friendships you've made are still there,  just not here.  You can find just about anyone on Facebook, trust me those folks are there.  Now, I hope everyone has a wonderful overflowing bowl of figs this year![/QUOTE]

Amen To That

Speaking of figs Dennis, can you please tell the polar vortex to go away and leave my figs alone?

Unfortunely we have a few days of single digits come up....LOL

+1 Wills & Kelby back soon.  :)

Going,to be 28 in morning. Cold for louisiana not to mention its was 74 degrees

Just started a 5 day spell in the low 70s here.  Sorry, folks! ;)

We have not seen above freezing temperatures since the 3rd week of December but the spring will surely show up by mid-April. Spring here meaning when the plants can be taken outside the storage (& watching for the frost during the greening up of a plant...)

[QUOTE=BLB]Seems to be no consistency about who gets banned and for what.I can think of a couple friends who were canned for seemingly insignificant comments compared to what was permitted after they were gone. And it seems wrong that guys like Willsc get punished for defending the integrity of the forum. Jon what gives?[/QUOTE]

Please name a few more so others can chime in.

I guess that is a way to circumvent the banning decision.

Jon has a big job, and he is torn.  He gets messages from everyone asking him to choose sides.  He thought we were all civilized people, and he knows the drame here.  Instead of cutting the baby in half, and taking sides, he banned all the people involved in the drama.  How do I know this?  He emailed me.  Why did he email?  Because i begged him to come here and explain.  He is a busy man and doesn't do kindergarten.  Basically if you attack someone, or publish a PM, it's not a good thing.  But he did say in his email to me that he doesn't know how long the ban will last.  He is busy.  Don't ask!  I will not make his email public.  I just asked him to communicate, and he did with me.  Frustrated, absolutely!

Yep, accept Jon's decision and leave it alone. 

Does this mean I cannot access all previous topics started by these members?

Sometimes it's better to say nothing at all than to say one word that starts a conflagration. 

A wise person carefully weighs his/her words before they speak.

Life is much simpler when you learn that having an ego is really a detriment to living a peaceful life.

Peace, Love, and Harmony............The "hippies" really were on to something.


It took some thought to come up with any sort of positive contribution here. So thought I'd at least share a few lines of significant importance.

I really don't usually like to add to my 2 cents on topics like the drama referred to here. But really folks (referring to all crowing roosters that were involved), is it really worth the headache and stress just because you want to prove you're right & someone else is wrong? Did you ever consider allowing yourself to be wronged and then just let it go? Come on guys, believe me, life is too short..............

Now. Like Dennis said....How about those figs huh??  And.....read my tag line. 

[QUOTE=SoniSoni]

I hope he's ok

Think its easy to be thin skinned or to get defensive but as my old Mom used to say, be polite to everyone, courtesy does not cost a dime and it adds to your own value when you are gracious to someone who is not. Anybody who has ever moderated a large group knows how hard a job it is with all the different personalities you have to deal with. Jon does not have it easy. Hope we can stick the the purpose of this forum and that is to share expertise or our lack of it for us newer members and that the loss contributors with so much info to share is only temporary.

It may be hard for some not to take sides when they feel strongly for one side or another, but perhaps not contributing one's opinion may be the best way to keep discord small and in the best interest of the forum as a whole. I have dealt with some of the people in this mess and for what it is worth, they all seem to be nice people so I hope they will be back with time and we can be gracious in welcoming them back.

One other thing we should consider as bystanders is that this is an international community and what may be acceptable to say in one culture may be viewed differently by another.  Just because we are all using English to communicate does not mean that the words we use will be interpreted the same way by all of us. This can lead to discord between members when no slight or offense was intended.

 Marianna do you think a "like" button like Facebook would satisfy the need to express an oppinion without letting lose with a tirade?

Nicely said Marianna.

It sure has been quiet with Aaron gone lol.

That's ridiculous

What's ridiculous jc_figs?

I never seen Willis do anything bad or ampersand/kelby

You have been here for 90 days and now stating something "That is ridiculous"?  You are a troll and need to go away!!!!  The lying, totally inappropriate PM's to members, using multiple names are far worse than what this tread is talking about and you should be the one banned.  I am shocked YOU have not been banned!

Ok look I actually have been looking on here and checking things out but I and am I the only one who realizes that u always say something to me sounds like ur a troll to me and since I actually started replying I haven't said anything bad so u need to chill smh ✌✌✌✌✌✌

I cannot stand anyone who lies, sends inappropriate PM's to members, and tries to deceive other members.  Very simple.  This forum is not a playground for anyone's enjoyment.  It is about sharing and learning with people you trust.  There are people here that offer unselfish recommendations based on experience from past success and failures.  It is people helping people.  Not people playing the games you seem to enjoy and build post with totally worthless information.  I will not respond any further but I am sure you will.  That's what immature people do.  Bye.

Hmmm but yet ur acting immature by saying bad stuff to me in the first place and actually I do try to help people but if that's how ya feel ok peace ✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌

Dirtguy you make a pretty good point, even though the kid is not really harming anybody. He may not even be growing figs, nevertheless the forum is never going to be a perfect place. Is he required to make substantive contributions in order to participate in the forum? A group discussing fruit cultivation is probably not the best refuge for troubled youth, but we cannot censor everybody. Who knows if this person is really a kid, or what gender he/she is? How about those figs?

Well u can.n see I'm a young man by my profile pic

rafaelissimmo, I think you have a good point.  It may just be talk, I don't know.  I do think this forum could be a great refuge for a troubled youth if they will realize to be open, honest, listen, and never ever send inappropriate messages to anyone.  I am very very active in our local Boys and Girls Clubs and fully understand what you might be referring to.  It all starts from being honest with everyone and confessing if you haven't been.  Then this can become a wonderful refuge for anyone. 
I got some Unk Yellow Greek cutting from Aaron Delmanto (ADelmanto) that are growing like crazy.  I am trying to figure how to keep them inside until time to go out because they are growing so fast.  It is so enjoyable to see the progress of the cuttings during the cold winter.  Spring is still a ways away but getting closer every day.  Yea!

jc_figs, you still don't get it.  You have posted more that one profile, got busted, admitted to it, and still try to play some game instead of fessing up to the whole thing you have been doing.  "Come on Man".  There is not reason to believe your profile is true.  It is now after midnight where you are so why are you up posting on a forum if you are only 13 years old?