We the Moderating Staff of X Marks the Scot feel strongly that we should show respect to all the great individuals who make up our forum. When we issue warnings , infractions, or have to place restrictions on a member’s account we strive to protect their privacy and dignity.

Some of you have noted Dreadbelly’s absence from X Marks the Scot.

Others have read or heard Dreadbelly’s allusions elsewhere to his XMTS account being “Hacked” or “Compromised”.

We feel that in this case in is better to offer the membership of X Marks the Scot disclosure rather than allow for speculation and manipulation of the truth.

As some of you may know, Dreadbelly at one point had his account restricted because of numerous actions in violation of our policies. He left the forum rather than post within the requirements of a restricted account. Some time later he came back and asked us to be allowed to return to X Marks. After some discussion he was allowed to do so with his membership restored to full privileges. Our agreement with him was that he would be a model member of our forum or he would be banned. Since then he has not lived up to his side of the bargain. We would have been within our rights to terminate his membership many times over. A lot of his inappropriate posts have been removed from the open forum before most of our members ever had a chance to read them. He has been warned repeatedly in a wide variety of ways ranging from careful courtesy to blunt honesty to abide by the rules and show respect for the other members and staff here at X Marks the Scot. We have felt sympathy for him and bent over backwards trying to give him second chances. In so doing we have not been fair to the rest of our membership or stuck by our side of the agreement.

He recently incurred another infraction for breaking yet another forum rule.

Dreadbelly has shown little respect for our forum, it’s rules, or those that volunteer their time and efforts to make X Marks the Scot the best forum we can. The Moderating staff of X Marks the Scot have voted, but instead of banning him, it has been decided that Dreadbelly’s account be returned to a restricted one.

Dreadbelly is still part of this community. He can still contribute. Perhaps one day he can prove to the staff of X Marks the Scot that he can be a positive member of our forum and regain his full membership for the second time. It won’t be easy as this is the second time we have had to make this decision. We gain no pleasure in taking this action. But we do this because we have taken on the job of keeping X Marks the Scot true to it’s principles of being a positive and family friendly place.

Every community has rules. He can stay and enjoy X Marks the Scot for what it is and be part of this wonderful community and abide by those rules, or he find someplace that better suits him.

Regardless if Dreadbelly decides to stay with us or leave we wish him well.

The choice is his.

Sincerely

Nelson, Mike, Colin, Jamie, Todd, David, and Hank