Thank you, Kotch. I'm glad that at least you didn't take offense at my opening post and go on the defensive. I appreciate and understand your explanations. That was my sole point in starting this thread.
(To all
I have never claimed that I thought LPSG was a democracy; in fact, the opposite is true. I have always understood that this site is privately owned, and the owner, for better or worse, makes the rules. All the rules. I don't have any problem with that at all.
As for the semi-snarky comments about whether or not I paid for my gold membership: that's something that should not have been brought up in the public forum, right? For what it's worth, as soon as the gold membership policy was instituted (way back when the only way to get it was purchase) I paid for it. I rarely look at the galleries, they have never held much interest for me. I have plenty of jerk-off material at home, in real life... I don't need to get it online. So why did I get a gold membership? I enjoyed the site, and wanted to support it. Period.
Why did I stop paying for gold membership? Not that it's anyone's business, but here goes. Quite literally one day after I had renewed my gold membership, and fairly new troll (whose username means "turd") was getting on my nerves, demanding that the long-term members stop posting in a thread he deemed "done to death." I told him to mind his own business, and stop telling people where and when they may post. Some of the moderators gave me a warning. I asked that my gold membership be cancelled and my money refunded, as it had been less than 24 hours since I renewed. The gold membership was rescinded, but the money was not refunded.
I have been warned twice about taking two specific trolls to task, and I got temp-banned another time for taking another (obviously recycled) troll to task. In the end, they have all shown their true colors and have been permanently banned. But with all the veil of secrecy that some of the mods seem to enjoy, the appearance to the general membership is that trolls tend to be favored over long-standing, well-respected members. Whether that's the case or not, that's the appearance.
The moderating and administrative teams could, without divulging any sensitive information, make a whole lot of what they do a whole lot more transparent. In the long run, that would prevent a whole lot of grief and discontent.
It's been jammed in my face several times that "it's Rob's site, he can do what he wants to." That's fine. I know that already. I understand it. I've never claimed that this place is a democracy, and in fact, have corrected some of the more idiotic posts claiming "violations of first amendment right to free speech." This is not a government entity, so the first amendment does not apply. I get that. However, I cannot imagine that he is stupid, though, and the very best business model would seem to revolve around the mantra, "keep the clientele happy."