# My Take on Area 51

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Posted by Rick [Rick] on November 22, 1999 at 16:31:26 {k/.KBikg62OL4VPHgCQsFMFBt36Xyc}:

On H2O participants are "innocent until proven guilty."

I skimmed some of the posts from 11/18/99 calling for Area 51's banning, but I feel like Judge Mills Lane from the small claims court show on television. People stand there and say "the darndest things" but when asked for photographs or other evidence: "Oh, I wasn't able to get any pictures but I was hoping you'd take my word for it Judge" to the downright ludicrous "Here is a handwritten receipt Judge, they ran out of forms and their computer died so they wrote it on this piece of paper, I know there isn't a name on it but I swear it's from Abe's Body Shop!"

First of all, this isn't Court TV and we're not here to try "cases." Posts that try to argue the "guilt" of someone (such as trying to carefully construct reasoning that could lead an audience to arrive at a consensus that Area 51 or other participants are "fakes"), these posts don't belong on H2O! Argue them on alt.religion.jehovahs-witn or alt.religion.watchtower.reform or alt.religion.watchtower.judicial but please don't argue them here.

People come here to discuss matters pertaining to our religion as JWs. They want to discuss interpretations of the Bible we hold, social and family issues pertaining to our faith, issues they feel we need to reform, and so forth. Provided that Area 51 and others continue to share their viewpoints in these areas, and want to discuss them as civilized people (as has been the case), then stop hounding them.

I live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty not the other way around. If you have hard evidence then spit it out and let the board digest it. Otherwise refrain. We don't need circumstantial evidence but hard facts to prove someone is "fake."

Can't we return to a time when H2O was filled with lively discussion on issues of importance? Can't we argue points people raise without spending needless bandwidth debating personalities?

Like it or not, my limited time on H2O means the moderators and forum director must make the tough calls. Rather than email me, or post notes trying to get my attention, why not use our email link at the top of the board to contact our forum director? Our forum director, if not having the time to respond, can forward your email to a trusted moderator. Doing so will get you a faster response, and you might be surprised just how much they care!

In closing, I ask that you all focus on addressing the content of Area 51's posts (and other controversial participants), and stop addressing the personality issue. Also, if Ray Franz has a comment perhaps someone who is close to him can post it for him (until he gets an internet connection), rather than many alluding to "Ray Franz said this or that about Area 51." As I believe Ray would tell you, his opinion is not the final word. Let the facts speak for themselves, and make sure what you speak on this site is within the boundaries of overall expectations for a discussion forum for JWs.

Thank you all for your continued willingness to maintain posting of quality information that is carefully drafted before getting posted.

Rick

Follow Ups:

- *My Take on Area 51 Farkel 19:58:26 11/22/99 (6)
  - **My Take on Area 51 FRED HALL 13:55:02 11/23/99 (2)
    - ***My Take on Area 51 IBelieve 16:42:54 11/23/99 (1)
      - ****My Take on Area 51 FRED HALL 11:18:28 11/24/99 (0)
  - **My Take on Area 51 Rick 23:17:57 11/22/99 (0)
  - **My Take on Area 51 There's More 21:23:48 11/22/99 (1)
    - ***My Take on Area 51 Not Really! 07:37:34 11/23/99 (0)
- *My Take on Area 51 Sincere 19:56:24 11/22/99 (0)
- *My Take on Area 51 Amazing 19:43:43 11/22/99 (0)
- *My Take on Area 51 COMF 17:00:52 11/22/99 (3)
  - **My Take on Area 51 Cygnus 17:32:38 11/22/99 (1)
    - ***My Take on Area 51 5GJW 18:50:10 11/22/99 (0)
  - **My Take on Area 51 Elrond 17:31:32 11/22/99 (0)

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